§ 20-7-703. Opioid prescribing guidelines for emergency department

(a) A hospital with an emergency department shall adopt guidelines concerning opioid prescribing in the emergency department.

(b) The guidelines shall be drafted jointly by the emergency department physicians and medical staff and approved by the governing body of the hospital.

(c) The guidelines shall address, at a minimum:

1. (1) Treatment of chronic nonmalignant pain and acute pain;

2. (2) Limits on amounts or duration of opioid prescriptions; and

3. (3) Identification of situations where opioid prescriptions should be discouraged or prohibited.

(d) The guidelines shall not be construed as establishing a standard of care.