§ 5-37.4-2. Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter:
(1) “Chronic intractable pain” means pain that is: excruciating; constant; incurable, and of such severity that it dominates virtually every conscious moment; and/or produces mental and physical debilitation. A diagnosis and written documentation of chronic intractable pain made by a physician licensed in the state of Rhode Island specializing in pain management, oncology, or similar specialty defined in regulations shall constitute proof that the patient suffers from chronic intractable pain.
(2) “Director” means the director of the department of health of the state of Rhode Island.
(3) “Intractable pain” means a pain state that persists beyond the usual course of an acute disease or healing of an injury or results from a chronic disease or condition that causes continuous or intermittent pain over a period of months or years. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term intractable pain includes chronic intractable pain.
(4) “Practitioner” means healthcare professionals licensed to distribute, dispense, or administer controlled substances in the course of professional practice as defined in § 21-28-1.02(41).
(5) “Therapeutic purpose” means the use of controlled substances for the treatment of pain in appropriate doses as indicated by the patient’s medical record. Any other use is nontherapeutic.
History of Section.
P.L. 1997, ch. 83, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 46, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 93, § 2; P.L. 2005, ch. 104, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 216, § 2; P.L. 2021, ch. 37, § 1, effective June 2, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 38, § 1, effective June 2, 2021.