HB1132
To Increase Access To Healthcare Services Provided By Advanced Practice Registered Nurses; And To Amend The Prescriptive Authority Of An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes amendments to existing Arkansas law regarding the prescriptive authority of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). The primary goal is to increase access to healthcare services provided by APRNs. It outlines the requirements for APRNs to obtain a certificate of prescriptive authority, including completing an approved advanced pharmacology course with preceptorial experience. The bill specifies the conditions under which APRNs can prescribe certain drugs, including Schedules III-V and, under specific circumstances, Schedule II drugs. For Schedule II drugs, limitations are placed on opioid prescriptions to a five-day period or less. Stimulant prescriptions for Schedule II drugs require initial physician initiation and a recent physician evaluation of the patient. The bill also mandates that the Arkansas State Board of Nursing adopt rules consistent with the Arkansas State Medical Board's rules on dangerous drugs and controlled substances, with review by the Medical Board prior to adoption. It aims to expand the scope of practice for APRNs in prescribing medications.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Arkansas, as it expands their prescriptive authority and potentially their scope of practice, allowing them to provide a wider range of healthcare services. Patients in Arkansas would also likely benefit from increased access to healthcare, particularly in areas where physician availability may be limited, as APRNs would be better equipped to manage more of their medication needs. Healthcare facilities and practices employing APRNs could also see benefits from improved efficiency and service delivery.
Who Might Suffer?
Physicians licensed under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act may be negatively impacted by an expansion of APRN prescriptive authority, potentially leading to shifts in patient care dynamics and professional roles. The Arkansas State Medical Board could also be seen as negatively impacted, as it is tasked with reviewing and verifying the rules proposed by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing to ensure consistency, adding an oversight role. While not directly named, entities involved in the regulation and oversight of controlled substances and dangerous drugs could experience increased administrative responsibilities or changes in how these are managed within the healthcare system.