West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 69 - Health And Human Resources › Title 69 - LEGISLATIVE RULE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN RESOURCES › Series 69-11 - Medication-Assisted Treatment - Opioid Treatment Programs › Section 69-11-30 - Unsupervised Take-Home Medications

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
30.1. Each MAT program shall develop and
				implement policies and procedures regarding unsupervised take-home medication
				schedules that consider the best interests of each patient, as well as the
				interests of the public at large. The policies and procedures shall be
				developed and implemented in accordance with federal and state laws, rules and
				regulations and pursuant to guidelines and protocols from approved authorities.
				The policies and procedures should assist patients with treatment recovery and
				simultaneously prevent diversion, ensure sage storage and security of
				medication and prevent overdoses. Policies and procedures shall address the
				granting and rescinding of take-home medication privileges.
30.2. Approved guidelines and protocols
				include those adopted by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), the
				Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), the National Institute on Drug
				Abuse (NIDA), the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence
				(AATOD) and other authorities approved by the Secretary. A MAT program may
				submit a written request that the Secretary approve another such program and
				shall provide all applicable documentation that supports such approval. The
				Secretary has the sole discretion in determining whether to add another program
				to the list of approved authorities.
30.3. All MAT program facilities that provide
				unsupervised approved use of medications shall be open seven days per week,
				except for eight holidays and two training days per year, when the programs may
				be closed.
30.4. The
				interdisciplinary team shall make recommendations to the patient's program
				physician regarding take-home medications for each patient. The program
				physician shall make the final decision regarding approval of take-home
				medications in accordance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations
				and guidelines and protocols from approved authorities. The program physician
				shall document all approved changes in take-home privileges in the patient
				record and the individualized treatment plan of care.
30.5. In determining which patients may be
				permitted unsupervised use of medications, the program physician shall ensure
				the patient demonstrates a level of current lifestyle stability as evidenced by
				the following in determining whether a patient is responsible in handling
				medication-assisted treatment medications for unsupervised use:
30.5.a. Cessation of illicit drug
				use;
30.5.b. Absence of recent
				abuse of drugs, including opioid and non-narcotic drugs, and alcohol;
30.5.c. Regular program attendance, including
				dosing and participation in counseling and group sessions;
30.5.d. Absence of significant behavioral
				problems;
30.5.e. Absence of recent
				criminal activity, including, but not limited to, charges and
				convictions;
30.5.f. Stability of
				the patient's home environment and social relationships;
30.5.g. Demonstrated satisfactory adherence
				to MAT program rules, policies and procedures for at least three
				months;
30.5.h. Assurance that
				take-home medication can be safely stored within the patient's home, taking
				into account the patient's current living situation and other members of the
				household;
30.5.i. Whether the
				rehabilitative benefit the patient derives from decreasing the frequency of
				program attendance outweighs the potential risks of diversion;
30.5.j. The ability of the patient to
				responsibly self-medicate;
30.5.k.
				Other special needs of the patient, including, but not limited to, split
				dosing, physical health needs and pain treatment;
30.5.l. The patient's work, school or other
				daily-life activity schedule; and
30.5.m. Hardship experienced by the patient
				in traveling to and from the program.