Iowa HSB160 mandates physicians to discuss risks and alternatives before prescribing certain pain medications.

Iowa HSB160 requires the board of medicine to update standards of practice for pain management. Physicians must discuss risks of addiction, overdose, and combining opioids with alcohol or benzodiazepines before issuing initial or third prescriptions for acute or chronic pain. They must also explain the necessity of the prescription and available alternatives. The physician must document these discussions in the patient's medical record. This requirement does not apply to patients in the terminal stages of cancer or other illnesses where the goal is comfort care.

Iowa HSB160 mandates physicians to discuss risks and alternatives before prescribing certain pain medications.

Iowa HSB160 requires the board of medicine to update standards of practice for pain management. Physicians must discuss risks of addiction, overdose, and combining opioids with alcohol or benzodiazepines before issuing initial or third prescriptions for acute or chronic pain. They must also explain the necessity of the prescription and available alternatives. The physician must document these discussions in the patient's medical record. This requirement does not apply to patients in the terminal stages of cancer or other illnesses where the goal is comfort care.