| PRESCRIBING POLICIES: 4.11.1 METHADONE CONTROL PROGRAM – DAY/WEEKEND PASS MEDICATIONS (VGH) POLICY 1. For pain management: · VGH pharmacy will supply pass medication provided. · Order must be written by physician with methadone prescribing privileges. · A 24-hour notice is required for processing the pass medication. 2. For addiction management: · VGH pharmacy will NOT provide pass med for addiction therapy as daily witnessed ingestion is required. · Physician with methadone prescribing privileges for addiction therapy may write order on an outpatient triplicate prescription and arrange to have patient fill the medication from a community pharmacy on a daily basis for the duration of the pass. PROCEDURES (FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT ONLY) Physician: 1. Write the order for the methadone pass at least 24 hours prior to the pass. Nurse: FOR ALL WARDS: 1. Send a copy of the physician’s order to the Pharmacy indicating the time the patient is leaving on pass. Ensure that the number of doses required is indicated. Pharmacist: 1. Process the prescription on the computer system as a specific order for the duration of the pass. Ensure the dosing instructions and brand name or manufacturer appears on the label. (See PCIS manual.) 2. For outpatient pain management, methadone does not need to be diluted in Tang. Ensure that the strength of the solution and volume of drug per dose is clearly labelled. |