Starting October 2, 2018, a new state mandate requires you, as a provider, to check the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) prior to prescribing, ordering, administering, or furnishing a Schedule II–IV controlled substance.
This mandate will help to ensure appropriate usage of controlled substances and help to prevent patients from becoming dependent on these addictive medications.
You are required to run a patient activity report within twenty-four hours, or the previous business day, before prescribing, ordering, or administering a controlled substance. In addition, you must also query the database at least once every four months if the controlled substance remains a part of the patient’s treatment plan.
If you fail to consult CURES, it is a violation of the law and could result in a citation or fine, or be a cause of accusation that leads to disciplinary action.
There are a few exceptions to this mandate. You are exempt from consulting the CURES database in any of the following circumstances:
- While the patient is admitted to, or during an emergency transfer to, a licensed clinic, outpatient setting, health facility or county medical facility.
- In the emergency department of a general acute hospital and the controlled substance does not exceed a non-refillable seven-day supply.
- As part of a patient’s treatment for a surgical procedure, and the controlled substance does not exceed a non-refillable five-day supply when a surgical procedure is performed at a licensed clinic, outpatient setting, health facility, county medical facility or place of practice.
- The patient is receiving hospice care.
For more information, visit the Medical Board of California or view their CURES FAQs.