Hospital
Exceptional circumstances happen to everyone, and for many reasons, a patient on Prescribed Alternatives may be seen in the emergency department or admitted to hospital.
It is recommended that if a patient on Prescribed Alternatives be admitted to hospital:
It is recommended that if a patient on Prescribed Alternatives be admitted to hospital:
1
- Verify patient’s Prescribed Alternative provider.
- Connect with Prescribed Alternative provider and notify of admission.
- Confirm doses of Prescribed Alternative +/- OAT
2
- Advise patient of hospital policy on drug use.
- Continue Prescribed Alternative dosing in hospital (if safe to do so) as a PRN order dispensed by nursing.
3
- Communicate with Prescribed Alternative team on discharge
- Send discharge summary and notify of last doses
- Provide enough Prescribed Alternative via prescription until patient can be seen.
How to write an outpatient Prescription
Pharmaceutical + Strength + Number of Tablets + “Daily Dispensed for Prescribed Alternative”
Example:
Dilaudid 8mg, 10 tablets Daily Dispensed for Prescribed Alternative
January 1 2022 to January 7 2022
Please fax clinic with any missed pick-up days
(70 tabs, 560mg total)
January 1 2022 to January 7 2022
Please fax clinic with any missed pick-up days
(70 tabs, 560mg total)
Notes:
Should an outpatient prescription not be possible; it is important to communicate with the team to avoid gaps in care and relapse. Hospital providers are encouraged to bridge patients if released on weekends and holidays until the patient can be seen by their Prescribed Alternative provider.