CAP member physicians often share in Hotline discussions that patients have asked to record informed consent discussions prior to surgery, medication instructions, and post-op or discharge instructions. Should audio or video recordings be allowed in the physician's office? And if so, where should the line be drawn?

CAP's Hotline receives frequent calls requesting guidelines on discontinuing/terminating this patient-physician relationship, not because of wellness, but because the physician no longer desires to have the patient in his practice. From these calls, we have learned of "misunderstandings," which this article intends to clarify. 

The California Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) -- known as Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) -- has been upgraded in conjunction with Senate Bill 809 andCalifornia Health & Safety Code §11165.1.

It is important to have a clear, methodic process in place to ensure continuity of care when a patient is referred to a specialist or on-going care is transferred to another physician. 

All authorized prescribers of Schedule II through IV controlled substances must register with the CURES data system by July 1, 2016. The CA End of Life Option Act effective date is June 9, 2016. CDC guidelines pertaining to prescribing opioids just released.