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December 2021 eNews
Updates & important information from the State Medical Board of Ohio
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PROPOSED RULES
Seeking comments on the Medical Board’s initial review of an internal management rule
The State Medical Board of Ohio seeks public input on proposed rules. For internal management rules, public input is sought after the Medical Board has conducted its initial review of rules prior to formally filing.
At this time, public comment is being sought on the proposed language for the following rule. The rule title is a link to the rule(s) and a memo explaining the proposed action.
State Medical Board Metrics
Rule 4731-30-03 Approval of licensure applications Proposed to Amend
Initial circulation memo
Deadline for submitting comments: December 30
Comments to: Kimberly Anderson, State Medical Board of Ohio
Kimberly.Anderson@med.ohio.gov |
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Newly adopted rules
The following rules become effective on December 31.
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Health Alert - Increase in counterfeit prescription tablets containing fentanyl
The Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC) released this bulletin alerting Ohioans to an increase in potentially lethal counterfeit prescription tablets with fentanyl and other potentially lethal contents.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is providing the following recommendations to those who interact with people who use illicit drugs.
1. Help Individuals Access and Carry Naloxone
Encourage patients/clients who use illicit drugs, as well as their family and friends, to carry naloxone. Refer them to a local Project DAWN community-based naloxone education and distribution program or refer them to a local pharmacy that dispenses naloxone. More information about where to obtain naloxone is available here.
2. Administer Naloxone in Drug Overdoses When Non-Opioids are Suspected/Indicated
Even though naloxone is not effective in treating drug overdoses caused solely by stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamines, the administration of naloxone may be helpful in drug overdoses caused by a combination of stimulants and opioids like fentanyl and its analogues.
3. Help Educate Individuals About Dangers of Illicit Drugs Potentially Mixed with Fentanyl
Educate patients/clients who use illicit substances about the dangers of illicit drugs being mixed with fentanyl and the increased risk of overdose and death. Key points to emphasize include:
- Fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs without the user’s knowledge.
- Fentanyl is more likely to be fatal due to its high potency and how long it stays in the body.
- Avoid mixing drugs (including alcohol), which increases the risk of overdose.
- Do not use drugs while alone so that someone else can help/get help for them if they overdose.
- Make sure that the drug user, their family, and friends all have been trained on the signs and symptoms of a drug overdose, where to get naloxone and how to administer it, how to do rescue breathing, and the importance of calling 911 immediately even when naloxone is administered.
- Do not leave the ambulance or hospital against medical advice after naloxone has been administered to reverse the overdose. The naloxone may wear off before the opioids wear off – and you could go into overdose again.
Information to share with community members is available here.
4. Referral to Substance Abuse Treatment and Behavioral Health Services
Refer patients/clients who use illicit drugs to treatment. Ohioans can call the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services toll-free helpline at 1-877-275-6364 for more information 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. The local Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (ADAMH) may also be of help to find low-cost behavioral health services. For more information, please contact your local ADAMH Board. Ohioans can also access behavioral health treatment providers online.
Ohioans in crisis can call 1-800-662-HELP or Text “4HOPE” to 741741.
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Petition period open to add new medical marijuana qualifying conditions
The submission period is open until December 31. Anyone may submit a petition requesting a condition be added to the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program. If a condition has been previously rejected by the board, the new petition must contain new scientific information that supports the request. Details on the process can be found here.
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Interstate Medical Licensure Compact update
The Medical Board recently emailed a survey to Ohio's licensed MDs and DOs to gauge interest in participating in the Compact. Please take a moment to review the email and answer the one-question survey if you have not yet done so.
What does the Compact do?
The Compact creates a voluntary, expedited pathway to state licensure for physicians who want to practice medicine in multiple states. Eligible physicians can qualify to practice medicine in multiple states by completing just one application within the Compact, receiving separate licenses from each state in which they intend to practice.
These licenses are still issued by the individual states – just as they would be using the standard licensing process – but because the application for licensure in these states is routed through the Compact, the overall process of gaining a license is streamlined. Physicians are expected to receive their licenses much faster and with fewer burdens. Please note, physicians do not receive a “Compact license” or a nationally recognized medical license through their participation in the Compact.
The Compact sets the qualifications for licensure and outlines the process for physicians to apply and receive licenses outside of their state of principal license. The Compact also establishes and defines the role of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission – the governing body that administers the Compact – and sets limits on what the Commission can do.
Who is eligible to participate in the Compact?
Any physician (MD or DO) from a Compact state who meets the qualifications of the Compact is eligible for licensure in any other Compact state and responsible for obeying all statutory laws and administrative rules of the state. Click here to view the full Compact eligibility requirements.
When can I apply to participate in Ohio?
Senate Bill 6 gives the SMBO until September 29, 2022 to implement the system to begin processing and issuing licenses through this path. We will keep you and your associations aware of our implementation plans as they develop over the next year. Those plans will include a ‘go live’ date for Ohio, as well as instructions on how to participate.
Additional information on the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact can be found here. If you have questions, please email contact@med.ohio.gov.
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Duty to report obligation
As a licensee of the State Medical Board of Ohio, you have a statutory and ethical duty to report misconduct. You are obligated to report violations of law, rule and code of ethics standards to the Medical Board. Examples of misconduct include, but are not limited to, sexual misconduct, impairment, practice below the minimal standards of care, and improper prescribing of controlled substances. If you suspect or have observed inappropriate behavior by a health care professional or colleague, you should file a complaint with the State Medical Board. If you believe a crime has been committed, you should also contact your local law enforcement. Knowing a colleague is violating regulations and not reporting to the Medical Board not only puts patients at risk but also puts your license to practice in jeopardy.
If the board discovers you failed to report a colleague’s misconduct, you may be disciplined by the board, up to and including permanent license revocation, and you may be ordered to pay fines up to $20,000.
Effective May 31, 2021, MDs, DOs and DPMs are required to complete one hour of Continuing Medical Education (CME) prior to renewal on the topic of a licensee’s duty to report misconduct. The enforcement of this requirement began with renewal applications submitted on or after July 1, 2021. The board has created a one-hour course designed to educate physicians (MDs, DOs, DPMs) on the duty to report to the State Medical Board of Ohio.
To file a complaint you can visit med.ohio.gov or call the board’s confidential complaint hotline at 1-833-333-SMBO (7626). Remember, provisions in the Ohio Revised Code make all complaints received by the board confidential.
You can read more about your duty to report and the CME requirement on our website.
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Ohio prescribers are required to include the diagnosis code on all controlled substance prescriptions per 4729:5-5-15 of the Ohio Administrative Code.
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Need to check the expiration date of your license?
eLicense.ohio.gov
24/7 access & instant verification
no need to log in, simply search by name
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COVID-19 resources
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is leading Ohio’s pandemic response. If you have questions or concerns about their programs, please use the links below. SMBO will continue to share information from ODH as it is received.
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Licensee obligation to complete death certificates
When an individual dies under natural causes the attending physician is to sign the death certificate within forty-eight hours after the death. Read the Medical Board's policy statement and FAQs here. |
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Board seeks subject matter experts in family medicine, internal medicine and pain management
The State Medical Board of Ohio contracts with qualified medical experts for quality of care reviews. The board is currently seeking experts in family medicine, internal medicine and pain management. Potential experts should have a clinical practice within Ohio and be board-certified for a minimum of five years. If interested, email your CV to donald.davis@med.ohio.gov. |
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Office closure
The Medical Board’s office will be closed on December 24 and 31 in observance of the state holidays. |
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UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS
January 12
February 9
Meetings are in-person. They are shared as a courtesy via livestream on our YouTube channel.
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Update your address
Medical Board licensees are required to give notice of a change of address (residence, business or electronic) no later than 30 days after the change occurs.
Update your address > |
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Monthly Formal Action report
Review summaries of the disciplinary actions initiated, and the disciplinary sanctions imposed by the Medical Board at its monthly meeting. An individual's license information can be found on
eLicense.
Monthly Formal Actions >
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