A physician’s delegation of prescribing or ordering drugs is limited, and some controlled-substance delegations are allowed only under specific conditions. The board must also require physicians to register the delegate’s name and license number.
Sec. 157.0511. DELEGATION OF PRESCRIBING AND ORDERING DRUGS AND DEVICES. (a) A physician's authority to delegate the prescribing or ordering of a drug or device under this subchapter is limited to: (1) nonprescription drugs; (2) dangerous drugs; and (3) controlled substances to the extent provided by Subsections (b) and (b-1). (b) Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), a physician may delegate the prescribing or ordering of a controlled substance only if: (1) the prescription is for a controlled substance listed in Schedule III, IV, or V as established by the commissioner of the Department of State Health Services under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code; (2) the prescription, including a refill of the prescription, is for a period not to exceed 90 days; (3) with regard to the refill of a prescription, the refill is authorized after consultation with the delegating physician and the consultation is noted in the patient's chart; and (4) with regard to a prescription for a child less than two years of age, the prescription is made after consultation with the delegating physician and the consultation is noted in the patient's chart. (b-1) A physician may delegate the prescribing or ordering of a controlled substance listed in Schedule II as established by the commissioner of the Department of State Health Services under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, only: (1) in a hospital facility-based practice under Section 157.054, in accordance with policies approved by the hospital's medical staff or a committee of the hospital's medical staff as provided by the hospital bylaws to ensure patient safety, and as part of the care provided to a patient who: (A) has been admitted to the hospital for an intended length of stay of 24 hours or greater; or (B) is receiving services in the emergency department of the hospital; or (2) as part of the plan of care for the treatment of a person who has executed a written certification of a terminal illness, has elected to receive hospice care, and is receiving hospice treatment from a qualified hospice provider. (b-2) The board shall adopt rules that require a physician who delegates the prescribing or ordering of a drug or device to register with the board the name and license number of the physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse to whom a delegation is made. The board may develop and use an electronic online delegation registration process for registration under this subsection. (c) This subchapter does not modify the authority granted by law for a licensed registered nurse or physician assistant to administer or provide a medication, including a controlled substance listed in Schedule II as established by the commissioner of the Department of State Health Services under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, that is authorized by a physician under a physician's order, standing medical order, standing delegation order, or protocol. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 88, Sec. 2, eff. May 20, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 269 (S.B. 419), Sec. 1.28, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 746 (S.B. 532), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 418 (S.B. 406), Sec. 3, eff. November 1, 2013.