The California Department of Health has issued a new All Facilities Letter (AFL) regarding Assembly Bill (AB) 1048, which affects pain management and Schedule II drug prescriptions in healthcare facilities. Effective January 1, 2018, the bill removes the requirement for healthcare facilities to assess pain concurrently with the collection of patient vital signs, allowing facilities to create their own policies and procedures for pain assessment and management. Additionally, starting July 1, 2018, the bill authorizes licensed pharmacists to dispense Schedule II substances as partial fill prescriptions at the request of the patient or prescriber. This change also establishes storage, reporting, and recording requirements for healthcare facilities. Facilities must comply with these new regulations to avoid potential consequences for non-compliance. The letter serves as a reminder for healthcare facilities to stay up-to-date with current regulations and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

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