Pain Medication Policy

The Fosnight Center for Sexual Health believes that a fundamental component of good medical practice includes the appropriate evaluation and management of pain. Responsibly prescribed opioid medications may help treat patients’ pain safely and effectively, and improve their quality of life. It is the duty of any healthcare provider prescribing opioid medications to be knowledgeable of both the therapeutic benefits, risks, and potential harm associated with opioid treatment. The FCSH follows the NC Medical Board Position Statement 4.1.3: Policy for the Use of Opioids for the treatment of pain, and failure to provide opioid treatment consistent with the standard of care in North Carolina may subject a healthcare provider to disciplinary action by the NC Medical Board.

For our patients’ safety, FCSH providers will evaluate each patient’s situation and develop a pain management plan that considers all available pain relief options, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, non-narcotic pain medication, and/or behavioral healthcare.

Patients who are prescribed narcotics must sign a Pain Management Agreement, which explains the responsibilities of both the healthcare provider and the patient. In addition, we may require periodic random urine drug testing for other drugs (including illegal or unauthorized prescription drugs) that may cause dangerous interactions. This helps to ensure that patients are safe and that we are in compliance with the state’s strict prescribing guidelines.  Only short-course, seven (7) days or shorter, pain medications will be prescribed when deemed necessary by a healthcare provider at the FCSH for acute conditions.  Long term pain medications for chronic pain management will NOT be prescribed and referral to pain management clinics will be offered.

At the Fosnight Center for Sexual Health, our goal is to always provide patients with the safest, effective, and most appropriate care. We ask for our patient’s assistance in ensuring the proper use of narcotic medication.  There are no narcotics kept at any of the FCSH’s facilities.