Oklahoma Legislature Enacts “Oklahoma Interventional Pain Management and Treatment Act”

Governor Brad Henry of Oklahoma signed into law S.B. 479, which makes it unlawful to practice or offer to practice interventional pain management unless such individual is a licensed MD or DO.  This legislation does not prohibit a nurse anesthetist from administering a lumbar intra-laminar epidural steroid injection or peripheral nerve blocks if requested by and under the supervision of a physician (MD/DO) and under conditions in which timely on-site consultation by such physician is available.  This Act prohibits nurse anesthetist from operating a freestanding pain management facility without direct supervision of a physician who is board-certified in interventional pain management or its equivalent.

The State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision is authorized to impose administrative penalties and to initiate disciplinary and injunctive proceedings against any person who violates this Act or rule promulgated pursuant thereto.  Further, the Board is authorized to apply for injunctive relief.

Congratulations to the Oklahoma Society of Anesthesiologists for their initiative and dedication to improving patient safety!