Rhode Island Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Enhancement

To achieve our goal in enhancing the established Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is applying for the FY 2022 Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program grant in the amount of $1,400,000. This project will support enhancements for the Rhode Island (RI) PDMP that will improve functionality, facilitate connections with healthcare providers, and support continued sustainability. The proposed goals include developing PDMP upgrades in pursuit of Medicaid Enterprise Systems (MES) Certification; establishing linkages between the RI PDMP and other health information systems; improving communications with prescribers, pharmacies, state agencies, and stakeholders; and performing data analytics and evaluations that will highlight potential future PDMP enhancements as well as leverage PDMP data to help inform statewide response to the opioid epidemic. This funding will greatly serve residents and health care practitioners across the entire state. RIDOH has formed numerous internal and external partnerships that contribute to the governance, development, and maintenance of the PDMP. RIDOH is working with the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to secure CMS funding for staff and enhancements that will be required for ongoing sustainability. The team also collaborates closely with the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH), to share information pertaining to overdose trends, community outreach, and efforts related to prevention, rescue, treatment, and recovery. The PDMP team also contributes to the Governor’s Rhode Island Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task force, a statewide committee comprised of members from RIDOH, BHDDH, the Governor’s Office, clinicians, first responders, individuals in recovery, and community organizations. Outcomes of this project will include improving ease of PDMP access and use for practitioners, facilitating PDMP integration into health systems including Medicaid, and enhancing data collection and evaluation that will inform future development and sustainability of the PDMP.