U.S. HHS Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force Report
The Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force (Task Force) was convened by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with the Office of National Drug Control Policy to address acute and chronic pain in light of the ongoing opioid crisis. The Task Force mandate is to identify gaps, inconsistencies, and updates and to make recommendations for best practices for managing acute and chronic pain.
For more information, and to read the report, visit: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pmtf-final-report-2019-05-23.pdf
Human Trafficking Resources
Health care providers have a unique opportunity to become the first point of contact in identifying individuals who have been trafficked. The Texas Human Trafficking Resource Center is a statewide directory connecting Health and Human Services staff, healthcare providers, stakeholders and potential victims of human trafficking to local, state and national resources to identify and help people affected by human trafficking.
For more information, and available resources, visit: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/safety/texas-human-trafficking-resource-center
Governor's Texas Safety Action Report Directive on Providers’ Reporting to Law Enforcement
As directed by Governor Abbott’s Texas Safety Action Report issued on September 12, 2019, the Texas Medical Board would like to remind its licensees that Section 611.004(a)(2) of the Texas Health and Safety Code authorizes physicians, and persons licensed or certified by the state of Texas to diagnose, evaluate, or treat any mental or emotional condition or disorder to report confidential information to law enforcement should the provider determine their patient poses an imminent risk of physical harm to themselves or to others.
Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry
The Texas Department of State Health Services' Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry is a volunteer management system that is part of a nation-wide effort to make sure that volunteer professionals can be quickly identified and their credentials checked so that they can be properly utilized in response to a public health emergency or disaster. Physicians and other health professionals wishing to volunteer may register at: https://www.texasdisastervolunteerregistry.org/
Disease Reporting Requirements - Department of State Health Services
For FAQs and information about HIV/AIDS and STD reporting by health care providers, visit: http://www.dshs.texas.gov/hivstd/healthcare/reporting.shtm
HIV and Hepatitis Information
Licensees are expected to comply with the requirements of section 85.201-85.206 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, which requires all health care workers to know their HIV status.
Our licensing rules require all acupuncturists to successfully complete a Clean Needle Technique course and practical written examination as a prerequisite for licensure. (See Board Rules, Chapter 183.)
Tick-Borne Disease Information
- Lyme Disease Information (CDC)
- TICK TEXAS (Dept. of State Health Services)
- Tick-borne Diseases (Dept. of State Health Services)
Zika Virus Resources
Poison Control Information
Senate Bill 144 (2003), created a requirement that certain healthcare practitioners and healthcare licensing agencies provide information regarding poison control services to their licensees.
Click on the following link to access an educational pamphlet containing information about Texas Poison Control Network services: Poison Control Network Brochure