Narcotic transition service provider licensing

Overview

Narcotic transition service providers must meet all applicable quality, safety and other requirements and, unless otherwise exempted, be licensed under the Mental Health Services Protection Act and the Mental Health Services Protection Regulation. In addition, service providers must meet all applicable requirements under the Community Protection and Opioid Stewardship Standards.

The regulation only authorizes a regional health authority like Alberta Health Services to be licensed and provide narcotic transition services.

Narcotic transition services use high potency opioid narcotics to treat patients with severe opioid use disorder who have been unable to initiate or stabilize on conventional opioid agonist treatment (OAT) medications. Under these highly specialized services, patients are stabilized on a high-potency opioid and provided comprehensive recovery-oriented supports. Best efforts are made to transition them under medical oversight to evidence-based opioid agonist treatment at the earliest possible opportunity.

This regulatory framework ensures narcotic transition services are provided with the most appropriate medical oversight. It supports movement to treatment and recovery, and protect communities against the harms of diversion.

The framework:

• requires licensing, except in the following cases:
  • if high potency opioid narcotic drugs are not used (the use of buprenorphine, methadone and slow-release oral morphine is not impacted by the regulation)
  • if the purpose of using high potency opioid narcotic drugs is to treat a condition other than opioid use disorder, the regulation does not apply
  • if high potency opioid narcotic drugs are used in a hospital only to stabilize a patient with opioid use disorder during their treatment for a different condition, the regulation does not apply
  • if an existing patient of a licensed narcotic transition service provider requires continued treatment at a hospital, emergency department or a Mental Health Act facility, those places do not need a licence but they do need to follow the regulation
• ensures:
  • clinical oversight of patients is provided by an addiction medicine physician
  • best efforts are made to transition patients from high potency opioid narcotics to evidence-based OAT medications at the earliest possible opportunity
  • patients have service agreements and individual treatment plans developed in consultation with them
• ensures service providers meet other standards such as policies and procedures for:
  • clinical practice standards
  • patient assessment
  • medication administration and prescriptions
  • referrals to other services such as detox, treatment and recovery services as well as primary health-care services
  • safety and security
  • employee requirements, qualifications and training
  • supporting patient success
  • patient absence, discharge and temporary exclusion from service provision
  • treatment of patients with dignity and respect
  • record creation, maintenance and retention
• gives government authority to address complaints and concerns and to amend, suspend or cancel a service provider's licence

Complaints or concerns

All licensed narcotic transition service providers in the province are required to have a complaint process.

It is recommended that service providers post the below poster in a visible location in each facility where the service is provided.

Download the Compliance and Monitoring Complaints Hotline poster

If you have concerns about the services you or someone else is receiving from a narcotic transition service provider, start by raising it with your service provider first.

If your concern or complaint is still unresolved, contact us if it is about:

• treatment or services received from a licensed service provider
• suspected non-compliance with the Mental Health Services Protection Act, Mental Health Services Protection Regulation, or Standards
• suspicion that a service provider is offering or providing narcotic transition services without a licence under the Mental Health Services Protection Act

Complaint resolution process

When you contact Compliance and Monitoring:

• a complaints officer will collect the necessary details to follow up on your concern – have as much of the following information available as possible:
  • name and address (including municipality) of the facility or service provider
  • a brief summary of your concern or complaint and when it occurred
  • names, titles and contact numbers of people you have spoken to about your concern or complaint (for example, the manager, senior manager or board member) and their involvement in trying to resolve it
• we will assess the risks associated with your complaint, and may conduct an investigation or contact other relevant authorities, or both, as required
• you will receive a follow up letter with the outcome of your complaint
• we will make every effort to protect your identity
  • Personal and health information is managed in accordance with the Health Information Act and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Critical incident reporting and duty to notify

Licensed narcotic transition service providers are required to report to the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction of critical incidents that have caused or threatens to cause serious injury or death. In addition, service providers have a duty to notify or report on situations that may jeopardize the service provider’s ability to provide services and/or situations that may be injurious to the safety or health of patients.

To report a critical incident or on a duty to notify, follow these steps:

1. Use the decision process document to determine if an incident is reportable and whether it is a critical incident or a duty to notify.
2. Download the Critical Incident Reporting and Duty to Notify Form.
3. Open the form from the download folder, complete the form, and save the form on your computer.
4. Open the following web portal and fill out the required information: Mental Health and Addiction – Submit Compliance and Monitoring Documents.
5. Upload the completed form on the portal and click Submit.

Contact

Connect with Compliance and Monitoring:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-8740 for questions about provider licensing
Phone: 780-422-4703 to speak with a complaints officer about concerns regarding services
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: amh.cam@gov.ab.ca

Mailing address:
Alberta Mental Health and Addiction
Attn: Compliance and Monitoring Unit
Telus House, 13th floor
10020 100 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 0N3

Service providers may use the following web portal to submit documents related to critical incidents, duty to notify and licensing: Mental Health and Addiction – Submit Compliance and Monitoring Documents