- (a) Arkansas Code § 17-87-102(2) states that a “‘collaborative practice agreement’ means a written plan that identifies a physician who agrees to collaborate with an advanced practice registered nurse in the joint management of the health care of the advanced practice registered nurse’s patients and that outlines procedures for consultation with or referral to the collaborating physician or other healthcare professional as indicated by a patient’s healthcare needs;”.
- (b) Arkansas Code § 17-87-310(a)(2) provides that: “An advanced practice nurse may obtain a certificate of prescriptive authority from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing if the advanced practice nurse has a collaborative practice agreement with a physician who is licensed under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, and who has a practice comparable in scope, specialty, or expertise to that of the advanced practice nurse on file with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.”
(c) Arkansas Code § 17-87-310(c) states: “A collaborative practice agreement shall include, but not be limited to, provisions addressing:
- (1) The availability of the collaborating physician for consultation or referral, or both;
- (2) Methods of management of the collaborative practice, which shall include protocols for prescriptive authority;
- (3) Coverage of the healthcare needs of a patient in the emergency absence of the advanced practice registered nurse or physician; and
- (4) Quality assurance.”
- (d) Arkansas Code § 17-87-310(d) provides that: “If a collaborative practice results in complaints of violations of the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 17-95-201 et seq., § 17-95-301 et seq., and § 17-95-401 et seq., the Arkansas State Medical Board may review the role of the physician in the collaborative practice to determine if the physician is unable to manage his or her responsibilities under the agreement without an adverse effect on the quality of care of the patient.”