Misoprostol, used to treat post-delivery hemorrhages, will become a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance in Louisiana effective Oct. 1 under a new law. The designation means the medicine will have to be securely stored, raising concerns among doctors who say they rely on immediate access to the medication in life-threatening situations. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana hospitals have scrambled to update their guidelines for misoprostol, a common pregnancy care medication that a new state law will reclassify as a controlled dangerous substance starting Oct. 1. Misoprostol is used for a variety of medical reasons, including postpartum hemorrhages.
LCMC Health and Ochsner Health System, which own and operate hospitals throughout Louisiana, will keep the drug in a centralized, passcode-protected lockbox on their maternity units. The Illuminator has reviewed guidance each system provided to physicians this week.
Dr. Stacey Holman, lead physician for LCMC Health’s maternal quality committee, said the system has had several meetings with physician and pharmacy leadership to discuss how their protocols will change. They’ve also performed timed drills to understand what delays to expect .