Overview
During December 14, Governor Shapiro signed into law Act 43 of 2023. The new law requires hospitals to include Fentanyl and Xylazine testing, if available, when a urine drug screen is conducted in an acute care hospital emergency room. The law also requires hospitals to report de-identified positive fentanyl and/or xylazine results from urine drug screenings to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH). The DOH is seeking feedback from hospitals across the commonwealth on how best to implement the provisions of this law in the most minimally burdensome way. Specifically, the department seeks feedback on testing thresholds and preferences regarding reporting frequency and structure. While all members are welcome and encouraged to attend this meeting, lab directors and emergency department staff would likely have unique insight into this issue.