Telemedicine & Controlled Substances: What ASCs Must Know in 2026
Telemedicine has transformed patient care, and it’s now reshaping how controlled substances are prescribed, stored, and tracked.
In 2026, the DEA is expected to release new rules around telemedicine and controlled substances that will increase oversight for every organization handling narcotics.
While ASCs may not prescribe through telehealth, these updates will still impact how medications are documented and verified. The focus on accountability is growing, and your controlled substance log will play a critical role.
What the New DEA Rules Mean for ASCs
Stricter Documentation and Compliance Expectations
The DEA’s upcoming changes aim to close documentation gaps and strengthen diversion prevention. This means tighter standards around how controlled substances are logged, stored, and audited.
Here’s what to expect:
A stronger emphasis on digital tracking and time-stamped records
Clearer audit requirements and documentation standards
More visibility into who accessed or handled each medication
Paper logbooks and manual systems make it difficult to meet these standards. ASCs that continue using handwritten logs may face higher risk of human error, missing documentation, and longer audit preparation times.
Many ASCs are still using manual logs that leave room for missed entries or audit delays. Having a standardized, ready-to-use controlled substance log can help your team avoid those gaps and stay compliant without added effort.
Why Controlled Substance Logs Matter More Than Ever
Accuracy, Safety, and Accountability
For ASCs, accurate documentation is about more than compliance—it’s about protecting staff, patients, and your facility’s reputation.
Each medication entry helps prevent mistakes and diversion incidents. With upcoming DEA oversight, even small gaps in a controlled substance log can raise red flags during an inspection.
Digital logs help create consistency and accuracy while making audits far easier to navigate. They transform compliance from a stressful process into a seamless part of daily operations.
Preparing Your ASC for 2026
Evaluate and Strengthen Your Current Process
The best way to prepare for regulatory changes is to look closely at your current medication management workflow.
Ask yourself:
How accurate and accessible are our current logs?
Could we easily provide documentation if an audit happened today?
Are our processes standardized across shifts and providers?
If any of these answers are uncertain, it may be time to modernize your approach. A well-managed controlled substance log is more than a record — it’s your proof of compliance and safety, helping your ASC stay prepared for audit readiness and future DEA oversight.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Lead with Readiness and Patient Safety
2026 will bring more accountability, but it also gives ASCs an opportunity to lead in patient safety.
By making digital documentation part of your daily workflow, your team can stay compliant and focus on what really matters — patient care.
Preparation starts with how your ASC records, tracks, and safeguards every medication.
See how others are getting ahead with smarter controlled substance management.
