What type of care is exempt from querying the VPMS?

Palliative care patients are exempt from querying the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (VPMS) because the focus of palliative care is on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illnesses, rather than on pain management alone. This type of care is designed to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their families, addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual issues.

In Vermont, the regulations provide specific exemptions to facilitate access to necessary medications for individuals suffering from serious and life-limiting conditions. The intent is to ensure that healthcare providers can deliver compassionate and timely care without the burden of additional administrative steps that could impede patient treatment.

Other patient categories, such as those undergoing elective surgeries or experiencing chronic pain from migraines or non-cancer conditions, typically do require a query to the VPMS to ensure safe prescribing practices and to monitor for potential misuse of controlled substances. This is crucial in maintaining patient safety and reducing the risk of opioid abuse.