VERMONT CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ABUSE, DIVERSION, STORAGE, DISPOSAL, MONITORING, AND LEGAL ISSUES

Course overview

HEALTH CARE TEAMS AND PROVIDERS WHO PRESCRIBE, ADMINISTER, OR DISTRIBUTE OPIOIDS FOR PAIN SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES OF OPIOID PRESCRIBING, THE NEED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE PAIN CONTROL, AND AVOID DRUG DIVERSION AND ABUSE TO PROVIDE THE BEST PATIENT OUTCOMES AND PREVENT MISUSE. THIS ACTIVITY IS A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PAIN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND OUTLINES BEST PRACTICES IN EVALUATING AND MANAGING PAIN WITH OPIOIDS. IT ALSO REVIEWS THE STATE-SPECIFIC REGULATION IN VERMONT REGARDING THE APPROPRIATE PRESCRIPTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, AND OUTLINES THE ROLE OF THE HEALTHCARE TEAM AND PROVIDER IN MANAGING PATIENTS REQUIRING OPIOIDS FOR PAIN WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY AVOIDING THEIR MISUSE OR DIVERSION.