Psychiatrist Judith Tietz Prohibited from Prescribing Opioid Drugs

September 20, 2018

On September 5, 2018 the Vermont Board of Medical Practice reprimanded psychiatrist Judith Tietz.

Tietz is medical director of the Community Care Network, in Rutland, Vermont.

According to the Board’s document, Dr. Tietz treated five patients for pain with opioids in a manner “not in conformance with the essential standards of acceptable and prevailing practice….”

Specifically, Dr. Tietz prescribed fentanyl, oxycodone and/or other opioids to patients over periods of as much as five years without documentation of an evaluation or rationale for the prescription; continued to prescribe opioids despite red flags such as patients becoming incarcerated for drug diversion, and other aberrant behaviors indicative of potential diversion; failure to conduct urine drug screens; failure to query VPMS regularly or at all; failure to document risk/benefit assessments; and failure to obtain signed controlled substance treatment agreements, among other things.

In addition to the reprimand, Dr. Tietz was required to pay a $5,000 penalty and, beginning 45 days from the date of the Board’s order, will be prohibited from and must cease prescribing opioid drugs to patients under any circumstances. 

Source: Stipulation and Consent Order in re: Judith H. Tietz, M.D., Docket No. MPN 022-0217, Vermont Board of Medical Practice, September 5, 2018