Oregon Bulletin
Rule
Caption: Corrects language to clarify
rule.
Adm.
Order No.: VMEB 4-2011
Filed with Sec. of
State: 8-5-2011
Certified to be
Effective: 8-5-11
Notice Publication
Date: 6-1-2011
Rules Amended: 875-015-0030
Subject: Language correction from ‘or’ to ‘of” to clarify
meaning of rule.
Rules Coordinator: Lori V. Makinen—(971) 673-0224
875-015-0030
Minimum Veterinary Practice
Standards
Each veterinary medical facility shall comply with the
following:
(1) Medical Records: A legible individual record shall
be maintained for each animal. However, the medical record for a litter may be
recorded either on the dam’s record or on a litter record until the individual
animals are permanently placed or reach the age of three months. Records for
herd or flock animals may be maintained on a group or client basis. All records
shall be readily retrievable and must be kept for a minimum of three (3) years
following the last treatment or examination. However, three (3) years may not
be adequate for liability purposes. Records shall include, but are not limited
to, the following information:
(a) Name or initials of the veterinarian responsible
for entries; any written entry to a medical record that is made subsequent to
the date of treatment or service must include the date that the entry was
added.
(b) Name, address and telephone number of the owner
and/or client;
(c) Name, number of other identification of the animal
and/or herd or flock;
(d) Species, breed, age, sex, and color or distinctive
markings, where applicable, each individual animal;
(e) Vaccination history, if known, shall be part of the
medical record;
(f) Beginning and ending dates of custody of the
animal;
(g) Pertinent history and presenting complaint;
(h) A physical exam shall be performed to establish or
maintain a VCPR; and then each time an animal is presented with a new health
problem, unless the animal’s temperament precludes examination, or physical
exam is declined by the owner. For each physical exam the following conditions
shall be evaluated and findings documented when applicable by species, even if
such condition is normal:
(A) Temperature;
(B) Current weight;
(C) Body condition;
(D) Eyes, ears, nose and throat;
(E) Oral cavity;
(F) Respiratory system including auscultation of the
thorax;
(G) Palpation of the abdomen;
(H) Lymph nodes;
(I) Musculoskeletal system;
(J) Neurological system;
(K) Genito/urinary system;
(L) All data obtained by instrumentation;
(M) Diagnostic assessment;
(N) If relevant, a prognosis of the animal’s condition;
(O) Diagnosis or tentative diagnosis at the beginning
of custody of animal;
(P) Treatments and intended treatment plan,
medications, immunizations administered, dosages, frequency and route of
administration;
(Q) All prescription or legend drugs dispensed, ordered
or prescribed shall be recorded including: dosage, frequency, quantity and
directions for use. Any changes made by telecommunications shall be recorded.
Legend drugs in original unopened manufacturer’s packaging dispensed or ordered
for herd use are exempt from this rule. Legend and prescription drugs are as
defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in ‘FDA and the Veterinarian’.
(R) Surgical procedures shall include a description of
the procedure, name of the surgeon, type of sedative/anesthetic agent(s) used,
dosage, route of administration, and strength, if available in more than one
strength;
(S) Progress of the case while in the veterinary
medical facility;
(T) Exposed radiographs shall have permanent facility
and animal identification;
(U) If a client waives or declines any examinations,
tests, or other recommended treatments, such waiver or denial shall be noted in
the records.
(2) Surgery: Surgery shall be performed in a manner
compatible with current veterinary practice with regard to anesthesia, asepsis
or antisepsis, life support and monitoring procedures, and recovery care. The
minimum standards for surgery shall be:
(a) Aseptic surgery shall be performed in a room or
area designated for that purpose and isolated from other activities during the
procedure. A separate, designated area is not necessarily required for herd or
flock animal surgery or antiseptic surgery;
(b) The surgery room or area shall be clean, orderly,
well-lighted and maintained in a sanitary condition;
(c) All appropriate equipment shall be sterilized:
(A) Chemical disinfection (“cold sterilization”) shall
be used only for field conditions or antiseptic surgical procedures;
(B) Provisions for sterilization shall include a steam
pressure sterilizer (autoclave) or gas sterilizer (e.g., ethylene oxide) or
equivalent.
(d) For each aseptic surgical procedure, a separate
sterile surgical pack shall be used for each animal. Surgeons and surgical
assistants shall use aseptic technique throughout the entire surgical
procedure;
(e) Minor surgical procedures shall be performed at
least under antiseptic surgical techniques;
(f) All animals shall be prepared for surgery as
follows:
(A) Clip and surgically prepare the surgical area for
aseptic surgical procedures;
(B) Loose hair must be removed from the surgical area;
(C) Scrub the surgical area with appropriate surgical
soap;
(D) Disinfect the surgical area;
(E) Drape the surgical area appropriately.
(3) A veterinarian shall use appropriate and humane
methods of anesthesia, analgesia and sedation to minimize pain and distress
during any procedures or conditions and shall comply with the following
standards:
(a) Animals shall have a documented physical exam
conducted within 24 hours prior to the administration of a sedative or
anesthetic, which is necessary for veterinary procedures, unless the
temperament of the patient precludes an exam prior to the use of chemical
restraint;
(b) An animal under general anesthesia for a medical or
surgical procedure shall be under direct observation throughout the anesthetic
period and during recovery from anesthesia until the patient is awake and in
sternal recumbency;
(c) A method of cardiac monitoring shall be employed to
assess heart rate and rhythm repeatedly during anesthesia and may include a
stethoscope or electronic monitor;
(d) A method of monitoring the respiratory system shall
be employed to assess respiratory rate and pattern repeatedly during anesthesia
and may include a stethoscope or electronic monitor.
(e) Where general anesthesia is performed in a hospital
or clinic for companion animal species (excluding farm animals), anesthetic
equipment available shall include an oxygen source, equipment to maintain an
open airway and a stethoscope;
(f) Anesthetic and sedation procedures and anesthetic
and sedative medications used shall be documented;
(g) Adequate means for resuscitation including
intravenous catheter and fluids shall be available;
(h) Emergency drugs shall be immediately available at
all times;
(i) While under sedation or general anesthesia,
materials shall be provided to help prevent loss of body heat;
(j) Analgesic medications, techniques and/or husbandry
methods shall be used to prevent and minimize pain in animals experiencing or
expected to experience pain, including but not limited to all surgical
procedures;
(k) Chemical restraint may be used in conjunction with,
but not in lieu of, analgesic therapy;
(l) Appropriate analgesic therapy shall be guided by
information specific to each case, including but not limited to species, breed,
patient health and behavioral characteristics, the procedure performed, and the
expected degree and duration of pain;
(4) Library: A library of appropriate and current
veterinary journals and textbooks or access to veterinary internet resources
shall be available for ready reference.
(5) Laboratory: Veterinarians shall have the capability
for use of either in-house or outside laboratory service for appropriate
diagnostic testing of animal samples.
(6) Biologicals and Drugs: The minimum standards for
drug procedures shall be:
(a) All controlled substances shall be stored,
maintained, administered, dispensed and prescribed in compliance with federal
and state laws and manufacturers’ recommendations;
(b) Legend drugs shall be dispensed, ordered or
prescribed based on a VCPR and shall be labeled with the following:
(A) Name of client and identification of animal(s);
(B) Date dispensed;
(C) Complete directions for use;
(D) Name, strength, dosage and the amount of the drug
dispensed;
(E) Manufacturer’s expiration date;
(F) Name of prescribing veterinarian and veterinary
medical facility.
(c) No biological or drug shall be administered or
dispensed after the expiration date, for a fee.
(7) A veterinarian shall not use, or participate in the
use of, any form of advertising or solicitation which contains a false,
deceptive or misleading statement or claim:
(a) Specialty Services: Veterinarians shall not make a
statement or claim as a specialist or specialty practice unless the
veterinarian is a diplomate of a recognized specialty organization of the
American Veterinary Medical Association;
(b) The public shall be informed of their options when
an animal will be left unattended in the hospital.
(8) The veterinarian shall be readily available or has
arranged for emergency coverage or follow-up evaluation in the event of adverse
reaction or the failure of the treatment regimen.
(9) Euthanasia: Documented consent shall be obtained
and a physical exam conducted prior to performing euthanasia. The exam may be
limited to the elements necessary for the humane application of the procedure,
such as a weight estimate and visual assessment if necessary due to the
patient’s condition or temperament. When ownership and identification of an
animal cannot be reasonably established, the medical record for euthanasia
shall contain a physical description of the animal.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 686.210
Stats. Implemented: ORS 686.040
& 686.370
Hist.: VME 5-1992, f. & cert.
ef. 12-10-92; VMEB 1-2006, f. & cert. ef. 2-8-06; VMEB 2-2006, f. &
cert. ef. 5-11-06; VMEB 1-2008, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-08; VMEB 2-2010, f.
& cert. ef. 5-6-10; VMEB 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 8-5-11
Notes
1.) This online version of the OREGON BULLETIN is provided for convenience of reference and enhanced access. The official, record copy of this publication is contained in the original Administrative Orders and Rulemaking Notices filed with the Secretary of State, Archives Division. Discrepancies, if any, are satisfied in favor of the original versions. Use the OAR Revision Cumulative Index found in the Oregon Bulletin to access a numerical list of rulemaking actions after November 15, 2010.
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