4 Colo. Code Regs. § 727-1.6

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 22, November 25, 2024

Section 4 CCR 727-1.6 - SUPERVISION

A. Supervised Practice pursuant to sections 12-315-104(6), (10), and (10.5), and 12-315-116, C.R.S., means the supervising licensed veterinarian directs or supervises the authorized delegated treatment or collection of diagnostic information of a patient.

1. Only a licensed veterinarian in Colorado may diagnose, prescribe, perform surgery, or initiate treatment.

a. These duties, with the exception of rabies vaccination administration pursuant to section 12-315-105(1)(q), C.R.S., cannot be delegated to veterinary personnel other than a veterinary student or veterinary student preceptor.

b. These duties may be delegated to a veterinary student or veterinary student preceptor in compliance with section 12-315-116, C.R.S.

B. "Direction and supervision" as applied in section 12-315-105(1)(j), C.R.S., is "direct supervision" as defined in section 12-315-104(6), C.R.S. Indirect supervision and immediate supervision are applicable under limited circumstances.

1. Direct supervision means the supervising licensed veterinarian is readily available on the premises where the patient is being treated.

2. Immediate Supervision means the supervising licensed veterinarian and any person being supervised are in direct contact with the patient as defined in 12-315-104(10) C.R.S.

3. "Indirect supervision" means the licensed veterinarian in Colorado may direct or supervise the authorized delegated treatment or collecting of diagnostic information of a patient at a "veterinary premises" or "premises" (as defined in section 12-315-104(21), C.R.S.) without being on the premises and shall not be construed to allow the establishment of a veterinary-client patient relationship (VCPR) solely by telephonic or other electronic means under the following criteria:

a. The licensed veterinarian is a practicing member of the veterinary staff on the premises with responsibilities for the patient for which the "indirect supervision" of veterinary personnel is being given;

b. A veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), as defined in section 12-315-104(19), C.R.S., has been previously established;

c. The licensed veterinarian must be readily available for consultation by telephone or other form of immediate communication;

d. The patient must be hospitalized or the patient must be undergoing outpatient treatment for a previously diagnosed medical condition;

e. Orders for treatment, either written or verbal, to persons who are providing veterinary medical care under "indirect supervision" must be entered into the patient's medical record; and

f. A suitable written protocol for "indirect supervision" must be established by the licensed veterinarian designated as responsible pursuant to section 12-315-122, C.R.S., for each "veterinary premise."

4. In a life-threatening emergency, the supervising licensed veterinarian may provide verbal instructions necessary for stabilizing the patient prior to examining the patient provided the supervising licensed veterinarian subsequently and timely examines the patient and documents the instruction provided in the patient's record.

C. Pursuant to section 12-315-105(1)(j), C.R.S., veterinary personnel that do not include a "licensed veterinarian" as defined in section 12-315-104(11), C.R.S., or a "veterinary student" as defined under section 12-315-104(22), C.R.S., may perform veterinary medicine duties under the direction and supervision of a licensed veterinarian who shall be responsible for such person's performance under, but not limited to, the following conditions:

1. Veterinary personnel may assist in a surgical procedure under the "immediate supervision" of a licensed veterinarian as defined in section 12-315-104(10), C.R.S.

4 CCR 727-1.6

Colorado Register, Vol 37, No. 14. July 25, 2014, effective 8/14/2014

42 CR 21, November 10, 2019, effective 11/30/2019

43 CR 18, September 25, 2020, effective 10/15/2020

43 CR 22, November 25, 2020, effective 12/15/2020

44 CR 06, March 25, 2021, effective 4/14/2021

44 CR 21, November 10, 2021, effective 11/30/2021

45 CR 22, November 25, 2022, effective 12/15/2022

46 CR 06, March 25, 2023, effective 4/14/2023