(a) The practice of veterinary medicine and surgery shall be provided in a competent and humane manner consistent with prevailing standards of practice for the species of animal and the professed area of expertise of the licensee. For a licensee to properly exercise the rights granted by the license, a veterinarian-client-patient relationship shall exist.
(b) A veterinarian-client-patient relationship shall be characterized by: - (i) The licensee assuming the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the animal and the need for medical treatment;
- (ii) The client has agreed to follow the instructions of the licensee;
- (iii) The licensee having sufficient knowledge of the animal to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of its medical condition. This means that the licensee has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal as a result of an examination or by medically appropriate visits to the location where the animal is kept; and
- (iv) Readily available follow-up care in case of adverse reactions or failure of the regimen of therapy.
(c) The provision of pharmaceutical services is governed by the following: - (i) No prescription drug shall be prescribed, dispensed or administered without establishing a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
- (ii) A licensee is responsible for assuring that a prescription drug or biologic prescribed for use is properly administered, or providing instructions to clients on the proper administration of drugs when the licensee does not directly supervise the administration.
- (iii) Drugs and biologics shall be stored according to the packaging and storage requirements set forth in the most recent edition of the United States Pharmacopeia.
(d) Record keeping shall be as follows: - (i) A licensee performing treatment or surgery on an animal, whether in the licensee's custody at a veterinary facility or remaining on the client's premises, shall prepare a written or computerized record concerning the animal setting forth the following information:
- (A) Name, address, and telephone number of owner;
- (B) Identity of the animal, including age, sex, and breed;
- (C) Dates of examination, treatment, and surgery;
- (D) Brief history of the condition of each animal, herd, or flock;
- (E) Examination findings;
- (F) Laboratory and radiographic reports;
- (G) Clinical impression; and
- (H) Medication and treatment utilized, including amount and frequency.
- (ii) The licensee shall maintain individual records on each animal, except that records on food, fiber, milk animals, birds, and horses may be maintained on an individual client basis.
- (iii) Medical records and radiographs are the physical property of the hospital or the licensee that prepared them. Records and radiographs shall be maintained for a minimum of three (3) years after the last visit.
- (iv) Medical records and radiographs or an accurate copy thereof, shall be released to the client or the Board, within two (2) weeks of a written request. A reasonable charge for copying or preparation of records may be made, except in the case of a Board investigation, in which case no charges are authorized.
- (v) A radiograph shall be permanently identified. It shall be released on the written request of another veterinarian who has the written authorization of the client to whom it pertains. The radiograph shall be returned within a reasonable time to the practice that originally prepared the radiograph.
- (vi) Contents of medical records and radiographs shall be kept confidential and not released to third parties unless authorized by the client or required by law.
(e) Emergency service shall be provided as follows: - (i) The staffing for an emergency veterinary facility shall include a licensee on the premises at all times during the posted hours of operation.
- (ii) Advertisements for emergency veterinary facilities shall clearly state:
- (A) The hours the facility will provide emergency service;
- (B) That a licensed veterinarian is on the premises during the posted emergency hours; and
- (C) The address and telephone number of the facility.
- (iii) "Veterinarian on call" means a licensee is not present at a veterinary facility, but is able to respond within a reasonable time to requests for emergency veterinary services. The facility's services shall not be considered or advertised as an emergency clinic or hospital.
- (iv) If continuing care of the patient is required following emergency service, the client shall be provided with a legible copy of the medical record to be transferred to the next attending veterinarian or a copy must be transmitted directly to the attending veterinarian. The information included in the medical record shall consist of at least the following:
- (A) Findings of physical examination;
- (B) Dosages and time of administration of medications;
- (C) Copies of diagnostic data or procedures;
- (D) All radiographs, for which the facility shall obtain a signed release when transferred;
- (F) Tentative diagnosis and prognosis; and
- (G) Follow-up instructions or recommendations.
- (v) An emergency facility shall have the equipment necessary to perform standard emergency medical procedures and shall have the capability to render timely and adequate diagnostic radiologic services, laboratory services, and diagnostic cardiac monitoring on the premises.
(f) "Mobile veterinary practice" is a clinical veterinary practice that may be transported or moved from one location to another for delivery of veterinary medical care. - (i) Mobile veterinary practice may include:
- (A) Providing medical or surgical care in a mobile vehicle modified and comparably equipped to function as a fixed veterinary practice facility;
- (B) A mobile extension of a fixed location general veterinary practice located within the same practice area but physically removed from the practice premises. Depending on the types of animals being treated, an outcall care provides vaccinations, physical examinations, treatments, diagnostic screenings, and surgery.
- (C) Any transportation used to transport licensee and equipment to provide veterinary care.
- (ii) In all types of mobile veterinary practice, patient care shall be consistent with prevailing standards of practice and a veterinarian-client-patient relationship shall exist.
- (iii) In all types of mobile veterinary practice, the licensee shall make provisions for follow-up care, emergency care, surgery, and radiology if not available to the mobile unit. Clients shall be informed in writing of these provisions.
- (iv) Mobile veterinary practice vehicles shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Vehicles shall contain equipment necessary to perform physical examinations, surgical procedures, and medical treatments consistent with the type of care being rendered and the prevailing standards of practice for those services.
- (v) The Board or its agent may inspect mobile veterinary vehicles for compliance with these rules.
Adopted, Eff. 11/14/2016.