Section 4877 - Veterinarian-client-patient relationship required; Good Samaritan exceptionIn order to practice veterinary medicine, a veterinarian must be engaged in a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. A veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists when a veterinarian: [2015, c. 209, §21(NEW).]
1.Engaged by client. Has been engaged by the client; [2015, c. 209, §21(NEW).]
2.Assumed responsibility. Has assumed responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the patient; [2015, c. 209, §21(NEW).]
3.Knowledge of patient. Has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate a preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the patient and has personal knowledge of the keeping and care of the patient as a result of:A. A timely examination of the patient by the veterinarian; or [2015, c. 209, §21(NEW).]B. A medically appropriate and timely visit or visits by the veterinarian to the patient while that patient is under the care of the veterinarian's practice; [2015, c. 209, §21(NEW).] [2015, c. 209, §21(NEW).]
4.Follow-up evaluation. Is readily available for follow-up evaluation or has arranged for veterinary emergency coverage and continuing care and treatment; and [2015, c. 209, §21(NEW).]
5.Records. Maintains patient records. [2015, c. 209, §21(NEW).]
A licensed veterinarian who in good faith engages in the practice of veterinary medicine by rendering or attempting to render emergency care to a patient when a client cannot be identified and a veterinarian-client-patient relationship is not established is not subject to any disciplinary sanctions authorized by Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5-A based solely upon the veterinarian's inability to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. [2015, c. 209, §21(NEW).]
Added by 2015, c. 209,§ 21, eff. 10/15/2015.