Idaho Admin. Code r. 24.38.01.200 - PRACTICE STANDARDS

01. Supervising Veterinarians:

a. Provide direct supervision for all procedures pertaining to the practice of veterinary medicine with the exception of:

i. Routine procedures in the practice of veterinary technology performed under indirect supervision of the veterinarian.

ii. Previously prescribed medications and vaccines, administered, dispensed, and delivered under the indirect supervision of the veterinarian. This does not include injectable controlled substances, injectable tranquilizers, injectable sedatives, and injectable or inhalant anesthetics, which may only be administered under the direct supervision of the veterinarian.

iii. Emergency situations in which the veterinarian, while en route to the location of the distressed animal, may prescribe treatment and delegate appropriate procedures.

b. Examines the patient prior to the delegation of any animal health care task. The examination shall be conducted at such times as acceptable veterinary medical practice dictates, consistent with the particular delegated animal health care task.

c. May delegate to a certified veterinary technician under direct supervision to perform tooth extraction procedures.

02. Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship. A veterinarian shall establish a valid veterinarian/ client/patient relationship. Such relationship will exist when:

a. The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the animal and the need for medical treatment.

b. There is sufficient knowledge of the animal by the veterinarian to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal, either by virtue of an examination of the animal, or by medically appropriate visits to the premises where the animals are maintained within a minimum of the last twelve (12) months.

03. Record Keeping. Every veterinarian shall maintain detailed daily medical records. Medical records shall include, at a minimum: the name, address, and phone number of the animal's owner or other caretaker; the name and description, sex (if readily determinable), breed, and age of the animal, or description of the group; dates (beginning and ending of custody of the animal; a short history of the animal's condition as it pertains to the animal's condition and diagnosis suspected; all medications, treatments, prescriptions, or prophylaxis given, including amount, frequency, and route of administration for both inpatient and outpatient care; diagnostic and laboratory tests or techniques utilized, and results of each; written documented evidence of continuous monitoring of all anesthetized animals. Records shall be readily retrievable to be inspected, duplicated, or submitted when requested by the Board. All records shall be safeguarded against loss, defacement, tampering, and use by unauthorized personnel. If changes are made to any records the records must clearly reflect what the change is, who made the change, when the change was made, and why. Records shall be maintained for a period of three (3) years following the last treatment or examination. Patient medical records shall be maintained for every animal accepted and treated as an individual patient by a veterinarian, or for every animal group (for example, herd, litter, and flock) treated by a veterinarian.

04. Preservation of Patient's Body. Where possible preserve for twenty-four (24) hours the body of any patient that dies while in the veterinarian's care until the owner can be contacted, except as otherwise provided by law. The time of contact or attempted contact with the owner shall be documented in the medical record. The veterinarian is allowed to use the usual manner of disposal if the owner has not made pick-up arrangements within twenty-four (24) hours of the documented contact time.

05. Consent for Treatment or Transporting. A veterinarian shall obtain written consent from a patient's owner or other caretaker before treating or transporting a patient to another facility for veterinary medical care or any other reason, unless circumstances qualifying as an emergency do not permit obtaining such consent.

06. Refusal to Render Services. A veterinarian has the right to refuse to render veterinary medical services for any reason, or refuse an owner's request to euthanize a healthy or treatable animal.

07. Immunization. When the primary objective is to protect the patient's health and a professionally acceptable immunization procedure is being sought, an examination is required, unless the animal has been examined within the twelve (12) months, except in the practice of large animal medicine where mass immunizations of animal herds is involved or when immunization is performed by the patient's owner.

08. Procurement And Administration Of Euthanasia Drugs. In order for a certified euthanasia agency to obtain approved drugs for euthanizing animals and a certified euthanasia technician to administer such drugs:

a. A certified euthanasia agency (CEA) shall appoint a person who will be responsible for ordering the approved drugs and who shall submit an application for the agency's registration to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The CEA shall also designate a certified euthanasia technician (CET) who will be responsible for the security of the agency's approved drugs.

b. Each CET employed by the agency shall apply for a controlled substance registration from the Idaho Board of Pharmacy under their individual name and using the CEA's DEA registration number.

09. Ownership of Medical Records. Medical records including diagnostic images are the personal property of the hospital or the proprietor of the practice that prepares them. Other veterinarians, including those providing subsequent health needs for a patient, and the patient's owner may receive a copy of the patient's medical record, upon the request of the patient's owner or other caretaker. A diagnostic image shall be released upon the request of another veterinarian who has the authorization of the owner of the animal or to the Board. Records shall be supplied within three (3) business days, counting the day of the request if a business day and shall be returned within a reasonable time to the veterinarian who originally ordered them prepared.

Notes

Idaho Admin. Code r. 24.38.01.200

Effective July 1, 2024