Each veterinary premises, including mobile veterinary clinics
(MVCs) except as specified in this regulation, shall meet all of the following
minimum requirements:
(a) General. All
areas of the veterinary premises, and all instruments, apparatus, and apparel
used in connection with the practice of veterinary medicine, shall be
maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. Cleaning agents
capable of killing viruses and bacteria shall be used to disinfect the
veterinary premises. All public areas of the veterinary premises shall be
maintained in a safe condition for each client and patient.
(b) Exterior and grounds.
(1) The exterior structure shall exhibit
evidence of regular maintenance. All windows shall be kept clean. If windows
are open for ventilation, screens shall be required. All signs shall be kept in
good repair.
The grounds shall exhibit evidence of regular maintenance.
Parking lots shall be large enough for both staff and clientele. Parking lots
and sidewalks shall be kept in good repair and free of debris.
(2) The loading and unloading
structures of the facility shall be of sufficient strength to ensure the safety
and containment of each patient being loaded or unloaded and shall be in good
repair. The requirements of this paragraph shall not apply to MVCs.
(3) Companion animals housed outside shall
have shelter constructed and maintained to ensure the safety and comfort of the
companion animals being housed. Shelter shall be adequate based on the species
and health status of each companion animal housed. The requirements of this
paragraph shall not apply to MVCs.
(c) Holding facilities. The size and design
of all holding facilities shall ensure the animals' safety and well-being. The
area shall contain provisions for food and water when necessary.
(d) Interior.
(1) Space sufficient to safeguard each
patient shall be available.
Hot and cold running water shall be available.
Sanitary storage sufficient for the reasonable and customary
operation of the veterinary premises shall be available.
Restraint devices shall be of a design that conforms to
standards commonly accepted by the veterinary profession, clean, and in good
working order to ensure the safety of the animals and personnel.
Indoor lighting for the halls, wards, reception areas, and
examining and surgical rooms shall conform to the standards accepted as
reasonable and customary by the veterinary profession for the intended
purpose.
Ventilation and cleaning shall be provided to keep odors from
lingering in the rooms.
(2)
A resource center providing access to current veterinary information, written
or electronic, shall be provided.
(3) Heating, cooling, and ventilation
necessary to maintain the safety and comfort of the patients, clients, and
staff shall be provided.
(e) Reception room.
Seating designed for that purpose shall be provided for the
clientele.
A clean lavatory shall be available to the clients, unless the
facility is an MVC.
A current premises registration certificate issued by the board
of veterinary examiners shall be conspicuously displayed.
(f) Examination room or rooms. An examination
room or rooms shall be available for the complete physical examination of
patients by a veterinarian. Each examination room shall be of sufficient size
to accommodate the doctor, assistant, patient, and client comfortably. The exam
table surface shall be disinfected between patients. All diagnostic equipment
needed for the physical examination shall be readily available.
(g) Wards. Each veterinary premises, except
an MVC, where any animals are retained overnight shall meet all of the
following requirements:
(1) Exercise shall be
provided for animals having to stay in an overnight facility. Walking the
animal shall meet this requirement.
(2) The floors shall be smooth, waterproof,
nonabsor-bent, capable of being disinfected, and in good repair. The walls
shall be smooth and free of cracks or gaps large enough to interfere with
effective cleaning.
(3) The
temperature shall be maintained in a range that is comfortable and safe for all
patients.
(4) A separate
compartment shall be available for each animal. Caging or housing shall be
designed with each animal's physical comfort as the primary consideration.
(A) Physical comfort ensuring that each
animal is dry and clean shall be provided.
(B) Sufficient space shall be provided to
ensure each animal's freedom of movement and normal postural adjustments with
convenient access to food and water.
(5) All cages, runs, stalls, pens, and other
animal compartments shall be kept in good repair to prevent injury to the
animal and to promote physical comfort.
(A)
Sharp corners and edges, broken wires, and any dangerous surfaces shall not be
present.
(B) Cages made of metal
other than stainless steel shall be kept in good repair by regular painting or
other maintenance as required.
(6) The compartments shall be disinfected
between occupants. The floors and walls shall be regularly disinfected. All
waste cans shall be metal or plastic, be leakproof, and have tightfitting
lids.
(7) The drains shall be
constructed so that they facilitate disinfection between runways. To maintain
proper sanitation, the runways shall be cleaned between uses.
(8) Bulk food shall be stored in a
verminproof container. Opened canned food shall be refrigerated until
used.
(9) Water and feed dishes, if
not disposable, shall be disinfected.
(10) Daily feedings suitable for each animal
with a wholesome, nutritional, palatable food and daily fresh water suitable
for each animal, within easy reach of each animal, shall be provided, unless
medically contraindicated.
(11) An
animal identification system shall be used.
(12) The veterinary premises shall allow for
the effective separation of contagious and noncontagious patients.
(h) Operating room. If other than
minor surgical procedures are to be performed, an operating room for major
surgical procedures shall be provided and shall meet the following
requirements:
(1) The floors shall be made of
terrazzo, sealed cement, linoleum, or any other impervious materials.
(2) A setup for intravenous fluid
administration shall be available. Emergency drugs shall be readily
available.
(3) The surgery table
shall be constructed of impervious material that is easily disinfected.
Instruments and equipment accepted as reasonable and customary by the
veterinary profession for the type of surgical services shall be
provided.
(i)
Sterilization. All articles to be used in surgery shall be sterilized by either
gas sterilization or steam sterilization. Chemical sterilization shall be
acceptable under field situations and in emergency situations. Surgical packs
shall be dated to indicate the last time sterilized. A sterile monitor shall be
included within each surgical pack to detect proper sterilization. Caps, masks,
and gowns and sterile drapes, towels, and gloves shall be available.
(j) Oxygen. A mechanism for oxygen
administration shall be available. This subsections shall not apply to
MVCs.
(k) Pharmacy. The
veterinarian shall ensure the storage, safekeeping, and preparation of all
drugs.
(l) Radiology. If radiology
services are not available in the facility, clients shall be referred to a
facility that does provide those services when these services are indicated.
Permanent identification of the radiograph shall occur at the
time of exposure or just before development.
Leaded aprons, thyroid shields, and either gloves or mitts
shall be available for anyone helping to restrain or position patients during
radiography.
(m)
Laboratory. The clinical pathology services shall be available either on the
veterinary premises or in a medical facility. All test results shall be made
available within a time frame accepted as reasonable and customary by the
veterinary profession.
(n) Waste
disposal.
(1) The prompt and sanitary disposal
of all dead animals and animal tissues shall be required. All animal tissues
and dead companion animals weighing up to 150 pounds shall be contained in
plastic bags and kept in an area away from the public before being picked up
for disposal. Each dead companion weighing up to 150 pounds held overnight for
pickup shall be contained in one or more plastic bags and placed in a
refrigerator or freezer.
(2)
Needles and syringes shall be destroyed or adequately disposed of in a safe
manner.
