PURPOSE: This rule defines the minimum standards for emergency clinics and services.

1. (1) Emergency clinics are facilities which advertise or otherwise purport to provide veterinary medical services on a twenty-four (24)-hour basis or during periods when these services are not normally available through other facilities. Nothing contained in this rule is intended to prohibit any permitted facility from providing services of an emergency nature.
2. (2) The minimum staffing requirements for an emergency facility shall include a licensed veterinarian on the premises at all times during the posted hours of operation.

3. (3) Advertisements for emergency facilities shall clearly state—

   1. (A) A licensed veterinarian is on the premises during the posted emergency hours;
   2. (B) The hours the facility will provide emergency service; and
   3. (C) The address and telephone number of the facility.

4. (4) Medical Records.

   1. (A) When continuing care of the patient is required following emergency clinic service, the animal owner or owner’s agent shall be provided with a legible copy of the medical record to be transferred to the next attending veterinarian.

   2. (B) The minimum information included in the medical record shall consist of the following:

      1. 1. Physical examination findings;
      2. 2. Dosages and time of administration of medications;
      3. 3. Copies of diagnostic data or procedures;
      4. 4. All radiographs, for which the facility shall obtain a

signed release when transferred;

1. 5. Surgical summary;
2. 6. Tentative diagnosis and prognosis; and
3. 7. Follow-up recommendations.

1. (5) Equipment. In addition to the equipment for veterinary hospitals and clinics, all emergency facilities also shall have the equipment necessary to perform standard emergency medical procedures, including, but not limited to:

   1. (A) The capacity to render timely and adequate diagnostic radiologic services on premises;
   2. (B) The capacity to render timely and adequate laboratory services; and
   3. (C) The ability to provide diagnostic cardiac monitoring.

AUTHORITY: sections 340.200 and 340.210, RSMo 2016.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 270-4.021. Original rule filed Nov. 4, 1992, effective July 8, 1993. Moved to 20 CSR 2270-4.021, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed July 25, 2018, effective Jan. 30, 2019. *Original authority: 340.200, RSMo 1992, amended 1999, 2004 and 340.210, RSMo 1992, amended 1993, 1995, 1999.