Wyo. Code R. 251-0001-9
Veterinary Medicine, Board of
Chapter 9: Standards of Professional Conduct for the Practice of Veterinary Medicine
Effective Date: 05/13/2021 to Current
Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 251.0001.9.05132021
Section 1. Standards. All standards established by these rules shall apply to both licensees and temporary permit holders practicing veterinary medicine. Use of the term licensee shall also include temporary permit holder where applicable and not inconsistent with the Act or these rules.
(a) Every two years each licensee shall complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education approved by the Board in subjects related to the practice of veterinary medicine and shall include three (3) hours of continuing education related to the responsible prescribing of controlled substances.
(b) The licensee shall maintain and provide proof of continuing education attendance on a form provided by the Board. The form shall be submitted with the licensee's renewal application in the year for which it is due.
(c) Credit hours shall be earned by one-hour credit for each hour of attending programs approved by the Board. Board-approved programs include but are not limited to those sponsored by American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Health Association, Western States Veterinary Conference, veterinary college conferences, Wyoming Veterinary Medical Association, and any other affiliated association or society. Programs shall be specifically related to the practice of veterinary medicine. The number of practice management hours shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the total requirement.
(d) New licensees shall attend a Board orientation offered within eighteen months of licensure, after which they will be placed on the two (2) year, twenty-four (24) hours continuing education cycle.
(i) Failure to attend a Board orientation may result in disciplinary action of the license.
(ii) Continuing education credits will be awarded for attending the Board orientation.
(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) Reasonably 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 documented 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 legibly 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;
(IV) As part of an inspection or investigation conducted by the Board or an agent of the Board;
(V) As part of a formal verbal or written request from a regulatory, or public health authority;
(VI) To verify a rabies vaccination of an animal for the protection of the individual animal, human or public health welfare;
(VII) As part of an animal cruelty report or an abuse investigation by a law enforcement or duly appointed animal welfare or governmental agency;
(VIII) As part of a criminal investigation by a law enforcement agency; or
(IX) When the client cannot be reached to obtain authorization to release the records to another veterinarian in a medical emergency.
(B) A licensee shall not, with fraudulent intent, create a false record, make a false statement, alter or modify any medical record, document, or report concerning treatment of a patient. When correcting a medical record, the original contents should be readable, and the alteration must be clearly identified with the reason, date and author’s name.
(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; (E) Surgical summary; (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.
(g) For the purposes of this section, a “locum veterinarian” or “relief veterinarian” is a licensed veterinarian who temporarily fills the position of a veterinary clinic’s permanent staff member for any reason.
(i) Locum or relief veterinarians shall meet the same ethical standards as a veterinary clinic’s permanent staff members.
(ii) Locum or relief veterinarians shall be responsible for providing care within the context of veterinary-client-patient relationships established by a veterinary clinic’s permanent staff members.
(iii) Locum or relief veterinarians shall be responsible for any practice of veterinary medicine by a veterinary clinic’s unlicensed employees.
(a) A licensee is professionally and legally responsible for any practice of veterinary medicine by the licensee’s unlicensed employees. An employee’s practice of veterinary medicine without a license constitutes grounds for the Board to take disciplinary action against the licensee. A licensee shall have established a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship before delegating an animal health care task to a non-licensed employee as allowed by the Act.
(b) A licensee shall not authorize a non-licensed employee to perform the following functions:
(i) Surgery;
(ii) Diagnosis and prognosis; or
(iii) Prescribing drugs, medicines, or appliances.
(c) A licensee shall ensure that the activities of a supervised non-licensed individual are within the scope of the orders, assignment, or prescriptions of the licensee and within the capabilities of the individual. This does not prohibit performing animal health care tasks by the unlicensed individual as allowed by the Act and only at the customary place of business. Nor does it prohibit, under emergency situations where an animal requires immediate treatment to sustain life or prevent further injury, an unlicensed employee from rendering lifesaving aid and treatment in the absence of a licensee.
(a) Separate cages shall be provided for each hospitalized animal, except that neonate and juvenile littermates or animals from the same client may be caged together when appropriate as determined by the licensee. Cages shall be cleaned and sanitized before their use by newly arriving animals. Excreta, spilled feed, and water shall be removed from cages as often as necessary to prevent contamination of the animals, reduce hazards to the health of the animals, and eliminate odors. Cage size shall be sufficient to allow an animal to stand, sit, lie down, and turn around comfortably.
(b) Animals having clinical evidence of infectious, contagious, or communicable disease shall be separated at all times from other animals to minimize the spread of disease.
(c) Equipment shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.
(d) Food and water for animals shall be kept free from contamination and all receptacles for food and water shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. Animals shall be provided with food of sufficient quantity and quality to allow normal growth or the maintenance of body weight. Clean, safe water sufficient to satisfy the animal's needs shall be provided at all times.
(e) An effective program for the control of pests on the premises shall be established and maintained.
(f) The premises shall be kept clean and in good repair to facilitate acceptable sanitary practices and shall be kept free of accumulations of refuse or debris.
(g) All supplies, including food and bedding, shall be stored in facilities that adequately protect the supplies against infestation, contamination, or deterioration. Refrigeration shall be provided for all perishable supplies including foods, drugs, and biologics.
(h) Disposal facilities shall be operated to prevent a nuisance condition and minimize pest infestation, odor, and disease hazards.
(i) Reliable electric power and clean, safe water adequate for the practice of veterinary medicine shall be available at all times on the premises.
(j) Housing facilities shall be cleaned and disinfected as necessary to maintain a clean and sanitary condition at all times.
(k) A suitable method shall be provided to rapidly eliminate excess water from indoor housing facilities. Drains shall be constructed and maintained in good repair to avoid foul odors. If closed drainage systems are used, they shall be installed to prevent any backup of sewage and other waste materials onto the floors of the facilities.
(l) Indoor housing facilities shall be sufficiently heated when necessary to protect the animals from cold and to provide for their health and comfort. The ambient temperature shall not be allowed to fall below fifty (50) degrees Fahrenheit for animals not acclimated to lower temperatures.
(m) The surfaces of indoor housing facilities with which animals come into contact shall be so constructed and maintained to be substantially impervious to moisture and to be readily sanitized.
(n) Indoor housing facilities shall have ample light, by natural or artificial means, or both, of sufficient intensity and uniform distribution to permit routine inspection and cleaning.
(o) Outdoor housing facilities shall provide adequate shelter to properly protect animals from sun, rain, snow, and other weather elements and shall provide adequate bedding, water, and food.
(p) Housing facilities shall be structurally sound and kept in good repair. The facilities shall be designed and built to protect the animals from injury, contain the animals, and restrict the entrance of other animals.
(q) Indoor housing facilities shall be adequately ventilated to prevent the collection of offensive odors and to provide for the health and comfort of animals at all times. The facilities shall be provided with fresh air either by means of windows, vents, or air conditioning and shall be ventilated to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture condensation.
(r) When sterile surgical services are provided or when prevailing standards dictate sterile surgery, the following shall apply:
(i) The surgery room shall be clean, orderly, properly maintained, capable of being adequately disinfected, well-lighted, and provided with effective emergency lighting;
(ii) The floors, table tops, and counter tops of the surgery room shall be constructed of a material suitable for regular disinfecting and cleaning; and instruments, equipment, and packs for sterile surgery shall be:
(A) Adequate for the type of surgical service provided; and
(B) Sterilized by a method sufficient to kill spores.
(s) Proper illumination for viewing radiographs shall be available within the facility.
(a) The Board or its agent may perform inspections of any licensee’s facilities at any reasonable time to ensure sanitation and cleanliness in compliance with the Act and these rules.
(b) Inspection reports shall be provided to each licensee who has been inspected.
(c) The Board shall allow reasonable time for the facility to be brought into compliance with the Act and these rules before beginning disciplinary proceedings.