State Regulatory

19 June

New veterinary client communication regulations set to take effect end of July

wsvma   |   Practice Management, State Regulatory

The Veterinary Board of Governors (VBOG) has finalized new rules that establish minimum requirements for veterinarians when communicating evaluation and treatment options to clients. The new rule is intended “to ensure care provided promotes the health and safety of animal patients based on client decisions and emphasizes the importance of consultation with clients.” The decision to establish the new requirements stems from a 2017 petition by a pet owner whose dog died after being given NSAIDs and who wanted to...

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24 January

Veterinary Board of Governors seeks final input on draft client communication regulations

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

The Veterinary Board of Governors (VBOG) has filed a CR-102 for WAC 246-933-310 Definitions and WAC 246-933-345 (New) Client Communication. This is the final phase of rulemaking before the Board votes to approve it. VBOG is proposing to add a definition related to facilities and practice management standards and to create a new section to establish requirements for veterinarians when communicating with clients regarding evaluation and treatment. The new rule is intended to ensure the care provided promotes the health and...

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06 September

Who can deliver medication to the client?

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

Earlier this week, we sent out a newly revised Task Guide, the reference chart for veterinarians who assign tasks to licensed veterinary technicians (LVT), unregistered assistants (UA), and registered veterinary medication clerks (VMC), as well as for LVTs who supervise UAs, and VMCs. Most of the chart remained unchanged, but there were a few important revisions made for accuracy and clarity. Here are the following changes: UAs are prohibited from maintaining anesthesia per WAC 246-935-010. No change was made on the...

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12 July

State by State – Veterinary Legislative Update

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

The State Legislative Update for June 2019 includes select summaries of three new laws, 31 bills, and 17 regulations tracked by the AVMA Division of State Advocacy between mid-May and mid-June. For more information on bills and regulations, please see the full listing or contact AVMA. VCPR regulation proposed in Alaska The Alaska Board of Veterinary Examiners issued a proposed regulation that adds the requirement for a veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) to be initiated before caring for or treating an animal and the...

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10 May

Prescription Monitoring Program for veterinarians – Need a refresher?

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

Washington State Department of Health’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) is established under Chapter 70.225 RCW. The PMP is a repository that collects, and makes available to healthcare professionals (HCP), data reported by dispensers. It is essential that data reported to the PMP be accurate, complete and timely submitted. HCPs are encouraged to make reports of missing and inaccurate PMP data so PMP staff members can follow up with dispensers to ensure PMP data quality. It’s critical dispensers work quickly to correct...

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18 January

Veterinary Board of Governors seeking veterinary applications

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

The Department of Health, Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA) is accepting applications to fill one veterinary position on the Veterinary Board of Governors. The Veterinary Board of Governors operates under legislative mandate to protect the health and safety of the public and promote the welfare of the state by regulating the competency and quality of health care providers under their authority. The Veterinary Board of Governors is made up of five licensed veterinarians, one licensed veterinary technician, and one public member, all appointed...

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11 January

Additional training pathway approved for veterinary medication clerks

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

The Veterinary Board of Governors (VBOG), at their December meeting, adopted rule amendments to allow additional options for veterinary medication clerk (VMC) applicants to meet their training requirements for registration. The amended rules go into effect in approximately 30 days. Previously, a VMC applicant was required to meet their training requirement through completion of an on-the-job training program developed in conjunction with the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission. The rule adds the option of educational programs that meet at least the...

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12 October

Veterinary Board of Governors will regulate client communications

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

The Veterinary Board of Governors (VBOG) is in the process of drafting new regulations that will establish what types of information veterinarians must communicate to clients when treating animal patients. The rulemaking stems from a 2017 petition by a pet owner whose dog died after being given NSAIDs and who wanted to require that veterinarians provide "Client Information Sheets" and better communicate risks to pet owners. The Board agreed to open the rule, but after further deliberation, they decided to...

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06 July

Drug take-back program signed by Governor

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

A new drug take-back program has been signed into law and is entering the rulemaking process with the Washington Department of Health. Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1047, to be funded by the pharmaceutical industry, is intended to reduce overdoses, drug misuse, poisonings, and reduce pharmaceutical pollution by placing secure drop-off boxes in every city and town across the state for residents to dispose of old or unused drugs. ESHB 1047 is the first such law in the nation. Drugs to...

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15 June

Veterinary Board of Governors to consider rulemaking for client consultations

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

The Veterinary Board of Governors is considering amending existing rules and adding a new section of rule to establish what kind of consultation veterinarians should provide to clients when treating and providing drugs for animal patients. Outlining appropriate consultation by veterinarians when providing treatment and drug therapy could result in better, more informed choices in the care and treatment of animal patients. The rulemaking is based on a petition received last year from a pet owner who lost his dog after...

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