Section 200. Standards for veterinary establishments

A. Full-service establishments. A full-service establishment shall provide surgery and encompass all aspects of health care for small or large animals, or both. All full-service establishments shall meet the requirements set forth below:

1. Buildings and grounds must be maintained to provide sanitary facilities for the care and medical well-being of patients.

a. Temperature, ventilation, and lighting must be consistent with the medical well-being of the patients.

b. Water and waste. There shall be on-premises:

(1) Hot and cold running water of drinking quality, as defined by the Virginia Department of Health;

(2) An acceptable method of disposal of deceased animals; and

(3) Refrigeration exclusively for carcasses of companion animals that require storage for 24 hours or more.

c. Sanitary toilet and lavatory shall be available for personnel and clients.

2. Areas within building. The areas within the facility shall include the following:

a. A reception area separate from other designated rooms;

b. Examination room or rooms;

c. Surgery room. There shall be a room which is reserved only for surgery and used for no other purpose. The walls of the surgery room must be constructed of nonporous material and extend from the floor to the ceiling. In order that surgery can be performed in a manner compatible with current veterinary medical practice with regard to anesthesia, asepsis, life support, and monitoring procedures, the surgery room shall:

(1) Be of a size adequate to accommodate a surgical table, anesthesia support equipment, surgical supplies, the veterinarian, an assistant, and the patient;

(2) Be kept so that storage in the surgery room shall be limited to items and equipment normally related to surgery and surgical procedures; and

(3) For small animal facilities, have a door to close off the surgery room from other areas of the practice.

d. Laboratory. The veterinary establishment shall have, as a minimum, proof of use of either in-house laboratory service or outside laboratory services for performing the following lab tests, consistent with appropriate professional care for the species treated:

(1) Urinalysis, including microscopic examination of sediment;

(2) Complete blood count, including differential;

(3) Flotation test for ova of internal parasites;

(4) Skin scrapings for diagnosing external parasites;

(5) Blood chemistries;

(6) Cultures and sensitivities;

(7) Biopsy;

(8) Complete necropses, including histopathology; and

(9) Serology.

e. Animal housing areas. These shall be provided with:

(1) Separate compartments constructed in such a way as to prevent residual contamination;

(2) Accommodations allowing for the effective separation of contagious and noncontagious patients; and

(3) Exercise runs which provide and allow effective separation of animals or walking the animals at medically appropriate intervals.

3. Radiology. A veterinary establishment shall:

a. Either have radiology service in-house or documentation of outside services for obtaining diagnostic-quality radiographs.

b. If radiology is in-house:

(1) Each radiograph shall be permanently imprinted with the identity of the facility or veterinarian, patient and the date of exposure. Each radiograph shall also be clearly labeled by permanent imprinting to reflect anatomic specificity.

(2) Document that radiographic equipment complies with Part VI (12VAC5-481-1580 et seq.), Use of Diagnostic X-Rays in the Healing Arts, of the Virginia Radiation Protection Regulations of the Virginia Department of Health, which requirements are adopted by this board and incorporated herewith by reference in this chapter.

c. Maintain radiographs as a part of the patient's record. If a radiograph is transferred to another establishment or released to the client, a record of this transfer must be maintained on or with the patient's records.

4. Equipment; minimum requirements.

a. Examination room containing a table with nonporous surface.

b. Surgery suite.

(1) Surgical table with nonporous surface;

(2) Surgical supplies, instruments and equipment commensurate with the kind of surgical services provided;

(3) Automatic emergency lighting;

(4) Surgical lighting;

(5) Instrument table, stand, or tray; and

(6) Waste receptacle.

c. Radiology (if in-house).

(1) Lead aprons and gloves;

(2) Radiation exposure badges; and

(3) X-ray machine.

d. General equipment.

(1) Steam pressure sterilizer or an appropriate method of sterilizing instruments;

(2) Internal and external sterilization monitors, if steam pressure sterilizers are used;

(3) Stethoscope;

(4) Thermometer;

(5) Equipment for delivery of assisted ventilation, including but not necessarily limited to:

(a) A resuscitation bag; and

(b) Endotracheal tubes.

(6) Scales; and

(7) Storage for records.

B. Restricted establishments. When the scope of practice is less than full service, a specifically restricted establishment permit shall be required. Upon submission of a completed application, satisfactory inspection and payment of the permit fee, a restricted establishment permit may be issued. Such restricted establishments shall have posted in a conspicuous manner the specific limitations on the scope of practice on a form provided by the board.

1. Large animal establishment, ambulatory practice. A large animal ambulatory establishment is a mobile practice in which health care of large animals is performed at the location of the animal. Surgery on large animals may be performed as part of a large animal ambulatory practice provided the facility has surgical supplies, instruments and equipment commensurate with the kind of surgical services provided. All large animal ambulatory establishments shall meet the requirements of a full-service establishment in subsection A of this section with the exception of those set forth below:

a. All requirements for buildings and grounds.

b. All requirements for an examination room and surgery suite.

c. Equipment for assisted ventilation.

d. Scales.

2. Small animal establishment, house call practice. A small animal house call establishment is a mobile practice in which health care of small animals is performed at the residence of the owner of the small animal. Surgery may be performed only in a surgical suite that has passed inspection. Small animal house call facilities shall meet the requirements of a full-service establishment in subsection A of this section with the exception of those set forth below:

a. All requirements for buildings and grounds.

b. All requirements for an examination room or surgery suite.

c. Steam pressure sterilizer.

d. Internal or external sterilization monitor.

3. Small animal establishment, outpatient practice. A small animal outpatient establishment is a stationary facility or ambulatory practice where health care of small animals is performed. This practice may include surgery, provided the facility is equipped with a surgery suite as required by subdivision A 2 c of this section. Overnight hospitalization shall not be required. All other requirements of a full-service establishment shall be met.

C. A separate facility permit is required for separate practices that share the same location.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR645-01-1 § 4.3, eff. June 10, 1987; amended, Volume 06, Issue 26, eff. October 31, 1990; Volume 12, Issue 09, eff. February 21, 1996; Volume 15, Issue 05, eff. December 23, 1998; Errata, 15:9 VA.R. 1276 January 18, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 09, eff. March 1, 2003; Volume 26, Issue 04, eff. November 25, 2009; Volume 29, Issue 14, eff. April 10, 2013.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-3800 of the Code of Virginia.