Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
All veterinary medical facilities shall maintain a
sanitary environment to avoid sources and transmission of infection. This
includes the proper sterilization or sanitation of all equipment used in
diagnosis or treatment and the proper routine disposal of waste
materials.
(1)
Surgery:
Surgery shall be performed in a manner compatible with current veterinary
practice with regard to anesthesia, asepsis or antisepsis, life support and
monitoring procedures, and recovery care. The minimum standards for surgery
shall be:
(a) Aseptic or antiseptic surgery
shall be performed in a room designated and reserved for surgery and directly
related noncontaminating activities.
(b) The surgery room shall be clean, orderly,
well lighted and maintained in a sanitary condition, free of offensive
odors.
(c) Storage in the surgery
room shall be limited only to items and equipment related to surgery and
surgical procedures.
(d)
Instruments and equipment utilized in the surgery room shall be appropriate for
the type of surgical service being provided.
(e) The operating table shall be constructed
of a smooth and impervious material.
(f) Chemical disinfection ("cold
sterilization") may be used only for field conditions or minor surgical
procedures. Sterilizing of all appropriate equipment is required. Provisions
for sterilization shall include a steam pressure sterilizer (autoclave) or a
gas sterilizer (e.g., ethylene oxide).
(g) Surgical packs include towels, drapes,
gloves, sponges and proper instrumentation. They shall be properly prepared for
sterilization by heat or gas (sufficient to kill spores) for each sterile
surgical procedure.
(h) For any
major procedure, such as opening the abdominal or thoracic cavity or exposing
bones or joints, a separate sterile surgical pack shall be used for each
animal. Surgeons and surgical assistants shall use aseptic technique throughout
the entire surgical procedure.
(i)
Uncomplicated ovariohysterectomy or castration of normal healthy animals, and
minor surgical procedures, such as excising small skin lesions or suturing
superficial lacerations, may be performed under clean, antiseptic conditions.
Surgeons and surgical assistants shall wear clean attire and sterile gloves,
and care shall be taken to avoid introducing bacterial contamination.
(j) All animals shall be properly prepared
for surgery as follows:
(i) Clipping and
shaving of the surgical area for major procedures requiring aseptic technique
as in (h) of this subsection shall be performed in a room other than the
surgery room. Loose hair shall be removed from the surgical area;
(ii) Scrubbing the surgical area with soap
and water;
(iii) Disinfecting the
surgical area;
(iv) Draping the
surgical area if appropriate;
(k) Anesthetic equipment appropriate for the
type of patient and surgery performed shall be available at all
times;
(l) Compressed oxygen or
other adequate means shall be available to be used for resuscitation;
(m) Emergency drugs shall be available to the
surgery area;
(n) Grossly
contaminated procedures, such as lancing and draining abscesses, shall not be
performed in the room designated for aseptic or antiseptic surgery.
(2)
Library: A
library of appropriate veterinary journals and textbooks shall be available on
the premises for ready reference.
(3)
Laboratory: Veterinary
medical facilities shall have the capability for use of either in-house or
consultant laboratory service for blood chemistry, bacterial cultures and
antibiotic sensitivity examinations, complete blood counts, histo-pathologic
examinations and complete necropsies. The in-house laboratory facility shall
meet the following minimum standards:
(a) The
laboratory room shall be clean and orderly with provision for ample
storage;
(b) Ample refrigeration
shall be provided;
(c) Any tests
performed shall be properly conducted by currently recognized methods to assure
reasonable accuracy and reliability of results.
(4)
Radiology: Veterinary
medical facilities shall have the capability for use of either in-house or
consultant services for obtaining radiographs of diagnostic quality. Radiology
equipment and use shall be in compliance with federal and Washington state
laws, and shall follow the guidelines approved by the American Veterinary
Medical Association.
(5)
Biologicals and drugs: The minimum standards for drug procedures
shall be:
(a) All controlled substances shall
be stored, maintained, administered, dispensed and prescribed in compliance
with federal and Washington state laws.
(b) Among things otherwise provided by
RCW
18.64.246 and
69.41.050, legend drugs dispensed
by a veterinarian shall be labeled with the following:
(i) Name of client or identification of
animal;
(ii) Date
dispensed;
(iii) Drug expiration
date;
(iv) Complete directions for
use;
(v) Name and strength of the
drug; and
(vi) Name of prescribing
veterinarian.
(c) A
record of all drugs administered or dispensed shall be kept in the client's
record. In the case of companion animals this record shall be by individual
animal.
(6)
Limited services: If veterinary medical services are limited to
specific aspects of practice:
(a) The public
shall be informed of the limitation of services provided;
(b) All veterinary services provided in the
facility shall conform to the requirements for those services listed in WAC
246-933-330 and this
section;
(c) The general
requirements prescribed in WAC
246-933-320 shall apply to all
veterinary medical facilities.
(7)
Exceptions:
(a) The standards and requirements prescribed
in WAC 246-933-330(3)
and subsection (1)(a), (c), (j)(i), (n) of this section, shall not apply to
equine or food animal veterinary procedures performed in medical
facilities.
(b) The standards and
requirements prescribed in WAC
246-933-320(1), (2), (3), (4), (6),
(8),
246-933-330 and subsections
(1)(a), (b), (c), (e), (h), (j)(i), (l), (n), (2), (3), (4), (6)(b), (c) of
this section, shall not apply to equine or food animal veterinary procedures
performed on the owner's premises by a veterinarian.
Statutory Authority:
RCW
18.92.030. 91-24-098 (Order 221B), §
246-933-340, filed 12/4/91, effective 1/4/92; 91-02-060 (Order 108B),
recodified as § 246-933-340, filed 12/28/90, effective 1/31/91; 89-02-006
(Order PM 804), § 308-153-045, filed 12/27/88. Statutory Authority:
RCW
18.92.030,
18.130.050(1) and
(12) and 1986 c 259 § 139. 86-13-070
(Order PM 600), § 308-153-045, filed
6/18/86.
