2814. VETERINARY-CLIENT-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP (VCPR)

2814 VETERINARY-CLIENT-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP (VCPR) 2814.1 A valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship is one in which: (a) The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the patient and the client has agreed to follow the veterinarian’s instructions; (b) The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the patient. This means that the veterinarian is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the patient by virtue of: (1) A timely examination of the patient by the veterinarian, or (2) Medically appropriate and timely visits by the veterinarian to the operation where the patient is managed; (c) The veterinarian is readily available for follow-up evaluation in case of an adverse drug reaction or failure of therapy or has arranged for the following: (1) Veterinary emergency coverage, and (2) Continuing care and treatment; (d) The veterinarian provides oversight of treatment and outcome; and (e) Patient records are maintained. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 2226, 2236 (March 25, 1988); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 7717 (August 6, 2021). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Business, Occupations, and Professionals 17 DCMR § 2814