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ACCREDITATION MODEL
The Opioid Crisis and Veterinary Medicine
MANAGEMENT OF OPIOIDS INVOLVES CLIENT EDUCATION
An excerpt from the Canadian Veterinary
Medical Association’s document “Opioids:
Risk Evaluation/Mitigation Strategies in
Veterinary Medicine”
Veterinarians have the distinct privilege to be
both a prescribing and dispensing profession.
While different facility types will purchase
different types of drugs to match the scope
of their practice, veterinary medicine
includes prescribing, dispensing and the
administration of controlled substances
including narcotics.
Opioid-class medications have been used
in veterinary medicine for many years and
remain important to pain management.
However, it is important to be attentive to the
safe management of opioids in the clinic.
Client Education
Client education about the proper use,
side effects, and secure storage of a
patient prescription is incumbent upon
the prescribing veterinarian. Ideally, a
Helpful tips
for managing opioids
in your clinic
“Veterinarians have a vital role in
public health.”
written treatment plan that outlines narcotic
medication risks and benefits, proper
handling, administration, storage and disposal
should be strongly considered. Information
for the careiver regarding home assessment
of comfort/pain signs should be provided
as part of that written plan. Follow up by the
veterinarian to confirm that the drug is still
needed should be done before refills are
authorized, and the client should be made
aware in the plan instructions that this is an
integral part of the plan.
and careful prescription practice can hlep
veterinary professionals reduce possible
diversion leading to misuse, while continuing
to prescribe these important medications.
Veterinarians are an important part of the
“one health” agenda and can play their role in
protection of the public health while ensuring
the humane management of animal pain.
Review of current legislation and guides for
handling opioids is both important from a
public health perspective, as well as being a
requirement of licensure.
Increased staff awareness, public education,
Update on new accreditation model
EXPERT ADVISORY GROUP DRAFTING STANDARDS
In 2017, Council took the opportunity to
enhance standards within the veterinary
profession and approved a new facilty
accreditation model. At that time, an expert
advisory group was established to draft
standards for the new model. The Essential Standards focus on facility
services and equipment, medical records,
safety management, pharmaceutical
management, biosecurity and biomedical
waste management, professional reference
sources and professional practice.
That expert advisory group has been meeting
throughout 2018 and is nearing completion
of its work drafting the Essential Standards to
support the new model. Additional Scope of Services Standards
will look at anesthesia, surgery, diagnostic
imaging, hospitalization, confinement, and
isolation.
The Essential Standards will be met by all
facility types under the new model. The group
is beginning work on scope of veterinary
practice standards which will reflect the
services provided from the facility. Council is expected to review the draft
Essential Standards in spring 2018. Council
approved the new facility accreditation
model in June 2017. The model shifts from a
prescribed checklist style that is found in the
PROFESSIONALS HEALTH PROGRAM
Confidential Ontario Toll-free Line:
1-800-851-6606
http://php.oma.org
The Professionals Health Program is a free, confidential service.
Minimum Standards for Veterinary Facilities
in Ontario to an outcome based very facility
accreditation that reflects the services and
scope of practice of the facility.
Professionals
Health
Program
Fall 2018 / 7