Ala. Admin. Code r. 930-X-1-.32 - Minimum Standards for Mobile Premises

The minimum standards for all mobile premise facilities in which veterinary medicine is practiced shall be as follows:

(1) General facility:

(a) Shall be kept clean and in good repair

(b) Shall have access to water

(2) Records must be:

(a) maintained on every animal and be legibly and accurately documented in a timely manner

(b) readily accessible and permit prompt retrieval of information

(c) kept for a minimum of three years following the last visit or discharge of the patient

(d) maintained on every patient treated and the patient's condition and problem(s) identified as specifically as possible

(e) filed in an adequate filing system

(f) Paperless recordkeeping should meet all recording criteria and proof of periodic backup must be provided.

Exception: Herd or flock animal records may be kept on a per client rather than a per animal basis. Mobile units may keep these records at a permanent base rather than on the mobile premise

(3) Equipment required on mobile premise:

(a) Sterile syringes and needles

(b) Properly stored biologies

(c) Antiseptic intravenous equipment

(d) Laboratory aides and diagnostic equipment, adequate for the type of practice

(e) Refrigeration (i.e., cooler with cold pack, etc.)

(4) Pharmacy must provide:

(a) Administration in accordance with ethical practice

(b) Storage, safekeeping and preparation of drugs kept in accordance with all state and federal laws

(c) Labels on all dispensed drugs (with the exception of pre-labeled manufactured drugs with proper instructions) which include:

1. Name, address and telephone number of the prescribing and dispensing facility

2. Name of client

3. Name of animal

4. Date dispensed

5. Direction for use

6. Name and strength of drugs

7. Name of prescribing veterinarian

8. THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS

(i) Veterinary Use Only!

(ii) Keep Away From Children!

(d) Records of all drugs administered or dispensed shall be kept on the clients records and shall include dispensation reports made to the Public Health Department's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, (if for a companion animal, such record shall be on the individual patient's record)

(e) Distribution and administration of controlled drugs must be adequately documented and placed in childproof packaging or special packaging in accordance with all state and federal codes

(f) Periodic Controlled substance inventory must be performed and the DEA Biennial Inventory report must be readily accessible for inspection by both state and federal representatives

(5) Clinical Pathology service shall provide the following:

(a) Blood chemistry

(b) Culture and antibiotic sensitivity

(c) Complete blood count

(d) Histopathology

(e) Complete necropsy

(f) Urinalysis

(6) Radiology must provide:

(a) Functioning radiographic equipment adequate to produce diagnostic radiographs which are appropriate to conventional practice needs

(b) Compliance with all State Health Department regulations including the use of a film badge service, the posting of safety regulations, and the use of leaded aprons and gloves

(c) Film which is adequately and permanently identified with the premise name, name of the owner, patient name, and date. Case identifier is recommended.

(d) If radiological services are not available on the mobile premise, then a written, signed agreement must be provided to and pre-approved by the Board, demonstrating that arrangements have been made to provide the service outside the mobile premise. Referrals are acceptable to another veterinary practitioner or a college of veterinary medicine. A letter affirming acceptance of referral from the practitioner receiving the referral or college of veterinary medicine must be provided to the Board.

(7) If surgery is to be performed, the following shall be provided:

(a) Large Animal (Food Animal & Equine)

1. Sterile surgical instruments

2. Access to a means of sterilization (cold sterilization is acceptable only in field conditions)

3. Suture material

4. Intravenous equipment

5. Anesthesia compatible with current veterinary practice

6. Readily available emergency drugs, adequate to the type of practice

(b) Small Animal (any animal not defined as large animal above.

1. Be performed in a manner compatible with current veterinary medical practice with regard to anesthesia, asepsis, life support and monitoring procedures as well as recovery care, while always maintaining a level of safe humane care to patients.

2. Be performed in an area designed and reserved for surgery which is clean, orderly, well lighted and have available emergency lighting.

3. Provide and use gas anesthesia and a positive pressure oxygen delivery system for small animal patients where medically indicated.

4. Provide sterilization of instruments with steam pressure sterilization or autoclave. Gas sterilization is acceptable only for those instruments which cannot be autoclaved.

5. Provide instruments and equipment commensurate with the type of surgical services being provided.

6. Provide emergency drugs readily available to the surgical area.

7. Provide a table constructed of impervious and smooth material.

8. Provide a separate prep area outside the surgical area.

9. Sterilize and use for surgery; instruments, gowns, towels, drapes, gloves, caps, and masks. Surgical packs should be routinely sterilized and dated and re-sterilized at a minimum of every forty-five (45) days.

(8) Housekeeping must provide:

(a) Constant upkeep of mobile premise to provide a safe, functional, and sanitary environment

(b) Prompt, sanitary and esthetic disposal of dead animals, biological waste, and medical waste (including sharps) in compliance with all federal, state, county and municipal laws, ordinances and regulations. If working with known diseases within a herd, precautions shall be used to prevent transmission of infectious agents to another animal whether or not within the herd

(9) Emergency Services must be provided and readily available. After hours and emergency information provided by answering machines should be clear and concise as to who will be responding or what facility will be accepting the referral.

(10) Use of sterilization to be per manufacturer's recommendations including use of protective eye, outerwear and posting of hazard warning signs.

(11) New mobile premises must pass evaluation before operation.

(12) This section shall not be construed to prohibit the administration of animal antirabies vaccines to domestic animals by any licensed veterinarian as provided for in Code of Alabama 1975, 3-7A-1-15, or to otherwise conflict with provisions of that Act, routinely generally known as The Alabama Rabies Law.

(13) All mobile premises must pass evaluation before operation and a valid premises permit must be obtained and displayed for each locale in which the mobile clinic operates.

(14) Large Animal Mobile Clinics must be equipped with or have access to all the following: water, proper cooling for the storage of drugs, medications and immunization products and a secure and sanitary area for the storage of instruments.

(15) Large animal veterinarians may, in addition to treating large animals, treat small animals residing at the location where the veterinarian provides services to large animals provided a valid VCPR exists.

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 930-X-1-.32

Repealed and New Rule: Filed December 18, 1997; effective January 22, 1998. Amended: Filed January 10, 2007; effective February 14, 2007. Amended: Filed November 28, 2012; effective January 2, 2013. Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 09, June 29, 2018, eff. 8/2/2018.

Author: Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-29-69.