Veterinary Ethics and Legal Issues Unit Objectives Describe

Veterinary Ethics and Legal Issues

Unit Objectives ● ● ● Describe therule Veterinary Practiceof Act Explain the and regulations the Veterinary Practice Act Demonstrate professional responsibility in veterinary medicine Describe the difference Explain emergency care between common law, state law, and federal law

Lesson Objectives ● Describe the difference between ethical and unethical practices ● Define confidentiality

Introduction ● All members of vet health care team required to uphold a standard of ethical conduct ● Laws pertaining to pets vary from state to state ● Practices go above and beyond minimum standard of care ○ Responsibility of profession to set a high standard

Veterinary Ethics ● Ethics: rules that govern proper conduct ● Veterinary ethics dictate moral conduct for staff ● Morals: what a person believes is right and wrong

AVMA Standards ● Patient needs are placed first ● Relieve suffering and pain ● Considered ethical when these obligations are fulfilled ○ ethical: doing what is right ○ unethical: knowingly doing what is wrong or improper

Application #1: Part 1 Predict two unethical practices that may occur in a veterinary facility. Give an example please.

Unethical Practices ● ● ● ● Not following Veterinary Practice Act Misrepresentation Slander Violation of confidentiality Practicing below standards of patient care Substance abuse Animal abuse or neglect Prescribing medications without a VCPR

Confidentiality ● Patient info is private ● Not shared with anyone ○ except during care of patient ○ necessary staff members ● Personal client info not to be disclosed ● Medical records property of vet facility ○ do not leave premises

Application #1: Part 2 Give two examples of a breach in confidentiality. Do not use examples from the previous slide.

Lesson Objectives ● Describe the purpose of the veterinary practice act and locate Arizona’s practice act ● Practice utilizing the AZ State Veterinary Medical Examining Board Statutes and Rules by summarizing the importance of statutes given to you by the instructor

Veterinary Laws and Veterinary Practice Acts • Veterinary Practice Act – – Legal document Outlines rules and regulations of profession Varies from state to state Overseen by the State Board of Veterinary Medicine – All staff in facility must be knowledgeable about state Practice Act

State Board of Veterinary Medicine ● ● Veterinary professionals Public members Legal counsel Oversee veterinary laws within the state

State Veterinary Medical Board ● Serves public ○ overseeing complaints ○ taking disciplinary action ● Licensing information ● CE requirements ○ ethical (licensed or not) to learn as much as possible within the industry

Application #2: Part 1 Complete the handout on AZ statutes. ● Arizona Veterinary Medical Examining Board ○ Statutes and Rules ■ Administrative Rules as Revised September 2013

Veterinary Common Law • Common Law – based upon court and judges decisions • Statutory Law – based upon written government law • Both apply to veterinary medicine • Animals are considered private property

Veterinary Common Law • Liability – legal responsibility – May extend to owner as well as the pet – Ex: owner falls on wet floor, practice is liable for damages • Malpractice – working below established standards of practice – Knowingly or unknowingly • Negligence – failure to do what should be done – Ex: witness a colleague take medications from the pharmacy and you don’t report it

Preventing Malpractice and Negligence ● Document everything ● Client signs consent and estimates ● Lock windows, doors, drug cabinets ● Provide leashes and carriers ● Record all controlled substances in a log ● Keep animals separate ● Animal restraint performed by trained staff (legal issue) ● ID cards and neck bands ● Check for hazards daily ● Post signs warning of hazards ● Suggest complaints be made to State Board of Veterinary Medicine

Application #2: Part 2 1. Give and example of a clinical situation that would fall under common law and one that would fall under statutory law. 2. What makes these two types of law different? How could you prove your examples are common vs. statutory?

Federal Veterinary Laws • OSHA regulates standards for safety in workplace • ADA regulates standards for persons with special needs • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulates standards for minors in the workplace

Federal Veterinary Laws • Child Labor Laws regulate children working and conditions they work in • FDA regulates food additives and medication use in animals used for human consumption • DEA regulates use of controlled substances in veterinary facilities

Federal Veterinary Laws ● Animal Welfare Act (AWA) ○ regulates treatment of animals ○ particularly those in research facilities ● Animal Rights ○ The notion that animals have feelings and emotions that entitle them to the same rights as people ○ Often relate to animal abuse laws ■ handled by humane societies and state dog wardens

Application #2: Part 3 Compare and contrast animal rights vs animal welfare. Chose which one you agree with more and defend your choice in 1 -2 paragraphs.

Lesson Objectives ● Explore the following national organizations websites and explain their purpose and membership requirements. ● Compare and contrast the standard of care outlined in veterinary practice acts with national organizations like AAHA.

Professional Organizations: Techs and Assistants • NAVTA –http: //www. navta. net/ –Most common organization for techs/assistants, but there are others (state level) • Veterinary Healthcare Team of Arizona –http: //www. veterinaryhealthcareteam. com/

Professional Organizations: Veterinarians • AVMA –https: //www. avma. org/Pages/home. as px –Most common organization to belong to nationally • Each state usually has their own avma chapter –http: //www. azvma. org/

Application #3 1. Why would a veterinarian, a veterinary technician or assistant want to become a member of a professional organization if it is not required? (Your answer should be 2 -3 sentences) 2. Compare and contrast AZ standard of care vs AAHA’s. You may create a venn diagram if you like. You should provide more than one example in each area.

Summary All members of the veterinary healthcare team must have knowledge of legal responsibilities. Veterinarian has ultimate responsibility. Professionalism is expected. High standard and quality of care is expected.

Application #4: Working at Your Table: Hand in one paper for table ● Discuss the true/false questions on page 84. ○ ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR TABLE MUST PARTICIPATE FOR POINTS!! ● Read the Clinical Situation on page 85 aloud. Respond to the questions posed. ● Turn in your group paper for participation points.