Rule 4741-1-03 | Minimum standards for stationary veterinary facilities.
(A) All stationary facilities.
A stationary facility is a fixed facility established to provide examination, diagnosis, and health maintenance to animals. Practitioners maintaining a stationary facility shall comply with the standards contained in this rule. All stationary veterinary facilities must comply with local, state, and federal laws regarding health, safety, sanitation, zoning, and building code requirements, including, but not limited to:
(1) The exterior of the facility shall be clean and in good repair, and surrounding grounds must be clean, well-maintained, and reasonably free from hazards, pests and vectors;
(2) All interior areas of the facility shall be clean, orderly, well-ventilated, well-lit, and free from hazards;
(3) All facilities shall provide and maintain the following equipment: oxygen delivery system, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, stethoscope, thermometer, microscope, centrifuge, refrigeration, appropriate means of sterilization, adequate method of storage and disposal of remains of deceased animals, appropriate method of determining animal weight, adequate means of restraint, emergency drugs and supplies, telephone or wireless communication system, electricity, and hot and cold running water.
(B) Office/reception.
An up-to-date professional library must be maintained and/or accessible via electronic means on the premises.
(C) Examination room(s).
The examination room must contain an adequate table with impervious surface, necessary equipment to perform examinations, and covered or enclosed waste receptacles.
(D) Laboratory facilities.
Laboratory facilities must be available on site or by referral.
(E) Pharmacy.
(1) The pharmacy must provide appropriate storage for all drugs, including biologics and controlled substances.
(2) Inventory and records must be maintained in compliance with all state and federal requirements.
(3) Expired drugs must be removed from the pharmacy and properly disposed of in a timely fashion.
(F) Radiology.
(1) Imaging services must be available, either on site or by referral.
(2) All images shall be properly identified with name of patient, name of owner, and date, and maintained in a readily retrievable fashion.
(3) Left and right sides must be identified where appropriate.
(4) All sources of radiation shall be registered with, and operated in accordance with, Ohio department of health rules and regulations.
(5) Equipment with which to view images shall be available when appropriate.
(G) Surgery.
(1) All surgeries shall be performed in accordance with accepted surgical practice.
(2) If surgery is performed on site, appropriate surgical facilities shall be operated and maintained.
(3) A suitably equipped surgical area shall include the following:
(a) Means for effective sterilization of instruments, drapes, gloves, gowns or similar items;
(b) An immediately accessible sink with running water suitable for scrubbing and other surgical preparation;
(c) A surgery light of sufficient power to assure clear illumination of the surgical field;
(d) Instruments, drapes, gloves and appropriate surgical attire;
(e) Emergency lighting;
(f) Immediate access to emergency drugs and supplies, oxygen, and instruments and equipment for assisted ventilation;
(g) An adequate scavenging system, if gas anesthesia is used;
(h) Construction suitable for the surgical procedures to be performed, designed to avoid contamination, and adequately maintained and disinfected; and
(i) A surgery table, appropriate for the species, with an impervious surface which can be readily cleaned and disinfected.
(4) An effective means of anethesia monitoring shall be maintained if surgeries are performed.
(H) Caging or housing.
If animals are kept, caging or housing shall be constructed and maintained with the animals' health, safety, and comfort as primary considerations.
Last updated October 3, 2023 at 1:57 PM
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