Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 216 - Department of health › Chapter 40 - Professional licensing and facility regulation › Subchapter 05 - Professional Licensing › Part 14 - Veterinarians (216-RICR-40-05-14) › Section 216-RICR-40-05-14.9 - Veterinary Practice

Current through June 14, 2024
14.9.1
Emergency Services
When a practicing veterinarian is not available, he/she
					 shall provide for referral for emergency veterinary services. Such referral
					 must fulfill the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws §
										5-25-13.
14.9.2
Record of Animals Receiving
				  Veterinary Services
A. A veterinarian
				  subject to the provisions of the Act and this Part shall keep a written record,
				  or a computerized record able to produce a printed copy, of all animals
				  receiving veterinary services, and provide a summary of that record to the
				  owner of animals receiving veterinary services, when requested.
B. The minimum amount of information which
				  shall be included in written or computerized records and summaries shall
				  include no less than the following:
1.
				  Client's name;
2. Patient's
				  name;
3. Patient's species and
				  breed;
4. Patient's age or date of
				  birth;
5. Patient's gender and
				  reproductive status;
6. Patient's
				  color and/or markings;
7. Dates(s)
				  of treatment;
8. Presenting
				  problem;
9. Pertinent
				  history;
10. Examination
				  findings;
11. Assessment;
12. Plan for treatment/care.
C. The minimum duration of time
				  for which a licensed veterinarian or his/her designee shall retain the written
				  or computerized record, including radiographs, shall be no less than five (5)
				  years from the date of the last patient visit or, for deceased patients, no
				  less than three (3) years from the date of death.
D. A radiograph is the property of the
				  veterinary practice in which the veterinarian associated with that practice
				  originally ordered it to be prepared, and it shall be released upon the written
				  request of another veterinarian who has the authorization of the owner of the
				  animal to whom it pertains and such radiograph shall be returned to the
				  original veterinary practice within a reasonable time.
E. When a patient/owner requests in writing
				  that his/her animal(s)' records and/or radiographs be transferred to another
				  veterinarian, the original veterinarian shall promptly honor such request.
1. The fee charged for the transfer shall not
				  exceed the direct expense incurred to make copies of such veterinary records
				  and/or radiograph(s).
F.
				  Any veterinarian licensed in the State of Rhode Island who writes a
				  prescription for an animal patient shall provide a copy of that prescription to
				  the owner of the animal patient, upon request of the owner, for the purpose of
				  filling the prescription with a licensed pharmacy. Said prescription shall be
				  written in accordance with the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 21-31.1
				  ("Veterinary Drugs").
G. Veterinary
				  drugs dispensed by a veterinarian shall comply with the requirements of R.I.
				  Gen. Laws §
											21-31.1-8,
				  except for the prescription number.