Washington Administrative Code › Title 246 - Health, Department of › PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LICENSING › Chapter 246-933 - Veterinarians-Veterinary board › FACILITIES AND PRACTICE MANAGEMENT STANDARDS › Section 246-933-340 - Practice management

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
All veterinary medical facilities shall maintain a
					 sanitary environment to avoid sources and transmission of infection. This
					 includes the proper sterilization or sanitation of all equipment used in
					 diagnosis or treatment and the proper routine disposal of waste
					 materials.
(1)
Surgery:
Surgery shall be performed in a manner compatible with current veterinary
				  practice with regard to anesthesia, asepsis or antisepsis, life support and
				  monitoring procedures, and recovery care. The minimum standards for surgery
				  shall be:
(a) Aseptic or antiseptic surgery
				  shall be performed in a room designated and reserved for surgery and directly
				  related noncontaminating activities.
(b) The surgery room shall be clean, orderly,
				  well lighted and maintained in a sanitary condition, free of offensive
				  odors.
(c) Storage in the surgery
				  room shall be limited only to items and equipment related to surgery and
				  surgical procedures.
(d)
				  Instruments and equipment utilized in the surgery room shall be appropriate for
				  the type of surgical service being provided.
(e) The operating table shall be constructed
				  of a smooth and impervious material.
(f) Chemical disinfection ("cold
				  sterilization") may be used only for field conditions or minor surgical
				  procedures. Sterilizing of all appropriate equipment is required. Provisions
				  for sterilization shall include a steam pressure sterilizer (autoclave) or a
				  gas sterilizer (e.g., ethylene oxide).
(g) Surgical packs include towels, drapes,
				  gloves, sponges and proper instrumentation. They shall be properly prepared for
				  sterilization by heat or gas (sufficient to kill spores) for each sterile
				  surgical procedure.
(h) For any
				  major procedure, such as opening the abdominal or thoracic cavity or exposing
				  bones or joints, a separate sterile surgical pack shall be used for each
				  animal. Surgeons and surgical assistants shall use aseptic technique throughout
				  the entire surgical procedure.
(i)
				  Uncomplicated ovariohysterectomy or castration of normal healthy animals, and
				  minor surgical procedures, such as excising small skin lesions or suturing
				  superficial lacerations, may be performed under clean, antiseptic conditions.
				  Surgeons and surgical assistants shall wear clean attire and sterile gloves,
				  and care shall be taken to avoid introducing bacterial contamination.
(j) All animals shall be properly prepared
				  for surgery as follows:
(i) Clipping and
				  shaving of the surgical area for major procedures requiring aseptic technique
				  as in (h) of this subsection shall be performed in a room other than the
				  surgery room. Loose hair shall be removed from the surgical area;
(ii) Scrubbing the surgical area with soap
				  and water;
(iii) Disinfecting the
				  surgical area;
(iv) Draping the
				  surgical area if appropriate;
(k) Anesthetic equipment appropriate for the
				  type of patient and surgery performed shall be available at all
				  times;
(l) Compressed oxygen or
				  other adequate means shall be available to be used for resuscitation;
(m) Emergency drugs shall be available to the
				  surgery area;
(n) Grossly
				  contaminated procedures, such as lancing and draining abscesses, shall not be
				  performed in the room designated for aseptic or antiseptic surgery.