Kan. Admin. Regs. § 70-6-1

Current through Register Vol. 44, No. 2, January 9, 2025

Section 70-6-1 - Veterinary premises and mobile veterinary clinic; minimum requirements

Each veterinary premises, including mobile veterinary clinics (MVCs) except as specified in this regulation, shall meet all of the following minimum requirements:

(a) General. All areas of the veterinary premises, and all instruments, apparatus, and apparel used in connection with the practice of veterinary medicine, shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. Cleaning agents capable of killing viruses and bacteria shall be used to disinfect the veterinary premises. All public areas of the veterinary premises shall be maintained in a safe condition for each client and patient.

(b) Exterior and grounds.

(1) The exterior structure shall exhibit evidence of regular maintenance. All windows shall be kept clean. If windows are open for ventilation, screens shall be required. All signs shall be kept in good repair.

The grounds shall exhibit evidence of regular maintenance. Parking lots shall be large enough for both staff and clientele. Parking lots and sidewalks shall be kept in good repair and free of debris.

(2) The loading and unloading structures of the facility shall be of sufficient strength to ensure the safety and containment of each patient being loaded or unloaded and shall be in good repair. The requirements of this paragraph shall not apply to MVCs.

(3) Companion animals housed outside shall have shelter constructed and maintained to ensure the safety and comfort of the companion animals being housed. Shelter shall be adequate based on the species and health status of each companion animal housed. The requirements of this paragraph shall not apply to MVCs.

(c) Holding facilities. The size and design of all holding facilities shall ensure the animals' safety and well-being. The area shall contain provisions for food and water when necessary.

(d) Interior.

(1) Space sufficient to safeguard each patient shall be available.

Hot and cold running water shall be available.

Sanitary storage sufficient for the reasonable and customary operation of the veterinary premises shall be available.

Restraint devices shall be of a design that conforms to standards commonly accepted by the veterinary profession, clean, and in good working order to ensure the safety of the animals and personnel.

Indoor lighting for the halls, wards, reception areas, and examining and surgical rooms shall conform to the standards accepted as reasonable and customary by the veterinary profession for the intended purpose.

Ventilation and cleaning shall be provided to keep odors from lingering in the rooms.

(2) A resource center providing access to current veterinary information, written or electronic, shall be provided.

(3) Heating, cooling, and ventilation necessary to maintain the safety and comfort of the patients, clients, and staff shall be provided.

(e) Reception room.

Seating designed for that purpose shall be provided for the clientele.

A clean lavatory shall be available to the clients, unless the facility is an MVC.

A current premises registration certificate issued by the board of veterinary examiners shall be conspicuously displayed.

(f) Examination room or rooms. An examination room or rooms shall be available for the complete physical examination of patients by a veterinarian. Each examination room shall be of sufficient size to accommodate the doctor, assistant, patient, and client comfortably. The exam table surface shall be disinfected between patients. All diagnostic equipment needed for the physical examination shall be readily available.

(g) Wards. Each veterinary premises, except an MVC, where any animals are retained overnight shall meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Exercise shall be provided for animals having to stay in an overnight facility. Walking the animal shall meet this requirement.

(2) The floors shall be smooth, waterproof, nonabsor-bent, capable of being disinfected, and in good repair. The walls shall be smooth and free of cracks or gaps large enough to interfere with effective cleaning.

(3) The temperature shall be maintained in a range that is comfortable and safe for all patients.

(4) A separate compartment shall be available for each animal. Caging or housing shall be designed with each animal's physical comfort as the primary consideration.

(A) Physical comfort ensuring that each animal is dry and clean shall be provided.

(B) Sufficient space shall be provided to ensure each animal's freedom of movement and normal postural adjustments with convenient access to food and water.

(5) All cages, runs, stalls, pens, and other animal compartments shall be kept in good repair to prevent injury to the animal and to promote physical comfort.

(A) Sharp corners and edges, broken wires, and any dangerous surfaces shall not be present.

(B) Cages made of metal other than stainless steel shall be kept in good repair by regular painting or other maintenance as required.

(6) The compartments shall be disinfected between occupants. The floors and walls shall be regularly disinfected. All waste cans shall be metal or plastic, be leakproof, and have tightfitting lids.

(7) The drains shall be constructed so that they facilitate disinfection between runways. To maintain proper sanitation, the runways shall be cleaned between uses.

(8) Bulk food shall be stored in a verminproof container. Opened canned food shall be refrigerated until used.

(9) Water and feed dishes, if not disposable, shall be disinfected.

(10) Daily feedings suitable for each animal with a wholesome, nutritional, palatable food and daily fresh water suitable for each animal, within easy reach of each animal, shall be provided, unless medically contraindicated.

(11) An animal identification system shall be used.

(12) The veterinary premises shall allow for the effective separation of contagious and noncontagious patients.

(h) Operating room. If other than minor surgical procedures are to be performed, an operating room for major surgical procedures shall be provided and shall meet the following requirements:

(1) The floors shall be made of terrazzo, sealed cement, linoleum, or any other impervious materials.

(2) A setup for intravenous fluid administration shall be available. Emergency drugs shall be readily available.

(3) The surgery table shall be constructed of impervious material that is easily disinfected. Instruments and equipment accepted as reasonable and customary by the veterinary profession for the type of surgical services shall be provided.

(i) Sterilization. All articles to be used in surgery shall be sterilized by either gas sterilization or steam sterilization. Chemical sterilization shall be acceptable under field situations and in emergency situations. Surgical packs shall be dated to indicate the last time sterilized. A sterile monitor shall be included within each surgical pack to detect proper sterilization. Caps, masks, and gowns and sterile drapes, towels, and gloves shall be available.

(j) Oxygen. A mechanism for oxygen administration shall be available. This subsections shall not apply to MVCs.

(k) Pharmacy. The veterinarian shall ensure the storage, safekeeping, and preparation of all drugs.

(l) Radiology. If radiology services are not available in the facility, clients shall be referred to a facility that does provide those services when these services are indicated.

Permanent identification of the radiograph shall occur at the time of exposure or just before development.

Leaded aprons, thyroid shields, and either gloves or mitts shall be available for anyone helping to restrain or position patients during radiography.

(m) Laboratory. The clinical pathology services shall be available either on the veterinary premises or in a medical facility. All test results shall be made available within a time frame accepted as reasonable and customary by the veterinary profession.

(n) Waste disposal.

(1) The prompt and sanitary disposal of all dead animals and animal tissues shall be required. All animal tissues and dead companion animals weighing up to 150 pounds shall be contained in plastic bags and kept in an area away from the public before being picked up for disposal. Each dead companion weighing up to 150 pounds held overnight for pickup shall be contained in one or more plastic bags and placed in a refrigerator or freezer.

(2) Needles and syringes shall be destroyed or adequately disposed of in a safe manner.

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 70-6-1

Authorized by K.S.A. 2016 Supp. 47-821; implementing K.S.A. 2016 Supp. 47-821 and 47-840; effective Dec. 27, 1994; amended by Kansas Register Volume 36, No. 49; effective 12/22/2017.