TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Agency Decision

Title of Regulation: 18VAC150-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Veterinary Medicine.

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Name of Petitioner: Rena Allen.

Nature of Petitioner's Request: An amendment to 18VAC150-20-172 B to replace the restriction on insertion of IV catheters by unlicensed assistants with a restriction on placement of jugular catheters, and an amendment to 18VAC150-20-172 C to allow delegation of peripheral intravenous catheters under immediate supervision of a veterinarian.

Agency Decision: Request denied.

Statement of Reason for Decision: The board appreciated the rationale for allowing unlicensed assistants to insert intravenous catheters but ultimately decided to deny the petition based on its responsibility to protect public health and safety. Concerns were expressed about a lack of standardized training and measure of competency for unlicensed assistants. Members also noted that the restriction on placement of catheters is not a new regulation, but has been in effect for a number of years. Finally, there was some question about whether the performance of such a procedure constitutes the practice of veterinary medicine, which cannot be delegated to an unlicensed person.

Agency Contact: Elaine J. Yeatts, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Health Professions, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4688, or email elaine.yeatts@dhp.virginia.gov.

VA.R. Doc. No. R17-15; Filed August 24, 2017, 2:08 p.m.