61G18-15.0022: Minimum Standards for Permanent Locations Where Agricultural Veterinary Medicine Is Practiced
61G18-15.0025: Minimum Standards for a Mobile Veterinary Practice for Agricultural Animals
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Rule 61G18-15.0022, F.A.C.: To ensure that expired drugs are not comingled with current drugs in order to avoid the unintentional administration of said expired product. Rule 61G18-15.0025, F.A.C.: To ensure that practitioners are able to euthanize an animal without unnecessary delay in order to humanely reduce suffering in accordance with minimally accepted practices in the industry and to ensure that expired drugs are not comingled with current drugs in order to avoid the unintentional administration of said expired product.
SUMMARY: Rule 61G18-15.0022, F.A.C.: The proposed change specifies that all expired drugs are required to be stored in a designated area or container which is segregated from all other drugs. Rule 61G18-15.0025, F.A.C.: Adds an approved chemical method of euthanasia to the list of items required to be maintained by a mobile veterinary practice for agricultural animals. The proposed change also specifies that all expired drugs are required to be stored in a designated area or container which is segregated from all other drugs.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:
The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.
The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board, based upon the expertise and experience of its members, determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost (SERC) was not necessary. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time. The Board has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business, or likely increase regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within 1 year after implementation of the rule. These rule amendments will not require ratification by the Legislature.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 474.206, 474.215(6) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 474.215(6) FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Juanita Chastain, Executive Director, Board of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0750
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
61G18-15.0022 Minimum Standards for Permanent Locations Where Agricultural Veterinary Medicine Is Practiced.
Agricultural veterinary medicine is practiced upon livestock as defined by Section 828.23(3), Florida Statutes. Minimum standards for permanent locations where agricultural veterinary medicine is practiced are:
(1) No change.
(2) Interior.
(a) All locations where agricultural veterinary medicine is practiced must have the following:
1. Restroom – clean and orderly.
2. Office:
a. Clean and orderly,
b. Current license displayed.
3. 24 hours telephone service a day for emergencies.
4. Examination areas:
a. Clean and orderly,
b. Lined waste receptacles,
c. Sink and disposable towels (Sinks located in restrooms may not be used to satisfy this standard), and
d. Examination table, if present, must be of a material subject to disinfection.
5. Pharmacy:
a. Clean and orderly,
b. Individual patient or herd/flock records,
c. If controlled substances are on premises, a locking secure cabinet for storage and an accurate controlled substance log.
d. Segregated area or container for the storage of expired drugs.
6. Accessibility to a laboratory.
7. Holding areas shall be capable of sanitation and shall include proper ventilation, sufficient lighting, and be of a size consistent with the welfare of the animal.
8. Garbage and trash disposal:
a. Sanitary cans lined with disposable bags,
b. Effective insect and rodent control.
9. Carcass disposal.
10. Emergency lighting which must include at least a functioning rechargeable battery-operated light.
11. Fire extinguisher, with current inspection.
12. Refrigeration of stored drugs, biologicals, laboratory samples, and other perishable items.
13. Compliance with the requirement of Chapter 64E-16, F.A.C., concerning the handling and disposal of biohazardous waste.
(b) through (c) No change.
(3) No change.
Rulemaking Specific Authority 474.206, 474.215(6) FS. Law Implemented 474.215(6) FS. History–New 7-9-95, Amended 9-18-95, 12-28-95,__________.
61G18-15.0025 Minimum Standards for a Mobile Veterinary Practice for Agricultural Animals.
The following minimum standards shall apply to mobile veterinary medical practices for agricultural animals:
(1) Mobile units utilized by veterinarians:
(a) Shall be clean and orderly.
(b) Shall contain the following:
1. Sterile syringes and needles.
2. Properly stored biologics.
3. Antiseptic intravenous equipment.
4. If controlled substances are on the unit, a locking secure cabinet for storage and an accurate controlled substance log.
5. When surgery is to be performed, the following shall be maintained:
a. Surgical instruments,
b. Access to a means of sterilization,
c. Suture material, and
d. Intravenous equipment.
6. An American Veterinary Medical Association approved chemical method of euthanasia.
7. Segregated area or container for the storage of expired drugs.
(2) through (4) No change.
Rulemaking Authority 474.206, 474.215(6) FS. Law Implemented 474.215(6) FS. History–New 7-4-95, Amended 7-22-10,_________.