Prescribing dilemma

RE: Prescribing dilemma

Heather Bacon — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 16:35:39 GMT

Our rule is if the animal has been seen by a vet within the last 12 months we can dispense flea/worming. If not or has never been seen by a vet then needs a vet check.

We do flea/worm checks and sometimes the vets just say yes they can have xyz. I know the vets are really busy but sometimes I have to be firm and insist that the vet does a clinical exam. I then write in notes that so and so vet performed an exam, note down vitals and they okayed treatment for next 12 months.

We do have other non POM flea/worming to dispense if needed.

RE: Prescribing dilemma

Dove — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 14:26:42 GMT

We are allowed to dispense pom-v flea and wormers if they have seen a vet in the last 12 months. We have frontline and drontal to dispense if they've not been seen within the 12 months.

RE: Prescribing dilemma

Sal the 1st — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 08:15:44 GMT

[quote user="vet nurse2015"]

Hi everyone

just wanted to check something with you all. At our practice we do healthy pet club checks so a basic health check and they get their flea and wormers at the same time. The problem is the flea treatment Is Endectrid (advocate) a Pom-v. Currently what is happening is that we are running to find a vet after the consult and checking with them we can give it and they sign their initials (without them seeing the pet). Is this correct? Should the vet actually do a clinical exam in order to prescribe or is what we are doing ok?

thanks

[/quote]

Mention your concerns to your vets

RE: Prescribing dilemma

Meow1950 — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 07:25:49 GMT

I have observed that not everybody follows these rules, but personally I wouldn't give out an pom-v wormer/flea treatment without the animal having previously received a clinical exam in the relatively recent past, as you say the 6 month rule is routinely observed.

RE: Prescribing dilemma

Alison Clare Hickman — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 22:28:56 GMT

from what you have described... It depends! If the pet has been seen before by a vet and is currently well with no worries reported, your top to toe exam is NAD, then so long as the period between now and the last time seen by a vet is within your practice protocol (2-3-4-6-12... months, whatever that is) then, yes, it is accepted as standard methodology. However if outside the protocol or you have concerns, then, No. A vet health check is a requirement. Also, if pet has not been seen by the practice vet ever, eg a new client or a new pet to an existing client, then No. A vet health check is a requirement.

in my last practice, the pet record showed the current expiration date for managing repeat POM-V preventative prescriptions, so no errors could easily occur.

Suggest when booking your nurse check appointments, it is established whether or not a vet check is required. Give the vets a 5 minute slot to pop into the nurse consults to do preventatives health checks. They annotate the patient record accordingly. Clearly any patient not booked in for a vet check that needs one can be dealt with by booking a separate vet appointment or grabbing a vet to do so that day, if you can. Again, depends on practice protocols...

Does anyone else do, or think, differently?