college connection
LEARNING IN PRACTICE
A Mutual Acknowledgement and Undertaking is an agreement that a licensed member can enter into voluntarily with
the College, in certain cases, to resolve a concern. Undertakings are a helpful tool with an emphasis on the member’s
remediation. Undertakings may include practice restrictions and/or certain tasks to be completed by the licensed member to
address the concerns that have been identified by the College. A licensed member is required to complete all areas of the
undertaking. Undertakings are presented in College Connection to enable all licensed members to benefit from the learning
opportunity.
MUTUAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND UNDERTAKING
I, the member, acknowledge I have disclosed
all relevant information to the College
regarding allegations related to the use of
expired drugs, post-surgical complications
due to poor sterility, inappropriate treatment of
animals and failure to maintain standards.
I therefore agree and undertake that:
• I will meet with a mentor appointed by the
College, and approved by the Registrar,
who will attend at my facility for one
half day, for the purpose of reviewing
my protocols on infection control and
professional practice related to the
delegation and supervision of auxiliaries.
This meeting will take place within 3 months
of signing this undertaking;
• the mentor will prepare a report regarding
their attendance at my facility and make
recommendations for improvement of
my current veterinary practises. A copy
of the mentor’s report will be provided
to the Registrar of the College and to
myself. I will immediately implement all
recommendations as suggested by the
mentor;
• for a period of one year from the date of
signing the undertaking, I will submit not
less than 5 randomly selected medical
records, on a quarterly basis, for a College
appointed peer reviewer to review and
comment on my record keeping. A copy of
the peer reviewer’s report will be provided
to the Registrar of the College and to
myself. I will correct any deficiencies in my
medical records in accordance with the
recommendations of the peer reviewer;
• in the 10th month after signing the
undertaking, I will compose and submit
to the Registrar a written paper of not
less than 1500 words that illustrates the
standard of practice for infection control
and for the delegation and supervision
of auxiliaries, inclusive of any specific
learnings from the mentor. If the written
paper is not approved by the Registrar,
it will be returned with comments. An
amended paper will then be submitted by
me to the Registrar within two weeks of
being notified. Should the paper not meet
the expectation of the Registrar, this matter
may be referred to the Executive Committee
for further action.
• I also acknowledge that if at the completion
of this undertaking my records do not
meet the standards of the peer reviewer,
the Registrar may, at her discretion, return
this matter to the Executive Committee for
further action.
• I acknowledge I am responsible for all costs
associated with this undertaking and will
be invoiced by the College accordingly. I
agree to pay all invoices within 30 days of
receipt.
• I acknowledge I have had the opportunity
to obtain legal advice before signing this
document.
• I agree to the publication of this
undertaking in the College Connection.
The COLLEGE OF VETERINARIANS OF
ONTARIO, through its Registrar,
• undertakes not to prosecute any allegations
of professional misconduct against
this member in respect of the conduct
described in paragraph 1. of this document
which occurred before the date of this
undertaking unless the member breaches
this undertaking, and
• has indicated to the member that it will
view any breach of this undertaking as
professional misconduct.
MUTUAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND UNDERTAKING
I, the member, acknowledge a complaint has
been made to the Executive Committee of the
College which alleges that I have engaged in
the following conduct: improperly conducting
fecal examinations, improper hydration of
animals, failing to meet the standards with
respect to performing dentistry and improper
treatment of staff and animals in my care.
I therefore agree and undertake that:
• a mentor chosen by the College will
observe and advise me on proper
performance of fecal examination methods,
appropriate fluid and hydration therapy,
appropriate indications for dental treatment,
and proper medical records. At least 3 two
hour mentoring sessions will be held. The
mentor will provide a written report to the
Registrar on completion of the mentoring.
• six months following the completion of
the mentoring an assessor chosen by the
College will attend my practice in order
to review the aforementioned areas of
concern. The assessor will provide a written
report to the Registrar on completion of the
assessment.
• I will participate in and submit records
under the Peer Review of Medical Records
Program at four months and at eight months
following the completion of the mentoring.
• I will participate in the Ontario Medical
Association “Crucial Conversations” course
within 12 months of the signing of this
undertaking.
continued on page 8
Spring 2016 / 7