college connection
COUNCIL NEWS
COLLEGE RESOURCES SUPPORT RECORD KEEPING
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Complete documentation helps to minimize
risk to the patient, such as making errors
due to gaps in documentation. For example,
missing the strength of a drug, diagnostic test
results, or relevant history or physical exam
findings can delay appropriate treatment.
Complete records support effective client
communication and they are used as a
communication device between caregivers.
Medical records are legal documents and can
be used as evidence in legal proceedings.
Records represent the veterinarian’s thought
process, decisions, judgment, action and
interactions with others all of which impact on
patient outcomes.
The information in the medical record belongs
to the client and they can request a copy of
their animal’s complete medical records at
any time, which the veterinarian must provide.
Comprehensive patient records are a good
risk management strategy for the patient, the
client and the veterinarian. A quality record
is fundamental to quality practice and is an
important aspect of patient care.
Veterinarians have found ways, often very
creative ways, to make record keeping
more efficient. These efficiencies in record
keeping help to reduce the time required
to maintain complete records that meet
legislative requirements and standards.
Some examples of time-saving strategies
include the use of a SOAP (Subjective data,
Objective data, Assessment, Plans) or DAP
(Data, Assessment, Plans) format, the use of
history or physical exam templates, the use
of surgical protocols, discharge summaries,
client education hand-outs, and more.
Learn more about keeping complete
medical records and time-saving
tips by taking the College’s online
learning module:
Foundations for Medical Record
Keeping: Companion Animal
Watch for a new learning module:
Foundations for Medical Record
Keeping: Food Producing Animal,
Equine and Poultry
For further resources on medical
record keeping, visit www.cvo.org
COUNCIL ELECTS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR 2019
Dr. Patricia Lechten, of Barrie, Ontario, is the
new president of the College.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve the
public in this role and to work with Council in
managing the risks involved in the practice
of veterinary medicine in Ontario to reduce
the potential for harm to animals and people,”
said Dr. Lechten.
“The Council agenda is always full and
interesting. In 2019, Council will focus
on continued development of the facility
accreditation model and on professionalism
in veterinary medicine. Policy work in the
coming year includes pain management, after
hours care, and non-prescription veterinary
products,” she added.
Dr. Lechten graduated from the University of
Missouri in 1985 and is currently the owner of
the Allandale Veterinary Hospital in Barrie. Dr.
Lechten was first elected to Council in 2014.
“I am proud to be a veterinarian and
welcome the opportunities that are presented
through my profession. I am committed
to the College’s mandate which supports
the public’s right to safe, quality veterinary
medicine,” said Dr. Lechten.
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College Connection
At its recent Annual Council meeting, the
College welcomed four new members of
Council as a result of recent elections.
Joining Council are Dr. Patricia Alderson, a
university veterinarian from Thunder Bay; Dr.
Christine Hickman, a veterinarian from Toronto
whose practice focuses on in-home end of
life care for pets;
Dr. Alana Parisi,
a companion
animal and
emergency care
veterinarian from
Belleville; and, Dr.
Wade Wright, a
companion animal
veterinarian from
Ottawa.
2nd Vice-President; Dr. Steven Jacobs, Past
President and Ms. Claudia Newman, Public
Member.
Appointments were also made to the
College’s statutory committees and details
can be found on the College’s website at
www.cvo.org.
Council elected
its Executive
Committee
which includes
Dr. Lechten,
President; Dr.
Susan Warren, 1st
Vice-President; Dr.
Tyrrel de Langley, Executive Committee: (l-r) Dr. Steven Jacobs, Dr. Patty Lechten, Dr. Tyrrel de
Langley, Claudia Newman, and Dr. Susan Warren.