COLLEGE NEWS
DISCIPLINE HEARINGS
RECENT DISCIPLINE HEARING SUMMARIES POSTED
The outcomes of discipline hearings are public information and are intended to provide a greater understanding of the veterinary profession ’ s accountability to the public .
Summaries are posted on the College website ( www . cvo . org / Discipline-Orders ) and findings are noted on the Public Register . Complete disciplinary decisions are available by contacting the College . The following discipline summaries were recently posted :
Dr . James Holmes
The panel made an order adjourning this matter “ sine die ”. The panel agreed that adjourning the matter indefinitely is in the public interest as the member resigned his licence . Due to the resignation , there is no need for a hearing to determine the merit of the allegations of professional misconduct and assign penalties .
Dr . Gopal Arora
As the result of an uncontested professional misconduct hearing , the member was found guilty of professional misconduct . The member failed to supervise his auxiliary which resulted in a non-veterinarian providing a diagnosis and prognosis . The member was required to complete remediation activities focused on supervision of auxiliaries , client communications and record-keeping . The penalty included a year-long mentorship , completion of a PROBE ethics course , records reviews and assessments before and after the mentorship .
As well , the member was reprimanded
and ordered to pay costs to the College of $ 5,000 .
Read a full summary of each of these cases at : www . cvo . org / Discipline-Orders
INCORPORATING THE 5 R ’ S INTO YOUR PRACTICE
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Antimicrobial stewardship ( AMS ) is a coordinated approach to optimizing the use of antimicrobials and maximizing patient care while minimizing the risk of resistance , toxicity , or other adverse events . AMS initiatives have been created in response to the well-established relationship between the use of antimicrobial drugs and the development of antimicrobial resistant bacteria . In recent years antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a global public health crisis that threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections .
Veterinarians are engaged in antimicrobial stewardship
Veterinarians are already engaging in AMS practices and play an evergrowing role in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance . The veterinary profession has an obligation to continue to act as a steward with respect to the responsible and reasonable use of antimicrobial drugs . As part of good stewardship , the College encourages veterinarians to assume a leadership role in understanding the need for antimicrobial oversight , the existing government directives , the evolving science related to pharmaceuticals , and the most appropriate current use of antimicrobial drugs .
The 5R ’ s Approach to AMS
A way to further incorporate antimicrobial stewardship into your practice is utilizing the 5 R ’ s approach developed by Stephen Page , Dr . John Prescott , and Dr . Scott Weese . Watch for details on the 5R ’ s in the spring issue .
The College endeavors to assist veterinarians to advance antimicrobial stewardship in their practices by providing resources . The College will continually seek to understand and assume its role with partners at the provincial , national , and international level to combat the spread of antimicrobial resistance .
Links to Additional Information
Previous College Connection Articles written by Dr . Scott Weese on the topic of Antimicrobial Resistance :
Five Questions to Ask Before Prescribing ( p . 2 )
Antimicrobial Stewardship & You ( p . 1-3 ) Antimicrobial Stewardship ( p . 7 )
The College has a series of resources to aid veterinarians with antimicrobial stewardship in their practice .
American Veterinary Medical Association website .
World Organization for Animal Health
Instilling public confidence in veterinary regulation cvo . org 7