intro to vet public health and the law

Question 1

what is public health

Answer 1

what we as a society, do collectively to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy

Question 2

what is the basic premise of veterinary public health

Answer 2

vets improve and maintain the health and well-being of people by reason of the work we do with animals and animal products

Question 3

what is one health

Answer 3

concept that the health of humans is connected to the health of animals and the environment

Question 4

Penn’s definition of “health and well being”

Answer 4

• the physical and mental health of the individual
• the economic health and social and political well being of the communities in which we live; this naturally encompasses environmental and conservation issues too

Question 5

what are zoonotic diseases

Answer 5

infectious diseases that can be naturally transmitted between other vertebrate animals and people

Question 6

what are the legal duties created and determined by?

Answer 6

• the state veterinary medical boards where veterinarians are licensed
• the standard of care that veterinary professionals must follow to avoid claims of professional negligence or malpractice
• other applicable state laws and regulations

Question 7

in the case of zoonotic disease a vet could potentiallty breach the applicable professional duty of care by:

5 things

Answer 7

1. negligent failute to diagnose a zoonotic disease in an animal
2. failure to recommend preventive measures for common zoonotic diseases such as those caused by parasites
3. failure to advise clients with respect to dangers of keeping certain wild animals as pets
4. failure to refer the owner to a specialist for diagnosis or treatment of a species or condition that was not within the practitioner’s expertise
5. failure to advise a client to seek care from a physician in the case of potential zoonotic disease transmission

Question 8

what are statutory requirements

Answer 8

• states require vets to report certain zoonotic infections
• in some states, failure to report is a crime (typically a misdemeanour)
• failure to report a zoonotic disease can itself constitute proof of negligence

Question 9

what is “the duty to find, warn, and advise”

Answer 9

• to diagnose the diease
• to warn the client of the risks of zoonotic disease
• to offer specific kinds of advice that relate directly to that particular disease

Question 10

the scope of the vet license

Answer 10

does not authorize a vet to engage in any activity that would be classified by the medical practice act of your state as the practice of medicine

Question 11

what NOT to do

Answer 11

• ask q’s about the client’s health that might indicate whether they have the disease except in so far as the responses might assist in diagnosing the presnce of the disease in the affected animal
• perform even a limited physical exam of the client
• give advice to the client about how the zoonotic disease should be treated in a person
• dispense drigs for the tx of a client
• inform a physician how to dx and tx a zoonotic disease in a person
• estimate for the client the probability that they have or will contract a zoonotic disease from the animal they have had contact with

Question 12

what to do when in doubt

Answer 12

• err on the side of making sure that the client is protected
• document what you told the client and how you did it

Question 13

safety in the work-place

Answer 13

vets may be held liable for harm to employees who contract zoonotic diseases in the course of their employment

Question 14

referring an animal to another vet or vet clinic or hospital (does or does not) relieve the referring vet from liability for the egligence of those to whom the animal is reffered, ____ the client is informed and subscribes to a referral agreement that relieves the referring vet from further responsibility

Answer 14

• does not
• unless