When local veterinary practitioners volunteer to assist during a disaster, there are almost always unanticipated challenges such as appropriate documentation of veterinary care. Experience has shown that this veterinary record keeping is essential for ensuring appropriate care of affected animals as well as maintaining communication with owners about their animals. Additionally, these records serve to provide continuity of care of affected animals as there are often multiple volunteer veterinarians across the duration of the incident. In recognizing the importance of documentation of veterinary care in disasters, CVET recommends the following these simple steps for local veterinary practitioners involved in local disaster response.
And looking for additional guidance on how to be better prepared? Check out our local veterianry professionals guides and triage protocol linked under additional documents!
- Complete Medical Rounds
- Even though it is a disaster, medical records are still required! If you have a software system available to you - then use it! If not, CVET has developed species specific exam forms to assist in the documentation of veterinary exams, treatments, recommendations, owner communications, etc. Local animal responders providing veterinary care are encouraged to use these forms to provide a template of consistent documentation practices during disaster operations. And if you are looking for a software to track and document treatments for animals during disasters, check out the Shelterly program!
Avian Medical Records
Large Animal Medical Records
Small Animal Medical Records - Perform Daily Medical Records
- Continuity is key! If you are transferring care over to another veterinarian, or leaving animals in the care of the shelter staff or volunteers, provide written medical rounds! Ongoing medical information for the animals is so important to communicate and ensure that the animal receives the ongoing care it needs!
- Document All Veterinary Requests
Use the daily veterinary request form to document all requests by staff or volunteers to perform an assessment and/or to provide treatment. Documenting this throughout the response will help to quantify the need for additional veterinary support.