Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 4877 – Veterinarian-client-patient relationship required; Good Samaritan exception
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In order to practice veterinary medicine, a veterinarian must be engaged in a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. A veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists when a veterinarian: [PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
1. Engaged by client. Has been engaged by the client;
[PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 4877
- Licensed veterinarian: means a person who is validly and currently licensed by the board to practice veterinary medicine in this State. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 4853
- Patient: means an animal or group of animals examined or treated by a veterinarian. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 4853
- Practice of veterinary medicine: means :
A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 4853Veterinarian: means a person who has received a doctor's degree in veterinary medicine from a school of veterinary medicine. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 4853 Veterinary medicine: includes veterinary surgery, obstetrics, dentistry and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine including all aspects of the "practice of veterinary medicine" under subsection 7. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 4853
2. Assumed responsibility. Has assumed responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the patient;
[PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
3. Knowledge of patient. Has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate a preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the patient and has personal knowledge of the keeping and care of the patient as a result of:
A. A timely examination of the patient by the veterinarian; or [PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
B. A medically appropriate and timely visit or visits by the veterinarian to the patient while that patient is under the care of the veterinarian’s practice; [PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
[PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
4. Follow-up evaluation. Is readily available for follow-up evaluation or has arranged for veterinary emergency coverage and continuing care and treatment; and
[PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
5. Records. Maintains patient records.
[PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
A licensed veterinarian who in good faith engages in the practice of veterinary medicine by rendering or attempting to render emergency care to a patient when a client cannot be identified and a veterinarian-client-patient relationship is not established is not subject to any disciplinary sanctions authorized by Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5?A based solely upon the veterinarian’s inability to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. [PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).