References
Ethical dilemmas surrounding 24-hour nursing provision for patients in veterinary practice
Abstract
Providing suitable 24-hour patient care is a difficult topic for many veterinary practices (VP) and involves many ethical dilemmas to ensure that the patient's, staff's and clients' needs are met. Following rules and regulations to prevent litigation, providing care for good patient outcomes and upholding client expectations at an affordable price, alongside the provision for staff wellbeing makes this a difficult task. Evidence-based research, technology and effective communication skills may help to solve these dilemmas.
Concern regarding the provision of out-of-hours care in veterinary practices (VPs) has high-lighted the mismatch of the public's perception of 24-hour emergency care availability against what is actually achievable in practice (Tremlett, 2007). As litigation increases in VP the Veterinary Defence Society (2015) stated the importance for veterinary professionals to act within the guidelines of regulatory bodies. The Guide to Professional Code of Conduct for veterinary surgeons (VSs) and registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) (RCVS, 2019a,b) offers guidelines surrounding inpatient care and clearly states that the VS and RVN are responsible for providing appropriate and adequate inpatient care by persons with the relevant knowledge and expertise. RVNs and animal care assistants (ACAs) play an important role in the provision of overnight patient care in hospital facilities but there are many ethical, moral, and legal dilemmas involved when implementing such provisions that affect the patients, staff, and clients.
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