RCVS Practice Standards Scheme Research Articles

An inspector calls: a guide to surviving your next inspection

This article provides an overview of the requirements of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR), covers common issues that we see during inspections and explains how you can avoid these. The aim is to help you achieve greater compliance, which in turn means that you will sail through your next inspection. The elements covered in this article are applicable to all practices, whether you are part of the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme or not – the same regulations apply to everyone.

Surgical safety checklists in UK veterinary practice: Current implementation and attitudes towards their use.

Surgical safety checklist (SSC) use benefits veterinary patients, but endorsement and implementation are essential for these benefits to be observed. A cross-sectional survey assessed UK veterinary professionals' attitudes towards and usage of SSCs and identified factors associated with poorer attitude or failure to use SSCs. Of 513 respondents, 70% used SSCs. Of these, 87.1% used SSCs for every surgical procedure, 19.1% adapted SSCs for different procedures and 61.1% had a standard operating procedure detailing how to use SSCs. Attitudes towards SSC use were favourable, with increased positive attitude associated with employing at least one registered veterinary nurse with a post-qualifying qualification (p < 0.001), current SSC use (p < 0.001), undertaking self-directed reading (p = 0.033) or completing SSC-relevant post-qualification continuing professional development (p = 0.005). Factors associated with veterinary practices not using SSCs included Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) non-membership (odds ratio [OR] 2.0, 1.1-3.4), no RCVS hospital status (OR 1.9, 1.1-3.5) or being a mixed first-opinion veterinary practice (OR 2.4, 1.2-5.0). Study limitations include sampling methodology and non-validated attitudinal scale usage. Most respondents used SSCs. Familiarity, education and the RCVS PSS were associated with improved uptake and attitudes, but mixed practice was associated with reduced usage.

Practice standards

The RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) will be familiar to most Companion readers. At a recent meeting it was highlighted that in nearly half of all PSS assessments, inspectors found that there was a lack of evidence of temperature monitoring for medicines. Here, we outline the guidance from the BSAVA Guide to the Use of Veterinary Medicines.

RCVS Practice standards

Abstract David Ashcroft, the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme Lead Assessor, outlines the changes being introduced to the Practice Standards Scheme 2021.

From farm to board

Vet Richard Killen is clinical services director of CVS. As an RCVS Practice Standards Scheme assessor, he enrolled all of the group's practices onto the scheme as a way of improving clinical standards.

Life is an endless set of possibilities for vets

Being an RCVS Practice Standards Scheme assessor allows Samantha Scully the flexibility to work alongside being the mother of three young children. She is also a community first responder.

Comments on the dilemma in the May issue: ‘Financial incentives’

The dilemma in the May issue dealt with the appropriateness of financial incentives, based solely on turnover, due to the possible conflict of interest that could arise between a practice's...

Are we ready for clinical standards

Abstract The RCVS Practice Standards Scheme is an accreditation scheme that aims to encourage higher veterinary standards. How can it help small animal practice?

No more tiers

Abstract PSS Inspector and BSAVA volunteer Pam Mosedale explains changes to the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme and how the BSAVA can help with compliance.

The RCVS Practice Standards Scheme: perspectives from practice

LAUNCHED to the profession in 2005 and then to the public in 2006, the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme is a nationwide, voluntary initiative set up with the aim of establishing...

RCVS Practice Standards Scheme exceeds target

Journal of Small Animal PracticeVolume 46, Issue 7 p. 359-360 BSAVA NEWS RCVS Practice Standards Scheme exceeds target First published: 01 July 2005 https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.2005.46.7.359aAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume46, Issue7July 2005Pages 359-360 RelatedInformation