How Kansas Veterinarians Can Avoid Disciplinary Complaints

Becoming a Kansas veterinarian is no easy task, and once you have completed your goal of being able to help animals, you finally feel a sense of satisfaction in knowing that you are doing what you love and helping Kansas pet owners care for the pets they love.  However, as is the case with any profession where clients or patients are involved, you will have some patients who simply are not happy with your services, and there is nothing you can do to satisfy them.

While the customer is always right when it comes to the sale of consumer goods or services, when it comes to veterinary care, there are some times when the patient is simply wrong, whether it be in regards to a medical diagnosis, or whether or not the veterinarian took the proper steps to care for the patient’s pet.  Veterinary patients do have a right to complain to the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners regarding your treatment or conduct, however, such complaints are typically not investigated if there are absolutely no valid grounds for alleging that you have violated your professional duties as a Kansas veterinarian.

Steps to Take When Treating Veterinary Patients

You may be able to avoid facing disciplinary complaints if you take certain steps to make sure all patients have a complete understanding of your role as the veterinarian, what to expect from veterinary care, and all risks that come along with administering medication and performing veterinary procedures, no matter how minor or serious the procedures may be.  Preventative measures that you and your veterinary staff members can take to avoid disciplinary complaints with the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Having all patients sign a very detailed consent form that identifies all possibilities, both good and bad, for how a particular animal’s condition may turn out after receiving treatment;
  • Ensuring that all veterinary staff members are knowledgeable on what conduct may give rise to disciplinary action or the potential loss of your veterinary license;
  • Ensuring that you and/or your staff members provide each patient with the correct prescribed medication, as providing the wrong medication or the wrong dose of a medication could be harmful to the animal; and
  • Following up with patients frequently after an animal has received veterinary care, as this will both keep the patient informed and let the patient know that you are taking all steps necessary to stay on top of the animal’s condition.

Even if you take all of the above-listed steps in addition to others, you still may find that a patient will be unhappy and complain that you and/or your staff members have not provided adequate care or that you have acted negligently in some way.  This is just a natural byproduct of working in a field where you will come across disagreeable patients from time to time.

Contact Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

As a Kansas veterinarian, you take pride in helping Kansas pet owners take proper care of their animals.  Given that pet owners cherish their furry friends so much, they may become angry or frustrated when you, as the veterinarian are not able to save a pet’s life.  As is the case in the practice of medicine, there are simply times when you are left with little or no options to help save a pet’s life.  This can be difficult for pet owners to understand, so it is essential that you take all steps possible to ensure your patients are aware of the scope of your veterinary practice, acknowledging that sometimes the fate of our pets cannot be helped by a veterinarian’s quality care.  As such, if your veterinary license is at risk for any reason at all, you need to speak with a Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney who will fight to help you keep your Kansas veterinary license.  Kansas Professional License Defense Lawyer Daniel Sanger of the Sanger Law Office has the experience and skill to provide you with the best legal representation possible.  As a former Assistant Attorney General of Kansas, Danielle Sanger has seen the other side of the aisle, and knows what to expect from the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners.  To speak with Danielle Sanger, contact the Sanger Law Office today by calling (785) 979-4353 to schedule a free consultation.


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