Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Veterinary Medicine
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Veterinary Medicine [18 VAC 150 ‑ 20]
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12/4/20  1:20 pm
Commenter: Noah Meyers, LVT

Against allowing unlicensed personnel to place IV catheters
 

I am completely against the petition to allow unlicensed veterinary personnel (veterinary assistants) to place IV catheters. This is a skill that is not only taught in veterinary technology programs extensively, but is practiced on many models before being performed on live patients with direct supervision from a LVT or DVM. The many complications that could arise from an untrained individual placing an IV catheter are numerous, including infection, embolism, lacerated vein, extravascular injection, etc. Although this is a skill that can be taught "on the job", there would be no repercussions if an unlicensed individual placed an IV catheter and something wrong were to occur. We as Licensed Veterinary Technicians are constantly fighting for our right in the work place, and this would degrade LVT's even further, taking away specific skills that we are taught in school and have perfected. Our profession is under act and we must act!

CommentID: 87549