Veterinary Emergency Care Triage and Resuscitation Checklist

This comprehensive veterinary emergency care triage and resuscitation checklist ensures regulatory compliance with AVMA, ACVECC, IVECCS, State Veterinary Board. Emergency preparedness and triage protocol for veterinary emergency clinics covering crash cart readiness, triage assessment, resuscitation equipment, and critical care capabilities per IVECCS and ACVECC emergency care standards. Rapid response capability saves animal lives and meets standard of care expectations. Complete all sections t

  • Industry: Veterinary & Animal Care
  • Frequency: Daily / Per Procedure
  • Estimated Time: 25 minutes
  • Role: Veterinarian / Clinic Manager / Animal Care Lead
  • Total Items: 20
  • Compliance: AVMA, ACVECC, IVECCS, State Veterinary Board

Emergency Crash Cart Readiness

Inspect crash cart per ACVECC emergency drug guidelines.

  • Is epinephrine 1:1000 and 1:10,000 immediately available on crash cart at correct concentrations?
  • Is atropine available for vagally-mediated bradycardia and asystole?
  • Are opioid (naloxone), benzodiazepine (flumazenil), and alpha-2 (atipamezole) reversal agents available?
  • Is lidocaine available for ventricular arrhythmia management?
  • Has crash cart been verified complete with all required drugs and supplies at start of each shift?
  • Are all emergency drugs within expiration date and replaced promptly when expiring?

Resuscitation Equipment

Verify resuscitation equipment function.

  • Is defibrillator charged, pads available in multiple sizes, and function tested per manufacturer schedule?
  • Are endotracheal tubes in multiple sizes, laryngoscope with working batteries, and stylets on crash cart?
  • Is oxygen source immediately accessible with flow-by and mask delivery options?
  • Are intravenous catheters in multiple sizes and IV fluids available for emergency administration?
  • Is CPR algorithm for dogs and cats (RECOVER initiative) posted at crash cart location?

Triage and Initial Assessment Protocol

Verify triage capability per emergency standards.

  • Is at least one triage-trained technician available during all clinic hours?
  • Are all presenting patients assessed for airway, breathing, circulation within 5 minutes of arrival?
  • Is formal triage category system in place prioritizing life-threatening emergencies appropriately?
  • Are emergency blood products (packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma) available or accessible within 60 minutes?
  • Is CPR response team and role assignments established so response begins within 60 seconds of cardiac arrest?

Emergency Records and Communication

Verify emergency documentation standards.

  • Is emergency medical record created at triage capturing presenting signs, vitals, and treatments?
  • Are clients updated on patient status within 2 hours and before major therapeutic decisions?
  • Is referral protocol to specialty emergency facility established for cases exceeding clinic capability?
  • Are patient deaths and critical incidents reviewed in case rounds for quality improvement?

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Why Use This Veterinary Emergency Care Triage and Resuscitation Checklist?

This veterinary emergency care triage and resuscitation checklist helps veterinary & animal care teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for veterinarian / clinic manager / animal care lead professionals, this checklist covers 20 critical inspection points across 4 sections. Recommended frequency: daily / per procedure.

Ensures compliance with AVMA, ACVECC, IVECCS, State Veterinary Board. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Veterinary Emergency Care Triage and Resuscitation Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 20 inspection items across 4 sections: Emergency Crash Cart Readiness, Resuscitation Equipment, Triage and Initial Assessment Protocol, Emergency Records and Communication. It is designed for veterinary & animal care operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed daily / per procedure. Each completion takes approximately 25 minutes.

Who should use this Veterinary Emergency Care Triage and Resuscitation Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Veterinarian / Clinic Manager / Animal Care Lead professionals in the veterinary & animal care industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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