Veterinary Practice Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Plan Checklist
Veterinary practices must plan for fire, natural disasters, utility failures, and emergencies involving in-patient animals. This annual review checklist ensures emergency plans are current and staff are prepared.
- Industry: Veterinary
- Frequency: Annual Review / Per Incident
- Estimated Time: 30-40 minutes
- Role: Practice Manager
- Total Items: 36
Fire Evacuation Plan
Verify fire evacuation plan is current and practiced.
- Evacuation plan posted in all areas showing exits and assembly point?
- Annual fire drills conducted and documented?
- Patient evacuation priority plan: critical patients, controlled areas, ambulatory?
- Fire extinguishers inspected annually and monthly visual checks documented?
- Fire alarm system tested within past year?
- Sprinkler system inspection current if applicable?
Emergency Patient Care Protocols
Verify protocols for patient care during emergencies.
- Protocol for critical patients during power outage or facility emergency?
- Backup oxygen supply or plan for oxygen-dependent patients?
- Emergency generator for critical equipment?
- Emergency referral hospital contacts current for patient transfer during crisis?
- Protocol for patient medication access during extended closure?
- Client notification system for emergency closure?
DEA Drug Security During Emergencies
Verify controlled drug security during emergencies.
- Protocol for controlled drug cabinet security during evacuation?
- Portable secure container available for controlled drugs if evacuation needed?
- DEA theft/loss reporting requirement understood for emergency scenarios?
- DEA Diversion Control Division contact number available for emergency?
- Controlled drugs transported per DEA requirements if practice relocated?
- Emergency inventory count protocol if disruption to normal count schedule?
Business Continuity
Verify business continuity planning.
- Electronic medical records backed up off-site or cloud?
- Data recovery plan tested within past year?
- Temporary operating location identified if primary facility is damaged?
- Business interruption insurance current?
- Staff emergency contact list current?
- Key vendor contacts (pharmacy, lab, equipment) available for emergency procurement?
Natural Disaster Preparedness
Verify preparedness for region-specific natural disasters.
- Region-specific hazards identified (hurricane, tornado, flood, wildfire, earthquake)?
- Shelter-in-place plan for tornado or civil emergency?
- Flood plan including elevated storage for records and drugs?
- 72-hour emergency supply kit for staff and patients?
- Local veterinary emergency network coordination for mass animal casualty?
- Practice registered with local emergency management for animal response?
Documentation
Maintain required emergency preparedness documentation.
- Written Emergency Action Plan on file per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38?
- Emergency plan communicated to all employees?
- Fire drill and emergency exercise records on file?
- Insurance contacts and policy numbers accessible?
- Emergency plan reviewed and updated annually or after any incident?
- Local fire department and emergency management contacts current?
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Why Use This Veterinary Practice Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Plan Checklist?
This veterinary practice emergency preparedness and disaster plan checklist helps veterinary teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for practice manager professionals, this checklist covers 36 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: annual review / per incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Veterinary Practice Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Plan Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 36 inspection items across 6 sections: Fire Evacuation Plan, Emergency Patient Care Protocols, DEA Drug Security During Emergencies, Business Continuity, Natural Disaster Preparedness, Documentation. It is designed for veterinary operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed annual review / per incident. Each completion takes approximately 30-40 minutes.
Who should use this Veterinary Practice Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Plan Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Practice Manager professionals in the veterinary 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.