Maine Revised Statutes
Chapter 71-A: MAINE VETERINARY PRACTICE ACT OF 1975
32 §4877. Veterinarian-client-patient relationship required; Good Samaritan exception

§4877. Veterinarian-client-patient relationship required; Good Samaritan exception
In order to practice veterinary medicine, a veterinarian must be engaged in a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. A veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists when a veterinarian: [PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
1. Engaged by client. Has been engaged by the client;
[PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
2. Assumed responsibility. Has assumed responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the patient;
[PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
3. Knowledge of patient. Has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate a preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the patient and has personal knowledge of the keeping and care of the patient as a result of:
A. A timely examination of the patient by the veterinarian; or [PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
B. A medically appropriate and timely visit or visits by the veterinarian to the patient while that patient is under the care of the veterinarian's practice; [PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
[PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
4. Follow-up evaluation. Is readily available for follow-up evaluation or has arranged for veterinary emergency coverage and continuing care and treatment; and
[PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
5. Records. Maintains patient records.
[PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
A licensed veterinarian who in good faith engages in the practice of veterinary medicine by rendering or attempting to render emergency care to a patient when a client cannot be identified and a veterinarian-client-patient relationship is not established is not subject to any disciplinary sanctions authorized by Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5‑A based solely upon the veterinarian's inability to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. [PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2015, c. 209, §21 (NEW).