27 Mar 2020
New resource enables vets, nurses and receptionists to quickly identify urgent, potentially urgent, non-urgent and delayable cases.
David Woodmansey
Job Title
The BSAVA has unveiled a free triage tool specifically tailored to help vets in small animal practice identify and process emergency canine and feline cases during the challenging circumstances presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The downloadable and printable guide chart – which has been created by a number of specialists – enables vets, nurses and receptionists to quickly identify urgent, potentially urgent, non-urgent and delayable cases to help limited veterinary resources be used to best efficiency without compromise to animal health or welfare.
The chart – which can be printed and put on a practice wall, or referred to as a webpage via a mobile phone or tablet – has numerous pages of supporting resources, produced by the same specialists.
BVA president Sue Paterson said: “During these exceptional and worrying times, veterinary surgeons need as much practical help and support as possible.
“We are hugely grateful for the indefatigable support of an enthusiastic group of volunteers who have rapidly produced this triage tool, which we are now able to share.
“It should enable patient queries to be processed, reliably and efficiently, allowing for emergency patients to be seen as a matter of urgency, within the current Government and RCVS guidelines.”
Meanwhile, from Monday 30 March BEVA is dropping membership renewal charges for all veterinary professionals for the next three months to help support vets during the COVID-19 crisis.
Those within the profession who aren’t BEVA members will be able to sign up for a free online BEVA membership.
