BVA to launch innovative scheme to accredit Great Workplaces.

BVA is launching a new accreditation scheme that rewards positive workplace culture in all veterinary settings.

Recommended Tips for Treating Veterinary Patients.

These recommended tips can be set up as free-of-charge, attractive pamphlets, which can either be given to the veterinary patient's owner when medications are supplied or made available as a display.

Guidance on voluntary measures to support transparency and choice.

Guidance drafted by BVA's transparency and client choice working group was warmly welcomed by BVA Council at its meeting on 24 April. The guidance sets out some simple voluntary measures practices can take to drive positive change and facilitate the provision of client choice.

Minimal criteria for reporting mesenchymal stem cells in veterinary regenerative medicine.

The widespread application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in veterinary regenerative medicine highlights their promising therapeutic potential. However, the lack of standardized characterization and reporting practices across studies poses a significant challenge, compromising the assessment of their safety and efficacy. While criteria established for human MSCs serve as a foundation, the unique characteristics of animal-derived MSCs warrant updated guidelines tailored to veterinary medicine. A recent position statement outlining minimal reporting criteria for MSCs in veterinary research reflects efforts to address this need, aiming to enhance research quality and reproducibility. Standardized reporting criteria ensure transparency, facilitate evidence synthesis, and promote best practices adoption in MSC isolation, characterization, and administration. Adherence to minimal reporting criteria is crucial for maintaining scientific rigor and advancing the field of veterinary regenerative medicine. Ongoing collaboration among stakeholders is essential for effective implementation and adherence to updated guidelines, fostering excellence and innovation in MSC-based therapies for animal patients.

ACVR and ECVDI consensus statement for teleradiology.

Increased demand for the interpretation of diagnostic images by board-certified radiologists and profound advancements in technology have led to extremely rapid growth in the field of veterinary teleradiology over the past decade. The aim of this consensus statement is to provide a guideline for best practices for quality and safety in veterinary teleradiology. The statement addresses appropriate image acquisition and transmission, the creation of teleradiology submissions, quality control in teleradiology, and appropriate documentation of imaging reports, as deficiencies in any of these areas may directly affect the standard of patient care. The consensus statement may be used as a guide for radiologists, primary care veterinarians, technicians, and students for the use of teleradiology in practice.

Defining the term "underserved:" A scoping review towards a standardized description of inadequate access to veterinary services.

This scoping review aims to establish a comprehensive definition of the term "underserved" as it applies to communities, individuals, and populations with inadequate access to animal health services, particularly for dogs. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and analyzed 30 articles, applying concepts of One Health and social determinants of health, by using 3 pre-determined categories of contributors to and indicators of underservice. The review categorized article-specific exemplars into veterinary-dependent barriers; community- and individual-related barriers; and health and welfare indicators; with subcategories illustrating features of underserved communities, individuals, or populations in each category. Ultimately, 3 definitions were developed. Animal Health Underserved Areas (AHUA) identify negative human and animal health and welfare outcomes secondary to inadequate access to animal health services in the community. Individuals may identify as underserved based on the same criteria (Animal Health Underserved Individuals, AHUI), and certain groups within otherwise adequately served areas may be identified as Animal Health Underserved Populations (AHUP). The AHUA, AHUI, and AHUP are frequently characterized as rural, remote, and/or Indigenous, and often face systemic marginalization. This inequitable access to animal health services creates human, animal, and community health challenges, underscoring the need for veterinary professionals and other stakeholders to prioritize equitable access to care. Findings from this review should inform development of a scoring system to enable comparative assessment of communities, individuals, and populations and allow strategic service and resource allocation in the future.

Définition du terme « mal desservi ¼ : un examen de la portée vers une description normalisée de l'accès inadéquat aux services vétérinaires. Cet examen de la portée vise à établir une définition complète du terme « mal desservi ¼ tel qu'il s'applique aux communautés, aux individus et aux populations ayant un accès inadéquat aux services de santé animale, en particulier pour les chiens. La revue a adhéré aux directives PRISMA et a analysé 30 articles, appliquant les concepts d'Une seule santé et des déterminants sociaux de la santé, en utilisant 3 catégories prédéterminées de contributeurs et d'indicateurs de sous-service. La recension a classé les exemples spécifiques à l'article en barrières dépendantes des vétérinaires; les obstacles liés à la communauté et à l'individu; et indicateurs de santé et de bien-être; avec des sous-catégories illustrant les caractéristiques des communautés, des individus ou des populations mal desservis dans chaque catégorie. Pour finir, 3 définitions ont été élaborées. Les zones mal desservies en santé animale (AHUA) identifient les résultats négatifs en matière de santé et de bienêtre humains et animaux secondaires à un accès insuffisant aux services de santé animale dans la communauté. Les individus peuvent être identifiés comme mal desservis sur la base des mêmes critères (Individus mal desservis en santé animale ­ AHUI), et certains groupes dans des zones par ailleurs correctement desservies peuvent être identifiés comme des populations mal desservies en santé animale (AHUP). Les AHUA, AHUI et AHUP sont souvent qualifiées de rurales, éloignées et/ou autochtones et sont souvent confrontées à une marginalisation systémique. Cet accès inéquitable aux services de santé animale crée des problèmes de santé humaine, animale et communautaire, soulignant la nécessité pour les professionnels vétérinaires et les autres parties prenantes de donner la priorité à un accès équitable aux soins. Les conclusions de cet examen devraient éclairer le développement d'un système de notation pour permettre une évaluation comparative des communautés, des individus et des populations et permettre à l'avenir une allocation stratégique des services et des ressources.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

The use of theories, models, and frameworks to inform the uptake of evidence-based practices in veterinary medicine - a scoping review.

Evidence-based practices (EBPs) provide strategies to improve the health, welfare and productivity of animal species. However, ensuring implementation and uptake into routine practice of these EBPs is often challenging. In human health research, one approach used to improve uptake of EBPs is the use of theories, models and/or frameworks (TMFs), however the extent of the use of this approach in veterinary medicine is unknown. The aim of this scoping review was to identify existing veterinary uses of TMFs to inform the uptake of EBPs, and to understand the focus of these applications. Searches were conducted in CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus, alongside grey literature, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. The search strategy consisted of a list of known existing TMFs that have been used to improve uptake of EBPs in human health, alongside more generic terminology for implementation and terminology relevant to veterinary medicine. Peer reviewed journal articles and grey literature detailing the use of a TMF to inform uptake of EBP(s) in a veterinary context were included. The search identified 68 studies that met the eligibility criteria. Included studies represented a diverse spread of countries, areas of veterinary concern and EBP. A range of 28 different TMFs were used, although the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) predominated, featuring in 46% of included studies (n = 31). The majority of studies (n = 65, 96%) utilised a TMF with the aim to understand and/or explain what influences implementation outcomes. Only 8 studies (12%) reported the use of a TMF alongside/in conjunction with the actual implementation of an intervention. It is clear there has been some use to date of TMFs to inform uptake of EBPs in veterinary medicine, however it has been sporadic. There has been a heavy reliance on usage of the TPB and other similar classic theories. This has typically been to inform the understanding of factors, such as barriers and facilitators, that may influence the outcome of an implementation effort without then applying this knowledge to the actual implementation of an intervention. Furthermore, there has been a lack of acknowledgement of wider contextual factors and consideration of sustainability of interventions. There is clear potential to increase and expand the usage of TMFs to improve uptake of EBPs in veterinary medicine, including utilising a wider range of TMFs and developing interdisciplinary collaborations with human implementation experts.

Surgical time-out procedures: a single centre audit of standardised surgical communications.

OBJECTIVE: To assess deviation from a standardised structure of surgical time-out procedures in a multidisciplinary referral hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational process audit was performed on a convenience sample of surgical cases. A fly-on-the-wall observer assessed surgical time-out procedures in real-time. Pre-induction and recovery checklists were not assessed. Observations were recorded on standardised reporting forms including a checklist and free text. Analysis was performed using a validated framework of four conceptual domains: the purpose, occasion, audience and content of the communication. Field notes were taken to allow retrospective verification of assessments. Observations were compared to a predefined standardised surgical time-out procedure structure. RESULTS: Twenty surgical time-out procedures were observed from a mixture of procedure types. Although all were performed at the specified time and place, only eight (40%) were considered to have fully achieved their purpose with potentially important sections of the communication being omitted in the others. Individuals were not ready for communication to begin in 14 (70%) and distractions occurred in 11 surgical time-out procedures (55%). In seven surgical time-out procedures (35%) superfluous information was communicated. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In a busy operating theatre environment, surgical time-out procedures may not be performed as they are intended. Communication during surgical time-out procedures should be audited to highlight opportunities for improvement.

Is there any change in the prevalence of intestinal or cardiopulmonary parasite infections in companion animals (dogs and cats) in Germany between 2004-2006 and 2015-2017? An assessment of the impact of the first ESCCAP guidelines.

Main objective of the present nationwide study was to assess the impact of the ESCCAP guideline for the control of worm infections in dogs and cats 8-10 years after its first publication in Germany. A secondary aim was to determine the prevalence of canine and feline cardiopulmonary nematodes and intestinal protozoa. Faecal samples of 53,693 dogs and 26,491 cats in 2004-2006 as well as of 129,578 dogs and 45,709 cats in 2015-2017 routinely submitted by veterinarians to a private veterinary laboratory were examined using appropriate parasitological methods. In dogs, the prevalence of Toxocara and taeniid egg shedding was significantly lower in 2015-2017 (3.8 % and 0.16 %, respectively) than in 2004-2006 (4.6 % and 0.27 %, respectively). The prevalence of hookworm and Capillaria eggs was higher in the second study period (2.3 % and 0.77 %, respectively) than in the first (1.3 % and 0.6 %, respectively). For Toxascaris leonina (0.55-0.6 %) and Trichuris (0.8-0.9 %), the difference was not significant between the study periods. Dogs shed more often Angiostrongylus vasorum larvae in the second study (3.1 %) than in the first (1.0 %), whereas the prevalence of Crenosoma vulpis did not change significantly (2.2-2.6 %). Cystoisospora canis and C. ohioensis-like infections were less detected in the second study period (1.0 % and 2.1 %, respectively) than in the first (1.8 % and 2.7 %, respectively). Neospora-like oocysts and Sarcocystis sporocysts were more prevalent in the second study period (0.19 % and 0.13 %, respectively) than in the first (0.13 % and 0.06 %, respectively). The percentage of Giardia or Cryptosporidium coproantigen-positive samples was lower in the second study period (18.9 % and 6.7 %, respectively) than in the first (22.8 % and 10.0 %, respectively). In cats, the prevalence of egg shedding of T. cati, Capillaria and taeniids was significantly lower in 2015-2017 (3.5 %, 0.25 % and 0.1 %, respectively) than in 2004-2006 (4.8 %, 0.54 % and 0.22 %, respectively). No difference was recorded for hookworms (0.12-0.13 %) and Ts. leonina (0.04-0.05 %). Aelurostrongylus-like larvae were detected more often in the second study period (6.5 %) than in the first (2.6 %). Infections with Cystoisospora felis, C. rivolta, Toxoplasma-like coccids and Sarcocystis were less prevalent in the second study period (1.9 %, 0.7 %, 0.24 % and 0.02 %, respectively) than in the first (2.7 %, 1.1 %, 0.36 % and 0.1 %, respectively). The percentage of Giardia or Cryptosporidium coproantigen-positive samples was significantly lower in the second study period (10.6 % and 4.8 %, respectively) than in the first (15.4 % and 8.3 %, respectively). Although these results indicate a decline of the occurrence of most canine and feline intestinal parasites in Germany over the years, a transmission risk of zoonotic parasites remains. Therefore, the control of helminth infections in domestic dogs and cats continues to be a challenge for veterinarians and pet owners.

Developing consensus for definitions of key veterinary-specific quality improvement (QI) terms using an eDelphi-study method.

BACKGROUND: Quality improvement (QI) methods are a continuous process of iterative tests to improve the quality of a service or product. Using common language has been linked to the successful implementation of QI in human healthcare. This study aimed to assimilate and achieve consensus on veterinary-specific definitions for terms associated with quality care and QI methods in UK veterinary practice. METHODS: A four-round modified eDelphi process with a panel of 50 UK veterinary practice stakeholders was used to generate consensus. The panel selected or suggested the definition they best felt 'fitted' each term. Consensus was reached if there was >70% agreement, and terms were eliminated if there was <15% selection. RESULTS: Thirty-one panellists completed all three rounds of eDelphi; eight participants completed an optional feedback round. From 14 terms, 10 reached consensus, leaving four unresolved definitions. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of terms reached consensus; 90% were new or amended definitions proposed by panel members. Utilising plain English refined by stakeholders will allow successful implementation of QI in veterinary healthcare. Not all terms achieved consensus, highlighting a need for further research to enable successful integration of QI principles as seen in human healthcare.

Management of veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia in small animals: A survey of English-speaking practitioners in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To describe how small animal anaesthesia and analgesia is performed in English-speaking Canada, document any variation among practices especially in relation to practice type and veterinarian's experience and compare results to published guidelines. DESIGN: Observational study, electronic survey. SAMPLE: 126 respondents. PROCEDURE: A questionnaire was designed to assess current small animal anaesthesia and analgesia practices in English-speaking Canadian provinces, mainly in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. The questionnaire was available through SurveyMonkey® and included four parts: demographic information about the veterinarians surveyed, evaluation and management of anaesthetic risk, anaesthesia procedure, monitoring and safety. Year of graduation and type of practice were evaluated as potential risk factors. Exact chi-square tests were used to study the association between risk factors and the association between risk factors and survey responses. For ordinal data, the Mantel-Haenszel test was used instead. RESULTS: Response rate over a period of 3 months was 12.4% (126 respondents out of 1 016 invitations). Current anaesthesia and analgesia management failed to meet international guidelines for a sizable number of participants, notably regarding patient evaluation and preparation, safety and monitoring. Nearly one third of the participants still consider analgesia as optional for routine surgeries. Referral centres tend to follow guidelines more accurately and are better equipped than general practices. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A proportion of surveyed Canadian English-speaking general practitioners do not follow current small animal anaesthesia and analgesia guidelines, but practitioners working in referral centres are closer to meet these recommendations.

What outcomes should be measured in feline chronic kidney disease treatment trials? Establishing a core outcome set for research.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is an important cause of feline morbidity and mortality. There is currently no agreement on which outcomes are most important in CKD treatment trials to assist evidence-based decision making. Core Outcome Sets (COSs) originated in human healthcare and are an agreed set of outcomes to be measured and reported as a minimum in any trial conducted relating to a particular disease. To establish a COS for feline CKD, this study used a systematic review and two consensus methodologies (an electronic Delphi (eDelphi), and an in-person consensus meeting), with an international panel of key stakeholders. The systematic review identified 104 unique published parameters, which were rated by panellists in round 1 of the eDelphi. Panellists were also asked to suggest additional parameters. In round 2 these additional parameters were rated and any parameters not understood by >10 % of panellists in round 1 were redefined and re-rated. Parameters reaching consensus in rounds 1 and 2 were removed from round 3, when all remaining parameters were re-rated by panellists who could view their own previous rating alongside the median rating of the whole panel. To reach inclusion in the COS, parameters had to be rated 8 or 9 on a Likert scale of 1-9 (where 1 was not important and 9 was very important) by more than 80 % of panellists. In the consensus meeting, panellists discussed and re-rated borderline parameters and streamlined the final COS. Borderline parameters were those that had been closest to, but not achieved, the 80 % threshold for inclusion. The eDelphi panel (n = 73) rated 24/104 parameters highly enough for inclusion and proposed an additional 20 parameters, of which 3 reached the inclusion threshold. This totalled 27 parameters for inclusion. The consensus meeting panel (n = 16) rated an additional 6/20 borderline parameters highly enough for inclusion. During the streamlining process, 4 parameters were removed as one was considered not an outcome, and three were already addressed by other parameters. The remaining COS totalled 29 parameters. These were grouped into 9 core themes: clinical examination, quality of life, serum biochemistry, complete blood count, urinalysis, total amount of food eaten, CKD progression, survival time and cause of death. This is the first COS for feline medicine. In future treatment efficacy trials the COS will strengthen the evidence-base for this condition, by facilitating easier comparison of results between studies, and reduce research waste.

Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (AVHTM) Transfusion Reaction Small Animal Consensus Statement (TRACS). Part 1: Definitions and clinical signs.

OBJECTIVE: To use a systematic, evidence-based consensus process to develop definitions for transfusion reactions in dogs and cats. DESIGN: Evidence evaluation of the literature was carried out for identified transfusion reaction types in dogs and cats. Reaction definitions were generated based on synthesis of human and veterinary literature. Consensus on the definitions was achieved through Delphi-style surveys. Draft recommendations were made available through industry specialty listservs and comments were incorporated. RESULTS: Definitions with imputability criteria were developed for 14 types of transfusion reactions. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence review and consensus process resulted in definitions that can be used to facilitate future veterinary transfusion reaction research.

Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (AVHTM) Transfusion Reaction Small Animal Consensus Statement (TRACS) Part 2: Prevention and monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review available evidence to develop guidelines for the prevention of transfusion reactions and monitoring of transfusion administration in dogs and cats. DESIGN: Evidence evaluation of the literature (identified through Medline searches through Pubmed and Google Scholar searches) was carried out for identified transfusion reaction types in dogs and cats. Evidence was evaluated using PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) questions generated for each reaction type. Evidence was categorized by level of evidence (LOE) and quality (Good, Fair, or Poor). Guidelines for prevention and monitoring were generated based on the synthesis of the evidence. Consensus on the final recommendations and a proposed transfusion administration monitoring form was achieved through Delphi-style surveys. Draft recommendations and the monitoring form were made available through veterinary specialty listservs and comments were incorporated. RESULTS: Twenty-nine guidelines and a transfusion administration monitoring form were formulated from the evidence review with a high degree of consensus CONCLUSIONS: This systematic evidence evaluation process yielded recommended prevention and monitoring guidelines and a proposed transfusion administration form. However, significant knowledge gaps were identified, demonstrating the need for additional research in veterinary transfusion medicine.