TY - JOUR AU - Smith , Sheila Mary AU - Day, Tamsin AU - Webster , Samantha Georgina AU - Davies, Sam AU - Hardcastle, Trevor Peter AU - Williams, Adele PY - 2022/06/08 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Clinical audit of POM-V / POM prescriptions by remote consultation via a veterinary video telemedicine smartphone application JF - Veterinary Evidence JA - VE VL - 7 IS - 2 SE - Clinical Audit DO - 10.18849/ve.v7i2.553 UR - https://veterinaryevidence.org/index.php/ve/article/view/553 SP - AB - <p><strong>There is an erratum to this paper published in&nbsp;<em>Veterinary Evidence</em> Vol 7, Issue 2 (2022): <a href="https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v7i2.627" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10.18849/VE.V7I2.627</a></strong></p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess outcomes of a limited period (7 months) of remote video consultation with prescribing of prescription-only (POM) or prescription-only-veterinary (POM-V) medications by Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) registered veterinary surgeons to UK clients via a veterinary telemedicine smartphone application.</p><p><strong>Background:</strong> Objective evidence is needed to inform the veterinary profession on the impact that remote prescribing, without physical examination in person, has on animal health and welfare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the RCVS allowed remote prescribing temporarily.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Clinical records from all veterinary video consultations from 1 April–31 October 2020 were reviewed. Details were assessed pertaining to: signalment, body system / disease categories managed, referrals into practice, medication classes prescribed and outcomes following POM-V / POM medications. Records of adverse events and antimicrobial prescribing were reviewed.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> 16.6% (3,541/21,383) of video consults had a POM-V / POM prescribed; with a (mild) adverse event rate of 0.8% (30/3541). Antibacterials were prescribed in 5.88% of all consultations (1,258/21,383), 99.3% (1249/1258) being first line. Follow-up on prescribing was available in 67.7% (2,399/3541) of cases. 89% (2135/2399) of all known treatment outcomes were complete or had an expected response to treatment. Dermatological disease was the most common body system / disease category seen and prescribed for.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Low prescribing rates (including antibacterials) were recorded, treatments were efficacious and no harm was done by prescribing remotely via a veterinary video consult app.</p><p><strong>Application:</strong> Veterinary surgeons and governing bodies are invited to use the information provided in this clinical audit to inform decisions on the suitability of remote consultations and prescribing in veterinary medicine.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://www.veterinaryevidence.org/rcvskmod/icons/oa-icon.jpg" alt="Open Access"> <img src="https://www.veterinaryevidence.org/rcvskmod/icons/pr-icon.jpg" alt="Peer Reviewed"></p> ER -