2005 Arizona Revised Statutes - Revised Statutes §32-2201  Definitions

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Animal" means any animal other than human.

2. "Board" means the Arizona state veterinary medical examining board.

3. "Consulting" means providing professional or expert advice which is requested by a veterinarian licensed in this state and is rendered only on a specific case basis.

4. "Controlled substance" means any substance which is registered and controlled under the federal controlled substances act (P.L. 91-513).

5. "Cremation" means the heating process that reduces animal remains to bone fragments by combustion and evaporation.

6. "Crematory" means a building or portion of a building that is licensed pursuant to article 8 of this chapter and that houses a retort in which only animal remains are cremated.

7. "Diplomate" means a veterinarian certified as a specialist in a particular discipline by a national specialty board or college recognized by the American veterinary medical association after the completion of additional education and training, an internship or residency, passing required examinations and meeting any other criteria required by the various individual national specialty boards or colleges.

8. "Gross incompetence" means any professional misconduct or unreasonable lack of professional skill in the performance of professional practice.

9. "Gross negligence" means treatment of a patient or practice of veterinary medicine resulting in injury, unnecessary suffering or death that was caused by carelessness, negligence or the disregard of established principles or practices.

10. "Letter of concern" means an advisory letter to notify a veterinarian that, while there is insufficient evidence to support disciplinary action, the board believes the veterinarian should modify or eliminate certain practices and that continuation of the activities that led to the information being submitted to the board may result in action against the veterinarian's license.

11. "Licensed veterinarian" means a person who is currently licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this state.

12. "Malpractice" means treatment in a manner contrary to accepted practices and with injurious results.

13. "Medical incompetence" means lacking sufficient medical knowledge or skills, or both, to a degree likely to endanger the health of patients or lacking equipment, supplies or medication to properly perform a procedure.

14. "Negligence" means the failure of a licensed veterinarian to exercise reasonable care in the practice of veterinary medicine.

15. "Regularly" means that veterinary services are offered to the public once a month or more frequently.

16. "Responsible veterinarian" means the veterinarian responsible to the board for compliance by licensed veterinary premises with the laws and rules of this state and of the federal government pertaining to the practice of veterinary medicine and responsible for the establishment of policy at such premises.

17. "Temporary sites" means sites where outpatient veterinary services are performed.

18. "Twenty-four hour services" means veterinary services when a veterinarian is on the premises twenty-four hours a day.

19. "Veterinarian" means a person who has received a doctor's degree in veterinary medicine from a college of veterinary medicine.

20. "Veterinary college" means any veterinary college or division of a university or college that offers the degree of doctor of veterinary medicine or its equivalent and that conforms to the standards required for accreditation by the American veterinary medical association.

21. "Veterinary medicine" includes veterinary surgery, obstetrics, dentistry, acupuncture, manipulation and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine and the prescribing, administering or dispensing of drugs and medications for veterinary purposes.