Veterinary Hospital Operations: Checklist Template

1. Controlled Substances & Pharmacy Law 8 items

Are all Schedule II–V controlled substances stored in a securely anchored, double-locked steel safe? Yes / No 5 pts
Is the controlled substance log completely up to date, recording every milliliter or tablet used with zero unlogged discrepancies? Yes / No 5 pts
Do drug log entries include the patient's full name, unique ID number, date, and the administering clinician's initials? Yes / No 5 pts
Is a physical count of all controlled substance inventory performed and logged at every shift change? Yes / No 4 pts
Are expired medications or vaccines systematically pulled from active inventory and placed in a locked quarantine bin? Yes / No 4 pts
Are prescription diets and client-dispensed medications labeled with accurate warning tags and exact dosing instructions? Yes / No 4 pts
Is the access code or physical key to the controlled substance safe restricted exclusively to licensed personnel? Yes / No 5 pts
Pharmacy & Drug Control: Rating
- Flawless Regulatory Defense 5 pts
- Minor Recordkeeping Omissions 3 pts
- Critical DEA Non-Compliance 0 pts

Is the surgery room dedicated strictly to sterile procedures, with the door kept completely closed at all times? Yes / No 5 pts
Do all surgical packs display functional autoclave indicator tape verifying successful sterilization cycles? Yes / No 5 pts
Are active surgical patient warming systems calibrated and monitored to prevent patient thermal burns? Yes / No 5 pts
Is the anesthetic gas scavenging system functional, verified leak-free, and are charcoal canisters weighed and logged? Yes / No 5 pts
Are surgical high-intensity lights, monitors, and anesthesia machines wiped down with virucidal disinfectants between procedures? Yes / No 4 pts
Are endotracheal tubes inspected for cuff leaks and sanitized immediately following patient extubation? Yes / No 4 pts
Is emergency drug dosing hardware or charts (e.g., RECOVER guidelines) highly visible and unblocked in the suite? Yes / No 4 pts
Surgical Suite Integrity: Rating
- Sterile & Audit Perfect 5 pts
- Minor Sanitation/Log Lag 3 pts
- Biosecurity/Sterility Hazard 0 pts

Did the medical team greet the client and pet within 10 seconds of transition to an active exam or treatment room? Yes / No 4 pts
Are outpatient electronic medical records updated in real time with accurate physical exam parameters and vital signs? Yes / No 5 pts
Are digital veterinary scales zeroed out and calibrated weekly using standard certified check-weights? Yes / No 4 pts
Are exam tables, ambient counters, and medical tools sanitized immediately after every patient leaves? Yes / No 5 pts
Are emergency crash carts fully stocked, organized, and sealed with breakaway plastic compliance tags? Yes / No 5 pts
Are oxygen tanks checked daily to ensure pressure gauges read in the green operational zone? Yes / No 5 pts
Is multi-parameter monitoring equipment (ECG, Pulse Ox, Capnography) tested and clean before treatment use? Yes / No 4 pts
Treatment Floor Throughput: Rating
- Elite Clinical Flow 5 pts
- Moderate Operational Friction 3 pts
- Sub-Standard/Unsafe Flow 0 pts

Is the isolation ward physically separated from general housing, operating under negative air pressure? Yes / No 5 pts
Are dedicated PPE kits (gowns, gloves, shoe covers) and isolation-specific tools kept strictly inside the isolation boundary? Yes / No 5 pts
Is a functional footbath or virucidal sticky-mat positioned directly outside the isolation exit door? Yes / No 4 pts
Are explicit "Infectious Disease Hazard" warning signs posted prominently on the door of any active isolation room? Yes / No 4 pts
Is waste generated within isolation bagged separately in sealed biohazard containers before transport? Yes / No 5 pts
Are isolation runs, cages, and drains scrubbed with a parvocidal disinfectant using strict contact-time protocols? Yes / No 5 pts
Is patient charting for isolation cases handled digitally or kept outside the contaminated zone to prevent vector spread? Yes / No 4 pts
Biosecurity Isolation Rating: Rating
- Maximum Containment Level 5 pts
- Minor PPE/Signage Gaps 3 pts
- Immediate Cross-Contamination Risk 0 pts

Are laboratory in-house analyzers run through automated daily quality control cycles and logged? Yes / No 4 pts
Are blood, urine, and fecal cytological samples stored in a dedicated laboratory refrigerator free of human food? Yes / No 5 pts
Are reference laboratory outbound transport containers secured, padded, and labeled with accurate patient IDs? Yes / No 4 pts
Is the laboratory centrifuge balanced correctly, clean, and operating with a functional safety latch? Yes / No 4 pts
Are chemical reagents, stains, and rapid test kits tracked to ensure zero expired inventory is utilized? Yes / No 5 pts
Is eye-wash station functionality tested weekly, unobstructed, and logged on the compliance tag? Yes / No 5 pts
Are microscope lenses and staging plates cleaned with lens paper and specialized cleaner daily? Yes / No 3 pts
Laboratory Operational Rigor: Rating
- High Diagnostic Accuracy 5 pts
- Minor Maintenance/Log Delays 3 pts
- Compromised Sample Governance 0 pts

Are heavy-duty puncture-resistant sharps containers mounted safely and replaced before reaching the 75% fill line? Yes / No 5 pts
Are active lead aprons, thyroid shields, and protective gloves hung cleanly on racks without structural creases? Yes / No 5 pts
Are individual radiation dosimetry badges stored away from the X-ray suite when not in use and processed quarterly? Yes / No 5 pts
Is an updated Safety Data Sheet (SDS) binder or digital portal completely accessible to all shift personnel? Yes / No 4 pts
Are commercial secondary chemical spray bottles labeled with full OSHA workplace identifiers? Yes / No 4 pts
Is the mandatory OSHA workplace safety poster prominently displayed in the employee breakroom? Yes / No 4 pts
Are personal protective equipment kits (safety goggles, thick utility gloves) available next to chemical mixing zones? Yes / No 4 pts
Safety & OSHA Compliance: Rating
- Code Compliant & Secure 5 pts
- Administrative/Labeling Lag 3 pts
- Critical Safety Deficiencies 0 pts

Is the front reception lobby completely clean, odor-free, and clear of pet hair or loose debris? Yes / No 4 pts
Are indoor canine runs and feline boarding condos scraped, cleaned, dried, and running clean ventilation lines? Yes / No 4 pts
Are all facility floor drains functional, clear of hair mats, and treated weekly to eliminate bacteria? Yes / No 4 pts
Is the employee breakroom clean, with personal items strictly separated from patient medical zones? Yes / No 3 pts
Are exterior hospital walkways and waste elimination stations cleared of debris with bags fully loaded? Yes / No 4 pts
Are clean towels, blankets, and patient bedding stored in closed dust-free cabinetry? Yes / No 4 pts
Is commercial laundry equipment operated using sanitized heat settings with chemical levels verified? Yes / No 4 pts
Sanitation & Facility Standards: Rating
- Showcase Quality 5 pts
- Minor Tidiness Gaps 3 pts
- Unsanitary/Neglected Space 0 pts
Final summary Comments