Date
of Last Review 9/5/08
SME: Infection Control Manager
Pet visitation is provided to patients to improve psychosocial well-being.
Patients may choose not to participate in the pet visitation program. Patients wishing to participate are evaluated by nursing staff for allergies prior to pet visitation and must wash their hands after handling or touching the animals.
Caring Critters and the Houston Zoo are the sponsoring agencies for the pet visitation program. These agencies have the following duties:
 | Pre-screen and perform periodic evaluation of participating animals for: |
 | Enteric pathogens |
| Ectoparasites |
| Temperament |
| Keep animal's vaccination records on file at the agency office |
| Ensure that dogs and cats remain on a leash or in a cage at all times |
| Contain other animals by a method appropriate to the type of animal |
The following animals are permitted at UTHCPC:
| Dogs and cats from the Caring Critters Program |
| Selected animals from the Houston Zoo |
Animals are not permitted in the following areas:
| Cafeteria |
| Units |
| Medication room |
| Pharmacy |
| Exam rooms |
| Clean storage rooms and linen rooms |
Nursing staff reports animal bites or scratches as follows:
| Notifies the attending physician and treats |
| Documents on the Patient Care Variance Report form or Occurrence Report form, as applicable |
| Notifies the Infection Control Nurse |
The Joint Commission : Surveillance, Prevention, and Control of Infection
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