Fear Free - Review Assessment

🏙 Environment & Facility Design

3 of 5 reviewed ▼

1

Separate waiting areas or visual barriers are provided for dogs and cats to minimize stress during check-in.

Meets Standard

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

We have fully separated waiting areas for dogs and cats with solid visual barriers, separate entrances, and species-specific pheromone diffusers in each area. Calming music is played at appropriate volumes.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

2

Exam rooms are designed to minimize noise, with non-slip flooring and appropriate lighting that can be adjusted for patient comfort.

Needs Improvement

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

All exam rooms have non-slip mats on tables and dimmable overhead lighting. Sound insulation was added during our last renovation. We are working on replacing fluorescent lights with LED panels.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

3

Pheromone diffusers (e.g., Adaptil, Feliway) are installed in appropriate locations throughout the facility.

Meets Standard

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

Adaptil diffusers are installed in all dog-accessible areas and Feliway diffusers in all cat areas including boarding. We replace cartridges on a monthly schedule documented in our maintenance log.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

4

A quiet, low-traffic area is designated for patients recovering from sedation or experiencing high Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) levels.

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

We have a dedicated quiet recovery room with adjustable lighting, sound dampening panels, and continuous monitoring capabilities. High-FAS patients are moved here immediately after assessment.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

5

Boarding and hospitalization areas provide adequate space, visual barriers between species, and environmental enrichment options.

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

Cat and dog boarding are in completely separate wings. Each kennel exceeds minimum size requirements by 20%. We provide beds, toys, and hiding spots for cats. Dogs have access to an outdoor play area.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

🐾 Patient Handling & Restraint

1 of 4 reviewed ▼

1

Low-stress handling techniques are used as the default approach for all patients, with minimal physical restraint.

Meets Standard

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

All staff are trained in low-stress handling. We use towel wraps for cats, treat-based distraction for dogs, and have eliminated scruffing from our protocols. FAS scores are recorded for every patient.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

2

A standardized FAS (Fear, Anxiety, Stress) scoring system is implemented and documented for every patient visit.

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

We use the Fear Free FAS spectrum scale (0-5) documented in our EMR system. All technicians assess and record FAS at intake, during procedures, and at discharge.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

3

Appropriate sedation protocols are available and utilized when FAS levels indicate that proceeding without sedation would cause distress.

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

Pre-visit pharmaceuticals (gabapentin, trazodone) are recommended for known-anxious patients. In-clinic sedation protocols are established for FAS scores of 3 or above.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

4

Species-appropriate positioning aids and tools (e.g., towels, mats, treat puzzles) are readily available in all exam and treatment areas.

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

Each exam room is stocked with non-slip mats, towels, treat puzzles, and lick mats. We maintain a supply checklist that is reviewed weekly.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

🎓 Staff Training & Competency

2 of 3 reviewed ▼

1

All veterinary staff hold current Fear Free certification at the appropriate level for their role.

Meets Standard

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

100% of our veterinarians and technicians are Fear Free Certified (Level 2+). Support staff complete Level 1 within 90 days of hire. All certifications are current.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

2

Regular (at least quarterly) Fear Free continuing education or skill-building sessions are conducted for all staff.

Meets Standard

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

Monthly lunch-and-learn sessions cover Fear Free topics. Quarterly hands-on workshops are mandatory. We track attendance and CE hours in our learning management system.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

3

A designated Fear Free Champion or coordinator is responsible for maintaining standards and mentoring staff.

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

Dr. Sarah Mitchell serves as our Fear Free Champion. She conducts monthly audits, leads training sessions, and is the point of contact for all Fear Free-related questions and initiatives.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

💬 Client Communication

0 of 3 reviewed ▼

1

Pre-visit communication includes Fear Free preparation instructions (e.g., pre-visit pharmaceuticals, transport tips, fasting guidelines).

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

Appointment confirmation emails include species-specific Fear Free preparation guides. Known-anxious patients receive pre-visit pharmaceutical recommendations 48 hours before appointments.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

2

Staff consistently explain Fear Free techniques being used to pet owners during visits, promoting transparency and education.

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

It is part of our protocol to narrate Fear Free techniques to clients during exams. We also provide take-home handouts about reducing FAS at home and during travel.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

3

Client feedback mechanisms are in place to assess satisfaction with Fear Free practices, and results are reviewed regularly.

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

Post-visit surveys include Fear Free-specific questions. We review results monthly and have a 4.8/5.0 average satisfaction score for our Fear Free practices.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

☤ Medical Protocols

0 of 5 reviewed ▼

1

Pre-visit pharmaceutical protocols (anxiolytics, sedatives) are established and offered to clients based on patient history and FAS assessment.

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

Standardized PVP protocols exist for both canine and feline patients. Gabapentin is routinely offered for feline patients; trazodone for canine patients with documented anxiety history.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

2

Pain management protocols incorporate multimodal approaches and pre-emptive analgesia for all surgical and dental procedures.

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

All surgical and dental patients receive pre-emptive multimodal analgesia. Our protocols include NSAIDs, opioids, and local anesthetics as appropriate. Pain scoring is performed at regular intervals post-procedure.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

3

Vaccination protocols follow current AAHA/AAFP guidelines and consider individual patient risk rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

We follow AAHA 2022 canine and AAFP 2020 feline vaccination guidelines. Individualized vaccination plans are created based on lifestyle risk assessment completed at each wellness visit.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

4

A "stop and reassess" protocol is established for situations where patient FAS levels escalate beyond acceptable thresholds during procedures.

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

Our protocol mandates stopping any non-emergency procedure when FAS reaches level 4. The veterinarian then decides whether to proceed with sedation, reschedule, or try an alternative approach.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

5

Patient-specific notes regarding FAS triggers, preferred handling methods, and successful strategies are maintained and accessible to all staff.

Facility's Self-Assessment Response

FAS alerts are prominently displayed in our EMR system. Patient profiles include preferred treat types, handling preferences, trigger warnings, and successful calming strategies from prior visits.

Reviewer Assessment

Meets Standard Needs Improvement Does Not Meet

Comment (optional)

Pawsitive Care Veterinary Hospital

Feedback Items (6 of 20 criteria reviewed)