15 Sep Audit update

Our programme of both OV and practice audits is now well underway in each region and on the whole these have been well received by those we have visited. We believe that one of the main reasons for this is that all of our auditors are vets with extensive TB testing experience, who know how hard the job can be.

The majority of non compliances found on OV audits so far have been minor and tend to fall into the following categories;

• Failure to carry out cleansing and disinfecting to the required standard. Usually this is either failure to measure disinfectant accurately (OV’s should either be carrying pre-measured amounts or have a measuring device in their kit) or failure to carry out a good show of cleansing and disinfection arrival. Remember even if it is your first call of the day the only way the farmer knows you are not a risk to the health of their stock is if they see you carry this out.
• Failure to carry all required testing kit and spares. A complete set of TB gun spares can be purchased from the manufacturers. Remember spare kit such as callipers should be marked to distinguish it from primary kit.
• Failure to ensure injection site is blemish free pre-injection.
• Failure to palpate intradermal ‘bleb’ post-injection.

More serious non-compliances have included failure to achieve intradermal injections on day one and failure to record all ear tags on day two. Keeping equipment well maintained would have avoided most of the issues with the former. Reading tags on both days really is a vital part of the testing SOP to ensure all cattle injected on day one have been presented on reading day.

Unfortunately several critical issues have been found on unannounced APHA OV audits in recent weeks resulting in tests being invalidated and vets facing suspension from testing and disciplinary action by APHA. Issues have also arisen from farmers challenging the results of a test when the SOP has not been followed. As well as implications for the individual OV concerned this can make the life of the entire practice difficult, particularly at busy times of year for testing. Please don’t risk your career by being in this position, the APHA website and the XL Farmcare QA manuals both describe the tuberculin testing SOP if a refresher is needed.