AAHA
*Facts taken from AAHA Press Sheets
Description
The American Animal Hospital Association is an international organization of more than 34,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals. AAHA reminds pet owners that they can help pets live healthier and longer lives by taking their pets to the veterinarian for periodic physical exams, vaccinations, and dental care as well as providing pets with fresh water, a balanced diet and exercise. Established in 1933, the association is well known among veterinarians for its high standards for hospitals and pet health care.
Purpose
To assist veterinarians in providing quality medical care and meeting AAHA standards and to promote responsible pet ownership.
What's Distinctive about an accredited practice?
American and Canadian pet owners who take their animals to an AAHA-accredited practice will find a veterinarian with a unique commitment to the highest standards of veterinary care as well as concern for preventive medicine.
To become an AAHA-accredited practice, the candidate practice must meet AAHA's extensive standards for patient care and practice services. A trained AAHA practice consultant periodically visits the practice to thoroughly evaluate the practice to be sure it complies with these standards. The standard areas are characterized in five groups:
Quality of Care
- Anesthesia
The practice conducts a pre-anesthetic examination before surgery and provides a safe, painless, state-of-the-art anesthesia during surgery.
- Contagious disease
The practice is prepared to assist patients with contagious diseases. The practice ensures that appropriate care is provided to contagious patients without putting other patients at risk. Additionally, clients and practice team members are notified in cases of possible exposure to zoonotic disease.
- Emergency
Each AAHA practice provides, or has access to, 24-hour emergency service for its clients.
- Pain management
Patient comfort is the primary objective of the practice team. The practice utilizes preemptive pain management and provides individualized pain management for the anticipated duration and level of pain during treatment.
- Patient care
The veterinary practice team is responsible for proper patient care, under the authority and supervision of a licensed veterinarian. The practice has the equipment and staff necessary to provide comprehensive, individualized care for each patient.
- Surgery
AAHA practices have proper lighting, sterile equipment and procedures, and easy access to drugs and equipment during surgical procedures.
Diagnostic and Pharmacy
- Diagnostic imaging
The practice is encouraged to work with board certified radiologists to ensure the quality and accuracy of diagnostic images. Radiation safety measures are taken to protect the patient and practice team members.
- Laboratory
An in-house or off-site laboratory provides consistent and accurate laboratory services performed by trained practice team members.
- Pharmacy
Complete pharmacy facilities include the most frequently used medicines that are available at all times. Controlled substances are monitored and clients are informed concerning treatment.
Management
- Client service
The practice utilizes a client communication protocol that details how topics such as diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic plans, costs of services, and follow-up are communicated to clients. The practice solicits client feedback and re-evaluates its services and communication protocols at least annually to ensure that the highest level of service is being provided.
- Continuing education
Continuing education is the cornerstone of excellence in small animal care, so the practice has a comprehensive and updated medical library of textbooks and current periodicals for staff use.
- Human resources
Experience, education, credentials and abilities are confirmed for all practice team members to fulfill the practice mission and ensure the highest quality of patient care.
- Leadership
The practice utilizes a team philosophy to enhance patient care and client service. Practice leaders involve team members in management and ethical issues to provide the highest standard of care to patients.
- Safety
The practice follows a protocol that provides a safe environment for patients, clients, and team members. Safety procedures are effectively communicated to practice team members and regularly re-evaluated.
Medical records
Orderly and adequate medical records are critical for the pet's welfare and continuity of care. Records are reviewed on-site. There is an individual record for each pet patient.
Facility
- Examination room
Designated exam rooms are appropriately equipped to make prompt, accurate diagnosis and treatment.
- Housekeeping
Safe and sanitary conditions are maintained throughout the practice, from the reception room to the kennel, including the outside premises.
- Satellite practice
Services provided at a satellite facility comply with the following AAHA standard areas: client service, emergency service, examination facilities, housekeeping, human resources, medical records, pain management, patient care, pharmacy, leadership and safety.
All AAHA-accredited practices voluntarily meet or exceed the association's standards for patient care, equipment, and quality procedures. They are regularly evaluated by an AAHA consultant to assure continuing compliance.
In addition, every AAHA veterinarian is encouraged to keep up to date on major developments in veterinary medicine. The association offers its 33,000 members a wide variety of continuing education opportunities—seminars, lectures, workshops, annual and regional meetings, distance learning, videotapes, computer education, and publications.
AAHA also accredits species-specific and specialty veterinary practices. The association recently began offering accreditation for avian practices, feline practices, emergency and critical care practices, house call/mobile practices, ophthalmology practices and specialty practices in surgery or dentistry.
AAHA-accredited practices are truly distinctive in providing the highest quality care for pets. AAHA standards are recognized around the world as the benchmark for quality care in veterinary medicine. |
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