What is AAHA?

AAHA stands for the American Animal Hospital Association, a professional association of veterinary hospitals founded in 1933.  AAHA is the only organization that provides accreditation for veterinary practices throughout the United States and Canada.  Our hospital is an accredited practice member of AAHA.

What are the requirements for accreditation?

To become accredited, hospitals must comply with the AAHA Standards of Accreditation.  An AAHA practice consultant periodically visits our practice to ensure that we meet or exceed these standards.  There are over 800 standards covering the following areas:
 

• Anesthesiology
• Client Service
• Contagious Disease
• Continuing Education
• Dentistry
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Emergency/Urgent Care
• Examination Facilities
• Housekeeping and Maintenance
• Human Resources
• Laboratory
• Leadership
• Medical Records
• Pain Management
• Patient Care
• Pharmacy
• Safety
• Surgery

AAHA accreditation is a voluntary program.  We have chosen to be accredited because of our commitment to excellence in small animal care.

The AAHA standards were developed with high quality care in mind.  By following these strict standards, we are in a better position to provide patients with the very best in veterinary care.  AAHA standards are a mark of distinction that sets our practice apart from others.

A sampling of AAHA standards includes the following:

• At least one piece of monitoring equipment is utilizes during procedures requiring general anesthesia, including dentistry and radiographic evaluation.  We go above and beyond these standards, by using respiratory and cardiac monitors, fluid monitors, and by assigning each pet his or her own anesthetic nurse who constantly monitors before, during, and after each procedure.

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• Pain assessment is considered part of every patient evaluation regardless of the presenting complaint.

   

• Patients are given an examination appropriate to the presenting complaint and clinical situation.  This is defined as a complete history and a thorough physical exam of major organ systems for wellness care, prior to any anesthetic procedure or any new presenting complaints.

   

• Surgical suites are separate, closed, single purpose rooms entered only for activities associated with aseptic surgical procedures and are constructed and utilized in a manner that minimizes the potential for contamination.

Approximately 17% of small animal practices in the United States are AAHA-accredited.  Less than 5% are certified at the highest level, as we are.

To learn more about the American Animal Hospital Association, you can visit the AAHA pet owner website at www.healthypet.com.