What is AAHA?

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is an international veterinary organization. It is the only veterinary organization in the U.S. and Canada that accredits clinics based on standards that are considered to represent high quality veterinary care.

Accredited clinics are voluntarily evaluated on over 900 standards in the following areas: quality of care; diagnostic & pharmacy; management; medical records; and facility. Clinic accreditation demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of veterinary care. AAHA regularly inspects accredited hospitals to ensure that compliance with the association’s regularly revised standards. AAHA standards are recognized around the world as the benchmark for quality care in veterinary medicine.

The accreditation process involves a detailed examination by an AAHA evaluator. The evaluator spends a considerable amount of time at the clinic and applies a grade to each of the standards. Some of the mandatory standards in each area are:

Patient Care - Patients are given an examination appropriate to the presenting complaints 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. Appropriate pain management is provided for the anticipated level and duration of pain.

Medical Records - Sufficient information is entered in the history and examination portions of the record to justify the tentative diagnosis, problems, and treatment.

Surgery - Surgical suites are separate, closed, single purpose rooms entered only for activities associated with aseptic surgical procedures.

Laboratory - Only trained practice team members perform laboratory tests.

Approximately 3000 veterinary hospitals participate in the accreditation program. This represents only about 15% of clinics in the U.S.

As a result of these standards, any clinic that spends the time and effort to become an AAHA accredited clinic, shows a strong commitment to excellence of care. Patients and clients benefit by going to AAHA accredited practices. Clients can feel confident that an AAHA accredited clinic will be able to provide high quality care for their pets. These practices have the resources to diagnose and treat their patients appropriately and keep their clients well educated on pet care.

AAHA also has programs for participating clinics in many areas. For example, they offer continuing education seminars, client education materials, client newsletters, and their healthypet website, www.healthypet.com. They also have an extensive set of resources for the veterinary team.

Bobtown Pet Clinic is proud to have achieved AAHA accreditation. The process has helped us improve our quality of patient and client care. We are committed to providing the highest quality care possible and will continue to work to serve our clients and patients better every day.

For more information about AAHA, please go to www.aahanet.org.

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