Proud to Be an AAHA Accredited Veterinary Practice
Lifetime Veterinary Center has obtained accreditation with the American Animal Hospital Association.
We are deeply honored and immensely of this designation. Fewer than 15% of veterinary practices in the United States are AAHA-accredited because you must consistently demonstrate excellence in everything you do.
AAHA Accreditation Standards
To become an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital, the practice must meet or exceed hundreds of standards. These standards cover all aspects of veterinary care and business and are constantly evolving to stay up-to-date with advancements in veterinary medicine and help hospitals stay at the forefront of the profession. Veterinary hospitals must meet mandatory standards in addition to AAHA’s point-based standards in the following categories:
- Anesthesia — Anesthesia standards are in place to ensure anesthesia is safe and effective for every pet.
- Dentistry — Dentistry standards ensure maximum safety and cleanliness, and mandate that dental cleanings are performed only on anesthetized pets.
- Emergency and critical care — Critical care standards govern how patients and clients are handled and treated during emergencies and hospitalizations.
- Human resources — Human resources standards ensure the back end of the business runs as smoothly and efficiently as the front end of pet care services.
- Laboratory — Lab standards focus on sample collection and handling to maximize the chances of an accurate diagnosis.
- Medical records — Records standards clearly dictate what should be included in each patient’s medical records.
- Pain management — Pain management standards dictate how to assign pets a pain score and which drugs and drug combinations are best used in specific situations.
- Patient care — Patient care covers a broad range of standards, including medical protocols and patient handling.
- Pharmacy — Pharmacy standards ensure medications are stored and organized properly, and proper records are maintained.
- Surgery — Surgery standards are heavily focused on safety and sterility.
What Makes it Important
Consumers Advocate recently published an article “AAHA – The League of Champions”, which educates readers about AAHA and explains how it sets animal hospitals apart. AAHA-accredited practices weigh in on what makes accreditation important, and what it means for pets and their owners.
Source: AAHA