Why AAHA Accreditation Is Important For You and Your Pet

July 22, 2016 is the first annual AAHA-Accredited Hospital Day, a day to celebrate champions for excellent pet care. We are proud to say that Bellevue Animal Hospital is an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital, which means that your pet is being cared for by one of the top 12-15% of animal hospitals in the United States and Canada!

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has been recognizing outstanding veterinary hospitals for their commitment to maintaining high standards of care for over 80 years now. Bellevue Animal Hospital, PC, has been accredited since 1973 (43 years!) and, in fact, was the first fully accredited hospital in the state of Nebraska!

In order to be eligible for accreditation, veterinary hospitals must be voluntarily evaluated on approximately 900 standards; furthermore, in order to maintain accredited status, each hospital must undergo a comprehensive on-site evaluation every three years. These 900 standards address the full spectrum of medical care, including:

  • Patient care
  • Pain management
  • Surgery
  • Pharmacy
  • Laboratory
  • Exam facilities
  • Medical records
  • Cleanliness
  • Emergency services
  • Dental care
  • Diagnostic imaging
  • Anesthesiology
  • Continuing education

In the United States, all human hospitals that serve people with Medicare must be accredited through an accrediting body; they undergo regular reviews and quality checks to ensure they meet standards of quality for every aspect of medical care. However, not all animal hospitals choose to pursue the AAHA-accreditation process since it is not required by law. When it comes to pet health care, accreditation is entirely voluntary! The accreditation process is rigorous and time-consuming, and not every veterinary hospital wants to go through the lengthy process. Individual state and provincial regulations for animal medical care facilities can vary widely – in fact, some states don’t routinely inspect animal hospitals at all. AAHA accreditation is considered the standard for veterinary excellence, and does not vary between states or provinces (AAHA accredits hospitals in both the U.S. and Canada.)

AAHA-accredited hospitals are recognized among the finest in the industry, and are consistently at the forefront of advanced veterinary medicine. AAHA’s Standards of Accreditation are continuously reviewed and updated to keep accredited practices on the cutting edge of veterinary excellence. Accredited hospitals such as ours are home to leading pet health care providers!

Our veterinarians and support team are dedicated to delivering excellent care for your pet. Because pets are our passion, and keeping them healthy is our #1 priority! AAHA helps us stay prepared and equipped to provide the level of care that your pet deserves.

Thank you for trusting us with your pet’s health. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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