American Animal Hospital
Association

Background
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
is an international organization serving veterinarians and members
of their staffs, who are engaged in the delivery of veterinary
medical care to pets.
AAHA is an international association of more than 27,000 veterinary
care providers who treat companion animals. Established in 1933,
AAHA is well known among veterinarians and pet owners for its
standards for hospitals and pet health care. Over 3,000 veterinary
hospitals voluntarily participate in the AAHA hospital evaluation
program. Trained consultants regularly visit these hospitals to
ensure compliance with AAHA's standards for services and
facilities. Individual veterinarians can also be members of
AAHA.
Standards and Accreditation Program
The standards
developed and published by AAHA are widely accepted as representing
those components of veterinary practice that represent high quality
care. The standards are periodically reviewed and updated to ensure
that they remain consistent with evolving knowledge and technology.
They cover physical facilities, equipment, patient and staff
safety, staff continuing education and training, medical record
keeping, and medical protocols.
Those practices that wish to be accredited
complete a lengthy application process, which culminates with an
on-site visit by a veterinary professional employed by AAHA. Those
practices that are found to be in compliance with the policies and
Standards requirements established by the Association are awarded
AAHA Accredited Practice status. In order to maintain
accreditation, the practice must undergo periodic review and
additional on-site evaluations, at intervals of approximately every
three years. The standards focus on the following areas: anesthesia, client service,
contagious disease, continuing education, dentistry, diagnostic
imaging and evaluation, emergency and urgent care, exam facilities,
housekeeping and maintenance, human resources, laboratory,
leadership, medical records, pain management, patient care,
pharmacy, safety, and surgery.
What Accreditation Means for Pet
Owners
Choosing an AAHA accredited veterinary practice
for your pet’s medical care assures you that the practice you have
selected has the facilities, equipment, staff, and medical
protocols that AAHA believes are important for the delivery of high
quality care. Further, voluntary commitment to the AAHA Standards
and the Accreditation Program demonstrates that the practice has
chosen to have itself measured by an outside organization against
the most rigorous published standards in the
industry.
AAHA reminds pet owners that they can help pets
live healthier and longer lives by taking their pets to the
veterinarian for annual physical exams, vaccinations, and dental
care as well as providing pets with fresh water, a balanced diet,
and exercise.