What AAHA Accreditation Means to You
If you’ve spent any time with us at Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates, you probably know how passionate we are about veterinary medicine. Your pets, their health, and the bond we create with you are what keep us going. You probably won’t be surprised to find out that we’re constantly looking for ways to better serve you and your furry family. In this regard, our AAHA accreditation is certainly something we’re proud of, and we’re excited to share some of the wonderful benefits this brings to you and your pet.
AAHA Basics
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is dedicated to the betterment of veterinary medicine. The organization was founded in 1933 with the goal of ensuring the highest possible standard of care in veterinary hospitals across the United States and Canada.
AAHA has established over 900 standards that have been developed and published in various areas, including:
- Anesthesiology
- Cleanliness
- Continuing education
- Dental care
- Diagnostic imaging
- Emergency services
- Exam facilities
- Laboratory
- Medical records
- Patient care
- Pain management
- Pharmacy
- Surgery
The standards in these categories are meant to push each AAHA accredited animal hospital to the top of their game.
What’s Involved in AAHA Accreditation?
Becoming AAHA accredited is much more than just sending in an application. Hospitals that wish to become accredited are given a list of all the standards to which they must adhere. They then systematically assess where they are in meeting expectations and identify areas where they need to make adjustments.
Once a hospital believes it is compliant with AAHA standards, an on-site inspection occurs. An AAHA official visits the practice and thoroughly evaluates each area of concentration. If something is unacceptable, the hospital is given feedback and given a chance to make the appropriate adjustments. Once a hospital is accredited, they must undergo periodic inspections every three years in order to keep their accreditation.
The Best for Your Pet
The team at Beverly Hills Animal Associates is proud to work for an AAHA accredited hospital. Besides a fancy title, AAHA accreditation also means alot to you as a pet parent. This voluntary process demonstrates a commitment to you and your pet that goes above and beyond. It also means:
- Continuing education for all staff beyond basic licensing requirements
- Immediate diagnostic capabilities
- On-site pharmacy
- Top notch customer service
- Implementing the most current knowledge/practices from the industry
- Access to emergency care
AAHA accreditation is an admirable feat that only a few hospitals achieve. In fact, there are currently just over 3,000 hospitals in North America that have successfully completed the accreditation process. This demonstrates how seriously we take our responsibility to provide you and your pet with nothing but the very best. We hope our continued commitment shows in everything we do. We encourage you to come visit us to see for yourself!