We’re AAHA Accredited- what that means for you
posted by Dr. Deb on February 4th, 2010 in Other
The American Animal Hospital Association defines excellence in veterinary medicine. AAHA provides over 900 standards for quality medicine as well as client and patient service. A Veterinary practice can only be accredited by AAHA after completing a rigorous physical evaluation of its premises, practices, equipment, records, and management protocols. You canbe assured that your pet is getting the absolute best in medical protocols when you come to an AAHA hospital.
Cimarron Animal Hospital has been AAHA accredited since 1985. Dr. Bohnke has decided to maintain that accreditation because she wants to be able to give you the same confidence in the quality of medicine that your pet receives here as your child would receive at his or her pediatrician/ dentist/ surgeon’s office.
What are some of the specific features of an AAHA accredited hospital that you may not find at other Veterinary hospitals?
1) Pain management is a part of every patient’s evaluation. Pain medications are given preemptively, before a painful procedure is even begun. This helps prevent central nervous system “wind-up”, a phenomenon that causes a patient to perceive pain more intensely than it is because they have been in pain for some time already. Many forms of pain relief may be provided to minimize discomfort, depending on a patient’s needs.
All team members (including receptionists!) are trained to recognize the signs and severity of pain in various animal species so that effective medication can be administered promptly. All surgical patients receive pain medication.
2) Intensive Anesthetic Monitoring. All patients undergoing general anesthesia receive:
* Intravenous catheter and fluids. IV fluid administration protects against the depression of blood pressure and heart function that occurs every time a patient is anesthetized. Depression of these functions can threaten the future health of other vital organs like kidneys and brain. Having an IV catheter also provides an immediate venous access for drug administration in case there is a crisis during an anesthetic procedure.
* Endotracheal Tube in Place. Even if the procedure is very short or gas anesthetics are not used, an endotracheal breathing tube is placed. This tube, placed in the airway, ensures that the patient’s airway stays open, allowing for easy breathing throughout the procedure. It is also another route that can be used for emergency drug administration in case of emergency.
* EKG machine, Pulse oximeter, Blood pressure monitor, Core Temperature and endotracheal stethoscope monitoring. These monitors provide general oversight of the patient’s heart health, oxygen levels, and blood pressure while anesthetized.
* Certified Veterinary Technician as anesthesiologist. (many clinics utilize trained lay staff in this position). The CVT constantly monitors the patient physically throughout surgery, ensuring adequate anesthesia to remain pain free, yet not too much anesthesia as to be at risk. The CVT also monitors and records the patient’s vital statistics and electronic monitor readings every 15 minutes. This highly trained and experienced CVT is with your pet every moment from pre-surgical prep, through surgery and recovery.
3) All team members are trained in animal CPR ( At Cimarron, even our Business Administrator is trained!). This training is updated and reviewed every 6 months to ensure everyone stays current with latest recommendations.
4) Training in Emergency Shock Treatment so that Veterinary Assistants and CVT’s can begin life sustaining treatment as soon as possible, even in the absence of the Veterinarian.
5) Separate Isolation Ward from the main hospital ward to protect healthy pets from contagious disease. (Not all hospitals do this!)
6) All dental instruments are steam sterilized, not just disinfected, between patients to prevent disease transfer during dental procedures.
7) Hospitalized patients are given thorough physical exams, performed by the Veterinarian, twice daily. The Vet on duty does not rely soley on reports of the Veterinary Assistants and Technicians to determine medical therapy.
Veterinary Technicians are all formally trained in animal restraint. Team members must pass a critical evaluation before being allowed to handle pets. All Team members are trained to use the least amount of restraint possible while still being able to perform a procedure. This ensures that your pet will be handled in the gentlest way possible, maximizing safety to your pet, you, and your veterinary team.
9) All adverse drug/ treatment reactions must be reported to the appropriate oversight government agency (FDA, DEA, EPA, etc) within 2 days of our knowledge of the event. This helps us to prevent needless similar adverse reactions in the future as well as providing oversight into the safety of pet health products for everyone. (Most veterinary clinics do not report minor adverse events at all.)
AAHA Hospitals are for the devoted pet owner who wants their pet treated like a member of the family. There are always less expensive options, but there is no place that provides the kind of love, kindness, consideration, medical expertise, cleanliness, dedication, and committment to you and your pet that an AAHA Hospital like Cimarron Animal Hospital does.
For More Information about AAHA Accreditation, see HealthyPet.com About Accreditation
Because Pets and their People are Our Passion!
