Mandatory AAHA Standards (the first 46 anyway)

This is a list of the bare minimum mandatory standards for AAHA accreditation.  In addition to these mandatory standards, the hospital must meet a minimum points requirement in HUNDREDS of other details.  Bear Valley Veterinary Clinic was accredited just the year again and has been for many years.  It takes a tremendous amount of work to become accredited, but if you look at the mandatory standards you realize that these are things you may automatically assume all hospitals do anyway.  Unfortunately not the case.  Less than 20% of animal hospitals in the U.S. are accredited.  We will be working very hard to achieve accreditation for The Vet in the next 1-2 years.  The building itself prevents a few of the mandatory standards from being met.  Visit the aaha website for more information.   http://www.healthypet.com/

• All anesthetic agents are administered by a veterinarian or trained practice team member under the supervision of a veterinarian on the premises.   
• A means of assisting ventilation, either manual or mechanical, is readily available and utilized as needed.  
• A patient assessment is performed by a practice team member prior to the administration of any premedication, sedation, or anesthetic.
• Endotracheal tubes must remain in place during recovery from anesthesia until protective reflexes (swallow or gag) are functioning.
• Patients are observed at frequent intervals until fully recovered.
• Monitoring equipment is utilized during procedures requiring general anesthesia. 
• A sufficient number of practice team members are trained in CPR. 
• Emergency drugs and equipment are readily available and kept in a designated place
• Anesthetic induction chambers are transparent and patients are observed throughout the induction process.
• Practice team members follow infection control policies related to personal hygiene, patient care, and disinfection of equipment and facilities.
• Potentially contaminated materials are contained in impervious containers or bags before transport within the practice.
• Veterinarians perform thorough examinations of the teeth and structures of the oral cavity in patients presented for dental procedures.
• Only properly trained practice team members perform dental procedures.
• Quality diagnostic images are generated on the premises.
• Practice team members wear protective apparel including aprons, gloves, and thyroid shields while in the X-ray suite during exposure.
• Radiation producing equipment is operated only by trained practice team members. 
• A qualified individual evaluates X-ray producing machines every five years (at a minimum). 
• Personal dosimeters are provided for practice team members working with or near ionizing radiation equipment.
• Emergency services, or referral to an appropriate practice, are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 
• Client and patient areas of the practice are neat, clean, and well organized.
• Only trained practice team members perform laboratory tests.
• Services are provided by in-house or outside laboratories.
• Pain assessment is considered part of every patient evaluation regardless of the presenting complaint. 
• Appropriate pain management is provided for the anticipated level and duration of pain.  
• Patient care is under the authority, supervision, and approval of a licensed veterinarian. 
• Non-veterinarian staff are never authorized to diagnose, prescribe medications (without the consent of the veterinarian), or perform surgery. 
• Practice team members demonstrate humane care of animals.
• Fresh water and food are provided or withheld as appropriate for the medical care of the patient. 
• The practice has the means to administer oxygen on a periodic or on-going basis.  
• Syringes and needles are used only once for injections.  
• Patients are given an examination appropriate to the presenting complaints and clinical situation.  
• Aggressive handling or restraint that might cause patient injury is prohibited.
• Animal-holding areas (cages, runs, and exercise areas) are secure, easily cleaned, adequate size.
• Controlled substances are stored in a limited access, securely locked, and substantially constructed cabinet or safe.
• All prescription medications are dispensed or administered by order of a licensed veterinarian.
• Child-resistant containers are used unless the medication is in a form that precludes it from being dispensed in such a container or the client declines the child-resistant container.
• All surgeries are performed by a licensed veterinarian.
• Surgical suites are separate, closed, single purpose rooms entered only for activities associated with aseptic surgical procedures.   
• The surgical suite is constructed and utilized in a manner that minimizes the potential for contamination.  
• Sterile instruments, towels, and drapes are used when major surgery is performed.
• Immediately prior to surgical procedures, a practice team member performs a presurgical assessment.
• Practice team members within the sterile field during major surgery wear proper attire.
• Sterile single use surgical gloves are utilized in all surgeries.  
• Separate autoclaved or gas sterilized surgical packs are used for each surgical procedure.  
• Prior to each use surgical instruments are properly cleaned, repackaged, and sterilized.
• Supplies including, but not limited to, drapes, laparotomy pads or sponges, towels, and gauze sponges, are properly wrapped and sterilized.
• Appropriate equipment is utilized in the surgical suite.

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