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....................... ................(724) 627-5079 ..... 216 BRADEN RUN ROAD WAYNESBURG, PA 15370

.......... Is Accreditation important to you? Is it important to your pet?

I guess the answer depends on you and your view of animals. Some animal hospitals or animal clinics provide minimal service. To cut cost they may have opted not purchase and maintain diagnostic equipment such as X-ray or ultrasound needed for comprehensive medical analysis. Their facilities may also lack an in house pharmacy, or if they have one it is incomplete. Also to cut overhead, they may not have a fully equipped in house laboratory. I have heard some people refer to these places as band-aid clinics. Some veterinarians even practice medicine out of their vehicle without a building to accommodate even the basic required necessities to provide minimal care for animals. Yes, their overhead is dramatically less, a very small portion of their savings is passed along to you and yes the price is cheaper, but at what cost to your pet? 

However, there are many people that do not price shop. I am not saying that cost is not a concern; in today's economy; price is definitely a concern to all of us. Instead they compare service and seek quality care for themselves and their pets. It is this type of consumer that realizes that purchasing quality ultimately saves them money.

My personal observation is that our prices for service and products are competitive and often less than that our competitors. I feel this is the case because of multiple factors. (1) Our prices are based on a fee schedule provided from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA); in fact we are still using the 2006 fee schedule. (2) Also being an AAHA accredited animal hospital means we work more efficiently, thus lowering our overhead costs. (3) We hire staff that is educated in their field of service; this reduces labor cost and most definitely provides better care for your pet. Also being an accredited hospital, AAHA works with us to help us reduce our costs and yes we do pass the savings to our customers. We are not about price, cost, being cheap, etc….  

Our primary concern is doing whatever is in the best interest of your pet’s health and well being. We hope that is your primary concern as well. 

I am sure you are tired of reading this blog, so please call me if you have any questions or if you would like to discuss this topic further.

Thanks for reading,

T.I.M.

Below is a list from aahanet.org showing some of the requirements for accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association.

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• Anesthesia : Methods for assessing anesthetic needs in patients and appropriateness of equipment
• Client Service: Communicates well with clients during all aspects of their visit
• Contagious Disease: Protocols, processes and facilities to handle contagious diseases and avoid outbreaks
• Continuing Education: Continuing education tools and opportunities for staff members
• Dentistry: Safe dental procedures that protect both the patient and staff members
• Diagnostic Imaging: Diagnostic imaging protocols that create a safe environment for both the patient and staff members
• Emergency: Equipment handling and process for emergencies
• Examination Room: Properly equipped for thorough examinations
• Housekeeping: Cleanliness
• Human Resources: Handling of personnel matters
• Laboratory: Laboratory services for the prompt diagnosis of patients
• Leadership: Leadership’s commitment to creating a positive work environment and providing high-quality care
• Medical Records: Continuity of care through medical record details
• Pain Management: Pain assessment, management and training
• Patient Care: Humane and advantageous care to patients during all aspects of their visit
• Pharmacy: Proper handling, storing and dispensing of medications
• Safety: Safety of environment for patients, clients and team
• Surgery: Patient safety in an aseptic environment with appropriate pre- and post-operative considerations

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