AAHA recertifies veterinary clinic

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - --  The Barksdale Veterinary Clinic was recently weighed against an American Animal Hospital Association standard of nearly 900 factors with results putting the clinic in the top 12 percent in the nation.

The vet clinic, originally accredited by the AAHA in 2011, completed the reaccreditation process Feb. 7.

"Being accredited means that we're meeting certain standards for quality of care," said Dr. Darrin Olson, base veterinarian. "Pet owners who bring their pets to Barksdale's vet treatment facility receive the highest quality standard of care that we can provide them."

2nd Lt. Caleb Lyons, 11th Bomb Squadron navigator recently brought his German shepherd mix to the clinic.

"This was Colt's first visit," Lyons said. "It was very affordable and the vet was very thorough and knowledgeable. I didn't feel pressured and left feeling very informed and happy with services."

Olson has practiced veterinary medicine since 2005, but isn't the only one responsible for the success of the clinic.

"I'm proud of my staff for what they do every day," he said. "They make sure safe and exemplary health care is provided to every customer."

Other members of Team Barksdale also help the clinic provide its quality service.

"Environmental health evaluates the radiograph machine, anesthesia gas and [Medical] maintenance works on the equipment we've acquired through the 2nd Medical group," said Olson.

Support from the 2nd MDG helps the vet clinic in the evaluation process.

"If we didn't have that collaboration, we wouldn't be able to be accredited," said Olson.

Human medical treatment must meet certain state and federal standards, but few federal standards currently exist for animal and pet treatment.

"That's why AAHA started their accreditation processes for [vet] clinics to use as guidelines and recognize clinics that are going above and beyond those standards of care," Olson said.

Maintaining a place in the top ranks of vet care in the nation means the clinic staff must always be vigilant in their work. Lisa Lopshire, AAHA practice consultant, inspected 900 elements that would determine the clinic's standard of excellence.

"Their team members are better trained than other [clinics] because they're benchmarking themselves against standards we create," Lopshire said. "As they prepare for the evaluation they're always reviewing the standards and protocol."

The standards consider not just patient care, but the facility and staff safety as well.

"I'm looking at the facility, the housekeeping, how they're performing surgeries and how they're preparing the patients," said Lopshire. "Are they using sterile surgery suites and instrumentation? Are they monitoring patients that are under anesthesia? There are also X-ray facilities, protective apparel and safety of the team members, as well as the laboratory and pharmacy."

The vet clinic's primary mission is to support the health and well-being of 2nd Security Forces Squadron military working dogs, but the clinic also provides pet owners routine vaccinations, heartworm tests, and preventives for fleas and ticks.

"Barksdale's Vet Treatment facility is meeting the standards, not just barely meeting them, they are surpassing the standards for the AAHA," Lopshire said. "Barksdale [pet owners] should be proud they are getting quality medicine from a well-trained team."