Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Receives Emergency Care Facility Certification
Story by Courtney Price, VMBS Communications
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) has once again earned level two facility recertification by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). VECCS certification is a measure of how well a veterinary care facility is able to treat small animal patients in emergencies, including the medications available, the number and full-time status of staff, and emergency room hours of operation.
The VECCS is a global professional organization comprising veterinarians, veterinary technicians and practice managers committed to advancing knowledge and upholding superior standards in veterinary emergency and critical care. Its certification program is designed to encourage facilities to provide exceptional emergency and critical patient care that goes beyond the minimum standards.
“We’re very proud to receive this certification,” said Dr. Stacy Eckman, the associate dean for hospital operations and chief executive officer for the VMTH. “At the VMTH, it is very important that we are able to provide exceptional care to our patients while we train the world’s future veterinarians. The Emergency and Critical Care service at our Small Animal Teaching Hospital has done an outstanding job going above and beyond for our patients.”
Sarah Perry, a licensed veterinary technician at the VMTH, helped facilitate the recertification process.
“I’m very proud to be a part of the Emergency and Critical Care team and for us to be recognized by the VECCS as a facility that works hard to provide exceptional care to the pets and families in our community,” Perry said.
There are three levels of facility certification by VECCS, with level one being the highest. To receive certification, all facilities must meet a list of requirements that go beyond basic care standards, which include providing the following services:
- plasma transfusions for cats and dogs
- CPR
- fluids
- anesthesia
- emergency surgery
- diagnostic tests
- in-facility pharmacy
- support for nutrition, urinary/kidney and respiratory needs
- detailed medical records
- at least one dedicated full-time emergency care veterinarian
The VMTH received level two certification, which requires facilities to have even more advanced equipment, medications and full-time emergency care specialists; facilities must also be open 24/7 all year, including holidays. The hospital was previously recertified in 2020.
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Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216
