OHS Hospital Gets Top Marks

 

Dr. Kris Otteman, OHS Director of Shelter Medicine

November, 2010: The Oregon Humane Society Holman Medical Center’s status as a top-ranked veterinary hospital was recently reaffirmed following a comprehensive evaluation and re-accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

 

The evaluation included a quality assessment review of the hospital’s facility, medical equipment, practice methods and pet health care management.

The OHS hospital, part of the Animal Medical and Learning Center adjacent to the OHS shelter, was measured against more than 900 standards of excellence in virtually every area of practice by AAHA.

 

Only a handful of humane society hospitals have gained AAHA accreditation, and only 15 percent of all animal practices in the US and Canada are accredited.

 

Hospital Opened in 2007

“This event marks another time in OHS history when our organization has gone the extra mile to deliver the best quality care to the pets we love,” said Dr. Kris Otteman, OHS director of shelter medicine (pictured). The OHS medical facility was opened in 2007 and received its first AAHA accreditation in November, 2008. AAHA standards are continuously updated to keep accredited practices at the forefront of veterinary medicine and patient care.   

 

The Holman Medical Center provides a full spectrum of medical care to shelter animals. In 2009, the OHS medical team performed more than 8,000 spay and neuter surgeries and nearly 800 elective and emergency surgeries. OHS veterinarians and staff, along with a full-time faculty member from Oregon State University, worked with 66 veterinary students from OSU last year who completed a mandatory two-week clinical rotation at the center. All medical care is provided with the best interests of the animal in mind.

AAHA is the only organization that accredits veterinary practices in North America. Hospitals that voluntarily accept the challenge of accreditation are measured against standards that range from patient care and pain management to team training, surgery, anesthesia and medical record keeping.

 

 The AAHA standards are continuously updated to keep accredited practices at the forefront of veterinary medicine and patient care. 

The Holman Medical Center is directly attached to the OHS shelter at 1067 NE Columbia Blvd. in Portland. The center cares primarily for shelter animals, but also offers low-cost spay and neuter services to qualifying members of the public through the Spay & Save program.