Texas A&M’s Teaching Hospital Receives Emergency, Critical Care Certification

The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) has received certification from the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) recognizing the VMTH as one of the most advanced emergency and critical care facilities in the country.

veccs level ii

VECCS certification identifies hospitals that meet and exceed the minimum standards and guidelines. The goal is to raise the standard of care while also increasing public and professional awareness in the field of veterinary emergency and critical patient care.

“VECCS certification is becoming more and more important in the evaluation of emergency critical care hospitals, not only as a reflection of resources available for patient care, but also in regards to house officer training,” said Dr. Christine R. Rutter, clinical assistant professor in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM). “It is a reflection of our staff, our continuing education standards, our records, our emergency capabilities, and our facility.”

Th VECCS certification program identifies three levels (I through III) based on facility operating hours, equipment, and personnel. The VMTH received a Level II facility certification.

“The distinction as a Level II certified facility reflects the commitment to high-quality patient care that our hospital can provide,” said Bo Connell, CVM assistant dean for hospital operations. “It is an indication of our comprehensive capabilities, cutting-edge technologies, and world-renowned veterinary specialists; it ensures that the most up-to-date and advanced treatments are available to all of our patients.”

Dana Heath, assistant director of the Small Animal Hospital, said that as the hospital works to achieve Level I certification, they can do so knowing that they already meet or exceed the vast majority of the VECCS requirements.

“When we go through this process, it makes us look critically at our standards, and by doing that, it helps us raise the standard of care at the hospital, where appropriate,” she said. “I welcome these processes because it ultimately improves all that we are already doing well and makes us better patient advocates, which is our goal.

“I would like to personally thank Kim Koehler, the ICU supervisor; Jennifer Sheldon, the ER supervisor; and Melissa Thomas, my administrative assistant, among many others who were instrumental in this process,” she said. “Everyone pitched in; it was a huge team effort. The faculty, staff, and students step up to make sure we are providing excellent care at every level, and even when there are so many things going on in the clinics, they give their time to participate in this review. It’s incredible.”

The facility’s clinicians, staff, and veterinary students are committed to providing state-of-the-art care and making VMTH a model for excellence in the state of Texas and beyond.

The VMTH is shaping tomorrow’s veterinarians while providing an unmatched patient and client experience.


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