• Vetiranary Medicine
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

AAHA drafts DVM referral guidelines

March 1, 2007
Krista Schultz

Denver - The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) released draft guidelines regulating communication between veterinarians referring and those receiving patients and seeks industry response and collaboration to develop a final version for implementation.

DENVER — The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) released draft guidelines regulating communication between veterinarians referring and those receiving patients and seeks industry response and collaboration to develop a final version for implementation.

A task force, made up of general practitioners and representatives from several clinical specialties, practice management and quality assurance, was appointed by AAHA to develop the specific referral guidelines for companion-animal practices.

AAHA is gathering input from as many sources as possible, including general practitioners, private practice specialists, emergency clinicians, teaching hospitals, specialty organizations and organized veterinary medicine, with the goal of producing practical guidelines that fully address all referral issues.

Advertisement

"It is our hope that the final set of guidelines will be utilized as a template for enhancing referral relationships in local communities throughout North America," says Link V. Welborn, DVM and chairman of the AAHA Accredited Referral Practice Task Force.

The draft outlines the responsibilities of referring and receiving veterinarians before, during and after the referral process has been completed. Topics such as record sharing, upholding the best interests of the client and building relationships with clients are included. Pre-referral, both parties should communicate their specialties and certifications to ensure the veterinary community is aware of available services. Once a referral is suggested, veterinarians should work together to ensure their relationship with the pet owner is built on trust and respect, the guidelines say.

The referring and receiving veterinarians should strengthen communication, discuss options and work with the pet owner to ensure complete understanding of options during the referral process, the guidelines add.

Regarding post-referral, the guidelines direct veterinarians to share any suggestions for service improvement and keep each other updated on the progress of the patient and any communication with the owner.

The 10-person task force requested input to ensure the guidelines are thorough and include all issues broached during referral, Welborn says.

"By providing your views on ways to improve the draft referral guidelines, you have the opportunity to shape the final product. Please share your perspectives with us," Welborn says in a letter to the veterinary profession.

The guidelines can be viewed on AAHA's Web site, www.aahanet.org.

Related Content:

MedicalAssociation
UC Davis oral surgeons repair kitten’s severe cleft palate
UC Davis oral surgeons repair kitten’s severe cleft palate
ABVS approves full recognition for shelter medicine practice
ABVS approves full recognition for shelter medicine practice
Tips and tricks for diagnosing canine osteoarthritis early
Tips and tricks for diagnosing canine osteoarthritis early

Advertisement

Latest News

Spectrum of care: protocols to support pet owners’ budgets

How to support women while still running a successful business

The Vets expands to Raleigh, NC

Two pups find their forever homes while at Fetch Charlotte

View More Latest News
Advertisement