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CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Lois Acheson Bates Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Oregon State University, which has undergone a major expansion in recent years, has received re-accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association.

Six hospital services within the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine were individually evaluated, and passed, as part of the comprehensive accreditation process. They include: small animal medicine, small animal surgery, oncology, cardiology, anesthesiology and diagnostic imaging.

Support areas that were reviewed included the hospital's drug room, central sterile supplies, and small animal reception, and the hospital's working relationship with the college's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory - all of which also received kudos, according to hospital director Helen Diggs.

"The accreditation was a reaffirmation that the teaching hospital is an outstanding program that is doing things the right way," Diggs said. "The evaluators were impressed with the college's growth and mentioned the esprit de corps within the hospital staff that accentuated the positive services to our animals and clients."

Only 15 percent of all small animal veterinary practices in the United State have achieved accreditation by the AAHA.

"OSU's teaching hospital belongs to a select group of practices that are committed to meeting the standard of veterinary excellence," said Gregg Takashima, AAHA president. "AAHA hospitals pass a stringent evaluation of more than 900 standards covering patient care, client service and medical protocols."