New Jersey hospital earns VECCS Level 1 facility certification

Photo courtesy of Mount Laurel Animal Hospital

The Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) has accredited Mount Laurel Animal Hospital (MLAH) in New Jersey as a Level 1 facility. MLAH is now one of 17 facilities across the US to earn the designation.^1,2

“Achieving VECCS Facility Certification is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We strive every day to be cutting-edge in our approach to veterinary care, ensuring that we provide the best possible services to our patients and their families. This certification not only recognizes our commitment to excellence but also enhances our capability to serve our community better,” Krista McDermott (CVT, CVPM), practice manager at MLAH, said in a news release.¹

The VECCCS Facility Certification program aims to generate awareness of high-quality veterinary facilities that practice emergency and critical care medicine. The program offers 3 certification levels that are required to meet criteria for operating hours, equipment, personnel and staffing, building standards, infrastructure, medical records and other resources.³

To achieve Level 1 designation, a facility must meet requirements that include those specified for Level 2 and Level 3. Additional requirements for a Level 1 facility are a backup power supply, a CT scanner, an intensive care unit ventilator, capability to provide total parenteral nutrition, a minimum of 1 full-time-employed ECC specialist, and at least 2 technicians certified as ECC specialists. Level 1 requirements also include a facility’s need for equipment used for invasive blood pressure monitoring, bronchoscopy, and echocardiography.³

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MLAH’s achievement makes it one of 20 VECCS Level 1 certified animal health facilities in the world, including several in Canada and the United Kingdom, according to the VECCS website. The newly certified hospital also joins NorthStar VETS in Robbinsville, New Jersey, as the 2 VECCS-certified Level 1 facilities in the Garden State.²

In addition to Level 1 accreditation, VECCS claims 25 certified Level 2 facilities, including 2 in New Jersey, 4 in South Korea, and 1 each in Canada and China. There are also 9 facilities in the US currently certified as Level 3.²

Along with its designation as a Level 1 facility, certification by the VECCS provides benefits to MLAH. According to the hospital, it now has access to valuable resources that include counseling sessions for full-time staff members and subscriptions to clinical sites. MLAH will also be recognized for its Level 1 status in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.¹

According to MLAH, its entire team is committed to maintaining and exceeding the VECCS certification requirements. “This commitment is evident in every interaction with clients and their pets, fostering an environment of trust, compassion, and professionalism. The hospital’s focus on continuous improvement and innovation ensures that it remains a leader in veterinary medicine, offering cutting-edge solutions for the evolving needs of pet care,” noted the release.¹

In a recent dvm360 interview at MLAH, Mary Anne Evans, BS, CVT, VTS (ECC), spoke about her work in emergency care. She noted that the type of emergency cases a hospital sees often is area dependent. In this suburban New Jersey hospital, for example, urinary obstruction is a common condition seen by the emergency team as well as aspiration, pneumonia, pancreatitis and diabetic ketoacidosis. “We also see a lot of exotics, so I’ve been seeing a lot of rabbits that have GI obstructions,” Evans said.

As part of a larger expansion project, MLAH announced in November 2024 a hospital addition that will be constructed specifically for serving critical care needs. The new space will include an intensive care unit that is larger than the current facility, as well as an expanded isolation area.⁴

"As we continue to grow, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of care we provide to our patients and their families. This expansion reflects our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our community,” Christopher Torre, VMD, co-owner of MLAH, said in a news release.⁴

MLAH provides a range of services including advanced diagnostics, surgical procedures, and specialized treatments as well as emergency care. “[The hospital’s] team of experienced veterinarians, specialists and dedicated support staff work collaboratively to create personalized care plans that cater to the unique needs of each patient,” according to the release.¹

References

1. Mount Laurel Animal Hospital achieves Level 1 facility status as a VECCS certified facility. News release. Mount Laurel Animal Hospital. January 9, 2025. Accessed January 13, 2025. https://www.einpresswire.com/article/775501251/mount-laurel-animal-hospital-achieves-level-1-facility-status-as-a-veccs-certified-facility
2. Find a VECCS certified facility. Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. Accessed January 13, 2025. https://veccs.org/certified-facility-directory/
3. Facility certification. Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. Accessed January 13, 2025. https://veccs.org/facility-certification/
4. Here they grow again: Mount Laurel Animal Hospital announces ambitious expansion. News release. November 14, 2024. Accessed January 13, 2025. https://www.einpresswire.com/article/760681443/here-they-grow-again-mount-laurel-animal-hospital-announces-ambitious-expansion