Auburn's Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital first in Southeast to earn Veterinary Trauma Center designation

The Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital at Auburn University is the first in the southeast to be named a Veterinary Trauma Center by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, or ACVECC.

Auburn, the only recognized 24/7 veterinary trauma center in the Southeast, will be part of a network of lead hospitals created by the ACVECC that will play a significant role in the development of trauma systems nationally. The hospitals will work collaboratively to define high standards of care and disseminate information that improves trauma patient management efficiencies and outcomes.

"We are fortunate to have a new hospital with state-of-the-art facilities to support trauma patients that are referred to us from our local and regional veterinary practitioners," said Dr. Doug Allen, teaching hospital director.

The criteria and expectations for veterinary trauma centers include the ability, on a 24/7 basis, to provide total care for every aspect of management of the small animal trauma patient, from emergency stabilization through definitive medical and surgical care and rehabilitation; and the availability of board-certified specialists for consultation seven days per week in the fields of emergency and critical care, surgery and radiology.

"As a hospital, we're very excited to receive this designation as a trauma center," said Dr. Lenore Bacek, assistant clinical professor in emergency and critical care in the Department of Clinical Sciences. "The ACVECC recognizes the highest level of emergency and critical care in treating pets with trauma-related injuries, and the designation reflects the dedication and expertise of Auburn faculty, staff and students.

"Our trauma case load is high and continues to grow, and we think that our collaborative team approach contributes to the survival of patients with complex and life-threatening injuries."

Just as human trauma centers provide leadership in education and research, so do veterinary trauma centers. One of the goals of the network is to create a database of information related to animals sustaining trauma that can be used for multi-center veterinary trauma research.

The Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital already holds the ranking of being a Level-I rated hospital by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, the highest rating that can be awarded to a veterinary emergency and critical care facility. The Auburn University Veterinary Teaching Hospital is the only designated center to earn this ranking in Alabama, one of three in the Southeast and 18 nationwide.

The Emergency and Critical Care Service strives to provide the highest level of patient care through collaboration with other services within the teaching hospital. A state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for patients requiring careful monitoring and extensive care. Individualized care is provided by the highly skilled veterinary technician team, many who are specialty trained and certified in emergency and critical care veterinary medicine.

Emergency and Critical Care faculty and residents are available 24/7 to direct patient care and consult as required. For more information about the service, visit http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/animal-owners/bailey/specialties-and-services/emergency-critical-care/.