Veterinary practices awaiting an accreditation visit from the American Animal Hospital Association will hear from someone remotely rather than meet in-person during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“For the time being, AAHA will be limiting air travel and conducting virtual rather than in-person practice evaluations,” the organization reported on its website. “Expect to hear from your member experience team, who will be reaching out as soon as possible.”
AAHA and other large veterinary organizations are monitoring the coronavirus situation and in some cases making adjustments.
AAHA’s only programming change as of March 13 was cancellation of the four-day Practice Essentials management seminar in April. An August session is still scheduled as is the annual Connexity conference, which is set for mid-September in Indianapolis.
The association’s Lakewood, Colorado, headquarters remained open, but employees were encouraged to work from home, said Christine Panek, director of marketing and communications.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners kept open its Lexington, Kentucky, office but canceled a committee meeting planned for late March.
“Most participants were flying to the meeting, and we want to follow all guidelines regarding reducing exposure,” said Sally J. Baker, director of marketing and public relations.
The American Veterinary Medical Association headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois, was operating normally.
“No closings,” senior media relations specialist Michael San Filippo reported March 12. “At this point, we are monitoring the situation closely and making day-by-day decisions regarding staff and volunteer travel, meetings and work locations.”
AVMA’s annual convention is still scheduled to start July 31 in San Diego.
The North American Veterinary Community, publisher of Today’s Veterinary Business, closed its Orlando and Gainesville, Florida, offices on March 13 but planned to reopen them the week of March 16. Employees were advised that anyone who wanted to work from home could do so, and non-essential business travel was curtailed.
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