BESTPRACTICE®
Introduction
NZVA's BESTPRACTICE® is a quality accreditation programme that promotes a high standard of professionalism and service for veterinary clinical practices in New Zealand.
BESTPRACTICE® has two tiers:
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BESTPRACTICE® Hospital Standards.
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BESTPRACTICE® Clinic Standards. The level at which the Clinic Standards are set should be achievable by most New Zealand veterinary practices.
There are three modules in the Clinic Standards:-
Companion Animal and Large Animal Combined Practice Standards
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Companion Animal Practice Standards
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Large Animal Practice Standards
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The standards have been modelled on equivalent overseas standards and adapted to suit New Zealand. BESTPRACTICE® Clinic Standards itemise the standards of service, facilities, equipment, and management considered essential in veterinary practice.
BESTPRACTICE® Hospital Standards are more demanding and represent an advanced level of veterinary treatment and care. People choosing to take their animals to an accredited hospital can expect to find skilled and experienced veterinarians working with trained support staff in a modern, well-equipped facility.
The standards encourage the ongoing critical evaluation of the practice’s surgical, medical, diagnostic and nursing protocols in order to maintain a high level of excellence. There is a strong emphasis on compliance with current New Zealand legislation as it affects veterinary practices and NZVA policy.
A separate BESTPRACTICE® questionnaire - self assessment tool - is completed by practices prior to accreditation/re-accreditation. A practice participating in the programme is required to declare that it fulfils all conditions set out in the BESTPRACTICE® questionnaire for each of the premises specified by the practice. Accreditation is based on a site audit.
Practices are audited by independent veterinary auditors prior to initial accreditation and then every two years. The current auditors are the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Verification Agency. The programme auditing requirement is put up for tender every three years.
The initial subscription includes a BESTPRACTICE® toolkit, glass door sticker and promotional poster to use in an accredited clinic. The toolkit provides accredited practices with information on products such as pamphlets, door stickers, clinic signage, t-shirts, postcards, vaccination reminders and stickers for mail-outs that are available for practices to purchase for self-promotion.
Some of the requirements are purposefully broad in their definition. This recognises that there are a variety of methods and types of equipment in use that can be of an acceptably high standard.
When ready for accreditation, the practice contacts NZVA to request an invoice for initial accreditation and Questionnaire. The practice completes the Questionnaire and Declaration of Compliance and forwards these to NZVA. All partners/directors, or the senior veterinarian in a practice, sign the Declaration of Compliance. If all aspects are compliant, the BESTPRACTICE® Committee Convenor organises an audit of the practice.
Your investment
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Joining fee $550 + GST - includes the starter kit (retail $172.90)
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Clinic Standards $660 + GST per year
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Hospital Standards $1,100 + GST per year
Note:
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For initial accreditation there is an additional charge for the starter kit of $172.90 + GST.
- The fees include the audit fee but auditor travel costs are additional.
Promotional tools
To order BESTPRACTICE® stationery and promotional items please use the order forms below (pdf files):
