Practice Inspection and Practice Standards (PIPS)
Excellence In Alberta Veterinary Facilities

Veterinarians are accountable to their clients, patients, colleagues and the public for the quality of service they provide.

PIPS stands for Practice Inspection and Practice Standards. Professional conduct rules govern the practise of veterinary medicine. Practice Standards govern the actual facility where the practise is conducted.

In Alberta, every veterinary facility must meet certain standards.

Facilities are inspected on five-year rotation to ensure they meet the standards.

Veterinary facilities are inspected for:

• specific equipment requirements (including x-ray and surgery equipment)
• proper record-keeping
• safe drug storage and disposal
• orderly and sanitary premises
• a medical reference library
• adequate staffing
• animal housing and care

Different facilities have different standards, depending on the type of practice and the needs of the animal patients. There are nine practice categories in Alberta:

1. Large Animal Facility
2. Large Animal Ambulatory Practice
3. Small Animal Facility
4. Small Animal Housecall Practice
5. Small Animal Emergency Facility
6. Embryo Transfer Facility
7. Embryo Transfer Ambulatory Practice
8. Large Animal Consultative Practice
9. Private Diagnostic Laboratory

Practice Inspection and Practice Standards protect you and the animals you own by ensuring consistently high standards for animal health care facilities. Your veterinarian has invested considerable time and resources in conforming to the PIPS guidelines.

Your veterinarian demonstrates a commitment to excellence in animal health by meeting or exceeding the Practice Standard requirements and supporting the Practice Inspection process.

You can have confidence and trust in your veterinarian, knowing the facility where your animal receives care meets these high standards.

The Practice Standards are part of the Bylaws of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (AB.VMA). The AB.VMA is the governing body that regulates and licenses veterinarians in Alberta. To practise veterinary medicine in Alberta you must be a member of the AB.VMA. The Provincial legislation governing the practise of veterinary medicine (the Veterinary Profession Act) requires the AB.VMA to establish the standards necessary to operate a facility.

Practice Standards are set by the PIPS committee of the AB.VMA, which is made up of all practising veterinarians. The committee makes recommendations to change the AB.VMA Bylaws. AB.VMA members then vote on accepting the recommended changes.

The AB.VMA hires veterinarians to be PIPS inspectors; they inspect every veterinary facility in Alberta at least once every five years. Veterinarians support the inspection process by paying inspection fees, NO taxpayer dollars are used in this process.

After an inspection the facility owner is notified in writing of any deficiencies. These must be corrected or addressed within one month. Once a facility passes inspection, a certificate is issued that must be displayed.

Look for the PIPS Certificate displayed on your veterinarian's facility walls.

Your veterinarian has earned it; you have a right to expect it.