ℹ️ AAHA codes (American Animal Hospital Association codes) are standardized identifiers used to classify veterinary services and products. Originally developed to support consistent reporting and benchmarking across North American clinics, these codes can be a powerful tool for improving operational clarity, financial tracking, and clinical analytics—regardless of your location.
📘 What Are AAHA Codes?
AAHA codes are alphanumeric identifiers assigned to veterinary procedures, products, and services. Each code represents a specific item or action, such as:
A physical exam
A vaccination
A surgical procedure
A retail product (e.g., flea treatment)
These codes are maintained by the AAHA and are widely adopted across North America to support:
📊 Consistent reporting
💬 Clear communication between clinics and suppliers
📦 Inventory and billing standardization
📈 Benchmarking across practices
🌍 Global Use: Beyond North America
While AAHA codes originate from North America, they can be implemented in clinics worldwide. There are two primary approaches:
1. ✅ Use as Allocated
You can adopt AAHA codes directly as they are, especially for common procedures and products. This is ideal for:
Clinics using North American suppliers
Practices participating in global benchmarking initiatives
Multi-location groups seeking unified reporting
2. 🛠 Customize for Local Use
AAHA codes can also be adapted to suit local workflows. For example:
Assign a unique AAHA-style code to each product or service in your clinic
Create higher-level grouping codes for categories like “Wellness Packages” or “Exotic Pet Services”
Use AAHA codes as internal identifiers for reporting, even if they don’t match the original AAHA definitions
This flexibility allows clinics outside North America to benefit from structured reporting while maintaining local relevance.
🧮 How to Use AAHA Codes in Reporting
Implementing AAHA codes in can unlock powerful reporting capabilities:
Use Case | Benefit |
📦 Inventory Reports | Track product usage by category or supplier |
💰 Financial Reports | Analyze revenue by service type |
🐾 Clinical Reports | Monitor procedure frequency and outcomes |
📊 Benchmarking | Compare performance across locations or regions |
To get started:
Map your existing services/products to AAHA codes or create custom equivalents.
Assign codes in your PIMS under each item’s configuration.
Use filters and grouping in your reporting dashboard to analyze by AAHA code.
🧭 Tips for Implementation
🔍 Start with your top 20 services/products and assign codes manually.
🗂 Use a spreadsheet to track mappings and ensure consistency.
🧪 Test reporting outputs before full rollout.
🌐 For multi-location clinics, align codes across all sites for unified reporting.
🧠 Final Thoughts
AAHA codes offer a structured way to enhance clarity, consistency, and insight across your veterinary operations. Whether you're in North America or beyond, adopting or customizing these codes can elevate your reporting and decision-making.
Need help mapping your services to AAHA codes or setting up custom identifiers? Reach out to your support team or implementation specialist for tailored guidance.