We can learn a lot from practical biosecurity protocols used by swine veterinarians and their clients. The approaches practiced in swine production apply across species as we expand our thinking about zoonoses and One Health. Biosecurity must be a mindset and lifestyle. . . it must be ingrained and adhered to, and we also need to trust all employees to do the right thing even … [Read more...]
Marketing? Why bother?
Being a really good veterinarian isn’t always enough in today’s competitive market. To grow your business, it’s important to get your story in front of new customers. Learn the difference between marketing and branding and how to get started. Source: Vet Practice, October 2, 2019. Link. At its core, marketing boils down to identifying your practice’s ideal customers and … [Read more...]
USP 800 deadline looms (videos)
USP <800> was created to help protect workers, patients and others in veterinary environments. It was published February 1, 2016 with an implementation date of December 2019. USP <800> involves facility changes, such as adding additional rooms to prepare hazardous drugs. It also involves a change in operations and how veterinary teams deal with drugs in their … [Read more...]
Things that make employees quit
Losing an employee is costly, writes Jon Christiansen. He says the reasons people quit are deeply rooted and complex. He offers eight common leadership mistakes that help explain the “why”: Setting inconsistent goals or expectations Having too many process constraints Wasting your resources Putting people in the wrong roles Assigning boring, or overly easy, … [Read more...]
People want their employers to talk about mental health
Mental health conditions affect more than 200 million workdays each year, yet mental health remains a taboo subject. About 60 percent of employees have never spoken to anyone at work about their mental health status. Mental health is becoming the next frontier of diversity and inclusion, and employees want their companies to address it. Source: Harvard Business Review, … [Read more...]
Getting ready for snow
Snow across the northern plains signals the need to consider snow removal tools. If you already have a snowblower it is time to get it out and perform regular maintenance to keep it in top shape. Make sure couplings, hydraulics and lights are serviced and working on blades and snowplows. Do any blade repairs now before snow starts to accumulate. For those looking at getting … [Read more...]
2019 PAW Report offers great insight
Seventy one percent of cat owners in the United Kingdom (UK) would like to change at least one of their cat’s behaviors, according to the 2019 Annual Paw Report <Link>. Based on surveys of UK residents, the report has useful insights for us all. Per the report, there is a decline in juvenile pets receiving vaccinations, and, perhaps less surprisingly, a large portion of … [Read more...]
Commentary on general practitioners; JAVMA
Educators address a paradigm that being “just a general practitioner” is a lower status veterinarian compared to those who seek to post-graduate specialties. Kudos to the University of Georgia authors for emphasizing the challenges and importance of general practitioners in our industry. Source: JAVMA, October 15, 2019. Link. (Abstract) Also see: Table of contents, JAVMA, … [Read more...]
Reminder! National Veterinary Technician Week starts October 13
Next week we recognize the vital roles veterinary technicians provide to benefit veterinary practices, their clients and animal welfare. If you’ve not planned anything yet, you still have time. Source: AVMA. Link. National Veterinary Technician Week takes place in the third week of October each year. It was first celebrated in 1993. Also see: Where have all the nurses … [Read more...]
The state of ransomware attacks (infographic)
You can be held hostage any day by a ransomware attack. Small businesses are especially vulnerable to ransomware. There are different and evolving types of ransomware attacks, often beginning with something as simple as a malicious link in an email. Use this information to better understand the potential threats and see some tips on how to protect your network. Source: … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club discussion on the veterinary shortage
In the October 17 Bridge Club conversation, Mark Cushing, Animal Policy Group founder and Jim Lloyd, DVM, PhD, former University of Florida dean, will share new data and lead an insights-filled discussion about the near-term future of supply and demand, and what the profession can do answer the need. Source: The Bridge Club. Registration < link > Thursday, October 17, … [Read more...]
Biosecurity in the spotlight
Without effective infection control, prevention and biosecurity (AAHA Infection Control, Prevention, and Biosecurity Guidelines) implemented in the veterinary primary care and referral settings, the clinician’s efforts at disease prevention and treatment are compromised and sometimes nullified. Practices struggle on several fronts, from identifying infectious animals before … [Read more...]
PHP reminder program successful in reactivating inactive clients
Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together? Focusing on the bond between the practice, the pets and their owners, instead of the services a practice provides, has proven successful. Two years ago, the Partners for Healthy Pets Inactive Client Program, a client-centric email reminder program was initiated. 1612 practices enrolled 126,576 previously inactive … [Read more...]
Banfield announces new suicide prevention training
Banfield Pet Hospital announced ASK (Assess, Support, Know), a program that helps veterinary professionals recognize and address emotional distress and suicidal thoughts in themselves and others. Observing that one in six veterinarians consider suicide, Banfield will complete these three efforts by January 6, 2020: Close schedules at all Banfield hospitals for two hours to … [Read more...]
Cats hurt too
Animal Pain Awareness Month wraps up this week < link >. The American Association of Feline Practitioners provides information for cat owners through its Cat Friendly Homes website < link >. We’re highlighting the article about ‘knowing when a cat is in pain‘ in support of this month’s theme. It is good information to share with cat owners on social media, in … [Read more...]
Visualizing social media use by generation (Infographic)
There are 4.4 billion social media users today. Ashley Viens describes how it has altered the way we interact both online and offline . She also notes the rate of social media growth is slowing, though use is still growing. From 2017 to 2018, the average person increased usage by three minutes per day, while becoming a new user of 0.8 social media accounts. What happens in a … [Read more...]
Corporate CEOs convene to re-align purpose with profit
It is possible for purpose and profit to coexist, but there must be intention. The Business Roundtable, a group of almost 200 CEOs of the largest U.S. corporations, recently issued a statement that fundamentally redefined the purpose of a corporation. It suggests that a new social contract is being struck between corporations and society. “for the benefit of all … [Read more...]
Bill Gates answers, “What should we never forget?”
Niklas Göke comments about watching the new 3-part documentary about Bill Gates on Netflix < link >. The interviewer asks question after question of Gates who answers directly and honestly. He was asked the question, “What was the worst day in your life?” The answer? “The day my mother died.” Göke shares the following: No matter who you are in this world, no … [Read more...]
Lenders offer varying options to help clients pay
When veterinary care challenges animal owners’ ability to pay, third party lenders have products to bridge the gap between an owners’ cash on hand and veterinary fees. Brendan Howard compares third-party loans and credit card options to veterinary clients. Source: VETTED, February 8, 2019. Link. Also see: A nay-sayer’s guide to pet insurance and third-party payment plans, … [Read more...]
Maintaining peace has its price
Author and psychotherapist Dennis Portnoy, MFT, says the excess pursuit of harmony is not altruistic. If you’re a person who goes to great lengths to avoid discord, he shares what you need to know about “harmony addiction.” Source: BottomLineInc, September 1, 2019. Link. People who chronically set aside their own interests tend to tell themselves that they are making … [Read more...]
Practicing narrative medicine; diagnostic listening
Narrative medicine is a young field in human medicine and even younger in veterinary medicine. Yet, some of the best veterinarians practice narrative medicine instinctively. Narrative medicine feels more like collaboration between the veterinarian and animal owner. <narrative medicine> is authentic engagement. . . diagnostic listening . . . rather than perfunctorily … [Read more...]
Positivity pays off
We all have a choice. We can choose to be positive and encouraging, or we can choose to be a pessimist and have self-pity. It’s a power we all have. Each of us encounters hard times, hurt feelings and pain. The key is to realize it’s not what happens to you that matters; it’s how you choose to respond. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, September 2, 2019. Link. One of the most … [Read more...]
Focus on fungi
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated this week as Fungal Disease Awareness Week < link > to boost the public’s understanding of how these microscopic organism can make humans sick. In animals, fungal infections are a patchwork of different situations. Fungal infections can be devastating, and they continue to emerge more rapidly than ever . . . they … [Read more...]
Pheasants, horses, turkey in 3 Pennsylvania. counties infected with EEE
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)was found in pheasants, horses and a wild turkey in Pennsylvania's Erie, Carbon and Monroe counties, according to state health and agriculture officials. The mosquito-borne disease is carried by birds, can also infect people and equids, and can be fatal. Source: Associated Press, September 22, 2019. Link. So far this year, nine deaths in the … [Read more...]
Opinion – Star Wars tech featured at NAVC E-Commerce Summit
Imagine a pet owner talking to a virtual assistant via Alexa about a problem with their dog at 3:00 a.m. which sets up a live phone call from a veterinarian only minutes later. Or, having your cellphone notify you that your dog is barking excessively because the house is on fire or a stranger has entered. These and other technologies had attendees riveted as presenting … [Read more...]
Stress eating: 5 strategies to slow down
Our August 27 post, “Stressed? Pet it away,” < link > drew a lot of views as did the June 25 post, “Dogs absorb our emotions,” < link >. Veterinary team members sometimes correlate a pet owner’s weight to an overweight pet. In the interest of reducing even more stress, we’re sharing Kelly Bilodeau’s post on stress eating. (Stress) can set off physical and emotional … [Read more...]
In-house diagnostics making gains
Clients expect test results faster than ever before. Learn the benefits for the patient, client, practice and clinician of keeping testing in-house. Source: Vet Practice, September 12, 2019. Link. The animal diagnostic market is a major and flourishing sector; it accounts for 22 percent of the entire veterinary market and is worth US$4.2 billion globally. INSIGHTS: Newer … [Read more...]
More veterinary technicians = higher practice efficiency
Recent AVMA analytics reveals that veterinary hospitals with more technicians and other non-DVM staff are likely to operate more efficiently. The optimal mix of non-DVM and DVM staff depends on several factors, including: practice type and size the demand for veterinary services in an area the availability of qualified veterinary professionals: professional and … [Read more...]
The real meaning of customer-centricity and how to develop it (includes video)
Like a well-written elevator speech, Denise Lee Yohn discusses how to implement a customer-centric operating model. She promotes cultivating a culture that embraces a customer-focused mindset and values. Beyond “a customer is always right,” customer centricity is about identifying your most valuable customers and then organizing and operating around them. Source: SmartBrief, … [Read more...]
AAHA releases Implementing Preventive Care Protocols publication
AAHA’s newest publication will help more practices learn how they can increase benefits for clients, patients and themselves by implementing preventive care protocols, according to Janice Trumpeter, DVM and AAHA Deputy CEO. Developed with an educational grant from Idexx, the expanded set of preventive care protocols includes using routine diagnostic screenings. Expanding the … [Read more...]