AAHA, VetFolio and the Fear Free™ advisory panel have created a groundbreaking certification program intended to change handling approaches in veterinary hospitals. This initiative may be the largest, most important transformation in the history of companion animal practice, according to its advocates. Simply put, Fear Free™ is an experience management initiative to benefit … [Read more...]
DVMs share the best advice they received from a mentor
Steve Pearson, DVM, captures mentor advice received by a broad cross-section of 14 veterinarians. Much of the advice they received applies to any animal health professional’s role. Whether you read this casually or more thoughtfully, there is something here for nearly everyone. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April 6, 2016. Applying wisdom from mentors helps these … [Read more...]
Pest buster listing for cattle is good tool
This listing of parasite and pest management products is a good reference tool for veterinary teams, dealers and representatives. Most of these products’ labels and applicable MSDS sheets are available from the North American Compendium. Source: Beef, March 2016. 2016 Pest Buster Listing. … [Read more...]
Reduce needle stick injuries
Jeff Bender, DVM, MS, ACVPM, University of Minnesota, encourages veterinarians and herd managers to continuously train employees, create awareness of the dangers of needle sticks and encourage a working environment that minimizes risk. Bender referenced the UMASH website, at the University of Minnesota, during a recent webinar. The website contains fact sheets and videos about … [Read more...]
Understanding different cultures
The cultural origins of the U.S. population constantly fluctuate. The result is a growing cross-cultural challenge as we service different cultures in veterinary practices, retail stores and livestock production facilities. As your customers and communities evolve, this article offers a perspective on servicing the U.S. melting pot. Source: MindTools, March 4, … [Read more...]
Bullying, aggression prevalent in the veterinary profession
Destructive behavior, a complex combination of relational aggression, horizontal violence, or bullying, appears to be prevalent in the medical field, says Justin Lee, DVM, DACVECC, DABT VetGirl, St. Paul, Minnesota. Lee references studies from the medical field and relates the results to veterinary hospital team dynamics. Strong, proactive leadership is critical, she … [Read more...]
Keep office conflicts in control
No work environment is perfect. Author Silvia Lafiar takes on loose lips, blame and annoyances to help manage the inevitable in our workplaces. Source: Inc., March 30, 2016 as featured in AVMA SmartBrief, 4, 2016. The mantra in most work places sounds like a robust cheer of "his fault, her fault, their fault." The article discusses 5 ways for you to help change the … [Read more...]
7 steps to better two-legged care
Mike Paul, DVM reminds veterinary hospital teams to remember the needs of the animal owners in this reminder article. Source: DVM 360, March 2016, page 44. Pets don’t walk themselves into your veterinary hospital. Check to make sure you’re doing these seven things to make your practice a success with clients. INSIGHTS: Representatives might take a cue or two from Dr. … [Read more...]
Darned dermatophytes
Dermatophytosis is most frequently associated with the zoonotic ringworm infection. However, those circular areas of hair loss can signal more than just ringworm. These articles address the need for proper diagnosis and include a discussion about the origins of the infections. Source: DVM 360, March 2016, page M4. Three species of fungi most commonly cause dermatophytosis: … [Read more...]
Book forward to increase income
Setting future appointments has measurable revenue growth potential, according to Wendy S. Myers. Clients expect forward booking from their dentists and optometrists. Veterinary receptionists can set similar expectations in veterinary practices, resulting in as much as $40,000 in added revenue. Source: Veterinary Practice News, March 24, 2016. The 2013 AAHA State of the … [Read more...]
Coaching for millennials about boomers
Much is offered to boomers about millennials’ needs in the workplace. In a similar spirit, this op-ed offers millennials tips for working in a boomer environment. Tolerance is the rule. Source: Los Angeles Times, March 25, 2016. Millennials may find that baby boomer self-esteem has declined precipitously in response to rapid societal change. It's difficult to deal with that … [Read more...]
Make slow times profitable with callbacks
Wendy Myers, DVM, presents a pragmatic use of the slower times in veterinary practice schedules. Beyond goodwill, prescription stewardship and compliance, calling clients is a convenient and inexpensive way to improve the overall customer experience. Source: Veterinary Practice News, March 15, 2016. Veterinary technicians, assistants, receptionists and doctors need to start … [Read more...]
Rabies increasing in North America
Rabies vaccination and prevention measures remain critical to our animal populations. Wild animals, even with population control measures in place, still spread the disease. Note the rabies variant distribution map among mesocarnivores and consider sharing this information with animal owners in the course of animal health discussions. Source: Journal of the American … [Read more...]
Eliminate bottlenecks
Spinning too many plates or work with a perfectionist? Check out some good remedies for removing bottlenecks in personal, team and business productivity. Source: Harvard Business Review, March 23, 2016. Bottlenecking puts your career and reputation at risk and takes a significant emotional toll. Learn four root causes of it and their solutions: 1) plate-spinning; 2) people … [Read more...]
Make sure employees have a life outside work
Long workdays, extended after-hours time for patient care, customer events and emergency visits tax personal time for animal health pros. Yet, research shows that improving personal time improves work results. The authors of this article offer suggestions for managing in a more friendly and balanced environment. Source: Harvard Business Review, March 25, 2016. We are … [Read more...]
Editorial – The annual physical questioned
We are fortunate in animal health in that we don’t deal with third-party pay and actuarial oversight of preventative care, yet. Annual physicals are the most common reason that U.S. residents see a doctor. Apparently, not all agree with their necessity or value. This information about human care decisions may signal a cloud of opportunity for our markets. Conversely, it may … [Read more...]
Clipper blade contamination studied
Infections acquired during a hospital visit (nosocomial infections) and the objects that are contaminated with infectious organisms and serve in their transmission (fomites) led researchers to study clipper blades. Contaminated clipper blades have been cited as potential fomites in veterinary and human medicine. The study also reviewed cleaning, disinfection and storage … [Read more...]
Pet insurance important to revenue
Pet insurance is often considered as revenue insurance for veterinary hospitals. It cushions perceived high costs and may actually improve compliance. This article reviews how one practice saw nearly a five-fold increase in the number of clients with pet insurance. We’ve also included a comprehensive story from AAHA Trends, Veterinary Preventive Care Plans. Source: … [Read more...]
Give good phone
Phone etiquette is important, says Jeremy Keen, DVM. Presenting a relaxed, positive and service-minded personality regardless of how busy we are is critical to client satisfaction. The same goes for retail associates, dealers and telephone persons in distribution or manufacturer call centers. Any phone call we handle is the image of our company in that moment. Source: … [Read more...]
Prep for career changes
Mergers, acquisitions, buyouts, downsizing and ladder-climbing all cause career changes. Whether you are 25 or 55, this piece presents solid reminders for all animal health pros. Source: Money, April 2016, page 24. (direct link unavailable) Whether you have sought change or have been forced to make a change it can strain your finances at least in the short term. The … [Read more...]
Vets + nutrition ≠ lack of knowledge
Amy Farcas, DVM DACVN takes on perceptions that veterinarians do not know much about nutrition. She presents a strong case that veterinarians’ nutrition deficiencies are not knowledge-based. Instead they represent a communication issue. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, March 10, 2016. While nutrition is absolutely present in the veterinary curriculum in the US, talking about … [Read more...]
Insufficient sleep costs business
Animal health pros burn the candle at both ends this time of year. Veterinary team members often get little sleep during calving season, managing emergency visits or keeping track of post-surgery animals. Reps put in a full day making calls, then travel after hours only to find two hours of email work waiting when they get to the motel. This article explores the link between … [Read more...]
AVMA offers help with VFD
As the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) becomes reality, AVMA offers expertise. Veterinarians wanting help filing VFDs can use a model form and instructions the association offers. VFD regulations require veterinarian oversight of antimicrobials in drug classes considered important to human medicine. Source: JAVMA News, March 2, 2016. The AVMA published the model form in … [Read more...]
Breaking rules creates conflict
When asked to break the rules at work, most of us experience conflict. We can face the challenges of fine lines, gray areas, ethics, morals and legality with more confidence using principled rebellion, a strategy for being rationally and systematically unreasonable at work when absolutely necessary. Source: Harvard Business Review, January 7, 2016. When asked to break the … [Read more...]
Two-thirds of managers are uncomfortable communicating with employees
This article was uncomfortable to read. Our successes require leaders who can effectively communicate with individuals and teams. People thrive on feedback. Still, managers and leaders shy away from giving direct feedback about their employees’ performance if they think employees may respond negatively. Source: Harvard Business Review, March 9, 2016. Survey results showed … [Read more...]
Burn fast food calories
Whether you’re a sales rep, lead technician or director of surgery at a busy hospital, fast food is a likely part of your diet. HomeRemedyShop.com has developed an online calculator that estimates how much physical activity you need to burn off these calories. It will also show you more healthful food options. It won’t change your diet reality, but it can help you manage … [Read more...]
Ethics important when deciding on rebates, incentives
Doctors Messer, Peterson and Morgan provide perspective on the influence of animal health company rebates or incentives on product choices in this article. It reviews ethics and professional guidelines from AAEP and the AVMA plus the need for clinical diagnoses and VCPR. Source: Equine Veterinary Education, AE, February 2016, page III. (direct link unavailable) Certainly … [Read more...]
Ensure equine dewormers are efficacious
According to the recent study, Efficacy of major anthelmintics for reduction of fecal shedding of strongyle-type eggs in horses in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States published in Veterinary Parasitology odds are high that some commercially available dewormers – fenbendazole, oxibendazole, and pyrantel pamoate – showed poor efficacy on the majority of farms … [Read more...]
Blog posts spur debate, discussion
Dr. Andy Roark provides perspective about recent posts he wrote about technicians and low cost clinics. He notes that two articles got amazing amounts of attention. Both were cheered by thousands of readers, stirred discussion and debate, and rubbed some people the wrong way. Review the articles and Dr. Roark’s commentary. Then you can decide. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, … [Read more...]
Vaccine half-doses can work for small dogs
More than 14,000 people have access to this article that presents the half-dose method of vaccinating small dogs. It references a pilot study conducted by Jean W. Dodds, DVM, to determine whether or not a half-dose distemper and parvovirus vaccine elicited enough immunity to these viruses in adult dogs weighing under 12 pounds. Source: Dogs Naturally, February 26, 2016. The … [Read more...]