What to do with a bad online reviewJanuary 3, 2020Social media is both a blessing and a curse. Promoting your practice this way can be fast, fun, and inexpensive. But social media also provides disgruntled clients with a platform to complain publicly about you, even when the merits of their complaints are specious or entirely wanting. Negative reviews can damage your reputation, your practice's good name, and the bottom line. They also can be extremely stressful. This is especially so when the review botches your medical analysis, questions your compassion, or is otherwise just plain ugly. Here are some suggestions for handling bad reviews and for trying to prevent them altogether. 1) Provide a measured response One way to vindicate yourself and your practice is to provide a measured response to each negative review. The response might be along these lines: "We are sorry to hear you were not completely satisfied with your recent visit to our practice. We strive to provide top-notch service and the best possible care for your pet. We apologize sincerelyfor any misunderstanding and invite you to contact our practice manager so we may address your concerns." The idea is to show you are the voice of reason, the adult in the room. Keep …
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Eight (more) management mistakes to avoidJanuary 3, 2020Rather than learning from experience and making mistakes yourself, studying other leaders’ and managers’ blunders can help save you time and energy.
How to prevent no-showsJanuary 3, 2020No one likes being stood up. Why not avoid this problem before it starts?
With great power, comes great responsibilityJanuary 2, 2020Steve Dale has a new job: Avenger. Not the Marvel comic book superheroes you’re familiar with, mind you. He saves the day by being a veterinary mythbuster.
Preventive care diagnostics: Benefiting patients while growing your practiceJanuary 2, 2020As veterinary medicine matures and the focus moves to the attentive monitoring of routine wellness appointments, we can catch and address more disease than previously before it is too late.
My controlled substances were stolen! Oh no!October 1, 2019Veterinary practices are often targets for theft, loss, or diversion of controlled substances. Recent statistics make it clear that complying with controlled substance regulations is essential to reducing your risk.
10 easy tricks to get more done todayJuly 16, 2019Overflowing summer appointments have you working through lunch… again. You go home exhausted and order your third pizza this week because you’re too tired to cook. Sound familiar?
Tips for improving medication compliance among cat ownersSeptember 28, 2018When dispensing medication for in-home treatment of feline patients, owner compliance is a concern due to the unique challenges of administering medication to cats, according to Kindred Biosciences Inc. "Cats have natural behaviors that may make medication administration challenging, and this can be complicated in ill cats that are also anorexic, nauseated, or vomiting," said Christina Fernandez, DVM, MRCVS, DACVECC, professional services veterinarian with Kindred. "Palatability is also a huge factor, and most cats are finicky when it comes to food." To improve compliance, Dr. Fernandez shares five tips veterinarians can focus on: Communication Written information Frequency of veterinary visits Veterinarian continuity Selection of medications Communication is essential, said Fernandez. Veterinarians or veterinary nurses can demonstrate to cat owners how to administer a medication while still in the office. This helps avoid complications and promotes active discussion with the client. If possible, written instructions can be provided. "Follow-up calls from the veterinary clinic staff can help increase owner compliance," said Fernandez. "This can facilitate identification of issues to be addressed with the clinical state of the patient and concerns with the treatment plan while offering an opportunity to set up a follow-up appointment if one isn't already on the books." …
WSAVA releases first global guidelines for companion animal practitionersSeptember 26, 2018The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is highlighting the key role of veterinarians as animal welfare advocates with the launch of its Animal Welfare Global Guidelines for Companion Animal Practitioners and the Veterinary Team. The guidelines, introduced during WSAVA World Congress 2018 in Singapore, aim to bridge differing perceptions of welfare around the world and help veterinarians to tackle the ethical questions and moral issues that impact welfare. They offer guidance to ensure that veterinarians can advocate for animals' psychological, social, and environmental well-being. WSAVA currently offers Global Guidelines in key areas of veterinary practice, including pain management, vaccination, nutrition, and dentistry. "As veterinarians, our responsibility extends far beyond the physical health of our patients," said Shane Ryan, BVSc, MVC, CVA, MRCVS, incoming president of WSAVA and former chair of the WSAVA Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee. "Animal welfare as a science is a new and rapidly developing discipline and veterinarians need current, evidence-based information to enable them to maintain the highest welfare standards and to provide knowledgeable, accurate advice for pet owners and communities. "Our new guidelines provide recommendations, checklists, and other tools to promote optimal levels of welfare throughout the veterinary visit. They also offer guidance …
NAVTA announces diagnostic imaging as 16th specialty for vet techsSeptember 14, 2018The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) has announced a 16th specialty academy for veterinary technicians, the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Diagnostic Imaging (AVTDI). The AVTDI comprises veterinary technicians who wish to perform higher-level diagnostic imaging, including digital radiography, fluoroscopic special procedures, CT, MRI, ultrasonography, and nuclear imaging. The organizing committee for the AVTDI worked diligently to meet the NAVTA Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties (CVTS) standards for the association's specialty recognition, according to Ed Carlson, interim chair of the CVTS. The AVDTI joins the existing 15 NAVTA-recognized veterinary technician specialties: dentistry, anesthesia, internal medicine, emergency and critical care, equine nursing, zoological medicine, surgery, behavior, clinical practice, nutrition, clinical pathology, dermatology, ophthalmology, laboratory animal medicine, and physical rehabilitation. The NAVTA CVTS, formed in 1994, provides guidelines to veterinary technician organizations to form specialties and assists the existing academies. Academies develop pathways and advanced standards that candidates must complete and maintain in order to be awarded the designation of veterinary technician specialist in a specific discipline.
