Business

Hiring a practice manager can boost productivity, staff satisfaction, and practice revenue. Just ask Dr. Gail Mason, MA, Dipl. ACVIM, co-owner of Bath-Brunswick Veterinary Associates in Brunswick, Maine. She and co-owner Dr. Mark Mason, MS, Dipl. ABVP, have saved 15 hours a week combined since they hired practice manager Perian Phillips seven years ago. Between the two specialists, the practice can schedule four additional 45-minute referral appointments per day.

“Kidney disease is the No. 1 disease I diagnose,” says Dr. Arnold Plotnick, DABVP, DACVIM, owner of Manhattan Cat Specialists in New York. “And cats with kidney disease that eat appropriate diets live longer.” The key, he says, is for clients to try each of the available diets until he or she finds one the pet will accept.

To get pets eating appropriate diets quickly, this doctor offers clients a sampler pack of the therapeutic diets he recommends for cats with kidney disease.

It's not smoke and mirrors, but glass and an efficient floor plan that make Animal Health Center at Weston, a 2,600-square-foot practice, seem larger than life.

"If your clinic stinks, clients may worry that your medical care stinks, too," says Mark Hafen, AIA, an architect with Animal Arts/Gates Hafen Cochrane in Boulder, Colo. "You can't prevent noise and odors from occurring, but you can prevent them from spreading." Hafen, a Veterinary Economics Editorial Advisory Board member, suggests that you:

Someone needs to call Mrs. Smith and tell her that her dog died during the night. It will be a touchy situation, as we expected him to do fine. I'm sure she is going to be shocked and distraught."

The conflict over who should develop an associate's client base runs deep. To find a solution, you'll need to discuss the issues openly, clarify your expectations, and find the middle ground.

Name the right beneficiary today, and save your heirs a big tax bill tomorrow

Dr. Bennett had been called to the phone. Janet Billings, DVM, was now alone in the pharmacy.

When you know what goals you really want to accomplish, the path to your dreams becomes clear. Here's how to harness the power of goal setting for your practice.

Ask yourself these questions to check the health of your office safe

I have a present for you, Mrs. Client. It's behind that door over there. And I know you are going to love it!

Dr. Robert Esplin's client knew the value of the canine blood bank when he rushed his dog to Sylvania Veterinary Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio. The twist: the dog being rushed to the hospital was called in to donate blood to another dog in need.

Before you can choose a consultant you need to know what you want them to do for your practice.

“Phone scripts help receptionists educate new clients before they enter the practice,” says Tracy Dowdy, CVPM, a consultant in Dallas. In her consulting work, Dowdy introduces phone scripts that emphasize the value of basic services into practices across the country.

Client surveys are limited to the extent that they only provide information on past performance.

Few pets miss their regular test or get behind on their medications at Lost Mountain Animal Hospital in Marietta, Ga. That's because office manager Debi Cook sends out reminders to clients to make appointments for procedures, tests, and medications, such as T4 levels and phenobarbital screens every six months, heartworm medication every year, and regular dentals.

In a city famous for its parties and rich with history, Metairie Small Animal Hospital fits right in. But don't let the grandeur fool you; practices of all sizes can apply the strategies that make this a terrific hospital.

Choosing your architect is one of the most important things you'll do when building or remodeling your practice. Your architect sets the pace for the project--and you'll have enough stress without suffering from communication problems with this key player. Here's what to do.

I had a dream last night, probably because of dinner I over-consumed as usual.

There is a new option available to every veterinarian, whether seeking health care insurance coverage for themselves and their families or affordable options for the employees of their practice.

Today it takes a winning team to run a successful practice.

As of this writing, milk prices have shown a desperately needed improvement from the dismal levels that prevailed for much of 2002 and 2003.

Missy answered the phone on the second ring.

The examination room can be a horridly stressful place. The stomach butterflies often begin before the veterinarian even walks in the door.

“I don't think we could practice medicine properly without the pumps,” says Dr. Robert Esplin, owner of Sylvania Veterinary Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio.

A job description is a listing of specific tasks to be done while an employee is on the job any given day.

Washington-The government might start paying off veterinary student loans to entice new graduates to work in underserved areas.

If students begin curbing all unhealthy spending habits while in school, academic leaders say they can trim the size of their pending student loan repayment substantially upon graduation.

This doctor showed flexibility when her plans for Northeast Cat & Dog Hospital hit roadblocks erected by city engineers. And her patience, careful planning, and faith led her to a facility she says is "perfect."