How (In)competent Are You?November 1, 2009Some vets are constantly questioning themselves--not because they lack confidence, but rather because they wonder how they could have done better. Are you confident in your diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities? Here is an interesting way to look at competence: There are four stages in every endeavor, whether you are doing a laparotomy, learning photography, perfecting your golf swing or landing a plane on the Hudson River. They are: Unconscious incompetence Conscious incompetence Conscious competence Unconscious competence. …
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Is Losing A Patient Worth $1.77?October 1, 2009I recently had a skin biopsy performed by a dermatologist. When the results came in, I asked the receptionist to kindly send me a copy of the biopsy report. "Are you aware of the $1.77 fee?" she asked. After I fell off my chair, I managed to ask why there is a fee. And why $1.77? She didn't have a good answer. She just works there. I considered never going back ever again. But I …
Welcome To "Cutting Edge"October 1, 2009Welcome to "Cutting Edge," a blog provided twice a month by Veterinary Practice News and yours truly. The blog will appear on the first and third Mondays of each month, and will deal with a variety of veterinary life topics--surgical or not, scientific or philosophical, deeply profound (let's even say earth-shattering) or ever-so-slightly impertinent. We will explore surgical principles, new products and emerging concepts, current techniques, oncology, anesthesia and pain management, relevant articles and recent …
Beware The Silver Bullet Solution To Pet Health Insurance ReimbursementAugust 21, 2009 As a practicing veterinarian, an original board member of the country’s oldest (27 years) and largest provider of pet health insurance, Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (VPI), and current member of VPI’s external Veterinary Advisory Board, I believe I have a unique perspective on the pet health insurance industry. As such, I think Dr. Jack Stephens’ article “80% Reimbursement: A Straightforward Model for Pet Health Insurance” needs some clarification and comment. Dr. Stephens …
Planning Is Pivotal To Tax Season SanityAugust 21, 2009 Veterinarians not investing in a practice overhaul need to dig deeper to find deductions and loopholes this tax season. Smart tax planning is key in optimizing an annual return and starts by finding a certified CPA with industry experience. A CPA will help veterinarians avoid an audit and maximize the benefits of state and federal tax laws. A professional accountant who understands the ins and outs of the profession can provide a check-off …
8 Tips For Treating Oral TumorsAugust 20, 2009 Oral tumors account for 6 percent of all neoplasia in dogs1 and 10 percent of all neoplasia in cats.2 The practitioner and staff in general practice are on the frontline of diagnosis of oral tumors, and early detection is imperative. Here are eight tips for treating oral tumors in your practice, from initial presentation to definitive treatment. Click …
A Rash Of Reasons To Investigate Itching And TreatmentsJuly 24, 2009 Most dermatological issues that make their way to veterinary offices present when the pet’s incessant itching spurs the owner into action. According to veterinary dermatologists, about 25 percent of general practices’ cases are skin-based and 10 percent of those cases are allergy-related. Sunburn on the muzzle and around the eyes. Itchy dogs and cats referred to specialists’ care tend to be lifelong derm patients and are controlled rather than cured, …
How To Avoid Tracheal TearsJuly 24, 2009 A review1 of tracheal rupture in 20 cats is very helpful to better understand and prevent this unfortunate iatrogenic complication. Intubation of a patient and insufflation of the cuff of the endotracheal tube are not risk-free procedures. Clinical signs can occur within a few hours to a few days. Classic signs include subcutaneous emphysema (100 percent), dyspnea (30 percent) and respiratory stridor (15 percent). Thoracic radiographs always reveal subcutaneous emphysema in …
Practitioners Should Consider Professional And Personal Insurance NeedsJune 29, 2009 Veterinary practitioners may well prefer handling unruly animals to handling their own insurance. But insurance smarts are as crucial to sustaining a successful practice as is knowledge of animal diseases and vaccines. Purchasing veterinary insurance is “all about planning for the unknown or planning for surprises,” says Thomas McFerson, a partner with Gatto McFerson, CPAs, a veterinary consulting firm in Santa Monica, Calif. Such surprises might include: Losses to buildings, business vehicles …
Respect And Accept: A Look At Grief With The Veterinary ClientJune 22, 2009 Death and dying are uncomfortable subjects. For some, it stirs up painful memories of past losses. For others, it is a reminder of our mortality or the mortality of those we love. As we tend to the animals in our care, we will lose patients to death despite our best efforts. Often at these times, we are exposed to the emotions of the families who have loved them. For some, there are dramatic outbursts; …
