Status Board

We write patients’ names and the reasons they are visiting the clinic on a large, color-coded, dry-erase board that hangs in our treatment area. Black print indicates surgical patients, green indicates hospitalized patients, and blue indicates patients that have been dropped off for the day for minor procedures or tests. When a procedure or test is completed, we place a red check mark next to it. This helps to keep track of the patients, ensure that everything is completed properly, and ensure that the proper charges are applied to the bill.

Kate Kieffer, CVT
Galena, IL

  Urine Collection

Collecting urine is always a challenge for clients and our staff, but we found that empty, plastic Lean Cuisine pans that are clean and dry make great receptacles for urine collection. Several of our staff members eat Lean Cuisine meals regularly, so we always have a good supply of the pans, and we give them to clients who are having trouble collecting urine.

Companion Animal Hospital
Traverse City, MI

Patient Pictures

In our reception area, we have a bulletin board to which we attach cards and photos that our clients have sent us. This way, we can share pictures of our patients with everyone.

The staff at Bayside Animal Hospital
Cambridge, MD

Handling Fractious Cats

For fractious cats that need subcutaneous fluids, we use a towel with a hole cut out of the middle. This allows us to wrap the cat to help protect it and the technician, but we still have access to the cat’s shoulder area to administer fluids.

Nichcole Winters, LVT, and Kathy Berndt, LVT
Saratoga Springs, NY

Patient Warmers

To keep small patients warm during anesthetic procedures, we warm expired 1-L fluid bags in a microwave oven or in warm water. (Make sure the bags don’t get too hot, and don’t forget to add food coloring to the fluid so that staff members know it has expired.) Then we cover the bags with fuzzy tube socks, which can be removed and washed after use with each patient.

Companion Animal Hospital
Traverse City, MI