Keeping an Inpatient Log

In our treatment area, we use a binder for an inpatient log. We keep the binder open on the counter so that we can always see which patients are in the clinic and which treatments and surgeries need to be performed. The top page is for surgery only and includes a column for anesthesia drugs, where we write down all the drugs used. Then we transfer the information to our controlled substance accountability logs and the patients’ charts using an anesthesia information sticker. To ensure this is done, we highlight the recorded drugs with a marker. If our balances are off in the log, we can double-check the amounts given or that we highlighted everything. The bottom page lists nonsurgical treatments for hospitalized patients.
Joan Vanselow, CVT
Appleton, Wisconsin

Bathing Exotic Animals

We see a lot of exotic animals, especially pocket pets from local pet stores. When we have to bathe medium-sized rodents such as guinea pigs, we add about an inch of water to the bottom of a large bucket or basin and put the animal in to soak. We use small sponges to completely soak the fur, then we remove the animal, dump the water, and put the animal back in the bucket to soap it. If the shampoo needs to be left on the animal for a period of time, the animal must be supervised to ensure that it doesn’t lick the soap or injure itself. Then the animal can be rinsed under the faucet.
Amanda Waldon
North Madison Animal Hospital
Jackson, Tennessee

Lining Kennels and Being “Green”

One way we recycle is by using large sheets of packing paper from our supply orders to line the bottom of kennels. This reduces our use of newspaper and produces less waste.
Heather Riggs, BA, CVT
Broadview University—Orem
Orem, Utah