Is your practice ready for the return?

Published:9 June,2020

Although it is true that veterinary practices and services have not closed completely, it is also true that many of the non-essential activities have been restricted, which has meant a drastic decrease in the services offered by the professionals and in the flow of patients and owners of pets in the clinics.

 This has also meant implementing new security standards, and therefore investing in them, while revenue has decreased.The return to normality will involve good planning and some creativity to overcome the crisis it is generating. Have you thought about what you are going to do?Whatever your answer, here are some tips. 
  • Keep your staff and clients safe.

Both during the period of confinement and in the return to normality, it is important to maintain sanitary safety standards*. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) have posted on their websites some important guidelines that can be followed to guarantee the health of both clinic staff and visitors*. 
  • Answer your customers’ questions and ensure safety.

One of the big questions that have been generated during this period is the possibility of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between animals and humans. The OIE has updated the information in its Questions and Answers section on COVID-19, in which it states that “there is a possibility for certain animal species to become infected through close contact with infected humans.”Veterinarians, as responsible for public health, must always be informed in this regard and inform their clients. For this reason, it is important to follow the information that the official agencies constantly publish on their communication channels *. 
  • Keep equipment and materials clean and disinfected.

Even though we are not completely sure that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted between animals, you must always keep your equipment and materials clean and disinfected and especially between one patient and another.Using the correct disinfection products and following cleaning protocols is the most important thing to keep in mind to ensure good disinfection*.Are you an INDIBA Animal Health user? In the specific case of INDIBA equipment and its accessories, you have at your disposal the Increased safety protocol: Cleaning and disinfecting of electrodes (neutral and active) where you will find all the information necessary to clean your electrodes safely and effectively. In addition, you can see whenever you need the Webinar dedicated to this information. 
  •  Make a financial improvement plan.

This is one of the most relevant and worrying points of the effects of COVID-19. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, veterinary clinics have kept their services operational, albeit to a minimum. How can I generate more income when I return to normal and thus recover my losses?In an interview from the Spanish journal Diario Veterinario to José Luis Villaluenga, Spanish specialist in business management and marketing for veterinary practices “Rentabilidad Veterinaria” (Veterinary Profitability), 5 steps are proposed to cope with the crisis within the veterinary sector. One of the steps is the inclusion of a new service or product in the clinic. And he stresses that “the new service or product must solve a need, has to be simple and effective, helps to improve results and is differential and provides value”.In our next article we will tell you how INDIBA Animal Health can be that differential service for your clinic.  

¿Want to try INDIBA Animal Health in your own practice?

Speake to a Product Expert *Always consult your local sanitary authorities for specific regulation and guidelines in your country.
Sources consulted:
AVMA – GuidelinesBVA – GuidelinesDiario Veterinario – Plan de contingencia para hacer crecer la clínica veterinaria en esta crisis  
Official international resources of sanitary information:
OIE – Questions and Answers on COVID-19CDC – Guidance for Veterinarians