I can’t believe that it’s already the end of December– only a few days until the end of the year!

In years past around this time, I used to eagerly await the Holidays, but my mind would be distracted with planning and scheming up goals and action steps for the new year. This year is different. I want to enjoy 2018 just a little bit longer.

It has been so fun for both my business journey and family life. A whole lotta work, but a whole lotta fun.

So in an effort to rest and reflect on just how far I’ve come in 2018, I sat down to write out my 2018 Business in Review! It is a long one, but there are a lot of juicy details and tips to take you into 2019!

In January, I started off the year with a bang with the release of the Controlled Substance Guide & Log Book. Since it’s release, I’ve sold hundreds of copies and (almost) all 50 states.

After using (and hating) different log books throughout my career I wanted to create my own that was easy to use and easy to reconcile. It’s been changing the game ever since. Inventory managers and veterinary professionals have been thrilled with the ease of use and have given such glowing reviews.

Because of its helpfulness, I’ve expanded the line to include the Mini Controlled Substance Log, the PDF Controlled Substance Guide, plus more!

As the war wages on against the opioid crisis in the United States, Controlled Substances in veterinary practices are getting placed under the microscope. The laws are changing rapidly (hello, prescription monitoring programs!), so going into 2019 it will be imperative to check with your local DEA office and state Pharmacy Board about current regulations.

One of the challenging aspects of DEA guidelines is they are fairly general and leave much open to interpretation. The downside of this is the interpretation is based on how the particular DEA agent interprets those regulations.

For example, the DEA states that Class II and Class III-V controlled substance logs must be separate. But, what does that exactly mean? Different Excel files? Different Excel sheets? Separate pages? Separate binders? Many states will make this distinction more clear, shown by the California Veterinary Medical Association who states, “All Schedule II controlled substance dispensation information should be separate and distinct from other schedules. Schedules III–V may be grouped together. Effective separation of Schedule II records can be achieved through the use of a separate binder or distinct tabulated sections within one binder (i.e. binder divider tabs).”

As the DEA will focus more on veterinary practices to ensure their compliance, it will be important to ensure your clinics are in compliance. Your local offices are a great resource for this!

In the Fall, I toured the Georgia Aquarium and saw the whale sharks, the surgical and treatment areas for the marine animals, and more!

In 2018, content was Queen! I got requests for some great topics and there were quite a few that received tons of love.

Here are your favorite articles this year:

• The Veterinarians Guide to Inventory Management
• Using the Inventory Module in AviMark
• The Inventory Manager’s Guide to Prescription Diets
• My Favorite Storage Solutions

Your favorite Veterinary Care Logistics products where:

1. The Controlled Substance Guide & Log Book
2. Count Me In(ventory) online course

and at a close third, the Inventory Management Policy & Procedure Manual

This year, I traveled like never before! I was able to help SO many hospitals this year, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to put inventory systems in place, get practice management systems under control, and provide training that so many inventory managers desperately deserve and need!

Are you ready for this? In 2018, I had over 40 consulting clients in 25 states! Whhhattttt? It just fills my heart with gratitude knowing how many clients finally were able to feel a sense of relief, the light at the end of the tunnel, and be able to rock their inventory.

With that being said, the first part of 2019 is already filling up very fast for me. If you are interested in inventory training or a complete overhaul, now is the time!! Schedule time on my calendar to see exactly how your inventory and hospital could benefit, or check out the different training and consulting options I offer.

As an alternative to on-site consulting, I released a self-paced, online course (that’s RACE certified for 5 CE hours!) called Count Me In(ventory)! It was named by one of our amazing members of the Facebook Veterinary Inventory Management Group.

This course has 3 modules that details 1) how to get your practice management system under control, 2) how to set up and create an inventory system, and 3) the entire foundation of inventory management.

You can learn the exact system I’ve used to help practices across the nation. Check it out for yourself and finally get the training you need and deserve.