Bottlenecks, roadblocks, and constraints in vetmed operations can limit growth and disrupt patient care. In this episode, Nicole covers what they are, the negative impact, a few examples of common constraints, along with some tips on how to optimize around the problem.

• A roadblock, bottleneck, or constraint is anything that restricts something in the operation.
• Quantity of exam rooms, spaces in a parking lot, staff, etc. are all resources that can be a constraint.
• Any process in your operation can be a bottleneck or resource problem.
• Identify the bottleneck and work on optimizing that part of the process or resource so that it is no longer the bottleneck.
• Be sure to search for the root cause of the problem. Ask why until you get to the root cause.
• Paper charts can be a bottleneck.
• Old x-ray processes can be a bottleneck.
• Inadequately staffed front desk can cause constraints and ultimately loss of revenue.
• In-house labs and diagnostics are a common constraint.
• The veterinarian is often the rate limiter. They shouldn’t be doing anything that another care team member could do.
• Join the conversation at the Veterinary Inventory Strategy Network. It’s free to join.

Hi, I’m Nicole Clausen and I started Veterinary Care Logistics with the dream of changing the way we manage inventory together.

With 14+ years of experience in the veterinary industry, I have worked in several positions from receptionist to operations manager for several different hospitals.

While no two practices are ever just alike, I noticed one common problem: a lack of inventory management and control.

If you are tasked with managing inventory, I understand first-hand the challenges you face.

When I first started managing inventory, I struggled with the same things that many of my client’s experience: a to-do list up my chin and a pretty persistent case of imposter syndrome. But jolting awake in the middle of the night, wondering if you remembered to order rabies vaccines is no way to live.

I knew something had to change.

Veterinary Care Logistics was born out of the demand by several industry leaders to utilize my inventory system as a model throughout the country. Whenever I tell people what I do, I usually get a puzzled reaction: “Why would you want to do that? I hate inventory!” Truthfully, I love the puzzles, the numbers, and the strategies of inventory. But what really sets my soul on fire is creating lightbulb moments.

New clients who often come to me tell me that they feel like they’re drowning or that they think they’re just not cut out for this. Then once we start working together, putting systems in place, there’s always, always an “ah-ha” moment.

And at that moment, a shift occurs. You know exactly what you need to do. Your confidence rises. And the confusion, overwhelm, worry all begin to melt away like a bad, backordered-rabies-vaccine dream.

These are the moments I live for.

• VISN: https://www.veterinaryisn.com/
• Inventory Ally – Inventory Management Software: https://inventoryally.com/
• Free Resources: www.vetlogic.co/education