3 Reasons Why You Should Pay Attention to Your Controlled Substances Management
Please enjoy this guest article written and provided by our friends at VetSnap.
Veterinary medicine thrives on the symphony of purrs, barks, and the reassuring hum of diagnostic equipment. But amidst this comforting chorus lurks a potential threat – uncontrolled chaos in your controlled substances management.
From routine surgeries to life-saving medical interventions, or even helping our beloved pets peacefully cross the rainbow bridge, many critical procedures rely on controlled substances. However, failing to prioritize proper recordkeeping and security can lead to a loss of your DEA license, jeopardizing your practice and the well-being of your animal companions.
So, here are three reasons why you should pay close attention to your controlled substances management – it’s not just about ticking a box, it’s about protecting your practice, your patients, and your community.
1. Avoid an Audit Avalanche: Compliance is Key to Keeping Your Doors Open
Obtaining a DEA license, a prerequisite for any veterinary practice dispensing or administering controlled substances, comes with strict guidelines that must be followed. The prospect of a surprise DEA inspection can be a source of anxiety for many in the veterinary field. If you’re like many veterinary professionals I know you look for the closest wood to knock on anytime anyone mentions the words ‘DEA’ and ‘Audit’.
Controlled substances, when properly managed, are a veterinarian’s loyal companion in providing care. However, failing to comply with DEA regulations puts a strained leash on this vital resource, potentially leading to its loss. Strict guidelines govern everything from secure storage to meticulous recordkeeping, with hefty fines (starting at over $15,000 per infraction) and even criminal charges as potential consequences of non-compliance. The worst-case scenario? Losing your DEA license and being forced to close your practice. This wouldn’t just impact your livelihood, it would mean no longer being there for your beloved patients.
By prioritizing compliance, you can avoid the stress of a surprise inspection, the financial burden of hefty fines, and, most importantly, the potential of not being there for your patients when they need you most.
2. Guardians Against Opioid Abuse: Your Role in the Bigger Picture
The impact of a veterinary practice extends far beyond the exam room. The controlled substances you prescribe play a crucial role in the national conversation surrounding opioid abuse. These medications, essential for animal well-being, can unfortunately be diverted for human consumption, fueling the opioid epidemic. Every discrepancy in recordkeeping, every missing dose, creates a potential entry point for these medications to enter the wrong hands.
The demanding nature of veterinary medicine, often leading to compassion fatigue, combined with ready access to controlled substances at work, necessitates a strong emphasis on proper controlled drug management. By prioritizing meticulous recordkeeping, secure storage, and responsible prescribing practices, you’re not just protecting your animal patients and the community; you’re also helping to ensure the safety of yourselves, your coworkers, and your friends.
3. Streamlining Efficiency: Less Waste, More Profit
Ever feel like you’re drowning in paperwork while trying to manage your veterinary practice? Don’t let controlled substances become an administrative burden! A well-organized system can actually boost your bottom line. Imagine the lost time spent searching for misplaced medications, the staff burnout from hours spent trying to reconcile neglected logbooks, or the financial hit from missed charges of revenue literally walking out the front door. Disorganized controlled substances management leads to wasted resources and missed billing opportunities.
However, implementing a system that prioritizes both organization and compliance can transform this into a benefit. Reduced waste from expired medications, improved billing accuracy for dispensed controlled substances, and a streamlined workflow that saves time all contribute to a healthier practice financially. Think of it as an investment – by minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency, you free up time and resources to focus on what matters most, your animal patients and the practice you love!
Achieve More with VetSnap and Shepherd
As we’ve seen, prioritizing controlled substances management isn’t just about compliance – it’s about protecting your practice, patients, staff, and community. It fosters trust, streamlines workflow, and safeguards valuable resources. But achieving these goals doesn’t have to be a burden!
VetSnap, a DEA compliant digital controlled drug logging software, simplifies recordkeeping, automates tasks, and is a digital compliance partner for your practice. Plus, VetSnap integrates seamlessly with Shepherd, making record-keeping a breeze. VetSnap double-checks your logbook against your Shepherd invoices for errors each night and creates logs in seconds thanks to auto-populating patient/client info from your Shepherd account. Focus on what matters most – your patients – and let VetSnap and Shepherd work together to handle the rest.
Fetch a Demo today to learn more about how VetSnap & Shepherd are a perfect partnership for your controlled drug record-keeping!
