Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Practice Management Consult, Second Edition has been extensively updated and expanded, with 55 new topics covering subjects such as online technologies, hospice care, mobile practices, compassion fatigue, practice profitability, and more. Carefully formatted using the popular Five-Minute Veterinary Consult style, the book offers fast access to authoritative information on all aspects of practice management. This Second Edition is an essential tool for running a practice, increasing revenue, and managing staff in today’s veterinary practice.

Addressing topics ranging from client communication and management to legal issues, financial management, and human resources, the book is an invaluable resource for business management advice applicable to veterinary practice. Sample forms and further resources are now available on a companion website. Veterinarians and practice managers alike will find this book a comprehensive yet user-friendly guide for success in today’s challenging business environment.

Editor-in-Chief and Consulting Editors xv

Contributors xvi

Preface xx

About the Companion Website xxi

Section 1

Marketplace 1

Section 2

Client Relationship Management 59

Section 3

Communications 113

Section 4

Financial Management 165

Section 5

Cash Management 219

Section 6

Human Resources 271

Section 7

Marketing Management 333

Section 8

Operations Management 379

Section 9

Technology Management 429

Section 10

Administrative Management 483

Section 11

Practice Safety 537

Section 12

Legal Issues 571

Section 13

Planning and Decision Making 617

Section 14

Facility Management, Design, and Construction 675

Section 15

Appendices 727

Abbreviations 743

Glossary 747

Index 777

Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, is a board-certified veterinary specialist, an award-winning author, an international lecturer, and a renowned expert in veterinary practice management.