Idea Exchange: At the beep, please check on Fluffy

We found that sometimes in the middle of a busy day, those patients needing their temperature, pulse, and respiratory rates or another type of assessment were accidentally being overlooked, so we put a digital timer on each cage in the treatment room and on the cages of boarding animals when needed. Now, the doctors mark the daily orders on the intensive care unit sheets, and the technicians initially set the timers and reset them after completing a check or medication administration. If all treatment room personnel are busy when a timer beeps, front desk and kennel staff members reset the timer and leave a note on the cage stating when the timer beeped. So far, we've had great results!

Dr. Eileen R. Adamo

Penfield, N.Y.