Veterinary Medicine - May 2008 - (Page 247) Idea Exchange tips from the trenches Shoebox greetings at the veterinary clinic A big challenge at our busy hospital is keeping everyone up-to-date on hospital changes. To help, we recently purchased an inexpensive, sturdy shoe organizer to serve as an employee mailbox station. Now we use the mailboxes for distributing everything from paychecks to staff meeting announcements, inventory updates, and information on pricing changes. Dr. Amanda Thomas Billings, Mont. The many uses of aloe vera gel Widely available for sunburn, 99% aloe vera gel can be used to fill a laceration defect before clipping. It keeps hair and debris out of the wound, and it may aid healing. Aloe vera gel can also be used to moisten a crusty hot spot before clipping. The soothing gel makes clipping the area less painful. Finally, I also use the gel to clean limbs after splint removal. Dr. Ann M. Hamilton Bakersfield, Calif. Be prepared with premade flush syringes As a third-year veterinary student, I have a rotation at a different veterinary facility every two weeks. On top of gaining veterinary experience, I have gathered some practical tips. One hospital has premade flush syringes—3-ml syringes with 22-ga needles filled with heparin or saline solution—for use in catheters. So no one is confused, each syringe is labeled F at the round end of the plunger. The flush syringes are stored in shallow baskets placed in several convenient locations. The premade flush syringes help ensure you don’t forget to pull up some flush when you place catheters, and they make the process of placing catheters much faster. Darlene O. Sanchez, Class of 2009 Pomona, Calif. Show and tell when explaining drug tapering Our explanation of tapering schedules for glucocorticoids often confused our clients. So now we send clients home with customized calendars that have boxes clients can check as they administer the medication. Clients are appreciative. Dr. Patricia Burbano Lockhart, Texas
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