Analyzing Case Study

Creature Care Animal Clinic

It has been three years since Dr.Julia Barr opened Creature Care Animal Clinic, a suburban veterinary clinic. Dr.Barr thought that by now she would be enjoying having her own practice. She had spent many years in college and worked to save money in order to start a business. Instead, she felt overwhelmed by the business problems that were facing the clinic. She thought to herself: "I don't produce anything. I just provide a service doing something I enjoy. How can this be so complicated?"

Company Background

Dr. Barr opened Creature Care Animal Clinic as a veterinary clinic specializing in the care of dogs and cats. The clinic was set to operate Monday through Friday during regular business hours, with half days on Saturday and extender hours on Wednesday evening. Dr.Barr hired another full-time veterinarian, Dr. Genne Yen, a staff of three nurses, an office manager, and an office assistant. Both doctors were to work during the week and rotate the shift for Wednesday evenings and Saturdays. A similar schedule was set up for the nurses. The office manager worked during regular business hours, and the assistant worked on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays. Dr. BArr set up this schedule based on a clinic she had observed as a resident and thought it sounded reasonable.

Since the clinic was small, Dr. Barr did not have a formal system of inventory management. All physicians and nurses were allowed to place purchase orders based on need. Initially, this system worked well, but after a few months problems started developing. Frequently, there was an excess inventory of certain items, and in many cases, there were multiple brands of the same product. Sometimes medications passed their expiration dates and had to be thrown away. At the same time, the clinic often unexpectedly ran out of stock of certain supplies and rush orders had to be placed. On one occasion, the clinic ran so low on bandages that the assistant had to be sent to the local drugstore.

Dr. Bardd continued to rotate with Dr. Yen for coverage on Saturdays and Wednesday evenings. However, demand was increasing so rapidly on Saturdays that one doctor was not enough to provide needed coverage. Also, the Friday afternoon schedule was usually so packed that the staff frequently had to stay late in the evening. At the same time, there was little demand on Wednesday evenings and Dr. Barr found herself working on paperwork on those evenings, while the nurse and office assistant performed menial office tasks.

Examine the case thoroughly. Take notes and highlight the key problems.

Analyze and identify the major problem and at least 3 minor problems

Examine the cause-and-effect relations

Formulate possible solutions to the problem.

To analyze the case use the format as follows:

Executive Summary

Time Context

Point of view

Statement of the problem

Statement of the objectives

Areas of Consideration (SWOT)

Alternative Courses of Action (ACA)

Conclusion

Recommendation

Attachment (if any)