Learn From Their Mistakes:  TITAN Case Analysis Is A Wakeup Call to Veterinary Practices

When it comes to DEA compliance, your peers are blowing it. Learning from their mistakes could save your practice, protect your license, and reduce the chances of failing your next DEA inspection. That’s the message in the latest data review from The TITAN Group, the veterinary industry’s leading DEA compliance firm. 

In a retrospective analysis of 47 veterinary clinics across the United States that called TITAN for help, a spectrum of deficiencies ranging from registration glitches to recordkeeping disasters were identified and resolved. The results were pretty startling: almost 100 percent of the practices that called in TITAN had multiple, significant violations (some as many as 25) that would have cost them civil fines ranging from around $15,000 to a high of nearly $400,000 if investigated by DEA.

“Veterinarians must recognize how DEA compliance and broader practice management connect. From inventory management to security protocols, compliance with DEA regulations permeates every facet of veterinary operations,” said Jack Teitelman, CEO of Titan Group. “A culture of regulatory compliance melds nicely with operational efficiency, risk reduction, and contributes to an office culture of professionalism.”

TITAN reviewed its cases and put violations uncovered by their investigative teams into six issue categories that DEA typically focuses on during inspections: 

• Registration (e.g., up to date, correct information)
• Inventory (e.g., having a complete and accurate biennial inventory)
• Recordkeeping (e.g., having readily retrievable required records, having complete and accurate records)
• Security (e.g., alarms, controlled substance storage security)
• Controlled substance disposal (e.g., legally compliant processes, proper documentation
• Theft/loss (e.g., timely and accurate reporting of controlled substance thefts and losses, not using theft/loss reporting to correct inventory counts). 

A staggering 94% of the analyzed practices were flagged for deficiencies in overall recordkeeping—a fundamental element of regulatory compliance. Inventory and security issues followed, with a striking 72% of clinics failing in both categories. The analysis revealed that 40% of clinics fell short in complying with controlled substance disposal regulations, while 26% of practices faced inspection failures due to deficiencies in theft or loss reporting procedures. Even something as simple as the DEA registration itself led to violations for 4% of the clients. 

The average potential fine looming over these practices stood at a substantial $96,713—an eye-opening figure highlighting the financial pain of non-compliance with DEA regulations. They were also vulnerable to administrative actions by DEA ranging from letters of admonition all the way to requests to surrender the DEA registration itself. 

Worried about your practice’s vulnerabilities? Seeking expert guidance? TITAN Group offers comprehensive DEA compliance consulting services to help mitigate these vulnerabilities. 

Contact TITAN Group today to safeguard your practice and enhance your compliance strategy.