The field of veterinary medicine is experiencing advancements in new technologies as well as improvements in more established ones. These technologies have made veterinary practices more efficient, and they’ve improved client relationships and patient care. Here are some key technologies that veterinary practices can adopt to enhance their operations and free up staff to focus on quality care.
Practice Information Management Systems (PIMS)
Also known as veterinary practice management software, PIMS is the backbone of a modern veterinary practice. These systems help manage patient records, appointments, billing, and inventory. PIMS streamlines administrative tasks, boosts operational efficiency and revenue, reduces paperwork and manual data entry, and improves patient outcomes and client satisfaction. All of this allows veterinary staff to spend more time on patient care and client interactions. With PIMS, practices can easily access patient history, medical records, and treatment plans, ensuring a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to healthcare.
Telehealth
Implementing telehealth technology allows veterinarians to consult with clients remotely, reducing the need for in-person visits. This not only makes veterinary care more accessible but also helps with triage and follow-up consultations. Telehealth can be especially valuable for clients in remote areas and for follow-up discussions, improving client engagement and satisfaction. Usable telehealth tools include email, text messaging, and video call applications as well as more sophisticated telehealth software options or platforms.
When practices provide telehealth services, they are able to charge for their time and expertise while retaining clients that might otherwise have turned to direct-to-consumer telehealth companies for the sake of convenience.
Online Scheduling
Online scheduling systems simplify the appointment booking process by offering a user-friendly platform that allows clients to book appointments at their convenience. This has the added benefit of reducing phone calls and administrative tasks. Additionally, some online scheduling systems have a waitlist option to backfill last-minute cancellations by immediately alerting the first person on the list via email or SMS message. This not only boosts efficiency but also improves the client experience by providing a seamless booking process.
Practice-Linked Online Pharmacies
Online pharmacies ensure that clients have easy access to prescribed medications and products, while also allowing the practice to monitor and manage inventory more efficiently. Clients benefit from the convenience of having their pet’s medication delivered to their doors, while practices can generate additional revenue.
Social Media and Marketing
Social media platforms provide an effective way for veterinary practices to engage with clients and the community. Successful social media marketing helps practices build their brand, share educational content, and connect with clients on a more personal level. Regular updates on social media can also keep clients informed about special offers, events, and important pet health information.
Consistent engagement is key when it comes to success on social media, but if this seems like a daunting task, consider using a social media management platform. Through these platforms, you can schedule posts ahead of time on the networks of your choice. Most of these platforms also offer trend monitoring and insights so you can assess the reach and impact of your social media account.
Controlled Drug Management
Tracking controlled substances is required to adhere to Drug Enforcement Administration and state reporting requirements. This has been done traditionally with paper-based logs, which are prone to a variety of flaws, such as gaps in entries or getting misplaced. By implementing controlled drug management systems, practices can streamline this workflow while maintaining strict compliance with regulations and tracking the use of controlled substances. These systems reduce the risk of diversion and ensure that these drugs are only administered when necessary. This not only enhances legal compliance but also safeguards patient well-being.
AI for Routine Tasks
Artificial intelligence can be a game-changer for practices. AI-driven software can automate and streamline repetitive and time-consuming tasks, such as appointment reminders, billing, record-keeping, and refilling prescriptions. This frees up staff to focus on more critical aspects of patient care and client interactions. Keep in mind that team members will still need to review and confirm the accuracy of responses generated by AI.
AI for Diagnosis
AI is being increasingly used to aid in the diagnosis of medical conditions in pets. Machine learning technology can analyze medical images, lab results, and patient history to provide more accurate and timely diagnoses. This technology can result in better patient outcomes by enhancing diagnostic precision and expediting treatment processes.
Digital Radiography
Implementing and maintaining digital equipment can be costly, but compared to traditional film-based radiography, digital systems offer faster results, lower radiation exposure to both patients and staff, and the ability to easily share and store images. Digital radiography not only improves diagnostic accuracy but also enhances client communication by allowing them to view and discuss their pet’s X-rays with the veterinarian.
Veterinary practices that embrace the above technological innovations are not only putting themselves in advantageous positions among competitors, they are providing the best possible care to patients while maintaining strong client relationships.
