Managing a veterinary practice can be overwhelming. From attending to patients and their distressed owners to managing finances, countless tasks require attention to detail and quick response times.
That’s where technology saves the day.
One of the most valuable aids in a modern veterinary practice’s toolkit is a cloud-based task management software that streamlines operations and improves efficiency, freeing up valuable time and resources for delivering high-quality patient care and client service.
While you might already have systems that work for you, we’re willing to bet that things can be easier, faster, and most importantly, better for your bottom line.
Here’s how and why using veterinary cloud software can make your practice more successful.
What Is Cloud-Based Software?
A cloud-based veterinary practice management system is hosted and accessed entirely online, meaning all data and applications are stored remotely and can be securely accessed from anywhere using an internet-connected device.
On the other hand, traditional software requires complex installations, hardware upgrades, and ongoing maintenance, which can be time-consuming and costly. Manual data backups and updates also increase the risk of data loss or corruption. This can be particularly problematic for smaller or newer practices that may not have the resources or expertise to manage complex IT systems
Veterinary cloud software provides a modern, flexible, and convenient solution.
Benefits of Veterinary Cloud-Based Software
Increased Efficiency and Productivity Through Streamlined Workflows and Automation
Convenience and cost-efficiency of cloud-based task management software extend beyond the setup stage.
In fact, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. A good system is like having a superhero assistant who streamlines workflows and takes time-consuming tasks off your hands, freeing up your focus to give your patients your best.
For example, appointment scheduling and check-ins are notoriously time-consuming procedures, but veterinary cloud software simplifies them. It allows clients to schedule appointments online, while you and your staff can access all their relevant information from any device. No more endless phone calls, missed appointments, or paperwork. Everything is organized and smooth-running.
Speaking of paperwork, electronic medical records and treatment plans are a game-changer for practices that use cloud-based software. Rather than sifting through stacks of paper records or trying to decipher handwritten notes, clinic staff and doctors can quickly and easily find the information they need to make informed decisions about a patient’s care.
Other veterinary cloud software features that significantly improve efficiency and productivity include:
Prescription management and refill requests through electronic prescriptions and automatic reminders.
Inventory management and ordering through tracking and automatic reordering.
Reports and real-time data help practice owners and managers make informed decisions and identify areas for improvement.
Improved Patient Care and Client Experience Through Better Communication
At the heart of veterinary medicine is the relationship between patients, clients, and their healthcare providers —communication plays a critical role in building this trust and loyalty.
Unfortunately, old-school methods like phone calls, emails, and snail mail can be inefficient and prone to miscommunication. Veterinary cloud-based software tools enable practices to enhance their communication and create a seamless client experience without the hassle.
Tools such as online appointment scheduling and automatic reminders make it easy for clients to book appointments at their convenience, while reminders minimize missed appointments and ensure timely follow-ups.
Cloud-based task management software also allows you to send personalized messages and postcards to clients based on their pet’s health status or pet birthdays.
These personalized touches go a long way in making your clients feel valued and improving their satisfaction with your services.
Better Financial Performance
Accurate accounting is crucial for any business, but it can be tough to get it right. Mistakes in billing, slow payment processing, and inefficient financial reporting can eat into your profits and take up valuable time.
One of the key benefits of veterinary cloud software is that it streamlines and automates many financial tasks. For example, payment processing and collection can be a headache for veterinarians, but cloud software makes it a breeze. It allows you to offer clients many payment options, including online payments, making it easier for them to purchase your services and settle vet bills on time.
Financial reporting and analysis is also a critical tool as it keeps you informed on where your practice stands financially, helps you identify areas for improvement, and informs decisions that impact the long-term success of your practice.
Increased Data Security and Compliance
Traditional software and paper-based records can put sensitive patient data at risk due to theft, loss, or damage. Additionally, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires practices to protect clients’ confidential information and can result in significant penalties for violations.
Veterinary cloud software provides enhanced data security and ensures your practice stays compliant with these regulations. For example, Onward Vet’s robust security features ensure all data is stored in secure, remote servers that use advanced encryption and security protocols to safeguard against access breaches or cyber threats.
In addition, the data backup and recovery services of a cloud management system prevent the loss of valuable hospital or client information in case of any accidents.
You can rest easy knowing your management software maintains the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your practice’s data.
The Results Are Tangible
No doubt, cloud-based software will continue to transform the way veterinary clinics and hospitals operate. From streamlined workflows to automated processes, numerous practices have experienced tangible improvements in their efficiency, profitability, and client satisfaction after implementing veterinary cloud-based software.
But don’t just take our word for it, try it out for yourself. Schedule a free two-week trial of Onward Vet’s cloud-based task management software today and experience firsthand how our platform can take your practice to the next level.
Managing patient records and workflows is one of the biggest headaches for any veterinary hospital or hospital system. Veterinarians often struggle with different software, processes, and paper trails, which creates bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
Veterinary treatment flow sheets are a solution to this problem. By allowing easy access to information, practices can better manage their patients’ records and keep track of vital data.
But there’s more to veterinary electronic medical records than being a cloud-based storage system. Big or small, here’s why you should consider this technology for your practice.
The Benefits of Electronic Treatment Flowsheets
As mentioned, veterinary treatment flow sheets are an essential tool for numerous reasons:
Improved efficiency: Manual record-keeping is notoriously inefficient and prone to error. With real-time updates and easy accessibility, flowsheets enable you to update your patients’ records quickly.
Reduced errors: A centralized location for patient data reduces the risk of miscommunication or lost records. Also, standardized templates, alerts, and reminders ensure that critical information is not missed.
Improved patient care: Easy access to patient information means you can quickly identify and address any issues or changes in a patient’s condition. This leads to faster diagnosis and treatment and improved patient outcomes.
Streamlined information tracking: It’s harder to keep track of all patient records manually. For instance, a dog may be treated and receive a new file in an emergency, even if he’s visited at a prior time with the owner’s spouse. Veterinary treatment flow sheets also allow for improved communication between team members, ensuring that everyone is up-to-date on a patient’s status.
File safety: Fires, floods, mold, and natural disasters can destroy hospitals and their records if they are stored on-site. Cloud-based records prevent all of your patient files from being lost forever.
Digital record audits: With cloud-based veterinary software, you can easily track the performance of your workflows, your communications, and your task completion rates to eliminate any inefficiencies. You can also find missed billings, non-payments, and lost fees to boost your clinic’s revenue with little effort.
While it may seem reassuring to have all your client paperwork at your fingertips in a filing cabinet, these benefits far outweigh the old-school method of storing information.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Veterinary Treatment Flowsheets
Veterinary electronic medical records are an essential tool for modern veterinary medicine, but like all tools, they need to be used effectively to improve your hospital’s workflows.
Provide Staff Training
Ensure that all team members know how to use electronic treatment flowsheets effectively, including how to input and update data, access records, and use appropriate templates.
Flowsheets are only effective if they are kept up-to-date. Establish a system for reviewing patient records to ensure any changes to a patient’s condition, treatment plan, or medication regimen have been recorded.
Use the Data Collected
Veterinary practices can continuously improve their care and service to their patients by analyzing the wealth of data generated by their veterinary treatment flowsheets.
Switch to a Cloud-Based System
Veterinary treatment flowsheets can significantly improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance patient care.
Furthermore, a cloud-based system like Onward Vet allows you to securely access patient records from anywhere. We provide best-in-class security that ensures your data is not susceptible to breaches, corruption, or deterioration.
Don’t let outdated record-keeping systems hold you back. Schedule a demo today to learn more about why Onward vet is the software for your practice.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed many aspects of daily life including veterinary visits, as telemedicine and virtual care became more prevalent and now continue to be an option many clients take.
However, while the rise of technology in veterinary medicine has brought about easier access to information and communication, it can sometimes hinder the personal connections that are crucial for providing top-notch care in an in-person veterinary clinic.
Fortunately, there are ways to incorporate the efficiency and convenience of technology into in-person veterinary care without compromising on its personal touch.
Here are some of the ways veterinary practices can foster personal connections with their clients while still using technology to streamline processes and enhance patient care.
1. Train Staff on Communication
Even with an in-person veterinary visit, communication is the main difference between a good experience for pets and their owners and a poor-quality one.
Effective communication requires staff to put clients at ease, provide clear explanations, and answer questions in a compassionate manner. On top of excellent communication skills, you should be able to read and respond to clients’ nonverbal cues.
Providing training is a proactive way of ensuring staff members are able to effectively communicate with clients during veterinary visits. This can include role-playing exercises to practice empathetic listening, effective questioning techniques, and clear explanations of medical procedures and recommendations.
2. Improve the Waiting Room Experience With Technology
The waiting room is often the first point of contact for clients and their pets during a veterinary visit. As such, it is essential to make it a comfortable and welcoming environment.
Fortunately, the technology used during the pandemic can also come in handy here.
Here are some ways you can enhance the waiting room experience and create a more pleasant environment using these tools:
Digital check-ins: Allow clients to check in for their appointments electronically via a tablet or smartphone, reducing the waiting time and chances of no-shows.
Communication tools: Speaking of no-shows, messaging and appointment reminders are a great way to keep clients informed and engaged, thus improving follow-through on veterinary visits and overall satisfaction.
Electronic boards: Use digital signage to display important information, educational materials, and upcoming events, creating an interactive and informative atmosphere.
Remember, clients who receive good in-person veterinary care are more likely to return for future appointments and recommend the practice to others.
3. Maintain the Positive Changes of Virtual Communications
Before rushing to encourage in-person veterinary visits, identify the digital aspects that enhanced care during the telehealth boom. One way to do this is to survey clients about the remote care they received.
Ask your clients what they loved about being able to access their pet’s health records online or receive reminders and updates via text. If your clinic did not provide these services, ask them if they would prefer them as an option moving forward.
Once you’ve gathered your responses, decide which virtual and distanced options you want to keep or add to your practice’s day-to-day operations.
Onward Vet Can Help
Ultimately, your in-person veterinary clinic should prioritize better communication and understanding while using virtual communication to enhance the experience.
With features such as automatic appointment scheduling and reminder postcards, Onward Vet’s cloud-based system can simplify your processes while improving client veterinary visits.
