Blog

Is Your Veterinary Software Helping Your Practice Reach Its Goals?

Written by Samantha Walker, RVT

One of the first things you learn while opening a veterinary practice is to be prepared for anything.

Each day brings a new set of schedules, different emergencies, and patients with illnesses that you adapt to care for and treat. With your on-the-go schedule, it may be hard to find the time to update your veterinary software. You may have even prolonged the switch because you just don't want to disrupt your day-to-day.

But did you know that it could help you save time and manage the day better? In fact, your current software can actually make your days longer if it can't keep up with the demand of your growing practice.

How do you know if you need an update in order to reach your goals? Consider the following...

Is Your Software Capable of Handling Client Increases?

Within the last year, nearly 1 million pets were adopted into a new home. With the current demand for remote work, that number is likely to increase even higher. You might be feeling the effects of this already, especially if your practice software struggles to keep up with the list of new clients.

Having software that can handle an influx in client-facing application usage is crucial if you're going to get through these busy times. By streamlining the way clients make pet appointments, input medical history, and sign practice disclosure agreements, you'll be able to take on as many clients as you'd like.

The new software today also makes it easier to find already established clients in the system, which they'll be grateful for as you get them booked, checked, and cleared faster.

Are You Able to Provide the Very Best Care?

Caring for people's pets and making sure they have a healthy life is the mission every veterinarian strives for when owning a practice. However, not every practice caters to the same levels of care, and your software may be the reason why.

Everything in the animal medical field is time-sensitive. You want software that adheres to those same time constraints. Does your software have real-time updates of important laboratory results? Does it download medical reports and diagnoses to the patient portal for clients to have access?

If it doesn't, then you may not be giving the best possible care you can give to your patients. Clients take notice. If they have an easier time obtaining information from another clinic, you could lose clients to your competition as well.

Is It Enabling or Hindering Your Business Growth?

Although growing your business heavily relies on the intake of clientele, the backend of the business is just as important. Unfortunately, a lot of vet office managers still use traditional methods of inventory tracking.

In a busy atmosphere, this leaves plenty of room for error. Without accurate numbers, you can't properly detect any overspending or money shortage. This type of organization is no longer a suitable option.

You need a veterinary practice change of software that can provide you with accurate tracking of in-house spending. It'll track shortages in all aspects, from laboratory equipment to paper for the receptionist copier. and keeps you on track to show growth so you can better predict when it's time to expand the business.

Does It Involve Manual Processes?

More vet staff have experienced burnout than ever before this past year. With low staff, the days can be exhausting for anyone working. Plus, having software that still insists on manual processes for all aspects of the job puts even more strain on the workers.

Manual process needs like inbound/outbound calls drive the client experience. But what about the manual processes of payment systems or diagnosis research? Switching to systems that feature integrated payment processing and auto-prediction diagnostics makes life easier.

Does Your Staff Struggle to Navigate Your Veterinary Software?

The true opinions of the system should not be determined solely on your comfort but around the comfort of your staff. Your team uses this system every day to check patients in, handle any notes that may be required for you to treat, and complete so many other important tasks. Therefore, they'll know firsthand what works for the practice and what does not.

If your system implores too many apps, your employees will have difficulty navigating the software programs. Find a system that supports the staff and creates a universal standard of care.

Are You Struggling to Increase Your Revenue?

Vet offices and clinics report thousands of dollars in loss from improper monitoring. If increasing revenue is your goal, then you need to ensure that your veterinary practice management software is detailed and gives a full description of costs, spending and, monetary intake.

Some of the best veterinary practice management software includes tracking of stock and wastage that then gets compared to the incoming revenue.

From there, you can deduce accordingly by either changing price points or opting to include more services if that will steer you towards your goal. No matter the outcome, choose a system that works for you and not against you.