Veterinary practices have long relied on efficient workflows to deliver exceptional animal care and build lasting relationships with their owners. Local server-based Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems, like Avimark, Cornerstone, and Impromend, have been instrumental in this endeavor, providing valuable tools for managing patient data and streamlining various processes. However, the veterinary industry is constantly evolving, with a growing emphasis on mobility and collaboration. In this dynamic landscape, traditional local server-based systems can become bottlenecks, hindering productivity and limiting the agility of an increasingly mobile veterinary workforce.
Thankfully, a new generation of cloud-based EMR solutions like EzyVet, Digitail, Shepherd and Rhapsody are revolutionizing how veterinary practices operate. Unlike their local server-based counterparts, cloud-based EMRs aren’t confined to physical hardware. They exist securely on the internet, accessible from any device, anywhere, with an internet connection. This eliminates the need for costly hardware purchases, complex installations, and time-consuming maintenance. Simply put, it’s like trading in an on-premise library for a vast, easily accessible online database tailored specifically for your veterinary needs.
But the benefits extend far beyond accessibility. Cloud-based EMRs are designed with the modern veterinary practice in mind, streamlining workflows and automating tedious tasks. No more paper charts, manual data entry, or redundant record-keeping. Imagine scheduling appointments, generating invoices, running reports, and ordering supplies – all effortlessly managed within a single, cloud-based platform. Additionally, robust security features like encryption, authentication, and backups ensure your valuable patient data remains safe and compliant with industry regulations.
Beyond streamlined workflows and enhanced security, cloud-based EMRs offer unparalleled customization and integration. Tailor the system to match your practice’s unique branding, workflows, and protocols. Seamlessly integrate with labs, pharmacies, and imaging equipment, eliminating data duplication and simplifying information retrieval. Leverage decision-support tools like templates, reminders, alerts, and data analytics to optimize patient care and practice efficiency. Finally, connect with other providers and clients through email, text, video, or voice, fostering collaboration and improving communication channels.
More importantly, these are not the only benefits that veterinary practices will reap by migrating to cloud-based EMR systems. This article will look at how the migration can improve workflow in veterinary practices.
How can cloud-based EMR software improve your workflow?
Cloud-based EMR software can improve your workflow in various aspects, such as accessibility, efficiency, and security. By migrating to cloud-based EMR software, you can enjoy the benefits of having your patient records and practice operations available on any device and location, eliminating the need for paper charts, manual data entry, and redundant tasks, and protecting your data from unauthorized access, loss, or damage among others.
Below is how cloud-based EMRs achieve these workflow benefits.
- Accessibility: Cloud-based EMR software allows you to access your patient records from anywhere, anytime, and on any device, which enables you to work remotely, collaborate with other providers, and provide better care to your patients. You can also use your EMR software on any browser and any operating system without any compatibility issues. In contrast, local server-based EMR software requires you to be physically present at your practice and use a specific device to access your EMR system. This can limit your mobility and collaboration and affect your productivity and quality of care.
- Efficiency: Cloud-based EMR software eliminates the need for paper charts, manual data entry, and redundant tasks and automates and streamlines workflows, such as scheduling, billing, reporting, and ordering. This saves you time, money, and resources and reduces errors and delays. You can also create and customize templates, forms, and protocols for your patient records and integrate your practice management software with other systems and devices, such as labs, pharmacies, and imaging equipment. This simplifies data entry and retrieval and reduces duplication. On the other hand, local server-based software relies on paper charts, manual data entry, and redundant tasks. It also requires you to print and scan paper forms, manually enter data, and duplicate tasks. This can waste your time, money, and resources and increase errors and delays.
- AI: Modern cloud based system like Digitail, leverage the power of AI to help you complete tasks in a fraction of the time of legacy systems. Ask AI to give you drug dosages by the current weight of your patient. Ask AI specific historical details about your patient without having to dig through years of medical notes. Elevate your veterinary practice to new heights with AI, a built-in AI-powered virtual assistant designed exclusively for veterinarians. AI seamlessly integrates into every aspect of the patient journey and optimizes your clinic’s efficiency.
- SOAPs, Actually completing them during the visit. Medical records so simple and efficient they get completed during the visit. Modern cloud-based Practice Management software works the way your vet practice naturally operates, so you can spend more time caring for animals. Completing your SOAPs automatically updates the medical record, invoice and generates discharge instructions. Saving you time from having to complete all this work from home when you should be spending time with your family.
- Client Communication: Communicate with your clients without ever leaving the practice management system. Modern cloud based PIMs will have built in client communication features like, SMS, Email, Rx Refill Approval, Online booking, Reminders and client facing apps. Allowing your clients to access all their important pet health data without ever picking up the phone to call your already overwhelmed CSRs. Offer the “vet in your pocket” experience to your clients with a dedicated app. Reminders, medical records, & invoices all at their finger tips. They need vaccination records to board their pet? Your clients now have access.
- Security: Cloud-based EMR software uses encryption, authentication, and backup systems to protect your data from unauthorized access, loss, or damage and complies with the relevant regulations and standards. You can also choose where your data is stored and who can access it, complying with local regulations and privacy laws. This ensures the security and confidentiality of your patient information and reduces the risk of data breaches and violations as opposed to local server-based EMR systems, which are vulnerable to data loss, theft, or corruption due to natural disasters, cyberattacks, or human errors, and requires you to back up your data regularly, use antivirus software, and firewall protection. This can compromise the security and confidentiality of your patient information and increase the risk of data breaches and violations. They will also include more detailed change logs, so you can see exactly who made what changes to each record and at what time. Worried about internal drug theft via fake drug refill requests? This is no longer an issue with modern day security and log tracking built into the new practice management systems.
- Scalability: Cloud-based EMR software offers scalability and flexibility, which means that you can adjust your storage and usage according to your needs and pay only for what you use. You can also easily add or remove features and functions and upgrade or downgrade your plan as your practice grows or changes. This allows you to adapt to the changing needs and demands of your practice and optimize your performance and outcomes, unlike the local server-based EMR software, which has fixed storage and usage limits and requires you to buy more hardware and software as your practice grows or changes, which can limit your ability to adapt to the changing needs and demands of your practice and affect your performance and outcomes.
- Reliability: Cloud-based EMR software ensures reliability and availability, which means that your EMR system is always up and running, and you can access your patient records and practice operations without any interruption or downtime. You can also rely on the cloud service provider to handle any issues or problems and provide you with support and assistance. This allows you to focus on your core tasks and responsibilities and provide quality care to your patients. This contrasts with local server-based EMR software, which can crash, freeze, or slow down due to hardware failures, software bugs, or network issues, and requires you to handle any issues or problems and provide your own support and assistance. This can distract you from your core tasks and responsibilities, and affect your quality of care to your patients.
- Easy Tech Support: Cloud software makes it easier to get the tech support you need. Most of the modern programs will offer direct chat to tech support features within the application. No more picking up the phone to call Infinity and waiting on hold for over an hour while you figure out why your year end reports and close out didn’t run properly.
- More Money: Thats right, you read that correctly. Make more money. We see time and time again that there are missed charges on invoices costs the veterinary thousands of dollars each year in missed charges. The modern cloud-based PIMs looks to see if its in the medical record, if it is and associated with a charge…. it ends up on the invoice. That means more for your bottom line.
As we have seen throughout this article, cloud-based practice management software can improve your workflow in many ways, and help you to provide better care, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. By migrating to cloud-based EMR software, you can enjoy the benefits of having your patient records and practice operations available on any device and location, eliminating the need for paper charts, manual data entry, and redundant tasks and protecting your data from unauthorized access, loss, or damage. You can also enjoy the benefits of having your EMR system scalable, flexible, reliable, and available and having the cloud service provider take care of everything for you.
Transform Your Veterinary Practice with Lucca Veterinary Data Security
Are you ready to elevate your veterinary practice into the future? With Lucca Veterinary Data Security, transitioning from outdated legacy systems to secure, cloud-based solutions is not just a step forward—it’s a leap towards unparalleled efficiency, security, and growth. Say goodbye to the constraints of Avimark, Cornerstone, and Impromed, and embrace the innovation of cloud technology with platforms like Digitail, Shepherd, Rhapsody, and EzyVet.
Experience the freedom of accessing patient records from anywhere, anytime, with any device. Automate and streamline your workflows to save time and reduce manual errors. Secure your patient data with robust encryption and backup systems, ensuring compliance and peace of mind. Plus, with our scalable solutions, your practice can grow without limits, adapting swiftly to the evolving needs of your clients and patients.
Join the ranks of veterinary practices that are thriving in the digital age. Contact Lucca Veterinary Data Security today to discover how we can tailor our IT services to your specific needs, ensuring a smooth, secure transition to the cloud. Elevate your practice’s efficiency, security, and client satisfaction with just one call.
Call us today at 720-316-8344
Don’t let outdated technology hold you back. Reach out to Lucca Veterinary Data Security now and unlock the full potential of your veterinary practice.