Some of today’s Veterinary front offices are packed with shiny new Apple computers, expansive computer networks, Wi-Fi, paperless charting, multi-line phone systems, scanners, color printers, and more.

Some of today’s Veterinary front offices are packed with shiny new Apple computers, expansive computer networks, Wi-Fi, paperless charting, multi-line phone systems, scanners, color printers, and more.   Other front offices lie somewhere in the mid-range of that scenario with an older but very workable computer network and of course there are the smaller practices that have at least some computers with internet access.  My point is that bells and whistles are fun (although can be costly), but even with a small amount of technology you can use what you have to improve the efficiency of your staff while minimizing costs in other areas.

• There is a saying “work smarter, not harder”.  Use your technology to its fullest, you paid for it right? So go for it!
• Have staff that are not “tech savvy”? Train them, this will make your staff and practice run more efficiently.
• Does your practice send out reminder cards? How much does the card stock cost? How long does it take your staff to print out the reminder cards, or (gasp) hand write them? How many stamps do you use every month just for mailing reminders?  Why not ask the client to provide an email address so that all of their pet’s reminders are sent to their email address.  Some won’t have or want to provide their email address, but most will hand it over without a problem.
• Can you transfer your charts over to paperless? Many of the veterinary software out there and likely already installed in your practice is ready for paperless charting.  Do you dare make the jump?

•  Use online faxing and ditch your old clunker fax machine that always needs servicing.

• Invest in a scanner and SCAN in new patient records, referral reports, test results, etc.

Also, if  you make small upgrades overtime you can add to the  technology you already have to really improve your front office, chart accuracy, and overall practice efficiency.