Change is hard. If your veterinary practice has traditionally run on pen and paper, the thought of making the leap to an electronic system can be a little intimidating.
But don’t let that put you off. While it’s true that there is a bit of a learning curve (just as there is with adopting any new system), today’s intuitive veterinary patient care software makes it easier than ever to transition from paper to digital.
Read on to learn more about the advantages of electronic veterinary medical records and find out how going digital can add value to your practice.
1. Access your medical records anywhere, anytime
Managing paper medical records is a pain. Staff have to physically track down files in order to read them, documents can’t be accessed remotely, and it’s not uncommon for records to go missing or be filed incorrectly. Access issues can contribute to operational bottlenecks that may impact patient health as well as the overall efficiency of your practice.
Going digital, on the other hand, gives you practically limitless access to your medical records. With a digital system, patients’ clinical records can be accessed anywhere, anytime, and on any device. This allows for greater collaboration between veterinary staff and ensures that every member of the team has immediate access to the information they need to make informed clinical decisions.
2. Keep your documents secure
While paper is often regarded as a safe, secure medium, the reality is that physical documents are vulnerable to damage and theft. Paper files can get lost, misplaced, stolen or damaged, all of which can create serious headaches for veterinary staff that need quick access to medical information.
In contrast, digital records are stored securely in the cloud, using robust encryption and best cybersecurity practices to maintain data integrity. Electronic files don’t get misplaced or damaged, and you can set up permission-based access to ensure that only authorized users (e.g. vets and vet techs) are able to view or modify your clinical records.
3. Reduce repetitive admin work
In a busy vet practice, staying on top of the paperwork is easier said than done. Writing notes by hand, manually filing documents, and sifting through thousands of records to find the document you need can be extremely time-consuming.
Digitizing your medical records can be a savvy way to save time on document management processes and reduce administrative overheads. Digital patient records are automatically filed and organized flawlessly in the cloud, eliminating the need for cumbersome filing cabinets and freeing up precious floor space.
4. Minimize paper waste
Digitizing your medical records isn’t just good for operational efficiency - it’s great for the planet, too! As sustainability becomes an increasingly important focus for businesses around the world, many veterinary practice owners are exploring new ways to reduce their ecological footprint.
Moving to a paperless (or paper-light) system is, of course, an extremely effective way to reduce your environmental impact. Digitizing your medical records, treatment sheets, dental records, and consent forms significantly reduces paper waste, allowing you to do your part for the planet while building a more efficient system.
5. Improve accuracy
Let’s be honest: most veterinarians’ handwriting is shaky at the best of times. As a result, paper medical records can be difficult (or outright impossible) for staff to read, which can increase the risk of miscommunication and/or incomplete documentation.
Digital records help improve documentation accuracy. Notes can be quickly typed out and edited electronically, while some veterinary patient care solutions - like Vet Radar - even allow doctors to dictate notes instead of typing them out by hand. Improving the accuracy and legibility of your note-taking helps staff save time across the board and minimizes the risk of information falling through the cracks.
Schedule a Vet Radar demo
Thinking about making the leap from paper to digital? Schedule a free demo today and discover how Vet Radar can help your practice unlock a higher level of operational efficiency.