Brands of Veterinary Management Software - Research Paper Example

Brands of Veterinary Management Software Introduction Any veterinary practice management software is designed with the client's practice in mind. Veterinarians need a solution to managing that is distinct and effective. Similarly, the effectiveness of any veterinary management hinges on the capability to keep detailed medical records, financial books, up-to-date inventory, organized schedules, and prompt treatment. Most veterinary management software provide an online portal for veterinarians featuring practice management, as well as online client communications resources such as appointment scheduling and reminders, and elements for marketing purposes. Software developers usually provide maintenance and repair for veterinary equipment; maintenance and repair of equipment for veterinary professionals (Reeder, Miller, Wilfong, Leitch and Zimmel 357). Some common complaints advanced to software developers encompass software that is non user friendly, inaccurate data, missed charges, unreliable hardware, and inadequate technical support. Nevertheless, the outlined software has been able to negate the majority of the stated pitfalls. The paper explores three software brands, namely: VIA, AVImark, and VETport. A. Software Brands I About VIA Veterinary Information Assistant (VIA) is a prominent practice management solution that enables veterinarians to stay in total control over their critical medical, back office, and financial information. Veterinary Information Assistant is medically oriented software that employs hospital workflow concepts to enhance operating efficiencies, patient care, and staff communication. The software is developed and sold by VIA Information Systems under the umbrella of Sound-Eklin. The company is a leading player in developing veterinary practice management software, especially in the arena of digital imaging (ultrasound, Imaging Education, and Digital Radiography) and PACS solutions (such as PACS Image Management and VIA Tablet PC). II Key Features The company promises the users an affordable, user friendly solution, rich in the latest cutting edge technologies. One of the key attributes of the software is that it is easy-to-use and facilitates data conversion. Every element of the VIA application is designed to be intuitive, fast, and easy to use. VIA allows doctors to collect data from laboratory, endoscope, ultrasound, radiograph, camera and video components, which aids doctors to keep detailed medical records, and enhance patient care. The scheduling component, on the other hand, facilitates graphical appointment and boarding schedulers. Overall, the system allows backup, data mining, inventory control, and other system controls. III Pros and Cons of VIA VIA veterinary management software avails a platform to enhance veterinary practice by facilitating electronic medical records and customer communications. The software has many advantages such as an advanced, integrated, and user friendly (Shilcock and Stutchfield 7). In addition, the software is efficient with features such as medical SOAP note workflow. VIA facilitates elimination of missed charges via medically driven invoicing, besides generating graphical treatment flow sheets. Furthermore, the software enhances client relations, employees’ satisfaction, and operating efficiency. The software alleviates the hassles associated with configuring and maintaining one’s own network. B. VETport I About VETport VETport infers veterinary practice management software that facilitates excellence in medicine through technology driven workflows. VETport is principally an internet application whose key attribute is its advanced medical record capabilities. The software is an online veterinary practice management software solution developed to enhance business practices of veterinarian general practitioners and specialists via its EMR system. VETport is developed by VETport LLC. The software also sums up as a Web and Cloud based veterinary software driven by its powerful and flexible EMR system. II VETport Features VETport is rich in innovative and exciting features. The software employs online referral practice capability that does not need hardware to be updated and managed. The software manifest configurations to address a broad range of models, such as start up practices (small and large), multi- clinic/location operating model referral model, hospital model, and mobile veterinary practice model. The software guarantees delivery of productivity and automation through automated email, report and analysis, integration with both in-house labs and outside labs, and uploading images to VETport. Other tasks enabled by the software include the creation of group plans upfront, auto prescriptions, and auto dosage calculations, generation of predefined drugs and radiology reports, and creation of automated report cards (Heinke 286). VETport supports multiple simultaneous users and multiple practices, including hospital type setups. Furthermore, the software referral practice supports specialty clinics, besides facilitating client login to access patient records and other services such as requesting for an appointment, communication, and feedback. VETport follows the SOAPing (subjective, objective, assessment, and plan) and enables one to create a Problem Oriented Medical Record (POMR). The EMR functionality triggers automated email reminders, and aids in decision-making when managing resources and scheduling (Judah 72). III Pros and Cons of VETport VETport is effective and affordable software that computerizes the dull and time consuming procedure of overseeing laboratory data. In terms of technology, the software is hosted online, which does not necessitate clinic server deployment. There is no software deployment and the only thing needed is a reliable internet connection. The software facilitates easy and fast roll out features and a window for building a client’s treatment protocols. The software is hailed for its depth of functionality and perpetual innovating with fresh features (Shilcock and Stutchfield 8). VETport web based and process driven practice management system enhances communication with pet owners, besides enhancing productivity. Similarly, the software eliminates repetitive work and leads to enhanced financial, inventory, and resource management (Heinke 287). Despite its functionality, critics assert that the software scores lowly in professional usability testing owing to too much information display. VETport bears an innate disadvantage in that the software is predominantly a web application and thus vet practice must possess reliable internet connection. As a result, a client without reliable internet runs the risk of having to shut down practice if the internet fails. C. AVImark I About AVImark AVImark is a global leader in veterinary management software with more than 9500 clinics operating on the software. According to Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Practice Owner’s Economic Survey 2009, the most popular veterinary management software in Canada for both companion animal and mixed and large animal practices was AVI Mark. AVImark is a windows compatible veterinary management system, available in AVImark SQL and AVImark EQ. AVImark boasts of unique features for equine and mixed animal practices. AVImark is developed by McAllister TM Software Systems, Inc. The company is engaged in the development of AVImark rich in new features and functionality (Osborne 1025). The company pursues provision of high quality and uncompromising excellence in computer software. II AVImark Features Some of the major features of AVImark program include appointment calendar, audit trail, authentication and security, legacy system integration, client information display, white board, information search, inventory control, and lab integrations. Other features include mobile clinic, patient reminders, practice analysis, reports, security, and SOAPing (subjective, objective, assessment, and plan). AVImark contains distinct equine feature set (AVImark EQ) that can be activated for equine patients such as dental and hoof charts, documents and forms, multiscreen ability, and advanced split billing (Judah 73). AVImark Solutions McAllister Software Systems LLC has implemented several management solutions inspired by the client’s feedback, and designed to save time and money. The solutions include Data Vault detailing automated backup service that stores data remotely and protects it against loss. Data Wrench aids clients to attain enhanced business practice via AVImark. DragonflyPACS avails clients with accessible features for daily diagnoses and managing basic image processing requirements such as X-rays, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and Endoscopy. Other solutions include McAllister Payment Solution, MSS IT Solutions and Petwise Marketing Services. III Pros and Cons of AVImark The software, whose pricing depends on the features available, is easy to install and use and powerful enough to manage vet practice, and upgrade with growth of the clinics. AVImark boasts of several advantages such as being robust and powerful (Osborne 1026). The software is also sold at a competitive price. AVImark, a window based program, is also straightforward to use and intuitive. The software package is rich in modules capable of powering the entire practice without necessarily need to add capabilities. AVI Mark allows complete electronic medical records and paperless practices. D. Technical Support Issues Veterinary Information Assistant software is supported by exceptional technical support. The technical support professionals avail fast, accurate, and complete technical support to hardware, software, and network. VIA avails a broad range of technical support services designed to fit the client’s needs. Each of the computers provided is configured for remote access management, thus enabling the support personnel to log on remotely and undertake diagnostic tests to resolve issues, as well as availing layout design services for veterinary clinics and hospitals. VIA pursues provision of rapid customer responsiveness, both in addressing immediate requirements for any part of the systems, and incorporating product enhancements inspired by the feedback from the client. AVI Mark® avails free access to a Hardware Analyzer that facilitates comparison of the computer’s hardware to highlight compatibility. AVImark has developed a number of support options geared towards meeting customer expectations and aid veterinarians utilize the continual evolving AVImark technology (Judah 72). Technical support may be availed through chat or remote assistance, hardware analyzer, and smart phone Apps. The company avails diverse conversion packages to suit the clinic’s needs. The VETport technical support pursues creation of fresh, innovative functionality and updates to the older features. Although VETport is available offline, the internet version is expressly recommended due to the ease of scheduling updates and support options. E. Installation of Server and other Hardware VIA veterinary practice management system is provided with full hardware and software support. The company offers a comprehensive software training to aid veterinarians attain the productivity and efficiency, especially in documentation processes. The training may be on-site, local group training, or web conference training. However, VETport does not necessitate the installation of a server and does not provide hardware. VETport data resides on the cloud on architecture provided by Amazon. Clients have the option to purchase hardware from McAllister Software Systems LLC, besides the opportunity to request hardware analyzer to see if the computer meets AVImark hardware requirements. Clients may also purchase recommended hardware items such as processor, Hard Disk, Optical Drive, Video Adapter, Monitor, Sound, and Network Adapter for server, workstations, site server, Laptop and Tablet PC’s. MSS IT Solutions avails comprehensive computer hardware sales and setup for veterinary clinics. The hardware provided is fully configured according to AVImark recommendations, ready for use setup. F. Additional Features The software employs fluid technology with real-time veterinary activity, inclusive of aspects such as inventory control, payroll, accounting, and clinical record keeping. Other features include enhanced appointment scheduler, customized interfaces handling data and information, inclusive of text, video, pictures, faxes, sound, and interfaces to laboratory equipment. The software facilitates perpetual double entry accounting system fashioned at operating similar to QuickBooksTM. The company’s philosophy should embrace open standards by allowing integrations with a broad variety of products and services from the integration partners (Shilcock and Stutchfield 9). The features include electronic signature capture, credit card processing, client event journal, email, client refund, laboratory import manager, and system alerts. Financial features include estimates, statements, and invoices, auto reminders of pending invoices, daily deposits tracking, summary and detailed financial reports, discounts, refunds, and payments. The software facilitates communication with clients through emails or chat. As a result, all reports, data, and records can be readily emailed to the client at diverse stages of the treatment process (Reeder, Miller, Wilfong, Leitch and Zimmel 358). The emails may detail activities such as client registration, invoices and estimates, electronic medical records and attached documents, patient education, and appointment reminders. The VIA, AVImark, and VETport can be credited for having workflow optimized design and intuitive interface. In addition, the software boast of possessing peace of mind solutions intended to eliminate the hassle of purchasing, configuring, and maintaining computers and the networking equipment (Osborne 1028). The software developers guarantee single point of contact, fast and complete technical support for hardware, software, and network issues. Other features include paperless efficiency, fast data access, detailed medical notes, perpetual accounting, and intuitive design. Conclusion Veterinary management system should adapt to the veterinary practice, fitting the flow of patients, besides managing all the activities, needs, and analysis. The capability to utilize the software correctly and efficiently can enhance compliance, better market a clinic and enhance profitability. Proper training and instruction is essential to the effective utilization of practice management software. Software developers’ philosophy should avail clinics with the necessary knowledge to implement the software and reap benefits such as enhancing productivity and revenue. This is informed by the fact that most veterinarian practices utilize only a fraction of their practice management software full capabilities, which limits their growth potential. Works Cited Heinke, Marsha. Practice made perfect: A Complete Guide to Veterinary Practice Management. Colorado: American Animal Hospital Association Press, 2012. Print. Judah, Vicki. Veterinary Office Practices. New York: Delmar, 2012. Print. Osborne, Darren. “Market Share for Veterinary Practice Management Software.” Canadian Veterinary Journal 51.9 (2010): 1025-1028. Print. Reeder, Deborah, Miller Sheri, Wilfong DeeAnn, Leitch Midge and Zimmel Dana. AAEVT’s Equine Manual for Veterinary Technicians. Danvers: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009. Print. Shilcock, Maggie, and Stutchfield Georgina. Veterinary Practice Management: A Practical Guide. London: Elsevier Science, 2003. Print. Read More