Veterinary consolidation is a growing trend, with over 50 corporate groups owning 40% of the US market. As demand for services rises, more practices become acquisition targets.
This growth brings both promise and complexity. The industry faces staff shortages, inefficiencies, and a lack of data-driven decision-making.
Access to data is key to maximizing consolidation’s potential. Many organizations need digital transformation – specifically, a unified practice management system (PIMS). By bridging clinic operations with corporate analytics, a unified PIMS streamlines workflows, reduces attrition, cuts costs, and boosts profitability.
Quite simply, it’s the implementation of the same software solution at every clinic in your organization. Every staff member, from the veterinarian to the receptionist, across all locations, learns to use the same tools to manage patient records, appointments, payments, inventory, imaging, and so on.
Achieving this ideal state is easier said than done. Practice management software solutions run the gamut of quality and reliability, and each one of your clinics comes with its own nuanced set of operational preferences.
So let’s be clear on what you stand to gain from the effort of unifying your organization around one system.
These benefits outweigh any of the perceived hassle of implementing a unified PIMS:
A unified PIMS ensures that the same procedures and protocols – from patient care to financial reporting – are followed by all clinics in the organization. Standardization reduces inconsistencies and promotes efficiency.
Standardization should not come at the expense of personalization. Practices value their independence and unique characteristics. A highly customizable software solution will enable localized flexibility to manage calendars, campaigns, and workflows specific to each clinic.
Working within a uniform system allows you easier access to data across all of your locations, facilitating better communication and collaboration among veterinary teams.
A single point of control for implementing security measures ensures that sensitive client and patient information is consistently protected across all locations.
With real-time access to standardized data, organization-level decision-making happens with greater efficiency – from resource allocation and strategic planning to responding to emerging trends.
By paying for one software solution for your entire organization, you reduce licensing, training, and support costs. And managing one vendor relationship gives you more negotiating power and smoother communication for resolving any issues.
Easier data integration enables faster and more robust analysis capabilities at the organizational level, yielding insights that guide strategic decisions and innovations in veterinary care.
Onboarding new clinic staff is more straightforward when everyone is using the same software. This also allows for more mobility between locations, not requiring staff to learn a new system and improving workforce flexibility.
One of the many strengths of a cloud-based system is that it supports remote access. That flexibility enables collaboration among veterinarians in the field or when they are in different locations, working together on complex cases.
Consistent software translates to a consistent client experience. No matter what location clients visit, they can expect the same level of service and communication – keys to building their trust and loyalty.
Reaping these benefits is crucial to scaling your growing organization. As you add clinics, onboard veterinary teams, and expand services, a unified PIMS serves as the foundation for innovation and excellence.
On the surface, a network of clinics that are using different PIMS solutions may seem fine – each clinic is functioning well enough with the technology stack that it already knows how to use. So why bother to intervene at the practice level, implement new solutions, and risk disrupting workflows? The answer: there are bigger risks if you don’t.
Let’s look at a few of the biggest risks to your organization if each of your clinics continues to operate independently with regards to practice management technology:
Realize the benefits of a unified PIMS for your veterinary organization
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