Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital is nestled in the heart of Bayside, Victoria and has served the local community for many years. The hospital prioritises a warm and inviting space for pets and their owners and it boasts a team of experienced veterinarians who are dedicated to providing exceptional patient care.
Their comprehensive services range from routine check-ups and preventative treatments to advanced surgical procedures, which ensures that pets in Bayside and its surrounding area receive the highest quality veterinary care available.
Switch to Covetrus Ascend
Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital was faced with an ageing server and the team needed a modern solution that would serve them well into the future. “Our server was dying, which was a key reason for moving to Covetrus Ascend,” explains Dr John Ley, partner and senior veterinarian at Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital.
“We investigated other platforms, but it was an easy changeover in the end because we’re familiar with the Covetrus team and RxWorks. So we found the transition quite comfortable.”
Here are some of the key factors that influenced Moorabbin Vet Hospital’s decision to adopt Covetrus Ascend:
- Familiarity and ease of transition: The staff were familiar with Covetrus software solutions already such as RxWorks. Ascend’s intuitive user interface delivers ease of use and this reduced the learning curve for staff. Also, in transitioning from RxWorks, the setup and process was smooth from one Covetrus solution to another.
- Cost-effectiveness: The transition to Covetrus Ascend represented a substantial cost saving compared with purchasing and maintaining a new server and server-based software.
- Integration with IDEXX: The seamless integration with IDEXX, streamlined the hospital’s workflows and reduced manual data entry. By automating the process of retrieving and entering lab results, the hospital saved time and reduced errors with this integration.
“Ascend’s ability to communicate with IDEXX has been really good,” says John. “We don’t have to go and find the results and input them into the medical notes – they’re already there. You can communicate with IDEXX through Ascend – it’s really handy and saves a few minutes each time,” he explains.
Covetrus Ascend also delivers value through:
- Comprehensive suite: Covetrus Ascend offers a comprehensive suite of features, including appointment scheduling, patient records, billing, inventory management, and reporting.
- Modern user interface: The software’s modern and user-friendly interface is appealing to the hospital staff.
- Scalability: Ascend is designed to scale with growth, ensuring that it can accommodate future needs for the hospital.
- Accessibility: The cloud-based nature of Covetrus Ascend allowed staff to access patient records and perform tasks from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Data security: Covetrus Ascend offers robust security to protect patient data and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
- Regular updates: As a cloud-based solution, Ascend receives fortnightly updates and enhancements and ensures that Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital always has access to the latest features and functionality without the need for manual updating.
Onboarding experience with Covetrus Ascend
Moorabbin Vet Hospital implemented a strategic approach to the onboarding process.
“Our plan was to put a dedicated champion in place to manage onboarding,” John explains. “We identified a staff member who was particularly technology savvy, and they dealt with any small issues that occurred during the changeover and supported the team.” he adds.
The team also completed the free Ascend self-paced online training courses provided ahead of the rollout. The pre-launch training covered essential aspects of the software, including navigation, data entry, and workflows.
Key benefits of Covetrus Ascend
Moorabbin Vet Hospital highlighted several key features of Covetrus Ascend that they found particularly beneficial:
- Enhanced mobility and flexibility: Staff can access patient records and perform tasks from anywhere with an internet connection, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This ability to work remotely reduces the need for senior staff to be present in the clinic at all hours, which increases efficiency and flexibility.
“From a management point of view, we can access patient details wherever we are,” says John. “For example, if we’re away, we can get the patient notes in front of us, so we can discuss them with other staff. It’s also great if you’re managing new graduates and staff that need help when you’re at home and they’re at work. For example, if you’re mentoring staff that ring you after hours it’s a lot easier as you can see the case on Ascend and quickly look at the clinical notes. The communication has improved, and we arrive at a better outcome faster.”
John and his team are also considering Covetrus Ascend’s mobility in the design of their new practice premises.
“We’re currently looking at where workstations should be and one of the team commented that we’re now using iPads to input information, so we don’t need as many dedicated workstations. It’s really good to have an iPad right there at your fingertips when you’re moving around and working with patients instead of being restricted to a station.” he adds.
- Timesaving: The autosave for notes ensures that patient data is always saved and backed up, which eliminates the risk of data loss and pre-built templates for common procedures and examinations streamline workflows and reduce data entry time. Covetrus Ascend’s seamless integration with IDEXX also automates the process of retrieving and entering lab results, which saves John and his team time and reduces the risk of error.
- Improved communication: Covetrus Ascend provides a centralised platform for communication between staff members. Team members can easily share information and collaborate on patient care through the messaging functionality, which leads to better outcomes. As opposed to communicating through several different platforms external to the PMS.
- User-friendly interface: The software’s intuitive user interface makes it easy for staff to learn and use, even for those with limited technology experience.
“The team likes the layout and design,” says John. “And I like the menu on the side with the animal details – it’s really easy to navigate.”
He describes a staff member who had worked on their previous PMS for a very long time but adapted to Covetrus Ascend very quickly. “She used the same program for around 30 years, and she changed over to Ascend within two weeks comfortably,” he says.
- Enhanced patient care: Covetrus Ascend’s comprehensive patient record system improves record keeping and ensures that all relevant information is easily accessible. This access to accurate and up-to-date patient information supports better-informed decision-making by veterinarians and staff.
“The examination tick boxes are really good,” says John. “There are dedicated fields as well as space to write in anything specific. It means everyone is recording the same base information, like weight, temperature, and body parts. It means you don’t get one vet writing 20 lines and spending 10 minutes on it and another vet writing only one line. They’re all recording the same stuff – it has streamlined our veterinarian medical records,” he adds.
- Futureproofing: Covetrus Ascend has put Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital on a secure footing for the future.
“We’re not stuck with a server-based system – we’re moving forward with something that’s progressive and holds lots of value,” explains John. “This is where the future lies – we’re proud to be using Ascend. I feel proud when new people join the team and we are using Ascend.”
Results of Covetrus Ascend implementation
Moorabbin Vet Hospital has experienced a number of positive outcomes as a result of adopting Covetrus Ascend. The software’s time-saving features, such as standardised templates, and streamlined workflows have reduced manual tasks and given staff more time for more valuable client and patient-facing activities.
The integration with IDEXX has reduced the risk of errors in data entry and improved the accuracy of patient records. Covetrus Ascend has also enhanced John and his team’s mobility and efficiency by letting them access patient records and perform tasks from anywhere and at any time. It has also improved staff collaboration, resulting in enhanced patient care.
The practice is also future-proofed, and they have peace of mind that their practice management system is up to date and will remain so with ongoing updates and technical support from Covetrus.
Final thoughts
John recommends Covetrus Ascend to any veterinary practice that’s considering a similar transition. He emphasises the importance of careful planning and preparation during the onboarding process and highlights the benefits of having a dedicated champion to lead the rollout.
He also recommends the benefits of using iPads with Ascend for staff to improve mobility and flexibility.