Buried Under Paperwork? 6 Benefits of Electronic Medical Records in Veterinary Practice
Switching to electronic medical records (EMRs) can feel like a monumental task for veterinary clinics that still use paper. However, EMRs are no longer a novelty—they are necessary for modern practices that want to attract and keep clients and provide the best pet care.
Modern digital records, particularly those based in cloud-based veterinary software systems, take administrative burdens off your team and provide easy access to essential patient data. Still not convinced? The Shepherd team shares six benefits of upgrading to a digital records system.
1. Fewer errors and more accurate medical records
Handwritten records are difficult to read, often incomplete or out of order, and fraught with inconsistencies. The potential for errors is high, leading to everything from missed charges to patient safety concerns.
EMRs eliminate handwriting issues, lost pages, and skipped SOAPs. Most systems offer built-in, customizable templates, dropdowns, and required fields to ensure team members enter the right data in the right places at the right time. Consistency and accuracy improve the quality of care, provide better continuity between team members, and make follow-ups a breeze.
2. Easy access from anywhere—home, office, or on a house call
A significant advantage of cloud-based veterinary software systems is mobility. Whether working from home, attending to a farm or house call, or managing patients in the ICU, you can securely log in and review or update a patient’s medical record from your tablet, laptop, or phone.
No more scraps of paper in your pocket or attempts to remember details or transcribe notes later. Digitized information is accessible wherever you are and easily shared with specialists without scanning or faxing files.
3. Patient information at your fingertips
Paper files are inefficient. Hand-written records often go missing, and only one team member can access them at any given time. Electronic medical records put the entire patient history in one easily searchable and organized location that multiple team members can access and update at once.
Want to see a patient’s last three urinalysis results or check whether an ear infection is recurring? You can search and filter notes in electronic records without flipping through pages of visits and deciphering smudged ink. Plus, most EMR systems integrate with reference labs, imaging providers, and other third parties, so you can see lab results and other information directly in the patient’s file.
4. Faster medical records means better work-life balance
End-of-day documentation used to mean late nights catching up on handwritten notes. With an EMR, you can record exam findings using any nearby workstation or mobile device, and many also offer integrated voice dictation with AI features that streamline practice workflows.
Beyond AI, basic digital tools that help with SOAP notes include autofill, exam templates, typing shortcuts, and quick prompts. With electronic records, you’ll move through visits efficiently and spend less time backtracking, so you can get home on time.
5. Less busywork for the front desk team
In a paper-based record system, the administrative load on front desk teams is heavy. Pulling records for every visit, med refill, and client question; refiling records after visits; faxing or scanning lengthy records; and organizing stacks of old records take considerable time and energy and distract team members from providing excellent client service.
A cloud-based veterinary software system with integrated EMRs eliminates these tedious tasks and redirects the front desk workload. Teams can locate, send, and review records in only a few clicks, without leaving their workstations. Systems with additional client engagement tools, such as online portals and automated reminders, also greatly reduce phone traffic and allow staff to focus on helping pets and clients more directly.
6. Secure sensitive client, patient, and clinic data
Paper records are vulnerable to everything from coffee spills and blood spatter to fires, floods, and theft that can destroy years of confidential client and patient data. Unlike paper records, EMRs don’t require long-term physical storage, which takes up valuable space.
If you’re worried about cybersecurity, cloud-based systems have an advantage over older legacy options. Strong security measures, including encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular automated backups, protect records in the cloud. Access controls and role-based permissions ensure that only authorized users can view sensitive information.
Ready to go digital?
If you’re still on the fence about transitioning to EMRs, consider the hidden costs of your current system. How many hours does your team spend writing, deciphering, locating, filing, organizing, and scanning paper medical records? Are you losing clients because of inefficient workflows and a lack of modern, convenient technologies?
Upgrading to cloud-based veterinary software with a fully integrated EMR system can streamline operations, improve patient care, reduce team stress, and create a better experience for clients.
Want to see how electronic medical records work in real life? Schedule a demo of Shepherd to see how our veterinarian-designed software and flexible integrations can simplify documentation, enhance efficiency, and transform patient and client care in your practice.
