Essential Veterinary Software Functionality for Multi-Location Practices

Running a multi-location veterinary practice comes with a unique set of challenges. Leaders must juggle team member needs with patient care and the client experience while finding ways to ensure consistency across multiple clinics. The right veterinary software can unify multi-location veterinary practices and keep everything running smoothly.

Some solutions, such as Shepherd’s cloud-based system, can address the complexity of multi-location animal hospitals better than others. If you’re looking for the right practice management system, here are the key features to have on your list.

1. Cloud-based veterinary software access

Unlike server-based systems that confine you to the office, a cloud-based PIMS provides easy access to medical records, patient information, and treatment plans from anywhere you have internet access. Veterinarians and staff members can work in any location and see the same information on their dashboard when they log in.

Veterinary hospitals with multiple locations need a system that unifies all patients and clients under a single electronic medical record (EMR) and allows centralized access to scheduling and communication tools. For example, a team member working in one location can follow up with a case they saw in a different clinic, or a central call center employee can manage the schedules for multiple clinics.

2. Helpful software integrations

Veterinary software must adapt to rapid technological advances. Multi-location veterinary hospitals should look for software that connects easily with essential programs, such as diagnostic imaging, reference lab, and payment processing platforms. Cloud-based veterinary software that offers integrations can adapt as new updates become available and ensure all hospitals across your network use the best systems for their needs. Integrations enable flexibility and customizations while standardizing workflows across locations.

3. Online appointment booking

Managing appointment scheduling across multiple locations requires a customizable and user-friendly system. Online appointment booking can provide clients easy access to all location schedules, which takes the burden off your team. Automated reminders and online invoicing also free up staff time by reducing the need to track down late payments or no-shows. Some veterinary software providers even offer a cutting-edge feature that matches the appointment type with provider availability, so the schedule manages itself.

4. Inventory tracking software

Inventory can become a logistical nightmare when you’re trying to keep multiple locations stocked. A robust inventory control system that spans all locations ensures each veterinary clinic has necessary supplies without overcomplicating order day. Well-managed inventory can also help reduce waste and promote eco-friendly practices by eliminating last-minute orders.

Accurate stock levels mean you can share inventory between hospitals. When one hospital runs low on vaccines or pharmaceuticals, simply transfer the stock you need rather than ordering more.

5. Integrated payment processing

Integrated payment solutions can simplify finances for multi-location hospital owners by minimizing errors and unifying financial data. Pet owners can pay via credit card, cash, financing company, or pet insurance without requiring a team member to toggle between multiple systems or record the transaction manually. Online payments and unified payment processing ensure account balances sync across locations, allowing easier financial tracking and reporting.

6. Client engagement tools

An interconnected client communication system helps large teams maintain intimate relationships with clients without adding to the team’s workload. Software automations and features like email and text messaging, reminders, and client portals make it easier to follow up with clients after appointments, send test results, and keep pet care on track regardless of the location each client visits. These tools are essential to an all-in-one practice management system for multi-location hospitals.

7. Insights and reports

A data-driven approach helps large veterinary hospitals optimize operations. The best veterinary software systems for multi-location veterinary practices allow reporting for individual clinics and for all hospitals in the ecosystem as a whole. Administrative teams can analyze performance from several angles to make decisions that benefit the entire organization. For example, tracking the busiest appointment times can help practices fine-tune staff schedules, and noticing fewer new clients at one location might trigger a reallocation of marketing funds

Choosing the right veterinary software for your clinic

Multi-location veterinary practices have much to consider when choosing a system that will work best for them. A unified system with shared EMRs, scheduling, and reporting can improve patient care, the client experience, team member satisfaction, and hospital performance.

Shepherd is one of the only practice management systems that offers administrative access for practices with multiple locations. With one login, you can seamlessly compare data across locations, reduce workflow redundancies, and enhance transparency. Contact our team to learn more about our multi-location features and schedule a demo to see Shepherd in action.