Vet Practice Software systems

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Philip Balchin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:52:06 GMT

[quote]

The reliability seems particularly disappointing. I get off lightly as the server is in my branch but there seems to be problems with the other branches systems crashing several times per week.

[/quote]

Speed at remote branches can be a problem for some systems and this is compounded if your broadband is slow ( and worse at 4pm when the kids get out of school) or if the broadband goes down completely due to a JCB digger cutting through the line!. On these occasions any branch remote from the server could end up with nothing and this costs the practice money every day the system is down and due to no fault of the practice or the system supplier.

With regards to speed, fortunately, I know from supporting the system, easyVET works at an acceptable rate from a mobile phone over a 3G connection, so the broadband has to be pretty bad before you notice any speed issues, it is just my eyes that struggle on that size of screen.

With regards to complete loss of communication, we also offer a secure mobile version which can be used anywhere. Most modern laptops have large storage capacity so the mobile version can contain all the data from your main server and then at the end of a days work is updated/synchronised with the main server when back on the practice network, wired or wirelessly. The mobile system (which connects/works direct to the main system when on the network) not only offers flexibility, it offers piece of mind. Keep those laptops with you overnight and if the unthinkable happens, and that back up has failed when you need it or you come in and some nice person has stolen all your computers, you have something to work with until the next day when everything is back up and running.

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:12:58 GMT

If you have a good number of different practice locations, you should consider a web-based system. The advantage of this is that you can access the same system from any of your locations, and even from out in the field now that mobile broadband is pretty commonplace. It's even possible for your customers to login to the system to check appointments, pay bills etc.

Another huge advantage is that securing and backing up your system data just happens automatically - nobody needs to remember to create backups and store them offsite.

Hope that helps ... Nick.

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Jillian Hall — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:50:11 GMT

I've used EZvet pro in the past and currently use Jupiter (and prior to that Megavet but thats pretty archaic now). I didn't really appreciate how many well thought out features EZvet pro had until I moved to Jupiter. I had higher expectations of Jupiter based on reputation. The reliability seems particularly disappointing. I get off lightly as the server is in my branch but there seems to be problems with the other branches systems crashing several times per week.

With hindsight I'd recommend EZvet pro although I didn't have involvement with the management side of things so don't know how they compare form that point of view.

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Alan Tevendale — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:57:05 GMT

We are currently using Verifac Mentor but are looking to change over to Evolution at some point in the next few months. We've had one major crash since the system was installed nearly 4 years ago but generally it seems to have suited us nicely.

I know what Julian means about the efficiency of Verifac. I find that they can be very slow when it comes to support and installations etc but are very useful when it comes to designing software and tailoring it to suit our exact needs. Most of the rest of the technical issues I'm quite happy at sorting myself.

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Julian Earl — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:24:00 GMT

We use Verifac Mentor and although we had many, many glitches early on (about 2000-2002), the later versions have proved reliable and effective. We (touch wood) have not had a major crash, only occasional hardware failures, and the only disappointment has been that we cannot link the Dunlops drug re-ordering system to Mentor.

I have found Verifac variably efficient shall we say, and "installing" a local computer whizz-kid has helped enormously rather than having someone 200 miles away try to sort out hardware.

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Philip Balchin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:47:49 GMT

[quote user="Mark Gordon"]

Dunlops themselves have two practice management systems - we use the older one and have no complaints. It is integrated to the extent that if you have a problem with software they can usually dial into your system from Dumfries and fix it for you without you having to do anything at all; hardware is sent with the delivery van. That might frighten off some folk but it is the sort of help that we need. [/quote]

I used to work at Dunlops, managed, installed and supported the systems to which you refer. At the point of leaving Dunlops, and the reason I looked for pastures new, was the fact the program developers had been discouraged from working on either system for the year prior to Henry Schein buying Dunlops. The IT team were, at the time being reallocated to mainly internal IT work. I may be wrong but I believe this is still the case.

As you may know Henry Schein have recently purchased Vet Solutions and I would image their focus will be on promoting Vet Solutions systems as the Henry Schein practice management system in the U.K.

I have now taken my 10 years of experience and work for the largest supplier of Veterinary practice management system in Europe, VetZ . Although relatively new to the UK we have over 4200 happy customers throughout Europe, 20 surgeries are here in the U.K.. Our policy its that VetZ is not just a practice management software supplier, we are your IT support. If you need help with other areas related to IT, Websites, email, telephones, broadband, supplied by us or not, we help if we can.

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:34:10 GMT

Do you use Intravet software?

We received a letter from Intravet saying they are changing the way their phones go. I later found out that it was because they are closing their office and moving in with a parent company. They are not keeping any of the current support agents. The support will now be run by people who have dental experience not veterinary experience. My doctor is really upset becasue we bought this product several years back because of the support and we talk to some of the same people every time we call so they know us and our office. Now when we call in someone who has had less than 2 months training will answer the phone. I probably know more than they do.

[:'(]It's very upsetting and I think everyone should complain to their main office. The phone number they gave was 800-475-5036. Please call and voice your opinion

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Mike Martin — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:04:19 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

Are we absolutely sure that is true? Sometimes inspectors and other people from quangos make things up. Can they produce the actual regulation that specifies this..... not just internal recommendations or guidance notes?

[/quote]

Thats a good point, how would I find out? Now I feel blackmailed! If I didn't comply with the inspectors opinion the practice would fail.

Frustratingly, my wife also witnessed an inspection at a neighbouring practice where she works. There were a significant number of differences that made me feel they got away with things and I got a tough inspector. (But this is heading towards a different topic).

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:30:39 GMT

[quote user="Mike Martin"]With the new VMD regs, our inspector advised us that we need to record all drug sales. We do record all on the case files, but we also need a separate record.[/quote]

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Mike Martin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:54:51 GMT

[quote user="Jill Nute"]

For information, to comply with the VMD & PSS rules on meds from April 1st you will need to do a stock take, keep records of purchases & sales so that in the event of a product/batch recall you could trace where the meds had gone, .............................. but it should all be manageable with a manual system.

[/quote]

We're a small 2 vet practice with a small number of clients per day. It is difficult to justify a computer system. With the new VMD regs, our inspector advised us that we need to record all drug sales. We do record all on the case files, but we also need a separate record. And at the yearly stock take, be able to confirm that all drugs bought match the number of drugs sold + what is in stock. This has created a large amount of additional staff time and paper work, ie. manually recording every animal record and drugs dispense on a separate log book. WE do not find it "easy".

So my initial post was enquiring about which computer systems best deals with VMD regs.

Additionally is there a computer system that records the temperature of our drug's cupboard (and if the temp is out side the acceptable range by 1 degree on 1 day, what action should be taken).

Is there a system that has a drug label-method, that records expiry dates and batch numbers on the drug label?

It would be useful if the RCVS / VMD could provide a list of what software systems meets the requirements of the VMD regs (or which do not).

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Jill Nute — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:32:51 GMT

We use Teleos, easy to use, back up pretty good, very few crashes. For information, to comply with the VMD & PSS rules on meds from April 1st you will need to do a stock take, keep records of purchases & sales so that in the event of a product/batch recall you could trace where the meds had gone, & produce your record of Sch 2 controlled drugs with a running balance to demonstrate your ability to comply with the audit requirements. Computerisation is helpful in doing tracings of sales, but it should all be manageable with a manual system. Jill

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Mark Gordon — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:13:25 GMT

We used to use Verifac.

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Martin McDowell — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:55:33 GMT

In our practice we use Premvet, which I haven't seen mentioned here although Robovet is the Windows "version" of this system made by Vet Solutions. The system is based on Unix and roriginally ran as a terminal. Now, as is more often the case, we use standards PCs with a Anita terminal emulator.

Pros: very stable, no Microsoft code in sight, very fast

Cons: text based, so far no nice way to add multimedia easily to the record allthough I heard this is possible. Records seem to be arranged in a weird text-liek databse and not your standard SQL, no usable mobile edition

Please bare in minde I have not used any of the other systems so I can not make relative comparisons to any other.

PS. Did I mention I am not a huge fan of Microsoft ;-)

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Emma Cooper — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:15:09 GMT

Hello all, I know very little about practice management and just assumed that all surgeries had integrated computer systems that hooked them up with their supplier, helped them with stocks etc... Is this accurate? What are the new VMD regulations stipulating? Is there a huge varience in the types of computer packages used by surgeries? How much difference can one package make to another when it comes to practice management and the day-to-day running of the business? Thanks guys, Emma

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Phil Elkins — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:13:56 GMT

Whilst the point of this discussion is obviously to promote the use or disuse of cerain management systems I do not really want to get into a "ours did this", "well ours didn't" debate! Clearly Ian is very happy with Teleos, whereas my old practice was really very unhappy. I suspect part of the problem was that we kept challenging Teleos to provide new solutions to problems we encountered, and each of these had their own teething problems. At the end of the day we all have to make up our own mind on most things, and personal experiences are as strong a recommendation as anything!

However, as one final point, we did try running Teleos in the consult room as a non-networked entity to avoid the frustration of histories being lost half way through typing them, but crashes still occured.

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Ian Mostyn — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:55:32 GMT

[quote user="Phil Elkins"]My old practice used to use Teleos, in a 3 branch mixed practice. The software would crash at least once daily, and when it did, the whole system across all 3 branches crached (often after typing in extremely long histories!).[/quote]

I think there must have been a hardware problem as your experience is the exact opposite of mine. I have never had a total system crash in 5 years, and only occasionally have we had a single terminal crash that just needed to restart Teleos. The broadband is the weak link thanks to BT and Virgin Media and most issues are branch connection issues. If I would change anything, I would consider a redundant broadband line with load balancing to reduce downtime but we have greater than 99.9% uptime.

Saying this, I am quite computer literate and have built PC's in the past so I keep up with the hardware maintenance and housekeeping. I am still more than happy with Teleos.

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:54:13 GMT

Canada here....Brrr! -40 degrees today!

Most practices are using AVImark (McAllister Software) out of the US, Canadian made "Alis-vet" and Impromed Infinity. All systems run reports on revenue streams, inventory, treatments, even estimate protocols.

Must repeat was what said earlier "define your need"!

We are not required to be computerised here but it is also very rare to not be fully integrated here. Our biggest challenge is having referral lab reports integrated into the patient's record. That can be painful! But at least we can see what diagnostics were done, fees, recommendations and inventory used.

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Phil Elkins — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:49:36 GMT

[quote user="Ian Mostyn"]We use Teleos (www.teleosvet.co.uk) and have done for 5 years. It is stable, very rarely does it crash[/quote]

My old practice used to use Teleos, in a 3 branch mixed practice. The software would crash at least once daily, and when it did, the whole system across all 3 branches crached (often after typing in extremely long histories!). Despite it's cheapness, the practice has just taken the massive step of changing to Robovet and have found the practice manager frequently not knowing what to do with her time anymore! The practice was in with Teleos from the start and was the driving force behind a large animal electronic diary on the programme, but found at least 2 hours of vet and non-vet staff a day was being taken up chasing a crashed system.

I would recommend anything other than Teleos

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

beldather — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:37:07 GMT

Have used both Rx Works and currently using robovet. Both good software, I'm surprised Chris that you don't like Rx Works, I still feel its the best piece of veterinary software that I've seen. It is extremely flexible with about the only functional inventory management module that I've been happy with.(Mind you havnt used it in the UK so maybe some differences)

Its not the easiest program though as is quite complex, I do like robovet, good program with excellent support, and much more user friendly.

Blair

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Christopher Tansley — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:00:29 GMT

Have used Jupiter for 3 years and found it extremely easy to use, could use it pretty much fully after the first day. Teleos pretty good also, just not quite as user friendly. No idea what that are like from a management point of view. Jupiter was quite expensive though I think.

Using Rx works now - don't think I would choose it if I had the choice - we don't have much in the way of specific vet features and has lots of useless/irritating other things. Also difficult to learn and not very user friendly. Supposedly good from a business point of view - will have to wait and see on that one!

If you know a good software techie they might well be able to come up with a database based on excel or access built around your needs

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Mike Martin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:08:18 GMT

Do the systems your mention integrate well with your drug supplier, who ever that is (our is Dunlops).

Is the service back up good? I spoke to a VN of a large multibranch practice whose whole system crashed on late Friday, but the engineers said " we do not work w/es, it will have to wait until Monday"! It was back to paper work on Saturday.

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Mike Martin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:57:15 GMT

>>> as long as you sit down with your case cards and delivery notes every day and enter figures manually. <<

And thats potentially the problem and that ain't goin 2 work. So it needs to be some form of automation. Even a bar-code scanner to log out stock would be useful. My stock is small with very few repeat prescrips, but even with a small stock a manual system would be difficult.

The new VMD rules: as well as batch tracing, we now need to document that drugs sold matches drugs bought to ensure there are no 'missing' POMs; + put an expiratory date on all drug labels (if not on a packet).

Evelyn, I do share your feelings - we are over regulated, which all adds to the cost of vet care (more so for primary vets than referrals) and the cost of this explains why vet bills exceed the rate of inflation. I see PetPlan report an increase in elective enthanasia of pets for uninsured owners who can no longer afford medications.

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:57:29 GMT

[quote user="Jenny Smith"]It's a nice system to use, very much like windows is setup,[/quote]

A contradiction in terms, surely?

Thinking about the original query, I'm not sure you do need a practice management system. Which bits of VMD requirements are the main problem?

A simple spreadsheet (in Excel if you are a Microsoft person, or one of the spreadsheets-for-simpletons (that's me) applications around) might do the business, once you've got it set up, as long as you sit down with your case cards and delivery notes every day and enter figures manually.

I'd guess, Mike, that as a cardiac specialist you stock a limited range of drugs compared to a general practice?

Evelyn

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Jenny Smith — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:43:53 GMT

We use EZVet Pro at work. It's a nice system to use, very much like windows is setup, so if you can use a normal PC then it's really ease to train up on the software. We have 9 branches connected through it, so have a shared client and product database. Each practice has it's own diary, but appointments can be booked from anywhere in theory. In practice, this doesn't always work as there are sometimes delays leading to double booked appointments.

There is the option to attach lab reports etc to the animals file, and also customisable forms for things like prescriptions, estimates and consent forms. I've also used Clinical Assistant and much prefer EZVet. There is the added bonus that if anything does go wrong, there is a very friendly engineer at the end of a phone who can remote access the PC and sort out any issues

Re: Vet Practice Software systems

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:51:29 GMT

The only one I would remotely consider is Spectrum.

But I haven't bought even that yet.

Not sure I like being forced to buy a computer system just to satisfy stupid VMD regulations. I feel like being bolshy about it. I am utterly p**** off with all the chunks of money we have to fork out just as licences to practice. So much for a useless radiation protection adviser, so much for hazardous waste registration, so much for premises registration, £250 to be inspected by the VMD.......... all these just to pay pointless people's salaries. Oh yeah, and some RCVS councillors think I should pay £400 to be inspected for "accreditation".