Better Together: The right technology can facilitate stronger teamwork

Imagine walking into a veterinary practice where each staff member is busy, but happy, working in tandem like a well-oiled machine. The advantages of having a cohesive team that works well together are immeasurable. Not only are the staff members more efficient and productive, but this synergy creates a positive workplace culture, which attracts and retains top talent while helping to ensure a positive client experience.

Although some of these benefits may seem apparent, what likely isn’t as clear is how technology can help facilitate this type of teamwork.

Cutting-edge software can streamline communications, alleviate client bottlenecks and create efficient task management. Together, they contribute to an optimal environment for teams to work better together. Here’s a closer look at five ways software can support and enhance team efficiency.

Online appointment booking

With online appointment booking, clients have the convenience of selecting any available appointment slot that suits their schedule. They can enter the patient and contact names, the reason for the appointment and click “Book.” Then, the appointment request seamlessly appears in the appointment calendar, ready for staff members to confirm. Since staff members initially created the available times, the practice remains in control of its calendar.

While this makes things easy for clients, it’s also incredibly helpful for staff. Rather than being interrupted by phone calls all day, one team member can review appointment requests or flags at certain points throughout the day when they appear in the practice management software. Front desk interruptions for the team are minimized, leading to an overall smoother workflow.

Inter-office communication

Some software platforms allow staff members to send instant messages to other staff members. This convenience saves a significant amount of time that is typically drained by staff members trying to find each other to ask and answer questions. Streamlining communication helps team members work together faster.

Many platforms, like NaVetor, also take it a step further by offering practice-facing mobile apps that enhance communication between staff members about coverage, patient status and tasks. For example, if one staff member has a question about notes in a patient’s chart, they can simply message the staff member who made them, through the mobile app.

Task management

For a lot of people, writing to-do lists and crossing tasks off when they are completed is a great way to manage work. But wouldn’t it be even better to track these tasks in your software? Instead of everyone having their own list, increasing the likelihood of duplicative work or things falling through the cracks, you have one centralized place where everyone can see the tasks assigned and their status from any location.

That’s the goal behind the Treatment Sheet feature in NaVetor — one convenient place to outline patient care tasks, assign them to the appropriate staff member and track progress. Once completed, they can check them off the digital list — just like on that pad of paper. Users also have the option to utilize pre-set Treatment Sheets or create their own.

Another tool to use for task or treatment management is the Whiteboard, allowing staff members to track patient status, note which exam room they are occupying and gather other appointment details. With a quick snapshot of all that is occurring within the practice at any given moment, staff members can simply look at the Whiteboard without interrupting their workflow when a client asks how their pet is doing.

Time-saving templates

Surprisingly, the way in which electronic medical records are set up can have a significant impact on team productivity. Using templates in the medical record is a huge time-saver that is especially useful for managing lab tests and results in the absence of bidirectional integration. But it is also an incredible team-builder.

Templates streamline workflow, help ensure uniform completion of SOAP notes across the team and minimize the time required for training new staff members, who find it easier to adhere to protocols and procedures. In multi-user environments, the auto-saving feature for SOAP notes is particularly helpful for reducing the likelihood of data loss.

Paperless or paper-light

How much time does your staff spend looking for paper files? This often creates frustration among staff members who struggle to locate important information. Transitioning to a paperless or paper-light system reduces bottlenecks and time wasted searching for physical files. The ability to quickly look up patient medical records in the software saves time and frustration, while also creating a better, more efficient work environment. Further, the ability to access the medical records remotely, working from home or after hours, offers even more flexibility.

Here’s another benefit of going paperless – a more attractive work environment that can better attract and retain talent. It creates a more modern, streamlined office, which is a more enjoyable place to work. (We’ve never heard of a veterinary practice that went paperless and then wanted their paper files back.)

Technology and teams are simply better together. Looking for better technology for your team? Give NaVetor a try.

If you switch to NaVetor, you’ll get a free basic conversion to help smooth the transition.