Study highlights opportunities to promote veterinary practice productivity

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IDEXX Laboratories, Inc has published an empirical study entitled Finding the Time: Empowering Veterinary Teams to Get the Most Out of Every Day which addresses veterinary practice capacity constraints. The research also unveils the veterinary Practice Productivity Index, “a data-driven framework and collection of guides for transforming practice productivity across the dimensions of workflow, technology, and culture.”¹

Depending on where a practice falls on the Practice Productivity Index, the study displays opportunities to find up to 2,000 hours per year, which is the equivalent of adding 1 full-time veterinarian (amount of time saved depends on practice size and placement on the Practice Productivity Index). The results are based on 786 survey participants, and extensive clinical observations, financial evaluations, and practice-level data.

“Veterinary professionals operate in an entirely new landscape compared to a few years ago,” stated Jay Mazelsky, IDEXX president and Chief Executive Officer, in the release.¹ “Veterinary practices have asked us for strategies and solutions to address the challenges they’re facing. A key insight from the study is that small steps can help them find more hours in the day, and when improvements are implemented strategically, they can have a significant impact.”

The study brings attention to staffing challenges in the veterinary field while offering methods for creating additional capacity. The goal is to ultimately promote a happier, healthier veterinary team. Some key results include¹:

• In the workflow category: 82% of study respondents indicated that they are trying to hire at least 1 staff member and are experiencing challenges filling those positions. The study shares how practices can boost efficiency by taking steps such as adopting the most appropriate staffing model, empowering technicians to support more complex tasks, and improving staff and patient flow within the physical layout of a clinic.
• Within the technologydimension: 85% of respondents reported that their practice’s software applications and platforms do not integrate well with their practice information management system (PIMS), causing inefficiencies. The study describes how software and tools that seamlessly integrate and digitize the patient’s journey are significant drivers of productivity.
• Within the culture dimension: Culture, including its approach to talent development, affects a team’s productivity. For example, although only 48% of respondents said they have a dedicated staff training program, research supports that a program of continuous learning and development generates greater teamwork.

“Having great technology has been a game-changer for our business,” shared Christine McCully, DVM, of Downtown Pet Hospital, in the release. “Our practice management software is connected to patient records, diagnostics, and communications tools, so no one on my team wastes time figuring out where information is. Sometimes it’s just a minute we save—but those minutes add up when it means the difference between seeing an extra patient or making sure we have time to eat lunch.”¹

IDEXX will be hosting various sessions highlighting the study at the WVC Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 19–22, 2023. The publication and productivity guidelines can be downloaded here for those not at the show: www.idexx.com/FindingTime.

Reference

Groundbreaking IDEXX study reveals opportunities to increase veterinary practice productivity. News release. IDEXX. February 20, 2023. Accessed February 20, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/groundbreaking-idexx-study-reveals-opportunities-to-increase-veterinary-practice-productivity-301750165.html