Is your workflow ready for rising demands? (Advertorial)

 

Let’s be real. No two days in vet practice are ever the same. One minute you’re helping deliver a litter of pups, the next you’re navigating a tough consult with an emotional pet parent or jumping into an unexpected emergency. It’s rewarding, it’s unpredictable, and sometimes? It’s downright chaotic.

That’s where smart workflow matters. Because when things run smoother behind the scenes, you’ve got more time to focus on what really counts: your patients and clients.

Right now, improving workflow is a hot topic across the industry. With ongoing workforce shortages, a drop in patient visits, and pet owners feeling the pinch financially, many clinics are finding it tougher to manage demand ^3,5. Especially in regional areas, where veterinary shortages are most acute, clinics are facing significant challenges in maintaining efficient workflows⁴. And when the team’s stretched thin, every system, platform, and process matters even more.

In fact, animal health economist Dr. James Lloyd has projected that we’ll need a 40% uplift in veterinary teams productivity to meet the demands of pet owners in the next 5 years¹. So the choices you make today about your software, your protocols, and your tech, are about more than just now. They’re setting your practice up for future demand with confidence and sustainability.

So, how do you reclaim time without compromising care?

IDEXX explored this exact question in their recent study, ‘Finding the Time: Empowering Veterinary Teams to Get the Most Out of Every Day’². One of the key findings? Most clinics already have powerful tools at their fingertips. They’re just not using them to full potential. A huge 75% of vets said their PIMS is underutilised. Why? Because 85% said it’s not well integrated with their other systems.

And that’s where the real time-suck happens. Old-school, disconnected tech might seem cost-effective on paper, but it can slow you down, increase errors, and cost more in lost time and productivity.

How modern imaging software can help you save time

Modern, cloud-based technology is changing the game. A fully integrated setup doesn’t just tidy up your to-do list, it gives your whole team the power to move through the day more confidently. Information flows freely across your practice, so whether you’re at reception, in consult, or reviewing results, everyone’s on the same page.

One area where this makes a huge difference? Diagnostic imaging.

Without the right tools, imaging can be a real workflow headache. We’re talking missed charges, clunky data transfers, and limited integration with patient history. All of which slow things down and cost your clinic time (and money).

That’s where a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) can help.

Traditionally, PACS servers were used mostly in larger clinics doing high volumes of digital imaging. They were expensive, hardware-heavy, and primarily served as onsite image storage and backup. But times have changed.

Modern PACS are designed for today’s veterinary world and for clinics of all sizes. It’s not just about image storage anymore. It’s about streamlining your entire diagnostic process with a solution that’s fast, flexible, and fully cloud-based. It stores, retrieves, and shares your diagnostic images like X-rays and ultrasounds, all in one secure, central platform.

IDEXX Web PACS software takes this even further - With seamless integration into VetConnect PLUS and most major PIMS platforms, it puts everything you need in one place. Bringing together diagnostic images, lab results, clinical notes, and patient history in one connected view. No more jumping between systems or chasing missing info. And because it’s fully cloud-based, you can access images and reports anytime, from any device- in the clinic, at home, or wherever your day takes you.

You’ll also get access to built-in tools that support faster, more confident diagnoses - like automatic vertebral heart score calculations, AI-powered image adjustments (yep, it flips and rotates images for you) and enhanced dental imaging that lets you view the full mouth in a single screen. There’s even a reference image library to help you explain cases or show clients what ‘normal’ looks like.

Plus, with unlimited cloud storage, secure backups are a no-brainer. And because it’s built for collaboration, you can easily share images with colleagues, specialists or clients, even if they’re not using IDEXX Web PACS themselves.

 

It’s not just software, it’s time back in your day

At the end of the day, investing in a system like IDEXX Web PACS isn’t just about having fancy tools. It’s about working smarter, not harder. Making your workflow more efficient, reducing bottlenecks, and giving you more time to focus on what matters most – delivering outstanding care.

 

Coming soon: 'They Ate What?!' Web PACS X-ray Competition

Get ready to show off your most outrageous X-rays! All clinics will be invited to enter for a chance to win a 12 month subscription to IDEXX Web PACS and other great prizes. Look out for an email in your inbox or visit our website from 1^st August 2025. idexxwebpacscomp.com.au

 

Want to learn more about IDEXX Web PACS?

Head to idexx.com.au/webpacs to see how it could streamline your workflow.

 

References

1. Lloyd, J.W. (2021). Pet Healthcare in the US: Are There Enough Veterinarians? Animal Health Economics.
2. Fetaih, S., & Johnson, J. (2023). Finding the Time: Empowering Veterinary Teams to Get the Most Out of Every Day. IDEXX Publication.
3. Australian Veterinary Association. (2023). 2023/24 Workforce Survey Report.
4. The Guardian Australia. (2025). The veterinarian shortage in regional Australia is not a looming crisis—we're already in it.
5. Vetsource Study. (2024). Veterinary Visits Decline as Clients Face Rising Costs.