Why Veterinary Clinics Use Medical Grade Computers

Keeping our furry friends safe and sound in their time of need

Humanity has practiced veterinary medicine for as long as we've domesticated animals. From ancient Egypt to China, veterinarians have treated the animals we call pets and beasts of burden since 3000 BCE.

However, like the broader healthcare field, veterinary medicine has experienced massive technological breakthroughs. In the modern era, specialized computer equipment for veterinary hospitals helps deliver better care for their four-legged patients.

In today's article, we'll explore the types of computers used in veterinary hospitals, their roles, and how to choose the right equipment for your needs.

How Is Computer Equipment Used in a Veterinary Setting?

Computers play a crucial role in veterinary clinics, functioning much like they do in human clinics and hospitals. From handling administrative tasks at the reception to managing anesthesia during surgical procedures, computers serve various essential functions that streamline workflows and contribute to improved patient outcomes in veterinary care.

Medical Record Keeping

Many veterinary hospitals are switching from paper records to digital electronic health records (EHRs). These digital records are less perishable than their paper equivalents and can be easily accessed by any device with the proper authorization.

Animal healthcare professionals update patient records as they complete tasks such as creating charts and administering medication. This ensures that everyone involved has access to the most up-to-date information and helps to reduce the chance of errors, like misdiagnosis or giving the wrong medication.

Reception Services

Animal owners must sign in and fill out various forms at the vet hospital or clinic. In the past, this required the time and attention of staff members to hand over these forms and ensure they were completed correctly.

Using a check-in kiosk with an integrated computer or tablet lets owners do so electronically, saving paper and the reception staff's time.

Diagnostic Services

Diagnostic machines such as X-rays and MRIs are critical for determining what is wrong with a sick or injured animal. However, displaying the results from these machines requires a medical-grade monitor with a crisp, high-definition display.

Integrating an anti-glare filter is often critical because these monitors are frequently used in areas with harsh, direct light.

Surgeries and Surgical Management

A computer's reliability and hygienic qualities are paramount in a surgical environment.

Equipment failure in the middle of surgery is unacceptable, so any medical computer must be able to operate for hours, even days, without breaking down.

Just like any other tool or object in a surgery room, computers must be regularly cleaned and disinfected to minimize the risk of infection. However, the strong disinfectants typically used in medical settings can potentially harm computers' sensitive internal electronics. Therefore, it's necessary to balance effective cleaning and protecting the computer's delicate components.

To prevent this damage, a proper medical-grade computer's casing will have a strong ingress protection (IP) rating.

Telehealth and Telemedicine

The advent of high-definition video streaming and web cameras has made remote consultations convenient for pet owners and veterinarians. Telehealth is also incredibly useful for patients and owners living in rural areas without easy access to a vet in person.

Three Types of Computer Equipment for Vet Hospitals

Regarding veterinary hospital equipment, there are three main types of computers: workstations, mobile tablets, and medical-grade computers used in near-patient roles. Each computer type plays a role in a modern vet hospital or clinic.

Workstations

Workstations are precisely what their name suggests: they are places where veterinarians and other staff can carry out tasks when they are not directly working with their patients. This may involve administrative or clerical work, writing communications with pet owners, purchasing new equipment, and more.

Because these computers often handle patient data or financial information, security features such as Imprivata encryption and visual privacy filters are crucial.

Medical Tablets

Tablets are a lightweight and convenient option for healthcare providers (vets included) needing a handheld computer. In human and animal healthcare, medical tablets are most frequently used in charting tasks as providers move from patient to patient and note changes in their condition.

This lets providers track if a patient responds positively to treatment or if something needs to be changed.

Medical-Grade Computers

When working in a near-patient capacity, such as in an operating room, meeting the standards expected of a medical-grade computer is critical. At the minimum, a medical-grade computer should have the IEC 60601-1 certification, which ensures it will not shock the user or patient during use.

It should also have an IP rating of 65 to ensure that dust and water will not compromise its operations and that it is compatible with modern and legacy medical devices.

How to Select the Best Veterinary Computer Equipment

When considering the purchase of new veterinary clinic equipment, it's crucial to carefully evaluate all critical factors before deciding. Apart from the obvious financial investment, the health and overall well-being of your animal patients will rely heavily on the quality and reliability of the medical computers used by your staff.

The following are some of the most important considerations you'll have to make.

Consider Your Budget

First and foremost, you'll need to allocate a budget to this purchase. After all, purchasing from a veterinary hospital equipment list is a serious investment, far more than ordering a new

package of bandages.

Consider the scope of your operations, whether for a single clinic or an entire group. Evaluate the anticipated demands on the new equipment and determine the desired operational lifespan of these computers.

Lastly, remember that a well-made medical-grade computer should be functional for five years or more.

Decide What Types of Equipment You Need

Now that you have a budget, you must explore the options. Consider what you'll be using these devices for. A medical-grade tablet would be perfect for a charting solution.

Tablets are lightweight and easy to carry throughout the day, making them ideal for vets and nurses who check up on their animal patients and update their charts with paperless EHRs.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a computer for operating rooms, you'll want a full-sized, all-in-one medical PC. These computers are certified for near-patient use and can support the full range of surgical equipment, such as anesthesia machines or endoscopes.

Medical PCs are best used in fixed locations or attached to a mobile workstation-on-wheels that lets your staff take the PC with them as they go about their day.

When choosing devices for the healthcare field, including animal medicine, it's crucial to prioritize robust cybersecurity measures. The healthcare industry is a prime target for cybercriminals, making selecting devices with comprehensive security features essential. Look for devices with Imprivata encryption, single sign-on compatibility, and other advanced cybersecurity capabilities to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive data.

Choose the Right Provider

Once you know what equipment you need, the only factor remaining is who you'll buy it from.

When looking for a partner to provide veterinary computer equipment, ask yourself these questions:

How scalable are their operations? Can they give you the units you need, or will they run into supply-side issues trying to meet your demand?

What is their technical support offering like? If something goes wrong with one of your computers, how quickly can they troubleshoot and fix the issue?

Are their products customizable to suit your exact needs? A capable manufacturer can alter the design of their devices to better support your clinic or hospital.

Choose Cybernet's Medical-Grade Computers for Veterinary Clinics

Both two-legged and four-legged patients deserve top-notch healthcare. Guaranteeing their well-being is simple—choose reliable veterinary computer equipment from a trusted manufacturer.

At Cybernet, we manufacture medical computers that are perfect for human and veterinary healthcare. With medical-grade certifications and flexible design features, we can equip you with a full line of tablets, PCs, and monitors to fulfill whatever task you need.