Benefits of Having In-House Radiology in Veterinary Practice

As a veterinarian, you know that diagnosing and treating animals’ conditions can be challenging, especially when it comes to obtaining accurate diagnostic images. Radiology is an essential tool for identifying and treating various animal diseases and conditions. However, sending your patients to external clinics for radiology services can be inconvenient, time-consuming, and costly. That’s why many veterinary practices are choosing to have an in-house radiology department. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of having an in-house radiology department in veterinary practice. Let’s jump right into it –

1. Improved Efficiency

One of the main benefits of having an in-house radiology department is improved efficiency. Rather than sending patients to external clinics for radiology services, you can perform X-rays and other diagnostic tests right in your practice, thereby streamlining the process and ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment. This indicates that you can diagnose and treat animals more quickly, improving their chances of recovery. In-house radiology also means that you don’t have to coordinate with external clinics and wait for their results, reducing the likelihood of communication errors and delays. This can ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes and increased client satisfaction.

2. Better Communication

With an in-house radiology department, you can improve communication between your veterinary team and your clients. You can provide clients with more detailed information about their pets’ conditions and work closely with them to develop treatment plans. By having access to diagnostic images immediately, you can show clients what is happening inside their pets’ bodies, helping them to understand the nature of the condition and the treatment options available.

Furthermore, your veterinary team can work more closely with each other. Your radiology technicians can share their findings with your veterinary team, leading to better communication and collaboration. This can result in more comprehensive and effective treatment plans, leading to improved patient outcomes.

3. Faster Turnaround Time

When you have an in-house radiology department, you can often obtain radiology results much faster than if you were to send patients to external clinics. This can help you diagnose and treat conditions more quickly, potentially saving lives and improving outcomes. Having immediate access to diagnostic images can help you make more informed decisions about treatment options, enabling you to act quickly in emergency situations. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) found that in-house radiology services led to significantly shorter turnaround times for diagnostic imaging results compared to using external radiology services.

4. Enhanced Quality of Care

Another significant benefit of ensuring an in-house radiology department is the enhanced quality of care that you can provide to your patients. With an in-house radiology department, you can closely monitor the diagnostic process, and quickly obtain and interpret radiographs and other diagnostic tests. This can help you make more accurate diagnoses and provide more effective treatments. In addition, you can provide immediate care to patients who require emergency radiology services, such as those who have been in a car accident or have ingested a foreign object.
Furthermore, in-house radiology also allows for more detailed and specialized diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound and MRI. These imaging techniques can help identify diseases and conditions that may not be visible on X-rays, leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment. This level of precision and accuracy can significantly improve the quality of care you provide to your patients, and also increase their chances of recovery.

5. Competitive Advantage

Having an in-house radiology department can promote your veterinary practice and enhance its reputation to a large extent. By providing comprehensive and high-quality care, you can differentiate your practice from competitors and attract more clients. In addition, you can market your in-house radiology services to potential clients, emphasizing the convenience, speed, accuracy and many other benefits of your diagnostic imaging services.

To learn about the advantages of digital radiology over traditional X-rays in veterinary medicine, read this.

6. Increased Revenue

Establishing an in-house radiology department can also help boost your revenue. By providing radiology services in-house, you can retain more clients and generate additional revenue streams. Clients are more likely to choose a veterinary practice that can provide comprehensive care, including diagnostic imaging, rather than having to go to multiple facilities for different services. This indicates that,  an in-house radiology department can help you attract and retain more clients, thereby increasing your revenue. You can charge for radiology services that you provide, adding a new revenue stream to your practice. This can help offset the costs of purchasing and maintaining radiology equipment, as well as the cost of training and employing radiology technicians.

7. Improved Staff Satisfaction

If you have an in-house radiology department, it can also improve staff satisfaction. Your team members will likely appreciate the convenience and efficiency of being able to perform radiology tests on-site, rather than having to send patients to external clinics. This can help boost morale and job satisfaction, and may even reduce staff turnover rates.

Moreover, your team members can be trained and educated in a specialized area of veterinary medicine. This can enhance their skill set and provide them with opportunities for professional growth and development. This can ultimately lead to a more skilled and knowledgeable team, and can also attract top talent to your practice.

8. Building a Loyal Clientele

Finally, investing in an in-house radiology department is also an investment in the future of your practice. By providing a wider range of services and expanding your expertise, you can position your practice as a leader in veterinary medicine. This can help you attract and retain top talent, as well as build a loyal client base that values the highest level of care for their pets. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global veterinary imaging market is expected to reach over $2 billion by 2025, driven in part by the growing demand for in-house imaging services in veterinary practices.

Overall, there are numerous benefits to having an in-house radiology department in a veterinary practice. From improved efficiency and quality of care, to increased revenue and staff satisfaction, to enhanced patient experience and marketing opportunities, the advantages of in-house radiology are numerous and significant. If you’re considering adding this service to your practice, carefully evaluate the costs and benefits, and work with a trusted partner to ensure that you have the expertise, equipment, and resources needed to provide the best possible care to your patients and clients.

About Asteris Keystone

The Asteris Keystone Software Suite enables veterinary practices across a wide range of specialties to utilize the benefits of PACS veterinary radiology software. This integrated suite of solutions delivers unmatched speeds, convenience, and security to your veterinarian practice. Want to transform the way you work? Get in touch with our team right away!

About Keystone Omni

Keystone Omni is the market-leading PACS provider with a range of specialized tools to meet the needs of veterinary technicians, radiologists, doctors, and surgeons carrying out a vast array of procedures, from the every day to the more complex and invasive. It offers an all-inclusive PACS for veterinarians, which is easy to integrate with your PMS and comes with features like automated archiving, instant backup, rapid recovery, and remote data transfer. Book a free demo here.