Automatic data uploading to any web-connected device improves accuracy and consistency while also freeing staff to focus entirely on the patient during an anesthetic procedure. Photo courtesy Digicare Animal Health One of the great trends surrounding technology, particularly in the veterinary industry, is it continues to offer more. More capabilities, more connectivity, more intuitive features, more available services. Along with advancements that allow individual pieces of equipment to work better in isolation, many innovations actually allow the new features and technology to create a network of interconnected solutions where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That idea has certainly rung true in veterinary monitoring, both as standalone monitors and as part of a broader system, which has seen a significant expansion in the ability to lessen the burden on the veterinarian. As more and more features are being incorporated, from integrations with outside partners and from within the monitors themselves, the monitoring ecosystem continues to improve data management in the clinic and provide more benefits for patients and veterinarians. Up in the cloud Reliable veterinary monitoring technology is particularly important during anesthetic procedures. In addition to increased risks to patient safety, anesthetic procedures can also create logistical challenges for veterinarians and technicians. With a constant stream of patient data to intake and limited free time to record it, maintaining thorough and accurate documentation during a procedure can be a near impossibility. One solution that has emerged in recent years as the answer to many of these hurdles is cloud-based recordkeeping. This feature, available on some monitors, automatically uploads patient data to a web-based cloud platform for future reference on any device with internet access. Not only does this ensure accuracy and simplicity by directly connecting information input to a central storage location, but it also provides an easy way to improve patient files. Paper notes require constant note-taking, and issues such as illegible handwriting, inconsistent technique among staff members, and losing physical copies can prevent critical data from informing future care. Cloud-based recordkeeping solves these problems, eliminating the need for paper charting. Staff can also benefit from implementing a cloud-based system. As everyone in the industry knows, burnout is a significant concern for clinic staff. Automating mundane tasks, such as recordkeeping, can reduce workload and decrease stress throughout the day. Many cloud-based systems support multi-user access, allowing the system owner to customize access and permissions across accounts. This allows all staff to benefit from the cloud in ways that best support their specific responsibilities. Direct connection between the monitor and data files also frees staff to focus on patients during procedures instead of worrying about recording every detail. Meaningful connections Cloud-based recordkeeping is engineered to streamline processes by combining many data points that have traditionally been collected and stored separately into a single input method and location accessible on any device with an internet connection. Everything from vitals to patient and procedure information, even voice notes, memos, drugs, and exact dosages can all be uploaded via the monitor in real time and stored in an easily accessible cloud. Records can also be made available in a PDF file that can be printed or stored in local drives. This condensed, thorough single record makes it exponentially easier for veterinarians to see the full story and interpret meaningful conclusions to inform care decisions and future procedures. Utilizing cloud-based records can be made even more useful when the software is paired with a veterinary-specific monitor. Unlike human-medicine monitors, which are engineered for patients with relatively small size and vitals ranges, veterinarians can see patients weighing anywhere from a couple of ounces to nearly a ton, with vitals ranges varying wildly depending on the species. Many monitors sold in the veterinary industry start out as human-medicine monitors that are then adjusted to meet veterinary parameters. This approach often misses many of the nuances specific to animal health and can lead to unreliable measurements and incorrect signaling. Veterinary-specific equipment is built from the ground up with the animal patient in mind and accounts for the differences across species, maintaining accuracy in the data uploaded into the cloud. Along with the connections within the monitoring and recordkeeping network, these solutions can also connect to a broader veterinary ecosystem to further streamline patient care logistics. oday’s veterinary monitors track more than just vital signs; they can record drug dosages, procedural information, and more. Photo courtesy Digicare Animal Health Future forward To continue expanding the capabilities of veterinary monitors, cloud-based recordkeeping, patient software, and more, the ecosystem needs to further develop based on input from clinicians and staff who use these systems and technologies. Feedback from the people who work with these tools every day is critical for continued innovation and informing strategic direction. Eduardo Miranda, president of veterinary-specific monitor manufacturer Digicare Animal Health, says, “There are several solutions out there in the industry veterinarians are using to streamline operations, many of which offer the potential for a more inter-connected clinic experience. When we hear from practitioners about what they use and how they use it, we can work to continue building meaningful relationships between vendors and making our systems better for veterinarians.” This feedback loop is also important for determining priorities of future engineering. Working to integrate AI, add easy access to customer service and training, and connect the cloud to automated anesthesia systems have all been identified as high-demand innovations that veterinarians can expect in the future. When patient data is recorded and made available in multiple formats, veterinarians have the flexibility to make decisions during and after the procedure to benefit patient care. Photo courtesy Digicare Animal Health As the shift toward an interconnected monitoring ecosystem continues to unfold, every innovation represents more than just a technological upgrade; it represents a positive shift in how veterinary medicine is practiced. By bridging the gap between hardware, cloud-based data, and practice management software, clinics can finally move away from the limitations of manual charting and toward a more data-rich, efficient future. As these partnerships evolve and feedback from the field fuels what comes next, technology will continue to solve more problems facing the industry and give veterinarians the tools they need to focus on the health and well-being of their patients. Matthew Person is an account executive working for Digicare Animal Health, a manufacturer of veterinary-specific monitoring solutions. He can be reached at matthewp@digicarebiomedical.com.
