RxWorks

Integration with RxWorks can be separated into:

• Linking to lab equipment or external  lab services.
• Electronic ordering and recording delivery of supplies from distributors / Wholesalers.
• Additional RxWorks Integration Partners.
  

RxWorks works with several companies to build the interfaces that make these connections possible.  How much can be done in the transfer is typically dependent on the capabilities provided by those suppliers.

Considerations for Integration

Transferring data between organizations in other industries has been fairly easy for many years.  They use standard Electronic Data Interchange formats.  We are glad to say that a standard has now been developed for use by veterinarians.  It’s called VetXML.  RxWorks is one of founding members of the Vet-XML Consortium that’s working to get them implemented.

You get more accuracy and speed when integrating information from other companies into RxWorks.  There are also other valuable advantages.  Most come from automating the manual tasks that are part of the process.

The type of integration depends on what is being transferred.  Two-way exchange of data between RxWorks and a partner is more complicated than a one-way transfer.  Laboratory tests and ordering supplies are examples of two-way exchange and transferring lists of patients due for reminders is one-way traffic.

In this article we will focus on two-way integration.

Two-way Transfer of Information Between Different Organizations or Devices

Workflow and process engineering have been part of RxWorks development strategy for over 20 years.  We look at the whole set of tasks needed to complete a job and design our software to support them.  

Integrating Laboratory Tests

Most management experts agree that lab tests cause a lot of missed charges in a practice.  Anything you can do to automate the process will reap dividends. You will get more accurate medical records and increased profit.

We can eliminate most manual effort, speed up the process and keep the number of errors to a minimum.

The process for ordering and recording results of lab tests is the same when using your in-house equipment or external laboratories – other than running the tests themselves.  

If you look at all of the tasks in the process, it’s obvious that there is plenty of room for errors to creep in.  Systems integration dramatically reduces the opportunities for those errors.

Some of the questions that need answering are:

• When is the charge to the client done?
• How do you ensure that all tests are done?
• How does the veterinarian know results are available and ready for review?
• How are they added to the correct patient’s medical history?

RxWorks’ Lab Manager Module provides the tools you need to answer them.  Check with your RxWorks Practice Advisor for details. For the list of laboratory equipment and reference laboratories currently integrated with RxWorks, please see our Integration Partners web pages.

Integrating with Distributors

Connecting practice management software with a supplier’s computer is just one part of the process.  And integration can have several options.  With RxWorks those are typically dictated by the capability offered by the supplier.

Some of the options that can be included in integration are:

• Purchase orders can be sent to your supplier electronically. They are placed directly into their computer – all without any manual intervention by you or the supplier’s staff.
• Receipts, including costs, batch numbers and expiry dates, can be retrieved from the supplier’s computer. They can be used to update your records – all automatically.
• Alternatively, packing slips can be scanned with one swipe of a 2D barcode reader.  Every item, quantity, price, etc. on the slip is used to update your records –all automatically.
• The latest costs and selling prices can be automatically updated for all items you have in stock.  Even if you haven’t included them in the current order.

RxWorks provides for all of these options.  Check with your RxWorks Practice Advisor for details on what is available for your supplier.  To see a list of those distributors currently integrated with RxWorks, please see our Integration Partners web pages.

In Summary

What we are discussing is the process.  Unless it’s as automatic as possible, there is potential for error and certainly delays and staff cost.  So, just saying practice management software is integrated with other companies is not enough. You need to look at how it’s done and how complete a process it is. This is particularly evident when you compare our integration functions with others.  We welcome that comparison.  

The amount of effort spent in setting up data that supports integration pays off down the road.  We recognize the strain this could place on your resources, but it has to be done. So to make it easier, we have already built the information for you.  This reduces your effort - and chances of errors caused by missed or incorrect fees, client communications, and so on.

You might like to read about out unique Veterinary Supplies Database and Performance Pack modules for more details.

Or view our webcast on 'Getting Better Value From your Practice Management Software - Part 1'