Using tablets is a game-changer for high-volume veterinary clinics. This tool helps you save time by going paperless and offers greater flexibility in managing your workflow.
Question: What can you use tablets for in HQ?
Curbside Check-In:
The pandemic pushed clinics to quickly adopt curbside check-ins, and many have kept this model. HQ’s e-Lobby simplifies it, allowing your staff stay inside the clinic while communicating with clients outside.
For the majority of check-ins, you’ll use a regular computer inside the clinic. Our vision is to get everything done before clients even arrive in the parking lot using e-consents and e-pay to maximize effecience. However, there are specific situations where a tablet can be really helpful in solving problems.
Transport Programs
If your clinic offers a transport program, a tablet can be incredibly useful. You can meet owners in the parking lot and have them sign consent forms electronically, making the process quick and easy. You can also use e-Lobby In this case, to indicate that a person or organization has “arrived,” you would move the batch of cards from the Pending lane to the Arrived lane. Back at the clinic, this helps track who has and hasn’t shown up.
During Surgery:
Patient Flow is a tool for exams, medical note-taking, drug logging, and completing digital treatment sheets. Designed for use with tablets and specifically tablet pens, it replicates the process of writing notes on paper treatment sheets. Since pen use is essential, the stylus becomes a key part of the experience.
Check Out:
Though a tablet is not technically necessary, the portability of the tablet in your fast-paced clinic is a definite perk.
Note: HQ works with standard devices, so your clinic doesn’t need special hardware. You can collect signatures using a tablet, phone, or computer mouse (Signature pads don’t work in HQ)*.
Buying a Tablet
We’ve tested many tablets on the market and can provide you with our top recommendation:
You can’t go wrong with the Microsoft – Surface Go. It’s lightweight with a detachable keyboard ($50) and pen ($20), making it easy to use during clinic.
Here’s why we like it:
- The Surface Go uses Microsoft’s Windows operating system, allowing it to work with high-value peripherals like Dymo Labelwriter, HQ credit card machines, and wireless printers. You can print prescription labels, process credit card payments, and wirelessly print to most printers. Having the same tablet model throughout the clinic allows for easy interchangeability between the front and back areas.
- The Surface Go’s pen is magnetized to the side of the tablet which is crucial for clinics on the move.
- The handwriting feature works more smoothly and is easier to access on the Surface Go compared to an iPad, making it ideal for HQ use.
- Excel and other Microsoft software work seamlessly on this tablet. Simply connect to your existing Microsoft 365 account, and you’re ready to go. This will be essential for the new Drug Log, which is Excel-based.
Will other tablets work with HQ?
For a completely paperless system, look for a tablet with long battery life and the ability to load the latest version of Chrome. First and second-generation iPads don’t support this. We also recommend a device with at least 8GB of RAM.
Here is a breakdown:
At HQ, we focus on cost-effective solutions. However, the cheapest tablets often have drawbacks, such as poor touchscreen sensitivity, difficulty handwriting notes, and limited connectivity to devices like printers and credit card machines. If buying brand new is not in your budget, we have some recommendations:
- TechSoup is a great place to look for refurbished tablets for a more affordable price.
- Utilize Amazon Wish List for donations if you are a non-profit.
- Best Buy often had the lowest prices for tablet, pen and keyboard combo.
