Strengthening Veterinary Practice Efficiency Through Smarter Workflows

Veterinary professionals are no strangers to long hours and growing demands. Between managing complex cases, maintaining client relationships, and navigating administrative work, the pace of practice life often leaves little time for improvement initiatives. Yet the most successful teams find ways to make their day-to-day operations more efficient so they can spend more time doing what matters most – caring for patients.  

Recent benchmarking data from the American Veterinary Medical Association found that in 2026, companion animal practices generated an average $444,668 dollars in annual revenue per exam room. This highlights how even small operational gains can have measurable financial and clinical impact. When workflows are intentional and consistent, teams can serve more patients effectively without feeling overextended.  

Efficiency begins with internal systems and processes rather than through larger structural changes. Many practices already have the right people and tools in place but lack consistent workflows that make their efforts sustainable. The goal is to remove friction from the areas that cause the most disruption.  

Common areas where inefficiencies develop include:  

1. Inventory tracking and ordering  
2. Prescription refill management  
3. Client communication and callbacks  
4. Task ownership among team members  

When these processes are clearly defined, the information moves through the practice smoothly, reducing the need for rework and freeing staff time for clinical responsibilities. Predictable workflows also create more consistent client experiences and build stronger trust.  

Medication management is often an overlooked source of lost efficiency and client frustration. When refills are delayed or communication is unclear, clients lose confidence. When the process is timely, transparent, and supported by reliable systems, the pharmacy experience becomes an extension of the practice’s professionalism.  

Clients today expect convenience. They value clear instructions, timely communication, and the option to receive medications through trusted home delivery. Recent data from Brakke’s Home Delivery Study found that 72% of pet owners believe home delivery helps improve medication compliance.  

By simplifying the prescription process, practices can:  

1. Improve medication adherence 
2. Reduce administrative strain 
3. Keep prescriptions within their care network 
4. Strengthen client satisfaction and loyalty 

Every successful prescription journey is a reflection of how organized and coordinated a practice is behind the scenes.  

For many teams, optimizing efficiency starts with finding a pharmacy and home delivery solution that complements their existing workflow. Online pharmacy tools, such as Blue Rabbit, support this by integrating prescribing, compounding, and home delivery in a way that feels seamless for the practice and the client.  

When an online pharmacy model works well:  

1. Prescribers can easily select
2. Staff can depend on a
3. Clients receive medications at home with accurate labeling and consistent service. 
4. Practices gain insight into refill patterns, helping improve compliance and strengthen continuity of care. 

Partnering with a reliable home delivery platform allows practices to streamline prescription management while maintaining full visibility over patient care. It reduces manual steps, minimizes missed refills, and creates a simpler, more predictable experience for both teams and clients. 

Home delivery also supports the ongoing connection between veterinarians and their clients by extending care beyond the clinic walls. It reinforces the veterinarian’s role as the central point of care while offering a modern, convenient solution that enhances patient compliance and strengthens loyalty.  

Technology alone does not drive efficiency. Real improvement happens when innovation supports the people who deliver care. Empowering staff with tools that simplify repetitive tasks allows them to focus on their professional strengths. When team members feel confident in their systems and supported by leaders, morale improves and burnout risk decreases.  

A well-structured workflow gives team members clarity in their responsibilities, which in turn helps maintain consistency across appointments, prescriptions, and follow-up care. Practices that invest in these improvements often find that staff engagement increases along with patient satisfaction.  

For practices looking to make efficiency a daily reality, progress begins with a few intentional steps. 

1. Review your prescription workflow.
2. Establish written protocols.
3. Work with a trusted online pharmacy partner.
4. Communicate options clearly.
5. Monitor progress.

Each of these steps helps create a stronger connection between your clinical expertise and the systems that support it.  

Veterinary practices that commit to efficiency and innovation are better positioned to meet the evolving needs of pet owners and staff. Streamlined workflows, reliable pharmacy support, and tools that reduce administrative effort, build resilience and growth potential. 

To explore these strategies and more, Wedgewood is hosting a RACE-approved continuing education virtual session, “From Overwhelmed to Optimized: Practicing with Efficiency and Innovation,” on December 2 at 8:00PM ET. Presented by Dr. Noel Lucas, Founder of Blue Oasis Pet Hospital, and Brian Carlson, Director of Operations at Old Derby Animal Hospital, this live webinar will share real-world examples and approaches to improving workflow efficiency, enhancing client experiences, and supporting team engagement. 

Register now to save your spot and learn how you can apply these strategies in your own practice. You can also check out our previous CE sessions on demand by visiting our Learning Center.

1. Malinda Larkin, “Benchmarking Data plus Elevating Efficiency Equals Practice Productivity.” American Veterinary Medical Association, 15 Oct. 2025, www.avma.org/news/benchmarking-data-plus-elevating-efficiency-equals-practice-productivity.