Renowned Veterinary Care Facility Employs VIA® Practice Management Software, RapidStart™ DR and Ultrasound from Leading Digital Technology Provider
Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (GCVS), one of the top veterinary care facilities in the nation, announced it will be installing the VIA® practice management software system and Philips ultrasound platforms from Eklin Medical Systems. GCVS currently uses Eklin's RapidStart DR (digital radiography) and RapidPACS™ (Picture Archiving and Communications System) as part of the facility's Eklin Digital Practice®. All systems are based on Eklin's open standards architecture, allowing seamless integration of the imaging modalities, image management and practice management software.
"We have used Eklin solutions on the imaging and image management side of our large, multi-specialty practice for several years with great success," said Brian Poteet, DVM, Diplomate ACVR, co-owner and director of Diagnostic Imaging for Gulf Coast. "We wanted to convert from our current practice management software system to one that could seamlessly integrate with all of our imaging modalities (DR, US, MR, CT and NM) using DICOM protocols. Eklin's VIA will easily do this and also help us streamline the workflow between all of our specialties."
The expanded Eklin Digital Practice will be implemented first at the GCVS Dallas facility supporting multiple departments throughout the practice. Further expansion will then occur at the Houston facility including additional ultrasound systems for clinical needs and training programs as well as the VIA system. While all Eklin solutions will benefit GCVS, Poteet especially believes VIA will bring a large number of advantages to the practice.
"With such a wide variety of specialties and services, it is very easy for charges to get lost in a busy practice and data input errors to occur," said Poteet. "The VIA system enables a modality worklist which gives us far better patient record security by significantly reducing input errors since we only have to input patient data one time. This also equips us to virtually eliminate lost charges since charges for services, such as ultrasound or DR exams, are immediately captured upon conclusion."
In addition, Poteet notes the benefits of being able to view a complete medical record in one spot including medical notes, lab reports, images and other data. "This allows us a complete and accurate picture of the patient and is a great help in making the correct diagnosis," Poteet concluded.
At GCVS, all digital images are stored, archived and retrieved electronically through Eklin's RapidPACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System) and integrated with the VIA medical record and other reports. Based on DICOM standards, images from all compliant digital imaging modalities (such as ultrasound or CT) can be integrated for a comprehensive view of a patient's imaging and medical records. This information can be electronically shared throughout GCVS' facilities or with the referring veterinarian. The images are also stored remotely in the EklinVault for secure back up and easy access.
"We are pleased to be a part of Gulf Coast's highly skilled team of veterinary care specialists," said Gary R. Cantu, chairman and CEO of Eklin. "With the implementation of VIA and the complete Eklin Digital Practice, we look forward to providing further state-of-the-art technology in GCVS' mission to provide the best patient care possible as they work in partnership with primary care veterinarians throughout its service area."
About Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists
Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists is an organization of six closely interacting veterinary referral practices in Houston and Dallas, Texas. The goal of GCVS is to provide veterinarians the opportunity to incorporate advanced diagnostic training, sophisticated equipment, and the expertise of veterinary specialists into their general practices. GCVS functions solely as an extension of general practices and maintain a close working relationship with family veterinarians. Patients are accepted only by referral from a primary care veterinarian and 24-hour patient care is provided for hospitalized patients. A "team approach" is used among our specialists and the family veterinarian to provide state-of-the-art veterinary care. For further information, visit www.gcvs.com.
About Eklin Medical Systems, Inc.
With thousands of systems installed in private practices and universities around the globe, Eklin Medical Systems, Inc. is one of the world's leading providers of veterinary PACS, practice management software (VIA), ultrasound and digital radiography products. Clients include more than 90 percent of U.S. veterinary schools of medicine, such as UC Davis, Ohio State, University of Pennsylvania and Texas A&M. Numerous zoos and marine facilities, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Bronx, SeaWorld and the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Training Center, also employ Eklin Technology. Eklin is a privately-held company with reported sales revenues in excess of $35 million in 2007 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. The company can be contacted at 800-819-5538 or visit www.eklin.com.
Media Contact: Brian A. Poteet, MS, DVM, DACVR Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists 713-693-1177 drpoteet [at] gcvs [dot] com Laurie Hallwyler Eklin Medical Systems 650-248-9081 lhallwyler [at] eklin [dot] com
