We are in the process of renovations at the hospital! You may have noticed the contractor, the computer installers or the large delivery trucks in the alley. All of these changes are being made so we can provide more services, better quality services plus an improved work environment for our employees. While several of the improvements are still in the works, I’m writing as if they are already complete, so you will understand the full benefits of the changes!
The thing you might notice first is the second entryway door, creating a vestibule, providing a more controlled temperature in our reception and waiting area. This area often gets very cold in the winter months. Creation of a vestibule should make our waiting area much more comfortable for you.
New in the waiting area is track lighting, providing a brighter room and highlighting some of our retail items. We also have a new CaerVision client information television display. This feature details some of our services, interesting and helpful pet information, as well as providing news and weather updates. Your wait time for appointments should be much more pleasant now, not that we plan to keep you waiting any longer than you are used to!
Our exam rooms are all now equipped with computers, which is helping us transition to a paper-light practice. We can quickly enter your medical records and not spend so much time scribbling onto paper records. The screens will be used to show x-rays as well and those large, wall-mounted “view boxes” will become a thing of the past.
Just behind our exam rooms, we have completely remodeled our x-ray (radiology) room and are now equipped with a digital radiology system. This is taking over for our old table/film/chemical system. Digital x-rays are definitely the future. No more darkrooms, messy and smelly chemicals, or waiting for films to dry so we can interpret whether our positioning or technique were optimal. Digital x-rays are displayed on the screen in 6 seconds! And the quality can’t be beat! Sharp, clear images that can’t be duplicated with the old films of the past. These can then be transmitted to the exam rooms where we can discuss the findings with you.
In our treatment area, we have removed some outdated wainscoting and painted the walls for a fresh, clean look. We also have installed a large computer screen, taking the place of our old, dry-erase “white board”. The new computer version of the “white board” displays all patients who are checked into the hospital for procedures or appointments, what they are here for and how long they have been waiting. This will help us be much more efficient and stay on track!
We also have a new hydraulic “wet table” in the treatment room. The table lowers to within 6 inches of the floor, allowing us to assist large patients onto the table, and then lift them to appropriate heights for their specific treatment. This will save everyone’s back from lifting heavy dogs and will reduce the stress of being lifted for the dogs. The table is a “wet table” meaning it has a water source for dental procedures, cleaning wounds, bathing, etc.
Our new dental unit has been in use for our current dental promotion. It is probably more advanced than what you see in your own dentist’s office! It has the capability for scaling tartar off the teeth, polishing, drilling broken teeth and providing water/air for other dental procedures. It has made our dental procedures so much easier and quicker, meaning shorter anesthesia times for our patients!
Our surgery suite is equipped with a new heated surgery table. It warms to a nice, toasty temperature to keep our patients warm during procedures. We also have a new lighting system in surgery, since light is so critical during orthopedic and delicate surgeries.
Our small kennel room has been opened up, allowing for a better flow of traffic and better utilization of our cage systems. The water damage to the walls from years of hosing down the area has been repaired and a new floor covering makes for easier cleaning and less trapping of dirt, debris and hair.
We have installed two exterior security cameras to view the parking areas. Several staff members became nervous walking to their cars at night, but the new system will allow us to view the areas before we leave the building. It will also record any suspicious activity during non-business hours.
In the early summer, we will get an exterior “face lift” with a new coat of paint in colors that more closely match our new logo and should significantly “brighten” up the place!
Come mid-summer, we plan to have an Open House, to showcase all of our changes and welcome you into our new space. We are very proud to provide the most advanced equipment, cleanest facility and amazing staff for your pets’ care!
