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Countryside Veterinary Clinic: Ideas, Images, Culture, Evolution.

Countryside Veterinary Clinic began in 1994 with an idea. An ambitious young 1991 TUSVM graduate, fresh from the influence of the personal computing revolution and the arrival of the internet age, believed that veterinary care should be embracing all that technology had to offer both in administration and practice diagnostics and therapeutics. He also believed that a veterinary practice should be built first and foremost around service, secondarily around fees.

From the beginning in 1994, Countryside Veterinary clinic used electronic medical records. Each exam room had a networked terminal and complete medical records were available throughout the hospital. In the late 1990’s when TUSVM bought a number of Ausonics Impact ultrasound machines to use in the teaching hospital, Countryside Veterinary Clinic bought one as well, and followed up the purchase with numerous courses in advanced ultrasound imaging. This was the first of serval generations of ultrasound machines used by the clinic.

As digital radiographs arrived in the early 2000s, Countryside Veterinary Clinic again remained on the forefront, employing the technology, but going one step further in bringing high definition viewers into each exam room and using a novel PACS system so clients could view the radiographs in real time.

As the digital revolution has continued, we have continued to employ leading edge technology in what we believe are unique ways. Our current ultrasound machine produces digital images we store with our radiographs. We use photo microscopy for cytology images and these images also are stored along with radiographs and ultrasounds. Our dental x-ray machine was at the time the only one on the market with a software platform that exported DICOM images so we could store dental radiographs alongside our other images. For anesthesia monitoring we use an esophageal stethoscope, pulse oximetry, capnography and noninvasive blood pressure monitoring. And, our anesthesia monitoring system features flash drive recording so each anesthetic procedure has an automatically recorded digital record, all uploaded to the electronic medical record. We literally keep parallel medical records: the electronic medical record and the imaging medical record, all fully available in each exam room on two screens.

And, we look forward to adding endoscopy and endoscopic images to the patient imaging file in 2023.

Why should all this matter? Simple. Information management is everything. On demand point of care diagnostics and therapeutics matter, especially now. A clinic that can respond to any case with the broadest range of immediately available diagnostics and medical and surgical therapies and interventions will offer the most complete level of veterinary care possible. Practitioners who have these tools immediately at their fingertips every day will experience the greatest level of professional development and satisfaction possible.

Our hospital culture is based on a system that prioritizes agency, development, contribution and advancement. Our doctors have advanced training in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, ultrasound, ophthalmology and neurology. We operate in a totally collaborative environment with schedules tailored to the individual practitioner’s needs making us perfect for new graduates and experienced veterinarians alike. Unlike many clinics, we are not understaffed now nor have we been at any point since before and even through the pandemic. Staffing is a top priority and we have a method and a system. We have virtually no staff turnover and offer a smart, hardworking, and cohesive support staff that makes the daily practice efforts as trouble and stress free as possible. And we make sure each member of the staff always is aware of their value in our workspace.

And the veterinary landscape has changed and continues to change in big ways. As it does, we are evolving with it. Our commitment to staff training and development has left us well staffed and growing while many clinics struggle to keep support staff. Our forward thinking, flexible approach to scheduling has allowed us to absorb huge numbers of new cases and clients as corporate clinics around demonstrate their failings and shortcomings. Our adjustable capacity has allowed us to continue to serve at a high volume even as many clinics around us are limiting their capacity and level of service.

Come see us. Experience what makes us different. You will never be over worked, under resourced or under appreciated.

Contact: Dr. Bart Massucco
bartvet@aol.com