Editor’s note: Some of Dr. Fred Wininger’s quotes have been lightly edited for clarity.
For veterinary practices, a rapidly growing case load usually brings chaos and stress. But for The Animal Neurology Center (ANC) in St. Louis, Missouri, it led to momentum. In just months, the specialty practice scaled to:
- ~7 MRIs per day (well above the typical 2-4)
- Increased case load without hiring more staff
- Faster, more complete medical records
- Improved communication with referring veterinarians
- Earlier end-of-day finishes for clinicians
“We can see more cases because we can stay more organized,” said Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), owner of The ANC. “I think I leave earlier at the end of the day than I otherwise would have, which makes a difference in my ability to see more cases the following day.”
How Instinct EMR Revolutionized The ANC’s Workflow
Real-Time Documentation
One of the biggest shifts that Instinct EMR brought to The ANC is the ability to complete documentation as the case progresses, rather than at the end of a shift. As a result, referring veterinarians receive updates sooner and veterinary teams stay aligned in real time.
“I think the thing that has helped my workflow the most is that I can finish my exam, even for an inpatient. I complete the exam with the assessment and plan, and then that’s done. That’s been a big difference in workflows from previous PIMS, where the case is open until it’s closed. And even though that patient is going through the workflow pipeline of our hospital, that piece is complete, which can not only be referenced by my team, but it can be referenced by the primary care veterinarian right away.”
Seamless Integration Across the Entire Workflow
Instinct EMR eliminates the disconnect between medical records, treatment sheets, whiteboards, and billing. Because everything takes place in the same system, treatment sheets are linked to invoices, and medical records are shared with referrers after each visit, without requiring staff to do any extra work.
“The part that I anticipated being a problem was just ordering treatments and one-off treatments on the whiteboard,” said Dr. Wininger. “The Instinct Academy curriculum and virtual trainings made that part so seamless.”
For The ANC, this translates into fewer missed steps and smoother workflows.
Automations That Reduce Cognitive Load
Automations in Instinct EMR plays a major role in improving both practice efficiency and veterinary team morale. Examples include:
- Automate follow-up emails to clients
- Automatically generate discharge instructions
- Creating task lists tied to treatments or procedures
“Automations really opens up a customization that I’ve never seen before,” said Dr. Wininger. “I think beyond what anyone would expect.”
Rather than relying on memory or manual processes, Instinct EMR and its features (like Automations) support consistent, sustainable patient care for all veterinary teams.
What This Means for Specialty Veterinary Practices
For specialty hospitals facing increasing caseloads, growth doesn’t have to mean more complexity. With the right veterinary software, practices can:
- Increase case volume
- Improve efficiency
- Strengthen communication
- Support clinician well-being
—all at the same time.
“I advocate for Instinct [EMR] frequently and I often call it the program that has no problems,” said Dr. Wininger. “I rarely find a bug. When I think I’ve found a bug, it turns out it was a user error. [Instinct EMR] does everything that we talked about when we were residents, looking for the ideal program for our dream hospital. It does everything it’s supposed to do. And the most important thing that it does is it continues to evolve.”
About The Animal Neurology Center
The ANC is dedicated to diagnosing and treating complex conditions affecting the brain, spine, and nervous system. As a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility, The ANC combines advanced imaging, surgical expertise, and 24/7 inpatient care with a strong focus on education, research, and collaboration within the veterinary community.
We thank Dr. Wininger at The ANC for taking the time to share his experience with Instinct EMR! Sign up for The ANC’s newsletter for insights and updates on animal neurological care, breakthrough treatments, and stories from their clinic.
Interested in learning more about Instinct EMR? Request a demo here!
