Universal health record platform Vedi and Evermore Pet Cremation have joined forces to develop a feature that streamlines the logistically and emotionally tricky process that occurs after a patient passes away. With this new functionality, Vedi will eliminate the painful misunderstandings that can arise between the vet, owner, and crematorium.
“It’s the hardest part of the job, caring for grieving owners,” Vedi CEO Dr Steve Joslyn said.
“Even when their animal is gone, there’s still a lot to be done—and that’s where Vedi comes in.”
When a patient dies, many decisions need to be made. Firstly, the owner needs to decide what they would like done with their pet’s remains, something that’s often impossible to decide in the moment. From there, the vet ensures their wishes are carried out by documenting their special requests, liaising with the crematorium for pick-up and checking that the ashes have made their way back to the owner.
In many practices, this process is managed through spreadsheets, whiteboards, post-its and labelling systems. Often, it takes weeks.
“Obviously these methods are fallible and time consuming,” Dr Joslyn said.
“All the onus to oversee the process, and double-check everything is on track, is on the vet.
“What’s more, a lot of owners aren’t ready to make decisions for days and aren’t aware of how crematoriums work, so this creates further complexity in an already emotionally charged situation.”
By automating much of the administrative tasks between the vet practice and crematorium, Vedi aims to give vets more time to spend with grieving owners.
And because of their expanding network of veterinary providers, Vedi is also in a unique position to alert all relevant stakeholders of an animal’s passing—including the animal’s previous vets or the microchip registry.
“While this is the last thing on an owner’s mind when their pet is gone, it helps ensure that no-one is going to reach out to them in the subsequent months and years with appointment reminders,” Dr Joslyn said.
This new technology will be piloted with limited features to select veterinary practices in February 2023. Vets who wish to be part of the first intake, or would like further information, can visit vedi.io/get/end-of-life
