Opening a new veterinary practice or launching a second location is an exciting journey—but it's also packed with potential pitfalls. One of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of this process? Equipment installation and readiness. 

Having functional equipment from day one is essential to the success of your practice. And if you don’t? Well, the risks to patient care, revenue generation, and staff engagement will raise your stress levels.

Risks to patients: When equipment fails, animals suffer and owners walk

Imagine this scenario: You've scheduled your first dental procedure, a senior dog is under anesthesia, and suddenly your dental machine malfunctions. Not only must you wake the patient, but you've also disrupted the owner's entire day. Pet parents who've taken time off work to bring their animal in for the procedure will be understandably frustrated if something goes wrong.

"If a client has been waiting to schedule a dental appointment and the new clinic can't deliver, they'll simply stay with their existing veterinarian," says Rick Warter, Director of Sales, Medical Technology for MWI Animal Health.

One equipment failure can potentially cost you not just that procedure, but future client relationships. Word travels fast. A practice that can't deliver promised services risks damaging its reputation before it even truly begins. Potential clients talk, and in the age of online reviews, one negative experience can echo far beyond that single interaction.

A malfunctioning piece of medical equipment doesn't just inconvenience clients—it directly impacts patient care and safety.  As Warter candidly explains "The ramifications of setting up an anesthesia machine incorrectly is death." These aren't just hypothetical risks. When equipment isn't properly set up and tested, the consequences can be dire.

Risks to revenue: The hidden costs of unready equipment 

Every minute your equipment isn't functioning is a minute you're not generating revenue. For a new practice, these lost opportunities can be devastating. As Warter shared, some practices open with just a handful of appointments in their first week. Every missed procedure, every delayed service represents critical lost income.

Consider that dental procedure that can't happen due to equipment issues. That's not just the cost of that single procedure, but potential follow-up treatments, future preventative care, and the lifetime value of a loyal client. In veterinary medicine, where margins can be tight and competition is fierce, you can't afford these interruptions.

Risks to staff engagement: The unseen emotional toll 

Opening a new practice is stressful enough without adding equipment installation anxieties to the mix. Your team is already navigating new workflows, learning practice management software, and establishing team dynamics. The last thing they need is the additional stress of troubleshooting medical equipment.

"Everything is new," Warter emphasizes. "Where are the syringes? The tape? The Q-tips? And if an IV pump keeps beeping, what's happening? All of this increases the chaos of opening a new practice."

Staff morale can quickly deteriorate when team members feel overwhelmed. They're trying to provide excellent patient care while wrestling with logistical challenges. Each equipment malfunction adds another layer of stress, potentially impacting their confidence and job satisfaction.

The solution: A white glove equipment health installation service

Your stress levels don't need to be through the roof. MWI Animal Health's equipment health solutions installation experience is designed to eliminate risks. On-site, certified technicians unbox, install, function-test, and asset-tag your equipment, getting your new location ready to receive clients. The sooner you can confidently book appointments, the sooner you can start bringing in revenue from your new location.

Lisa Storey, Product Manager, MWI explains, "Our partner takes care of everything. This allows clinic staff to focus on other valuable activities."

The benefits extend beyond the immediate setup. As a subscriber to the equipment health solution, you gain access to ongoing support through on-demand VirtualTech sessions and priority access to certified technicians for repairs. Most equipment issues can be resolved through these virtual sessions in under 30 minutes, offering a faster and more cost-effective alternative to onsite repairs. By implementing proper maintenance protocols from day one, you're setting your practice up for long-term success. 

Through a centralized platform and advanced reporting dashboard, you'll be able to monitor equipment performance, track potential repair needs, and maintain a more efficient operation. Your future self will thank you when they spend less time on equipment repairs that take away from valuable patient care activities.

Setting up your equipment correctly positively impacts staff and client confidence. From day one, your team will know they can handle any patient that comes through the doors, supported by a well-connected network of maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair services. When clients visit your clinic, their pets' health and safety will be top of mind, creating a trusting relationship.

Opening a new veterinary practice should be about healing animals, not troubleshooting equipment. With MWI's equipment health solution installation experience, you can focus on what truly matters—providing exceptional veterinary care from day one.