You might find this information about client retention useful. 

http://www.aaha.org/blog/NewStat/post/2015/03/16/032767/Key-findings-about-client-retention-revealed-in-AAHA-State-of-the-Industry-2015.aspx

Source: American Animal Hospital Association

Point number one: veterinary practices should have firewalls and technology policies in place to protect their computer software. Unfortunately, many practices do not have firewalls or policies though. A professionally installed hardware firewall is a vital security device that can hinder hackers from accessing your internal network. It can also keep confidential data from leaking out.

An Internet connection, especially a broadband connection, is the most common entry point for most hackers. These would be thieves and business thugs constantly find new ways to access computer systems. Hopefully your practice’s computer system will not be one that they target.

It is imperative that you do whatever you can to keep your practice’s internal computer system and even financial records from being compromised. 

Here are suggested steps your practice can fairly easily implement to keep potential hacker disruption to a minimum and protect your practice. These basic security suggestions are simple enough for most hospitals to achieve.

• Only owners and practice managers should have the administrator passwords and handle the most basic software installs themselves. An outside IT or Practice Management System (PMS) vendor should be called to handle more advance software installations and may access the system with owner/manager permission only.

• Internal Wi-Fi networks must have strong passwords that are only known by practice owners and managers. 

• Public Wi-Fi for client use must also be password protected but the password should be posted in the reception area. This protects clients and prevents them from getting into each other's cyber business.

• Windows Operating System updates should be set to automatic on all computers. Call your PMS vendor before turning on any server software firewalls.

• If you have Adobe Flash/Reader and/or Java installed, they should be updated every month. The latest Chrome browser self-updates as does the latest Firefox browser, 

• The log in for most Windows users should be as a Standard or Restricted user. All software must be installed under administrator rights for standard or restricted users.

• For hardware firewalls, Sonic Walls can be installed between the Internet modem and the main network switch, anti-virus and anti-malware software should be installed on each computer. Microsoft Security Essentials is a minimum requirement if PMS interference is a concern, but double check with your PMS vendor.

• Configured and installed Sonic Walls cost about $1,500 for the most basic models. They are now sold by Dell and resold by many IT providers. The Barracuda units are better and more costly because they are single purpose units, such as a firewall unit, anti-virus unit or an anti-spam unit.

The use of retirement plans and maximizing that potential may keep those who would be subject to the new tax under the threshold. Here’s a tax tip for practice owners: make sure you’re fully maximizing 401K or SIMPLE plan limits. These have increased for 2013 and are $17,500 for 401K plans and $11,500 for SIMPLE plans. A veterinary accountant can help you prepare for retirement, compare the types of plans available and help you learn which plan is right for you or your practice to ensure your nest egg(s). 

Many rent arrangements have been established using triple net leases. This means the vet practice, not real estate owner, pays all the property taxes and operating expenses of maintaining the building. This will add 3.8% tax on the net rental income to the owners’ tax burden in 2013 for those making $200,000-plus (single); $250,000 (married, filing jointly). Owners may be able to avoid this by changing to a gross lease. Practice owners may be paying more rent than they need to and adding unnecessary tax burden to their yearly obligations.