Cerner and Epic are two names you’ve probably heard if you work in the healthcare industry. These EHR companies collectively control 55% of the acute care hospital market in the United States. However, since Cerner and Epic are two of the most well-known names in the EHR software industry, selecting the ideal one might be difficult.
Cerner vs Epic EMR Software
Cerner and Epic are both manufacturers of IT and EHR, yet they serve distinct enterprises and provide quite different workflow experiences. Therefore, the size and nature of your healthcare practice should play an essential role in selecting which solution it needs.
Cerner
EHR solutions for a wide range of medical practices are available from Cerner. The Cerner Ambulatory EHR is suited for many types of practice, including group medical clinics. This application assures compliance and reduces errors, and increases efficiency with HIPAA standards. The significant features of this tool include an easy-to-use dashboard that streamlines workflow, allows safe logging through mobile devices, and a patient portal through which patients can take part in their healthcare.
Epic
The Epic EMR Ambulatory platform is ideally suited for usage with big hospital and multi-location systems. This EMR system contains an easy “Smart Software” function that guides action and proposes corrections. Epic EMR solutions work very well for hospital systems that wish to efficiently and safely manage electronic medical records. This platform may be customized and contains filtering capabilities that make the chart viewing process more efficient.
Now, we will compare various features of Cerner vs Epic EMR to help you decide which one is more suitable for your practice.
Type of Deployment
Cerner is a more common choice for ambulatory care and clinical practices; however, both companies provide cloud-based deployment solutions. When it comes to larger healthcare businesses, Epic is the most popular choice. Unfortunately, neither vendor makes cost information available publicly, but we know that Epic is slightly more expensive than Cerner but dependent on how well you plan your installation.
User Interface
- Cerner’s graphical user interface (GUI) is well-designed, but that doesn’t always transfer to ease of use. Many users complain that even simple operations need extensive, repetitive workflows and that the system is not intuitive to use. While there are worse options for finding a suitable EHR, Cerner will still require some training before employees feel comfortable using it.
- Although Epic is not as attractive as Cerner, many customers remark that it is simple to use. Because this EHR is intuitive, employees can usually figure out how to complete jobs without much training. In addition, built-in shortcuts make work even faster, while the sheer number of on-screen operations available at any given time might be intimidating at first.
Patient Portal
- Cerner’s patient portal features a secure, HIPAA-compliant communication tool where patients may safely ask queries and confirm they’re following their care plan’s instructions. The system also allows patients to book virtual appointments and renew prescriptions online.
- Patients may use Epic’s patient portal to not only book appointments and securely check their medical records but they can also learn how much specific procedures will cost. They can also book virtual consultations using the patient portal.
Interoperability
When deciding between Cerner vs Epic, you need to prioritize interoperability or the system’s capacity to share data with other software. Here’s how the two EMR software compare when it comes to interoperability.
- Cerner enhances interoperability in a variety of ways. The first, and perhaps most famous, is the CommonWell Health Alliance, which establishes standards and procedures to make it more manageable for you to share and access patient data.
Cerner also offers Cerner Ignite APIs, which allow healthcare organizations to integrate third-party apps with their EHR. The Reference Lab Network will enable providers to link to several acute and reference labs without connecting with each one individually. Cerner expects to debut Seamless Exchange, a new platform interoperability breakthrough, later this year.
- Interoperability is possible in three methods using Epic. First, you can join the Carequality network, a public-private partnership that connects healthcare providers from around the country. Another option is to use the EpicCare Link, which allows non-Epic users to view patient information from an Epic user. A third interoperability element in Epic EMR Software is Exchange Everywhere, allowing you to share health information with outside healthcare providers. This enables you to view patient data without having to connect to Epic via an EHR.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine enables you to evaluate your patients securely while providing a more accessible and presumably cost-effective option for people to use post-COVID. Here’s how Cerner and Epic offer telemedicine features.
- Cerner teamed up with Amwell, a telemedicine business, to make it easier for you to arrange, conduct, and track telehealth appointments. They’re also starting to offer digital care plans to help their practices cope with the increased demand. These strategies assist patients in self-monitoring their symptoms and automatically identify those who require medical intervention.
- Epic has integrated a new telemedicine platform into its system, allowing you to communicate with patients directly from your EHR. In addition, Epic EMR has made it easier for you to check patient history and search symptoms while video-conferencing with your patients by incorporating the service into their system.
Which Software Do We Recommend?
Cerner is typically more appealing to smaller clinics and hospitals due to the IT and implementation management services. However, Epic is used by larger institutions since it requires less training to get started. Despite this, each practice is distinct, with characteristics that would appeal to clinics of any size.
However, we would suggest you go and do your research regarding Epic vs Cerner as well before making any final decision. An EMR demo is highly beneficial in such a case as it allows you to dig deeper and explore various software features. You can also take help from Cerner vs Epic EMR reviews online.
