Epic EMR | Strengths & Weaknesses – EHR Review
Epic Systems Corporation is a privately held healthcare EHR software company that provides Epic EMR systems for mid-size and large medical groups, hospitals, and integrated healthcare organizations.
The company’s integrated electronic medical record software spans clinical, access, and revenue functions and even extends into the home. Complete a quick form at the bottom of the page to compare quick quotes and feature guides from top EMR vendors.
Location: Verona, Wisconsin (headquarters) with offices in Hertogenbosch, Netherlands; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Alexandra Road, Singapore; and Søborg, Denmark.
Strengths:
- Strong customer base. Epic focuses on having fewer but loyal EHR customers totaling just 375 in order to improve their focus and provide better services. The company has provided a dedicated team to each organization and they also foster a sense of community through peer events and online knowledge sharing.
- Extensive range of services and solutions. The company’s key software products include eHealth, clinical, access software, and other hospital-related software for administrative purposes and patient-related activities.
- Widely recognized. Epic has been named as the number one Overall Software Suite by KLAS in 2013 as it consistently earned high ratings and praises for customer satisfaction, response times, and promises kept.
Weaknesses:
- Discourages use of other systems. All customers of Epic’s electronic health records also live with Care Everywhere, Epic’s health information exchange software. Epic EMR systems do not allow users to share data in a way that will satisfy Meaningful Use requirements, since the software charges a fee to send data to some non-Epic systems.
- Challenging and costly. Since Epic is a closed platform, many hospitals found it challenging and costly to interconnect with the clinical and billing software of other companies.
Focus Areas: Many customers have praised Epic’s in-house software because it is quick to implement and easy to use. The following are the current software that the company offers:
- EpicCare Electronic Medical Record (EMR). EpicCare combines chart review, order management, and documentation in a fast system that can learn your preferences while you work. It is designed to accommodate specialists, therapists, and other specialized care providers in addition to primary care. It also spans hospital departments and roles to connect each member of the care team to a single record.
- Mobile apps and portals. One of the popular mobile apps of Epic is MyChart, which gives patients controlled access to the same Epic medical records that their doctors use. Another app is Bedside, designed to strengthen the patient’s relationship with the care team, making his hospital stay more productive and enjoyable. Other apps include Haiku, Canto , Lucy, EpicCare Link, and PlanLink.
- Access and revenue. Organizations that use Epic for both professional and hospital billing can take advantage of integrated Single Billing Office, which features a single bill and payment plan, a single account that simplifies back office staffing, and a single point of customer service to make it convenient for both administrators and patients.
- Enterprise Intelligence. Cogito, Epic’s integrated analytics and reporting, delivers current clinical intelligence and business intelligence based on role and workflow. To meet Promoting Interoperability requirements, a 3rd party tool to complete your annual HIPAA risk assessment is recommended.
- Integrated Core. Epic EMR has a single version available worldwide, making it easier for various types of people to access the system.
- Epic maintains hundreds of pre-built interfaces to leading non-Epic HIT systems, including to devices such as EKGs. Review office equipment info on other sites to compare copiers, etc. – to make sure that you can license it or tweak according to your needs.
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