Comparing Epic and Cerner Systems: Which is Best?

Comparing Epic and Cerner Systems: Which is Best?
7 min read

Epic Vs Cerner are two of the largest and most popular electronic health record (EHR) systems in the United States. Both systems are designed to help healthcare providers manage patient information more efficiently, improve patient care, and increase revenue. This article will compare Epic and Cerner across several categories, including functionality, user interface, customer support, pricing, and more.

Functionality

Epic and Cerner both offer a wide range of features and functionality designed to help healthcare providers manage patient information and improve patient care. However, Epic is known for offering a more comprehensive suite of features than Cerner.

Epic's EHR system is known for its extensive functionality, which includes features like clinical decision support, population health management, patient engagement tools, and more. Additionally, Epic is known for its interoperability capabilities, which allow healthcare providers to seamlessly share patient information with other providers.

Cerner's EHR system also offers a comprehensive suite of features, including clinical decision support, medication management, order entry, and more. However, Cerner's functionality is not as extensive as Epic's, particularly in the areas of patient engagement and population health management.

User Interface

One of the most important factors in choosing an EHR system is the user interface. A user-friendly interface can make it easier for healthcare providers to navigate the system and access the information they need quickly and efficiently.

Both Epic and Cerner offer modern, user-friendly interfaces. However, Epic's interface is widely considered to be more intuitive and easier to use than Cerner's.

Epic's interface features a customizable dashboard that allows healthcare providers to access frequently used features and patient information quickly. Additionally, Epic's interface is designed to be highly visual, making it easier for healthcare providers to understand patient information at a glance.

Cerner's interface is also modern and user-friendly, but it is not as intuitive as Epic's. Cerner's interface can be more difficult to navigate, and some healthcare providers have reported that it can be challenging to find the information they need quickly.

Customer Support

Customer support is an important consideration when choosing an EHR system. Healthcare providers need to know they can get help quickly and easily if they run into issues with the system.

Both Epic and Cerner offer comprehensive customer support programs. However, Epic is known for its exceptional customer support, which includes a dedicated support team, extensive training resources, and 24/7 phone support.

Cerner's customer support is also comprehensive, but it is not as highly regarded as Epic's. Some healthcare providers have reported that getting help from Cerner's support team can be difficult.

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Reviews

Reviews from healthcare providers who have used Epic and Cerner can provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each system.

Epic has generally received more positive reviews than Cerner. Healthcare providers who use Epic often praise the system's comprehensive functionality, user-friendly interface, and exceptional customer support.

Cerner has also received positive reviews from healthcare providers, but some users have reported issues with the system's usability and customer support.

Pricing

Pricing is a major consideration when choosing an EHR system. Both Epic and Cerner offer pricing models that are based on the size of the healthcare organization and the number of users.

Epic's pricing model is known to be more expensive than Cerner's. However, Epic's comprehensive functionality and exceptional customer support are often cited as reasons why the system is worth the investment.

Cerner's pricing model is generally considered to be more affordable than Epic's. However, some healthcare providers have reported that the system's functionality and customer support are not as comprehensive as Epic's, making it a less attractive option for larger healthcare organizations.

Interoperability

Interoperability refers to the ability of different EHR systems to share patient information with each other seamlessly. Interoperability is critical for improving patient care, reducing errors, and ensuring that healthcare providers have access to complete and accurate patient information.

Both Epic and Cerner are known for their interoperability capabilities, but Epic is widely considered to be the industry leader in this area. Epic has developed its own health information exchange (HIE) system, called Care Everywhere, which allows healthcare providers to share patient information with other providers regardless of what EHR system they use.

Cerner also offers interoperability capabilities, but they are not as comprehensive as Epic's. Cerner has partnered with several HIEs to facilitate the sharing of patient information, but some healthcare providers have reported that the process can be time-consuming and cumbersome.

Security

Security is a critical consideration when choosing an EHR system. Healthcare providers need to ensure that patient information is kept secure and protected from unauthorized access.

Both Epic and Cerner take security very seriously and have implemented comprehensive security measures to protect patient information. Both systems are HIPAA compliant and use encryption to protect data in transit and at rest.

However, Epic is known for its exceptional security measures, which include real-time monitoring of system access, two-factor authentication, and strict access controls. Additionally, Epic has a dedicated security team that continually monitors the system for potential threats and vulnerabilities.

Cerner's security measures are also comprehensive, but some healthcare providers have reported concerns about the system's vulnerability to cyberattacks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Epic and Cerner are two of the most popular EHR systems in the United States. Both systems offer comprehensive features and functionality designed to help healthcare providers manage patient information and improve patient care. However, Epic is generally considered to be the industry leader in terms of functionality, user interface, customer support, interoperability, and security.

While Epic is known for its exceptional capabilities, it is also more expensive than Cerner. Healthcare providers need to weigh the benefits of Epic's comprehensive functionality and exceptional customer support against the higher cost of the system.

Ultimately, the decision between Epic and Cerner will depend on the specific needs and budget of the healthcare organization. Healthcare providers should carefully evaluate each system based on their unique needs and consider factors such as functionality, user interface, customer support, reviews, pricing, interoperability, and security before making a decision.

Check More: AthenaHealth EMR – The Complete Guide to Maximize Use

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