Cerner vs Epic vs Meditech Comparison: Which One is Better?

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EHR use is on the rise. Growing clerical workloads and poorly linked systems that result in physician burnout make clinical practices from large to small integrate EHR systems like Epic, Cerner, Meditech to manage patients’ information electronically.

These systems serve as a basis for implementing additional apps like telemedicine platforms, patient portals, remote patient monitoring systems, etc. so that the comprehensive data stored in EHRs can be used to optimize processes in the entire healthcare organization.

Usually, healthcare organizations look for the assistance of a reliable healthcare software development vendor to help them integrate different third-party systems into their EHR solutions.

In today’s blog, we’ll have a look at the so-called trinity of EHR systems, and compare Cerner vs Epic vs Meditech.

How Can Cerner vs Epic vs Mediatech EHRs be Compared

Since the federal government pushed the use of electronic health records in 2009, vendors have been competing to sell their software to healthcare providers.

When someone mentions EHRs, these are the first three names that pop up. So it’s no surprise that healthcare practices frequently look for an unbiased Cerner vs Meditech vs Epic systems evaluation.

But before we dive into the in-depth Cerner vs Epic vs Meditech comparison, let’s learn a little bit more about the systems and their market share.

Epic EHR System

Epic is an industry-leading cloud-based EHR software that promotes smooth interdisciplinary collaboration among clinical care teams by centralizing complex electronic medical records. This allows clinicians to provide exceptional patient care with increased effectiveness and efficiency.

It has been a top EHR system for twelve years in a row, according to KLAS Research. The software held a 35.9% which is the largest hospital market share in the EHR industry for 2022 with 83 hospitals joining its network.

Although Epic is considered to be a key EHR provider for large hospitals, it opened new functionality for mid-size practices. “Sonnet” is a more affordable version of the system that offers a realistic price tag for smaller practices.

Pros of Epic EHR

The intuitive design navigation makes the system easy to use for healthcare professionals regardless of their technical background.
The software offers a lot of third-party integrations such as MyChart, Ambara Health, Iguana, Artera, etc.
The system is highly scalable and offers a good customization level.
Epic makes nursing super streamlined and effective.
Advanced reporting features.

Cons of Epic EHR

Organizations report having unpleasant user experiences with customer service that often fail.
Epic is considered pricy in terms of the Meditech vs Cerner vs Epic comparison.
It requires assistance from the IT team for implementation services.

Unique Features of Epic EHR

Epic has 24 modules catering to different doctors’ specialties.
An integrated MyChart patient platform allows patients to schedule appointments, chat with doctors, and attend virtual visits.
Care Everywhere and Share Everywhere are the platforms for sharing records among clinicians and patients.
Healthy Planet - a module for identifying care gaps.
It provides a variety of apps for different devices like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.
Telehealth services with real-time patient monitoring, peer-to-peer consultations, etc.

Pricing. Pricing options depend on the size and requirements of the organization. Default plans are expensive so it’s better to get a custom pricing plan which can save organizations a lot of money in monthly charges.

Clinics and hospitals may have an average cost of around $500k.

Cerner EHR System

Working for over 40 years, Cerner is a cloud-based solution, mostly popular in clinical and ambulatory practices. It has the second-largest market share in the EHR industry.

Similar to past years, Oracle Cerner continues to win many small hospitals while losing the big ones. In 2022, it had a 24.9% hospital market share.

Pros of Cerner EHR

The software has great security, it’s equipped with gold-standard data encryption protocols.
The platform has a very simple and intuitive interface that can be easily navigated by newcomers. It has a “Chart Search” function that makes it easy to search different options.
Powerful data analytics platform helps physicians to make informed decisions about the most effective course of treatment.
It integrates not only with its own systems but also extends support to competitors via an open integration API policy.

Cons of Cerner EHR

Users report significant delays in receiving customers delays.
For practices on budget, Cerner can be very expensive, especially, with advanced integrations.

Unique Features of Cerner EHR

Cerner has around 50 modules catering to different doctors’ specialties.
The HealthLife platform provides patients with tools to manage their health effectively.
The PowerTouch mobile app to access the EHR on the move.
Virtual Health Care telehealth platform.
Cerner Millennium - a product for large hospitals that provides drug alerts, analytics, reporting, etc.
Real-time insurance claims verification makes it easy for healthcare providers to validate the insurance coverage of the patients.
Cerner utilizes Cerner Ignite APIs to facilitate integration between third-party applications and the EHR.

Pricing. Cerner is much less expensive compared to Epic. Small-size clinics may be charged up to $2250 a month.

Mediatech EHR Software

Meditech is a cloud-based platform designed to enhance clinical workflows, operational efficiency, and patient satisfaction.

Meditech had a 16.3% market share in 2022 and 14% of hospital beds. According to KLAS, it was the only major vendor to achieve acute care hospital migrations during the year, securing 14 victories.

It’s used by healthcare organizations of all sizes and is suitable for acute and ambulatory care, oncology, nurse, and specialty care.

Pros of Mediatech EHR

Meditech has a simple interface and customizable templates so that patient data can be easily shared across the departments.
An advanced charting system streamlines the management of patient charting and remote monitoring.
The EHR integrates with FHIR-based third-party applications.
It also offers integration with Interlace Health allowing automated collection of patients’ signatures.

Cons of Mediatech EHR

The UI can’t be customized to the individual needs of the practice.

Users report that the system is quite slow and experiences occasional glitches.

Documentation is quite hard to understand for new users.
Comparing Meditech vs Epic systems and Cerner vs Meditech, Meditech lacks a lot of features.
it has very limited third-party integrations.
Meditech doesn’t offer a free trial and a free version before you decide to buy a subscription.

Unique Features of Mediatech EHR

Patients are able to update their medications and allergies, add medical history, and check in via QR codes to avoid waiting times.
Through the Patient Health Portal, patients can arrange virtual appointments, request prescription refills, and pay bills.
Mobile apps and tools such as Expanse virtual assistant allow doctors to access data via voice commands.
Besides, the telemedicine solution, Virtual on Demand Care provides urgent care for organizations.
The clinical decision support feature offers active formats like ordering or documenting, as well as passive formats like alerts and reminders.

Pricing. Meditech company doesn’t disclose the pricing, therefore users should request a personalized pricing plan.

Making a Choice: Epic, Cerner, or Mediatech?

The implementation and installation of electronic health systems can cost millions of dollars. Therefore organizations must carefully establish and communicate their long-term goals and requirements before making the final choice.

Epic is the most expensive option among the discussed EHR systems. The implementation of Epic is an uphill task that can be done only with the help of IT team. However, it’s also a robust and comprehensive EHR system that will bring the processes inside your organization to a new level.

Contrary to Epic, Cerner leverages Model Experience to offer superior strategic recommendations for implementation and installation. With the support of its consulting experienced team, organizations can gain a deeper understanding of their EHR and confidently transition to their new system.

Meditech also provides comprehensive support and guidance for implementation and installation through its own set of best practices and strategies. While Meditech may not have a specific program named like Cerner's Model Experience, it offers consulting services and resources to assist organizations in successfully deploying their systems.

Possibility of Migration Between Systems

Organizations can decide to migrate between healthcare information systems.

However, the process of migration is very complex and requires careful planning, coordination, and resources. Healthcare providers need to extract and transfer large volumes of data, reconfigure workflows, train staff on the new system, and ensure interoperability with existing systems. So, it requires careful consideration and expertise to ensure a successful transition.

Summing up

To conclude, Cerner is widely favored in clinical and ambulatory care, while Epic strives to excel with its innovative solutions. Their offerings are notably similar, encompassing functionalities like revenue cycle management, interoperability, mobile access, and artificial intelligence, and telemedicine software development to reduce costs.

However, there are distinctions in their capabilities. For example, Epic features a CRM, unlike Cerner, Cerner offers consulting services, whereas Epic does not, Cerner provides users with real-time data, a feature not present in Epic's offerings.

Like Epic and Cerner, Meditech offers comprehensive EHR solutions, revenue cycle management, interoperability, and telemedicine capabilities. However, Meditech may have differences in certain areas compared to Epic and Cerner, such as the level of customization available, the depth of consulting services provided, and specific features are offered within their platforms.

However, sometimes the best decision you can make is to develop your own solution tailored exclusively to the needs of your organization.

If you’re looking for a software vendor to assist you, drop us a line for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors should be considered when choosing between Cerner, Epic, and Meditech for healthcare solutions?

When choosing Cerner vs Epic vs Meditech, it’s important to consider the functionality that your healthcare organization requires. Consider such factors as the size and complexity of the healthcare facility, budget constraints, interoperability needs, customization options, scalability, support and training services offered by the vendor.

In terms of scalability, which system - Cerner, Epic, or Meditech - is better suited for expanding healthcare needs?

In the Cerner vs Epic vs Meditech comparison of scalability, Epic is the best option. Its modular architecture enables organizations to add new functionalities and modules as needed, making it easier to scale the system over time. What’s more, Epic has a long history of working with large, complex healthcare companies, including academic medical centers and integrated delivery networks. This experience has equipped Epic with the expertise and resources needed to support scalability for organizations with diverse needs and requirements.

Are there notable differences in implementation timelines and ease of deployment between Cerner, Epic, and Meditech solutions?

Epic’s cost for implementation is much higher than Cerner’s or Meditech’s. It’s also complemented by the need to hire IT staff as the task is so complex and challenging that can’t be addressed without professional support. Installing and implementing Cerner and Meditech takes much less time and effort than Epic.

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