Agree with Wendell and Jack. Toaster-grade computers work fine most of the time, and are quickly replaced when they don't. Being your own IT for 99% of the time gives one a distinct advantage in knowing when your IT consultant is FOS. Not everyone who claims IT expertise actually has it. At least, not out here on the fringe of the country.
Backups to other computers, SD chips and the like are quick and easy -- and so far, when called upon,have performed properly. It doesn't take any longer to change boxes than to find an IT person.
AC seems to assume a measure of do-it-yourself involvement. For those that really crave complete dependence on the IT industry there are multiple options -- but my experience with several hospital systems and several office systems convinces me that AC is certainly no worse, and in many ways far better and more responsive than PracticePartner or ChartLink or Epic or others whose names I have forgotten.
All in all, it is very hard to compete with a well-organized and well-managed paper charting system, but only those of us who grew up before the invention of the Xerox process and the microprocessor can appreciate the nuance and depth of a well-constructed paper chart.
Often, when fuming over a sudden system crash or maddening slowdown in the Eprescribe (while the patient takes that opportunity to bring up several issues which I had up to then suppressed, I will point out to the patient that the only truly time-tested form of documentation is the clay tablet. It is easier to read cuneiform than it is to read computer tapes from the 1960's.
