Wendell,
While you certainly list a number of laudable changes, these are mostly, in my opinion, either "tweaks" to correct existing flaws in the program, or movements towards meaningful use....
Such changes could include an improved letter writer, and easily accessible problem list, a place to easily store and access interventions or drug experiences (ie pt became hypotensive on inderal), chart fields that expand to show their full contents, an accessible drug history that documents precisely what Rxs were written by the provider, etc.
These, IMHO, are the changes that would lead AC to become a great program.... but they don't necessairly make it a great or flexible program, just one that floats above mediocrity.
This program, as it evolves, seems to lack precisely what Steve Jobs was lauded for: Vision and Innovation
. .. and that is what frustrates me, and has me and my office actively searching for a different EMR.
Bruce Morgenstern (Neurology)
Denver, CO
All EMRs have been at the mercy of the Federal government, since criteria were not forthcoming until the fall last year. Many of the problems of the program are being dealt with. Many of the governmental mandates MUST be met to make it commercially viable. Of course they are following the MU trail. Beyond that, first make it right, then expand.
Everyone has a different set of criteria they consider important. I do think the letter writer is important but don't care about the problem list (all you have to do is click the problem drop down menu). But ultimately decisions are made to make changes both based on perceived importance and ease of completion. Personally I would rather have a PM.
My point was that problems are being dealt with and a lot of them, just not as quickly as we might like, and not always in the way we might like. But each of us has different requirements and expectations. Perhaps AC fits, perhaps it doesn't.
Disclaimer
I have no financial interest in AC and truly do not have any inside information about the company or it's direction. I base my opinions on past experiences and prior conversations with JB. I am not in frequent contact with him. My opinions are just that. I do feel that they are consistent with how AC has proceeded in the past.
