After more than a month of serious consideration of switching EMR to another vendor, early this morning on wake up I shouted to my sleeping wife ! AC starts Saas !!
This is a big news ! Now I may not have to spend hours a day searching for another vendor, changing billing software (from my current EZclaim)...
Congratulations, Amazing charts !
Let me tell you my story...
I always have considered myself tech savy, but how many doctors may have decent experience in networking IT technology? Each time AC network connection error message pops up, I have panic attack as I do not hire IT person. But that still is fine because now I am quite good in maintaining my own network and can troubleshoot most commonly occuring issues without downtime.
But as I am now about to purchase second office, remote access is another big headache!
- How shall I connect two separate offices? How can I improve limited AC's Template function ? How to avoid hassles of daily back up, and secure myself network or server failure. You know, even with daily back up, if disaster happens at the end of day(I just realized that I evenhave forgotten backing up whole last week), you lose whole day's job.
After struggling how to cope with this headache, I decided to peep into other EMRs. And have signed up and tried Saas EMR from practice fusion. Test running Practice Fusion every day, and have had demonstrations from other Saas vendors, my current status and opinions are:
1) Server based is obsolte, at least server + Saas hybrid must be provided by EMR vendor.
2) Saas is the way to go. It is speedy, no limit of file storage(such as imported item) to server, upload, then forget of backing up.
3) Sassi : No worry for remote access - this is the biggest thing !! No worry of staffs whining or crying knocking exam room for help with network error. People always worry of Saas downtime. I think Server downtime is greater headache than Saas server downtime. Saas downtime is noticed prior to their maintenance hours in advance, and users can prepare for that in advance. True downtime is (probably) not happening often in real world as server is maintained by experts and has back up something. But small server in my office is maintained by myself, and biggest thing is, I have to worry of power outage which happens with strong storm wind in summer season. Electricity power outage causes complete stop of server after hour of back up power to server desktop. I don't have to worry for this with Saas.
4) Worry about speed? Saas is not slow. Fast enough. And Saas provide better flexibility in programming(I guess) and template function is better than AC because they do upgrade very often at their side, not by us installing upgrades. I do not use dragon naturally speaking as I do not want to dictate in front of patient, and I finish and sign my chart at same time patient leave the exam room. To do this, template function is very critical ! Saas provides much much better templates than AC.
5) Functionality and efficiency wise, AC is the best !! All other vendors I considered provide redundant unnecessary functions that only causes more headache and confusion. Probably those are derived from 'confusion' of work flow by non-physician programmers. So far AC is the EASIEST, CONCISE and EFFICIENT EMR that any staff can use right away as they are hired ! EZclaim combination with AC is also quite satisfactory (even though AC does not yet provide full practice management module). To be honest, I do not wish full practice management software those which other vendors provide because they never seem easy to use. I set up billing myself with EZclaim without difficulty, and my zero experience newly hired staff doese perfect job of billing part without any difficulty or complaints.
6) Work flow : AC is best ! : Midmark ecg/spiro import is generally not provided by Saas. AC is perfect for interface function. Saas cannot scan files directly to charts (as AC does with scanner TWAIN).
7) Scanning and Fax/Updox : I use full function of fax management, imported or faxed lab and patient portal with updox interface. It is not well provided by other vendors. This is another big barrier switching to another vendor. I am already too spoiled by AC to switch to other vendor.
As AC now starts Saas, I do not need to start the hassle of switching EMR, and continue enjoy the great features of AC !!
Thank you
Alan Kim
