John,
When I originally researched EHR's in 2011, I was just about ready to look at an alternative EHR to AC. Our office was all paper based for the records, except one provider using eCW. We had all been using Lytec for our PM/schedule for years. The most difficult dilemma was having 7 providers interested in starting AC, and figuring out how to best handle this. We have 5 currently using AC, and three soon to start, and we each transitioned one at a time.
I thought we could all be on one shared data base and share notes and such, but found that we all had to individually purchase a license.
We have all transitioned into having individual "EHR pods". Each physician decided on his own computer needs and maintenance of their own specific "EHR pod", and we all share the cost and maintenance of the Lytec server, not unlike how we run the business.
Your situation sounds similar to ours in the sense that you are all under one roof and have multiple providers, but with an added twist of having to also institute a PM for all to utilize that plays well with AC, if I understand your situation.
My advice is figure out the EHR and PM that best fits your current business model.
I have not used any other EHR, but looking back for the past year and half, makes me wish I had started AC 10 years ago with how well this simple little EHR has worked for me personally. I cannot speak for my other 4 partners, but I think they are very satisfied with the transition from paper to AC.
If you are close to Montana, I would be happy to show you our setup anytime.
I think one advantage you have being under one roof is to be able to cost share in a mutually utilized PM, if you decide to go with AC.
