Home Forums Discussions General Discussion AdvancedMD PM and AC EMR X-Link interface.

I am trying to connect AdvancedMD PM and AC EMR with X-Link interface. Anyone using it? If so, I would love to hear your experience with it. Thanks!

We have used it since he beginning of the year, we still have not worked all of the bugs out, I cannot say I am displeased yet, but it has been a learning curve from our previous billing system. marlon

Thanks for your reply. I already use AdvancedMD for PM and I am, so far, satisfied. As background: I previously used MOMSAT PM but found it too cumbersome and the billing reports from it were useless. I decided to try an "integrated" option. I looked at ACPM but decided against it (See below). I tried AdvancedMD PM/EMR Module and found it very difficulty to use, so I decided to go back to AC as EMR. I am trying to find user experience with x-link interface.

I have learned a lot since the day I posted this message. I learned that there are two companies that make interfaces for AC/AdvancedMD: X-link and CTECHUS. Both use the HL7. However, CTECH tells me it can do a custom "complete" integration and X-link is more wyciwug (what you see is what you get). CTECH is more expensive than X-link initially, about the same on an ongoing basis. CTECH is a custom interface and X-link you get a stardand interface. With x-link you have to press ctr-F11 every so often to make the interface work. I am not clear if this is the case with CTECHUS.

I learned that AC does not allow a tight integration between other PM and their EMR on purpose, as they are pushing their own solution PM. However, I have read the horror stories. Also, I have reviewed their PM, and even went as far as sign up, but eventually backed out for lack of support during the period of implementation. Plus, ACPM just does not do what I need it to do as far as tracking patients.

So, I have to continue to use a mismatch of different programs to get the job done, at least for now. I am sure I am not the only one and hope that those of us that have to do this can share our experiences so we do not have to re-invent the wheel.

Depending on how the HL7 files are transferred and a few other factors, you may be able to get a third party developer to make a custom solution for you that would be cheaper than X-LINK or CTECH.

JamesNT

James:

I'm interested. Any suggestions?

1. Find out how files are to be transferred. The most likely scenario would be a secure FTP site. But this needs to be verified.

2. Get any documentation advancedmd may have on the HL7 files they will send and accept. Get some sample files, also. Especially need to know what version of HL7 they are using.

3. Cost to implement from AdvancedMD. Yes, although your developer will be doing all the work, advancedmd will probably still nail you with something. That's how the online guys roll. Because they can.

4. Realize that a custom interface may not solve everything. If you need some piece of information and advancedmd is NOT sending it in their file, you're SOL unless advancedmd is willing to do some work for you which will cost $$$. Also, the reverse is true. If you need advancedmd to receive some information you can send it since you can just tell your dev "send this" but if advancedmd doesn't read it then you're still SOL.

JamesNT

James:

That is exactly how Taurin Maini at CTECHUS.com says it will work. He calls it a "tight integration":

"Synchronization and clean-up of demographics, insurance, appointment, referring data in both AMD and AC (duplicates elimination as well). Integration build (any special rules and exceptions can be included)... will cover hosting of secure FTP, any reasonable upgrades, version changes by AC and/or AMD) etc."

At his request, I will not post his quote.

Obviously I would prefer to pay less, provided I get the same support / service. You mention: "you may be able to get a third party developer to make a custom solution for you that would be cheaper than X-LINK or CTECH." Do you know any third parties I could contact?

Thanks!

Dr. Carcamo,

Unfortunately, not at the moment. Indie might have a dev running around he could throw at you. I could do the work myself but I just took on a large project rewriting a patient scheduler from Visual Basic 6.0 to C# 2015 so I'm afraid I'm a bit stretched. We go live with the new scheduler 1.1.2017 which includes full data migration and porting of existing interfaces. Once wrapped up, if you're still looking around, I'll be more than happy to see what I can do for you.

JamesNT