athenaClinicals vs. Nextech EHR

athenaClinicals is well suited from a single physician office to an enterprise healthcare system. The only specialty that they cannot cover is oncology that includes chemotherapy infusions (the dosing is very complicated and requires a specific oncology system).

Incentivized

I have and will continue to recommend MDI (a Nextech EMR system) to other ophthalmology/retina practices through the AAOE etalk. MDI was developed by an ophthalmologist specific for ophthalmologists and the specific needs they have which makes it very easy to use. Uploading the images is easy. We are also able to share information with other practices on the system.

Incentivized

• Athena is able to create a medication list from the patient's pharmacy purchase history. This aides in compiling a comprehensive list quickly, especially when the patients do not know what meds they are on. The downside to this module is that every time that you add a medication that is not on the list, it turns it into an order that the provider needs to sign. There are many times that you need to make an addition, that the provider does not want to sign as an order.
• The patient history module is easy to configure to meet the needs of the organization.

Incentivized

• Integration with our PM system was done in 2009 and they built the bridge between the two companies.
• Drawings and testing images are uploaded easily.
• The ability to keep track of reporting for CMS is very helpful.

Incentivized

• The cost is very high compared to other programs.
• Some people find the program difficult to learn.
• The billing software requires more work than is described when they are trying to sell you the program.
• The sales staff that we dealt with had the vibe of car salesmen. At times very pushy and the room for negotiation grew at each interaction. The high cost first quoted is very negotiable but they "up charge" for many things.

Incentivized

• I would like to be able to close charts correctly for staff who are no longer with us as an administrator

Incentivized

Overall the system is good. Actually, this was supposed to be the universal EMR when it came out during the Bush administration.

Incentivized

They are always there. Friendly and organized.

Greenway was absolutely horrible. Not intuitive, no right-click functionality, poor integration, and flexibility. athenaClinicals surpasses it in every aspect.

WoundExpert was well suited to wound healing and hyperbaric medical practices. If athenaClinicals had the right forms and ability to accommodate wound care and HBO workflows, it would be a good competitor.

Incentivized

CUSTOMER SERVICE is above par where NexGen had what we called no-customer service. Ease of use without having the make our own templates constantly. Upgrades are seamless and no added cost.

Incentivized

• Being able to fax notes immediately to referring doctors and PCPs is very important. It saves on time and paper/toner not having to print out and then fax.
• Not having to develop and/or print out the pictures/FAs and having them upload immediately so doctor can treat at the same visit.

Incentivized