athenaIDX Formerly Centricity Practice Solution from GE Healthcare vs Nextech EMR

Athena is a well-suited electronic medical record system for those professionals that work in a medical center, hospital, clinic, and/or outpatient clinic that need to provide frequent and accurate documentation for insurance providers and all other members of the care team. It might be less appropriate for a small agency.

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.

• One of the best things about Centricity is it is flexible. We are able to add a data point behind a term (CPS calls this an observation term) and track any data needed. These observation terms also allow us to pull information forward and display information needed to make a good decision or used to decrease errors. For example in our history forms given to the patients one of the questions is side of injury. This affected side displays on our EMR forms which helps providers and prevents mistakes.
• CPS integrates with other programs. We are paperless and use DocuSign to send each patient their history, ROS and all new paperwork. This allows us to import the history into the forms and has saved us from adding extra staff (FTEs) to room and take history. The history form can be completed at home or in the waiting room. Each section has a observation term behind it and allows it to be placed into the note at the correct section. Since we have a fully integrated product we do not have to have another program to enter or transfer our charges from the EMR to the PM side of the program.
• Our notes look great! We did a lot of customization which gave us the detail and look we wanted. It seems like a lot of work at first, but the outcome has so much efficacy. We increased our providers without having to increase our staffing and it is due to he efficiencies we gained by using the EMR.
• One other note, Centricity is flexible but that means it is complicated. You can not have flexibility without it be complicated don't let that stop you the end results can be great.

• 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.

• Statements print only current open accounts, would be nice to print a total statement for patients so they can see if payments are split between open and closed/zeroed out accounts
• Ability to create custom reports

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

During my medical rotations I have used multiple products similar to Centricity, but I found Centricity to be one of the easiest to use and one of the easiest systems to learn

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.

• Medication Management has taken a negative impact on our clinicians, the ease of use changed into a complicated process.

• 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.