Anytime, anywhere access to patient data is critical in this day and age. Cloud 9 Software is a browser-based practice management system for orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, group practices, and DSOs which provides 24/7 live access to treatment planning, images, and patient data from any internet-enabled device. Cloud 9 states they have successfully deployed their cloud-based practice management software at more than 1,500 locations, and currently connects almost 15,000 individual users from…
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Epic
Score 8.4 out of 10
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Epic offers a suite of medical practice management and EHR software.
Charting is easy. Clicking on all that tabs at each appointment. That makes it a lot quicker when charting. I would like to see a new tab to view X-rays. When I have to scroll through all the photos to view when we took the last x-rays, it’s a lot because we take photos at every appointment.
Epic is great to access from home or anywhere there is a wifi connection. It is very convenient for office or hospital employees. One time when it is not optimal is when I write a Certification of Terminal Illness for a hospice patient. I can never see it again. It drops off of Epic. I wish those notes would remain.
Interdisciplinary Communication: The care of patients improves when you are able to have the entire care team communicate with each other. Epic makes this process very easy by utilizing one chart for all physicians in the organizations. Care decisions and patient safety are greatly improved by seeing past decision making processes.
Patient Communication: With features like MyChart and Care Everywhere, Epic gives patients a great deal of control over their information. MyChart acts like a patient portal allowing them to see what their providers have to say, see lab results, make payments, and share information with their doctor all from a mobile device or computer. Having features like this allow the patient to take part in their care.
Improves Claim Efficiency: The way that Epic handles insurance claims is incredible. Claims are correct and double checked before they are sent to the insurance companies. This in turn, reduces the number of denials and improves the speed of payments.
You should invest time into taking a training class before using Epic, but once you get the hang of it the usability features are endless! My favorite part about Epic is how it is automated and "trained" to catch user errors that would typically be missed in normal documentation/charting. This ensures accuracy and eliminates errors.
I have spoken to several support members along the way, and everyone is super helpful and exited to find a solution. Everyone is courtesy and patient. I had a problem that I could not figure out on my own and just with my description, I was given clear step by step instructions to get it solved!
A dedicated support staff for each module/area is provided by Epic. This is beneficial for points of contact, however, not all support staff are created equal, and there seems to be high turnover in these roles(staff seems to turn over every 1-2 years). This can make it challenging for continuity and quick support resolution as new staff are not as familiar with organization-specific needs, environments, and/or questions.
The non-server version of Ortho2 we were already using would have cost a significant amount to merge our three separate office databases. Cloud 9 already had parameters set to be able to do this. All of our documents and images transferred over with just minor issues- like where would our online forms go that Cloud 9 did not have an automatic home for. Cloud 9, on the other hand, does not have nifty image layout options, their letter editor is a cranky non-Word program I do not like, and creating custom reports is definitely easier in Ortho2.
Epic gives extensive customization options in terms of utility and view. I have found this to be highly useful and efficient EHR as compared to other EHRs we use in our organization.
It must have had a positive impact as things get done quicker, leading to easier billing/coding. It must be saving a lot of money and time. I am not aware of a better product.
