Cerner vs Epic: Which EHR/EMR System Is the Best?

Choosing the right Electronic Health Record (EHR) or Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system is essential for healthcare organizations. Cerner and Epic are two of the most prominent platforms in the industry, each offering powerful solutions with distinct differences in usability, cost, features, and overall performance. This blog explores a comprehensive comparison of Epic vs. Cerner, helping you identify the best EHR system for your healthcare needs.

1. What is Cerner? What is Epic?

Cerner EHR

Cerner Corporation, founded in 1979, has established itself as one of the leading global suppliers of health information technology solutions. The EHR Cerner system, officially known as Cerner Millennium, offers a comprehensive suite of digital solutions designed to connect people and systems within a unified ecosystem.

EHR Cerner provides an integrated digital record of a patient’s health journey, offering healthcare providers real-time access to patient information across various care settings. The system encompasses a wide range of clinical, financial, and operational capabilities, including:

• Clinical documentation

• Computerized physician order entry (CPOE)

• Pharmacy management

• Laboratory information systems

• Revenue cycle management

• Population health management

Cerner’s acquisition by Oracle in 2022 has introduced new dimensions to its product offerings and market positioning. Today, EMR Cerner serves thousands of healthcare facilities worldwide, from small ambulatory practices to large integrated delivery networks.

Epic Systems

Founded in 1979 by Judy Faulkner, Epic Systems Corporation has grown into a healthcare software behemoth known for its comprehensive and highly integrated EHR platform. Epic’s core philosophy centers on creating a “One Patient, One Record” environment where all aspects of patient care are documented in a single, unified system.

Epic’s EHR platform encompasses numerous modules and applications that cover the entire spectrum of healthcare delivery:

• Epic Care (ambulatory EHR)

• Epic Inpatient (hospital EHR)

• MyChart (patient portal)

• Cadence (scheduling)

• Beacon (oncology)

• Cupid (cardiology)

• Healthy Planet (population health)

• Cogito (analytics and reporting)

Epic is particularly known for its strong presence in large academic medical centers, pediatric hospitals, and multi-hospital systems. The company maintains a unique corporate culture with its sprawling campus in Verona, Wisconsin, and is recognized for developing virtually all of its software in-house rather than through acquisitions.

2. Cerner vs Epic: Which Offers Better Cost Efficiency?

Cost is a crucial factor when choosing between Cerner and Epic. Epic requires significant upfront investments in licensing, implementation, and training, which can be a barrier for smaller organizations. However, its extensive features, streamlined workflows, and automation capabilities can lead to cost savings over time by reducing administrative burdens and improving operational efficiency. Additionally, Epic’s robust interoperability reduces expenses related to integrating third-party applications and managing data migrations.

On the other hand, Cerner offers more flexible pricing models, including subscription-based plans, making it a viable option for healthcare organizations with limited budgets. Cerner’s cloud-based deployment options further contribute to cost savings by reducing on-premise infrastructure expenses. However, organizations may incur additional costs for customization, training, and third-party integrations. While Cerner’s initial costs may be lower, the total cost of ownership over time can vary depending on the organization’s specific needs and the level of customization required.

3. Epic Systems vs Cerner: Which is Better for Your Healthcare Business?

Determining whether Cerner or Epic is the better fit for your healthcare organization requires careful consideration of several key factors:

Organization Size and Complexity

Favor Epic if: Your organization is a large, integrated health system with multiple facilities and care settings. Epic’s comprehensive approach works well for complex environments where standardization across the enterprise is a priority.

Favor Cerner if: You’re a mid-sized healthcare organization, a specialty hospital, or a facility with unique workflows that require greater customization. Cerner’s flexibility can accommodate more diverse operational models.

Financial Considerations

Favor Epic if: Your organization has the financial resources for a substantial upfront investment and can support the ongoing costs of maintaining Epic’s ecosystem. The long-term benefits may justify the higher initial expense.

Favor Cerner if: Budget constraints make Epic’s implementation costs prohibitive, or if you prefer a more phased approach to EHR investment. Cerner’s modular structure allows for more gradual financial commitment.

Implementation Timeline

Favor Epic if: You can accommodate a longer, more intensive implementation process with significant organizational change management. Epic implementations typically require more comprehensive organizational transformation.

Favor Cerner if: You need a more flexible implementation timeline or prefer to deploy system components incrementally. Cerner’s modular approach facilitates phased implementations.

Clinical Specialties and Focus

Favor Epic if: Your organization includes significant academic or research components. Epic’s strengths in research support and academic medicine make it particularly well-suited for teaching hospitals and research institutions.

Favor Cerner if: Your organization focuses on community care, has strong ambulatory networks, or has specific clinical specialties where Cerner offers specialized solutions.

IT Resources and Capabilities

Favor Epic if: Your organization has robust IT resources and can support specialized Epic-certified staff. Epic requires significant internal expertise for optimal performance.

Favor Cerner if: Your IT resources are more limited or you prefer greater flexibility in staffing models. Cerner typically offers more options for external support and managed services.

Strategic Considerations

Favor Epic if: Regional alignment with Epic is strong, with potential for community connect partnerships or health information exchange with other Epic users. Geographic clustering of Epic users can enhance interoperability benefits.

Favor Cerner if: Your strategic priorities include integration with diverse systems or if regional Cerner adoption creates network effects in your market area.

Decision Framework

Rather than viewing this as a binary choice, consider the following framework for making your decision:

1. Assess organizational readiness: Evaluate your organization’s change management capabilities, financial resources, and IT maturity.

2. Define critical requirements: Identify must-have functionality, workflow requirements, and integration needs.

3. Consider total value: Look beyond the purchase price to include implementation, training, maintenance, and optimization costs.

4. Evaluate cultural fit: Consider how each vendor’s corporate culture and support model aligns with your organization.

5. Consult peer organizations: Speak with similar healthcare organizations about their experiences with both systems.

6. Assess future flexibility: Consider how each system positions your organization for future healthcare trends and regulatory requirements.

Ultimately, the “better” system is the one that best aligns with your organization’s specific needs, constraints, and strategic objectives. Both Epic and Cerner can be successful when properly implemented and supported within the right organizational context.

Learn more: https://agiletech.vn/cerner-vs-epic/