Cerner vs athenahealth

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Our analysts compared Cerner vs athenahealth based on data from our 400+ point analysis of EHR Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Cerner Software Tool
athenahealth Software Tool

Product Basics

Cerner is a cloud-based EHR software used by health organizations of various sizes and specialties to streamline their operations and provide greater healthcare. It offers charting, documentation, revenue management and health analytics. These capabilities ensure up-to-date patient information and accurate diagnosis and treatment.

It caters to more than 40 specialties, with task automation and simple recording that enables healthcare professionals to focus more on patients. Physicians are able to see more patients on a given day, increasing overall revenue without sacrificing the quality of care.
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AthenaOne is a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) software designed to streamline clinical workflows and administrative tasks for healthcare providers. It is most suited for small to medium-sized practices and clinics seeking a comprehensive EHR solution with robust features and a user-friendly interface. Key benefits include improved patient care coordination, enhanced clinical decision-making, and increased practice efficiency. Popular features include patient charting, scheduling, billing, and reporting. AthenaOne is often praised for its intuitive design and ease of use, as well as its robust integration capabilities with other healthcare systems. Pricing is typically based on the number of providers and features required, with monthly subscription fees as the common payment model.

Pros
  • Easy navigation
  • Robust features
  • Secure patient data
  • Seamless billing
  • Customizable templates
Cons
  • Potentially high cost
  • Learning curve for new users
  • Limited customization
  • Occasional technical glitches
  • Customer support response time
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$25/Feature, Monthly
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$140/User, Monthly
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Windows
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Chromebook
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Android
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Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
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Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
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Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Increase Productivity and Efficiency: Spend far less time charting and documenting data and focus more on the patient. Leverage health analytics and other tools to provide more accurate diagnoses and treatment. Real-time updates keep information accurate. 
  • Patient Experience: Offer convenience and help patients save time through a user portal. They can check lab results, edit personal information on mobile, check in online prior to a visit and communicate with their providers. 
  • Usability: Report and look up patient information with ease via navigation that’s user-friendly. 
  • Full-Service Support: Cerner provides 24/7 customer support and can assist with installation and implementation. 
  • Clinical and Financial Integration: Facilitate communication between billing and clinical teams with integrations that streamline processes. Track financial performance as well as store and retrieve documents electronically. 
  • Health Network: Integrate with other systems to connect clinical, operational and financial data using Health Network Architecture, an intelligent and extensible platform. 
  • Cerner Millennium: Securely connect every aspect of care to the patient using Cerner Millennium, a comprehensive electronic health record. Aggregate and normalize data across vendors and platforms using HealtheIntentSM. 
  • CareAware: Leverage interoperability between medical devices, healthcare applications and EHR systems using CareAware, a device connectivity platform. 
  • Developer Support: Collaborate with third-party and client developers by using Cerner Open Developer Experience, which encourages open communications and provides API documentation, guidelines and access to tools for app development. 
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  • Improved Patient Care Coordination: AthenaOne's comprehensive patient records, accessible from anywhere, enable seamless collaboration among providers and facilitate informed decision-making for better patient outcomes.
  • Enhanced Clinical Decision-Making: The software provides real-time access to patient data, clinical guidelines, and best practices, supporting evidence-based care and reducing medical errors.
  • Increased Practice Efficiency: AthenaOne streamlines workflows, automates administrative tasks, and reduces paperwork, allowing providers to focus more on patient care and less on administrative burdens.
  • Improved Patient Engagement: The patient portal empowers patients to actively participate in their care, view medical records, schedule appointments, communicate with providers, and manage their health information.
  • Enhanced Revenue Cycle Management: AthenaOne's integrated billing and coding features ensure accurate claims submissions, reduce billing errors, and accelerate reimbursements, optimizing practice revenue.
  • Improved Compliance: The software helps practices adhere to regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA and Meaningful Use, ensuring patient privacy and data security.
  • Enhanced Mobility: AthenaOne's mobile app enables providers to access patient records, securely communicate with colleagues, and complete tasks on the go, promoting flexibility and efficiency.
  • Scalability: The cloud-based platform allows practices to easily add users and expand capabilities as needed, accommodating growth and evolving needs.
  • Data Analytics: AthenaOne provides robust reporting and analytics tools that enable practices to track performance, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions to improve quality of care and business operations.
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  • Clinical Documentation: Narrative, auto text and voice recognition, and speech-to-text support makes charting and documentation easier and more efficient. Any relevant patient data like medications or diagnosis is automatically included. 
  • Mobile Apps: Providers can review patient charts, request orders and refills, review diagnostics and check clinical results using their mobile. Voice dictation helps physicians with easy documentation. 
  • Built-In Templates: A variety of prebuilt templates limit the amount of time physicians need to spend on documentation. 
  • Health Analytics: Provides insights to help enhance clinical, financial and population health strategies, which help in identifying long-term and daily operational improvement opportunities. 
  • Patient Portal: Patients can exchange messages, request refills, view clinical information and check out evidence-based data on over 3,000 topics to further their education. 
  • Sepsis Surveillance: Developed by Cerner in 2010, the St. John Sepsis Surveillance tool looks for patient data and notifies clinicians of patients who are at risk of sepsis before they are diagnosed. 
  • Revenue Cycle Management: Offers solutions to improve workflow and control costs leading to more revenue. Insurance can be verified automatically while faulty claims can be dealt with before submission. 
  • Cybersecurity: Helps protect sensitive health data against insider threats and cyberattacks by ensuring only necessary staff has access to it. 
  • Scheduling Management: Automates the appointment scheduling process from both centralized and decentralized booking locations within a department or facility. It also:
    •  Manages scheduling across multiple facilities and scheduling a series of appointments. 
    •  Validates medical necessity at several points in the workflow. 
    •  Prevents adverse appointment and procedure interactions. 
    •  Supports moving appointments within a single view. 
  • Patient Kiosk: A self-service solution for patients to check in for and manage appointments. They can view and update demographics and insurance information, as well as complete registration forms. Also supports storing signed forms in patients’ electronic health records. 
  • PowerChart Touch: Enables physicians in either acute or ambulatory settings to access and review their patient’s clinical data and current orders on smartphone or tablet. 
  • Enterprise Master Person Index: Minimizes duplicate records, enabling end-users to find the correct person. 
  • Ambulatory Organizer: Shows a daily patient schedule, the time a patient checked in, the reason for their visit per the intake form, and required documentation. Also indicates outstanding tasks. 
  • Tap-and-Go Authentication: Enables clinicians to use a single username and password to gain access to several key applications on clinical workstations. Scanning a badge automatically logs them in to their virtual desktops to gain rapid, no-click access to medical records as they change locations. 
  • Ambulatory Registration Management: Automates the workflow and process of registration, admittance, transfers and discharges. Offers a Master Person Identifier (MPI) and facilitates collecting co-pay or payments on outstanding balances. 
  • Analytics: Uses data across the integrated health system to examine enterprise and population health content. Identifies, applies and measures analytics-based, strategic initiatives such as cost and utilization, pharmacy spend, and practice management to reduce duplicative efforts. 
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  • Patient Charting: Electronic medical records (EMR) with customizable templates, comprehensive charting tools, and integrated clinical decision support.
  • Scheduling: Online appointment scheduling, customizable appointment reminders, and patient wait time tracking.
  • Billing and Coding: Integrated billing and coding functionality, claims management, and revenue cycle reporting.
  • Patient Portal: Secure online access for patients to view medical records, schedule appointments, communicate with providers, and manage billing.
  • Telehealth: Integrated video conferencing capabilities for virtual patient visits.
  • Mobile App: Access to patient records, charting, and communication on mobile devices.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Robust reporting tools for clinical, financial, and operational performance.
  • Integration: Connectivity with labs, pharmacies, imaging centers, and other healthcare systems.
  • Security and Compliance: HIPAA-compliant security measures to protect patient data.
  • Customization: Ability to tailor the system to meet specific practice needs.
  • Support: Comprehensive training, support, and resources available.
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Product Ranking

#42

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EHR Software

#45

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EHR Software

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User Sentiment Summary

Good User Sentiment 369 reviews
Good User Sentiment 953 reviews
73%
of users recommend this product

Cerner has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 73% when considering 369 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

75%
of users recommend this product

athenahealth has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 75% when considering 953 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

4.1 (16)
n/a
3.5 (216)
3.5 (102)
3.8 (130)
3.8 (836)
n/a
5.0 (1)
3.6 (7)
3.6 (14)

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Data Security: All users who mention safety and data noted data security as an important advantage.
Collaborative: The product’s collaborative nature helps support multiple medical facilities, as reported by all users referring to this feature.
User-Friendly: About 73% of users referencing usability mentioned that the product is easy to use and navigate.
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Streamlined Workflow: Reduces manual data entry and automates tasks, saving time and improving efficiency.
Improved Patient Care: Enhances communication and collaboration between providers, leading to better patient outcomes.
Enhanced Reporting & Analytics: Provides real-time insights into practice performance and patient data, enabling data-driven decision making.
Mobile Accessibility: Offers mobile app for charting, scheduling, and patient communication, improving flexibility and accessibility.
Customizable Interface: Allows tailoring the platform to specific practice needs and workflows, improving user experience.
Positive User Reviews: Consistently praised for its ease of use, intuitive interface, and helpful support team.
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Updates: Updates take a lot of time and don’t happen frequently, according to 93% of users who mention this aspect.
Time-Consuming: Repetitive clicking reduces the speed of work, according to about 74% of reviews mentioning this aspect.
Customer Support: Strong customer support is often unavailable and can have delayed response times, as noted by 80% of users referencing support.
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Learning Curve: Initial setup and training can be time-consuming for some users.
Cost: Subscription fees may be higher compared to some basic EHR systems.
Glitches and Bugs: Occasional reports of technical issues and bugs in the platform.
Limited Customization Options: Some users wish for more granular control over customization features.
Integration Challenges: Integration with certain legacy systems can be complex.
Customer Support: Mixed experiences with customer support response times and quality.
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Navigating the world of healthcare IT solutions can feel like venturing through a labyrinth, with countless options promising efficiency and improved patient care. Cerner, a prominent name in the industry, offers a suite of tools designed to streamline healthcare operations. But how does it truly stack up against the competition, and is it the right fit for your organization? Let's delve into the experiences of users who have implemented Cerner in their practices to uncover its strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases. Cerner consistently receives praise for its comprehensive suite of features, encompassing electronic health records (EHR), practice management, revenue cycle management, and population health management. This integrated approach allows healthcare providers to manage various aspects of their operations within a single platform, promoting efficiency and data continuity. Users particularly appreciate the robust functionality for clinical documentation, order entry, and decision support, which can enhance patient care and streamline workflows. However, some users find the interface to be complex and require extensive training to navigate effectively. Additionally, the system's customizability, while advantageous for tailoring it to specific needs, can also contribute to its complexity. Cerner distinguishes itself through its extensive industry experience and large user base. The company has a long-standing presence in the healthcare IT sector, demonstrating its commitment to innovation and adaptation to evolving industry needs. This extensive experience translates into a deep understanding of healthcare workflows and challenges, which is reflected in the design and functionality of Cerner's solutions. The large user base also fosters a sense of community and facilitates knowledge sharing among healthcare organizations using Cerner. However, it's important to note that Cerner's pricing structure can be a significant consideration, particularly for smaller practices. The cost of implementation and ongoing maintenance may require careful evaluation to ensure it aligns with budgetary constraints. Cerner is best suited for large healthcare organizations with complex workflows and a need for a comprehensive, integrated healthcare IT solution. Its robust feature set, scalability, and industry expertise make it a valuable asset for hospitals, health systems, and academic medical centers. Smaller practices may find the system's complexity and cost to be prohibitive, and may prefer more streamlined solutions tailored to their specific needs. Ultimately, the decision of whether Cerner is the right fit depends on an organization's size, budget, and desired level of functionality.

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User reviews paint a compelling picture of athenaOne's strengths and weaknesses. Many users laud its intuitiveness and efficiency, comparing it favorably to Epic in particular. "Charting a patient in athenaOne takes half the time compared to Epic," one user shared, highlighting the streamlined interface. Another user raved about the integrated functionalities, stating, "The way athenaOne links billing and scheduling saves us so much time compared to our previous system, which kept everything siloed." However, some users expressed frustrations with limited customization options and occasional hiccups in customer support. "I wish athenaOne offered more granular control over customizing templates and workflows like you can in Epic," commented one user, seeking greater personalization. Another mentioned, "Customer support can be a mixed bag. While they're sometimes helpful and prompt, I've also had experiences with long wait times and inconsistent responses." Overall, user reviews suggest athenaOne shines in user-friendliness, comprehensive features, and workflow efficiency, rivaling even industry giants like Epic in these aspects. While some limitations around customization and support exist, athenaOne remains a strong contender in the EHR market, offering a user-friendly and feature-rich experience for healthcare providers looking to optimize their practice operations.

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