Cerner Ambulatory Review - why 3.6 stars?

Shlomi Lavi / updated: May 17, 2023

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What is Cerner Ambulatory?

Cerner Ambulatory is a cutting-edge electronic health record (EHR) solution that has revolutionized the way ambulatory care providers manage patient information, streamline workflows, and deliver high-quality care. Established in 1979 in Kansas City, Missouri, Cerner Ambulatory has grown to become a global leader in health information technology, employing over 29,000 dedicated professionals worldwide.

Designed to meet the unique needs of ambulatory care settings such as outpatient clinics, medical practices, and community health centers, Cerner Ambulatory offers a comprehensive suite of features and functionalities. Here are three key features that make Cerner Ambulatory an exceptional choice for healthcare providers:

1. Intuitive Clinical Documentation: With Cerner Ambulatory, providers can efficiently document patient encounters, enabling accurate and detailed clinical records. The system offers intuitive templates, customizable workflows, and real-time documentation guidance, ensuring that providers capture and document relevant information seamlessly. This feature not only saves time but also enhances patient safety and continuity of care.

2. Care Coordination and Interoperability: Cerner Ambulatory enables seamless information sharing and care coordination among healthcare providers, both within and outside the organization. Through robust interoperability capabilities, the system facilitates the exchange of patient data, lab results, and medical histories, empowering providers to make informed decisions and collaborate effectively across the care continuum. This feature enhances care coordination, reduces duplicate tests, and improves patient outcomes.

3. Patient Engagement Tools: Cerner Ambulatory offers a range of patient engagement features that empower individuals to actively participate in their healthcare journey. The platform provides a patient portal where patients can access their medical records, schedule appointments, request prescription refills, and securely communicate with their care team. These tools foster patient empowerment, promote self-management, and enhance patient satisfaction.

Established in 1979 by Neal Patterson, Paul Gorup, and Cliff Illig, Cerner Ambulatory started as a small software company dedicated to creating innovative solutions for healthcare providers. Since then, it has expanded its footprint globally and has become a trusted partner for thousands of healthcare organizations, serving millions of patients worldwide.

The company's headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, serves as the epicenter of its operations. Known for its vibrant tech scene and supportive business community, Kansas City provides an ideal environment for Cerner Ambulatory's continued growth and innovation. With its talented workforce, the company has successfully established itself as a global leader in health information technology, catering to the needs of healthcare providers in various countries.

In conclusion, Cerner Ambulatory stands as a leading EHR solution designed specifically for ambulatory care settings. Its intuitive clinical documentation, care coordination capabilities, and patient engagement tools empower healthcare providers to deliver efficient, coordinated, and patient-centered care. With a rich history, a global presence, and a commitment to innovation, Cerner Ambulatory continues to shape the future of healthcare technology, improving outcomes and transforming the way ambulatory care is delivered.

Who is it best for?

Cerner Ambulatory serves a diverse range of customers across various industries within the healthcare sector. The typical customers of Cerner Ambulatory include outpatient clinics, medical practices, community health centers, ambulatory surgery centers, and other ambulatory care facilities.

Here are five examples of customers that use Cerner Ambulatory:

1. Mercy Health: Mercy Health, a large healthcare system based in Ohio, utilizes Cerner Ambulatory to support its ambulatory care facilities and provide seamless care coordination across its network. With Cerner Ambulatory, Mercy Health can enhance clinical documentation, improve interoperability, and engage patients in their healthcare journey.

2. ProHealth Care: ProHealth Care, a healthcare organization serving communities in Wisconsin, has implemented Cerner Ambulatory to streamline its ambulatory care operations. The system enables ProHealth Care to enhance clinical workflows, achieve better care coordination, and deliver patient-centered care across its clinics and outpatient facilities.

3. Tandigm Health: Tandigm Health, a population health management company based in Pennsylvania, utilizes Cerner Ambulatory to support its primary care practices. By leveraging the platform's capabilities, Tandigm Health can enhance data sharing, care coordination, and population health management, leading to improved outcomes for its patients.

4. Novant Health: Novant Health, a multi-state healthcare system based in North Carolina, has adopted Cerner Ambulatory to optimize its ambulatory care services. With Cerner Ambulatory, Novant Health can streamline documentation processes, improve patient engagement, and achieve better care coordination within its extensive network of clinics and outpatient facilities.

5. Capital Medical Center: Capital Medical Center, a community hospital located in Washington state, relies on Cerner Ambulatory to enhance its outpatient care services. The platform enables Capital Medical Center to improve clinical documentation accuracy, streamline workflows, and facilitate seamless information exchange between providers and patients.

These examples demonstrate the versatility of Cerner Ambulatory, as it is used by a range of healthcare organizations, including large healthcare systems, population health management companies, and community hospitals. Its wide adoption showcases its effectiveness in enhancing clinical workflows, care coordination, and patient engagement across various ambulatory care settings.

Main features and functionalities

Cerner Ambulatory can provide several benefits to your business, whether you operate an outpatient clinic, medical practice, or another ambulatory care facility. Here are some ways Cerner Ambulatory can help:

1. Streamlined Workflows: Cerner Ambulatory offers intuitive features and customizable templates that can streamline your clinical workflows. It enables efficient documentation of patient encounters, reducing administrative burdens and improving productivity. With streamlined workflows, you can enhance operational efficiency and optimize resource utilization.

2. Enhanced Patient Care: The comprehensive features of Cerner Ambulatory help improve patient care. It provides real-time access to patient information, including medical histories, lab results, and medications. With a complete view of patient data, you can make informed decisions, identify potential issues, and provide personalized care. The system also supports care coordination, allowing you to collaborate seamlessly with other providers involved in a patient's care.

3. Improved Interoperability: Cerner Ambulatory promotes interoperability, enabling the exchange of patient data between different systems and healthcare organizations. This ensures that you have access to up-to-date information, even if it originates from external sources. Improved interoperability enhances care coordination, reduces duplicate tests, and facilitates seamless transitions of care.

4. Patient Engagement: Engaging patients in their healthcare journey is crucial for better outcomes. Cerner Ambulatory offers patient engagement tools such as patient portals, appointment scheduling, and secure messaging. These features empower patients to actively participate in their care, access their health records, and communicate with their care team. By promoting patient engagement, you can enhance patient satisfaction and improve adherence to treatment plans.

5. Analytics and Reporting: Cerner Ambulatory provides robust analytics and reporting capabilities, allowing you to gain valuable insights into your practice's performance. You can generate reports on various metrics, such as patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and financial performance. These insights help you identify areas for improvement, optimize resource allocation, and make data-driven decisions to enhance your business's success.

Overall, Cerner Ambulatory can help your business by streamlining workflows, improving patient care, promoting interoperability, enhancing patient engagement, and providing valuable analytics. With its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface, it empowers your practice to deliver efficient and high-quality care, optimize operations, and drive better outcomes.

What is the actual cost?

The cost of license starts at $25 per year. ITQlick pricing score is 4 out of 10 (10 is most expensive). Access ITQlick pricing guide for Cerner Ambulatory.

Pros

• Comprehensive Feature Set: Cerner Ambulatory offers a robust and comprehensive feature set, including clinical documentation, care coordination, patient engagement tools, interoperability, and analytics. Its wide range of features sets it apart from competitors and provides a more comprehensive solution for ambulatory care facilities.
• Established Vendor Size: Cerner is a well-established and globally recognized vendor with a large customer base and extensive industry experience. Its size and reputation provide customers with confidence in its reliability, support, and ability to scale as their business grows.
• Strong Interoperability: Cerner Ambulatory excels in interoperability, enabling seamless data exchange between systems and healthcare organizations. This ensures that healthcare providers have access to accurate and up-to-date patient information, enhancing care coordination and reducing duplicate tests or procedures.

Cons

• Complexity of Implementation: Due to its comprehensive nature and extensive features, implementing Cerner Ambulatory may require a more complex and time-consuming process. Customization and configuration to meet specific organizational needs can add to the implementation timeline and resource requirements.
• Learning Curve: Cerner Ambulatory extensive functionality and feature set may come with a steeper learning curve for users, especially those who are less technologically inclined. Adequate training and support may be required to ensure users can effectively utilize all the features and maximize the system potential.
• Higher Cost: Cerner Ambulatory pricing may be higher compared to some of its competitors. The cost of implementation, licensing fees, and ongoing maintenance expenses can be significant, especially for smaller businesses or organizations with limited budgets.

How it stacks up?

Access a head to head analysis of Cerner Ambulatory vs alternative software solutions.

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