Quick Overview
- 1#1: Epic - Comprehensive EHR platform delivering integrated clinical, operational, and patient engagement tools for large-scale acute care hospitals.
- 2#2: Oracle Health - Enterprise EHR solution with advanced analytics, interoperability, and revenue cycle management for complex acute care environments.
- 3#3: MEDITECH Expanse - Web-based, patient-centered EHR designed for mid-sized acute care facilities with robust clinical decision support and scalability.
- 4#4: Altera Digital Health Sunrise - Modular EHR platform emphasizing interoperability, population health, and acute care workflows for diverse hospital sizes.
- 5#5: TruBridge Thrive - Cloud-native EHR with integrated revenue cycle and clinical tools optimized for community and critical access acute care hospitals.
- 6#6: MEDHOST - Real-time ED and acute care management system providing throughput optimization and clinical decision support.
- 7#7: Cantata Health - Specialized EHR for long-term acute care hospitals featuring quality reporting, compliance, and therapy documentation.
- 8#8: Netsmart myUnity - Integrated EHR for behavioral health acute care and inpatient facilities with crisis intervention capabilities.
- 9#9: Ellkay LKChart - LTACH-focused EMR with automated regulatory compliance, billing, and clinical documentation for acute respiratory care.
- 10#10: 3M 360 Encompass System - Post-acute and LTACH EHR with advanced coding, documentation, and quality measure tracking for acute care transitions.
Tools were selected based on depth of clinical features, interoperability, adaptability to diverse hospital sizes, user experience, and long-term value, ensuring each entry excels in meeting the unique demands of acute care settings.
Comparison Table
Acute care EMR software is critical for streamlining clinical workflows, and this comparison table highlights key features of top solutions like Epic, Oracle Health, MEDITECH Expanse, Altera Digital Health Sunrise, TruBridge Thrive, and more. Readers will gain insights into how these platforms differ in functionality, integration capabilities, and user experience, empowering them to select the best fit for their organizational needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Epic Comprehensive EHR platform delivering integrated clinical, operational, and patient engagement tools for large-scale acute care hospitals. | enterprise | 9.3/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 2 | Oracle Health Enterprise EHR solution with advanced analytics, interoperability, and revenue cycle management for complex acute care environments. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | MEDITECH Expanse Web-based, patient-centered EHR designed for mid-sized acute care facilities with robust clinical decision support and scalability. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | Altera Digital Health Sunrise Modular EHR platform emphasizing interoperability, population health, and acute care workflows for diverse hospital sizes. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | TruBridge Thrive Cloud-native EHR with integrated revenue cycle and clinical tools optimized for community and critical access acute care hospitals. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | MEDHOST Real-time ED and acute care management system providing throughput optimization and clinical decision support. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Cantata Health Specialized EHR for long-term acute care hospitals featuring quality reporting, compliance, and therapy documentation. | enterprise | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 6.5/10 |
| 8 | Netsmart myUnity Integrated EHR for behavioral health acute care and inpatient facilities with crisis intervention capabilities. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | Ellkay LKChart LTACH-focused EMR with automated regulatory compliance, billing, and clinical documentation for acute respiratory care. | enterprise | 6.8/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.4/10 | 6.9/10 |
| 10 | 3M 360 Encompass System Post-acute and LTACH EHR with advanced coding, documentation, and quality measure tracking for acute care transitions. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
Comprehensive EHR platform delivering integrated clinical, operational, and patient engagement tools for large-scale acute care hospitals.
Enterprise EHR solution with advanced analytics, interoperability, and revenue cycle management for complex acute care environments.
Web-based, patient-centered EHR designed for mid-sized acute care facilities with robust clinical decision support and scalability.
Modular EHR platform emphasizing interoperability, population health, and acute care workflows for diverse hospital sizes.
Cloud-native EHR with integrated revenue cycle and clinical tools optimized for community and critical access acute care hospitals.
Real-time ED and acute care management system providing throughput optimization and clinical decision support.
Specialized EHR for long-term acute care hospitals featuring quality reporting, compliance, and therapy documentation.
Integrated EHR for behavioral health acute care and inpatient facilities with crisis intervention capabilities.
LTACH-focused EMR with automated regulatory compliance, billing, and clinical documentation for acute respiratory care.
Post-acute and LTACH EHR with advanced coding, documentation, and quality measure tracking for acute care transitions.
Epic
enterpriseComprehensive EHR platform delivering integrated clinical, operational, and patient engagement tools for large-scale acute care hospitals.
Care Everywhere network for real-time, secure interoperability across unaffiliated organizations
Epic is a leading enterprise-level electronic health record (EHR/EMR) system designed primarily for large hospitals and acute care facilities, providing comprehensive management of patient data, clinical workflows, orders, documentation, and billing across inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory settings. It excels in handling complex, high-volume acute care environments with robust scalability and interoperability features. Epic's modular architecture allows customization to fit diverse healthcare needs while maintaining a single longitudinal patient record.
Pros
- Unmatched scalability and customization for enterprise-level acute care
- Superior interoperability via Care Everywhere, enabling nationwide data sharing
- Comprehensive analytics, AI-driven tools, and population health management
Cons
- Prohibitively expensive implementation and ongoing costs
- Steep learning curve requiring extensive training
- Long deployment timelines often spanning 2-5 years
Best For
Large hospitals, academic medical centers, and integrated health systems managing high-acuity patients and complex workflows.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; implementation often exceeds $100M for large systems, with per-bed or modular subscription fees plus maintenance.
Oracle Health
enterpriseEnterprise EHR solution with advanced analytics, interoperability, and revenue cycle management for complex acute care environments.
Oracle Cloud-powered real-time analytics engine for predictive population health management in acute care
Oracle Health, formerly Cerner, delivers a robust electronic medical records (EMR) platform tailored for acute care settings such as hospitals, ICUs, and emergency departments. It supports comprehensive clinical workflows, real-time patient monitoring, medication management, and interoperability via standards like FHIR and HL7. The system leverages Oracle's cloud infrastructure for scalability, advanced analytics, and AI-driven insights to enhance decision-making in high-volume environments.
Pros
- Exceptional scalability and performance for large hospital networks
- Advanced AI and analytics for predictive insights and clinical decision support
- Strong interoperability with third-party systems and devices
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex customization process
- High upfront implementation costs and lengthy deployment timelines
- Ongoing maintenance can be resource-intensive
Best For
Large-scale hospital systems and acute care networks requiring enterprise-grade scalability and advanced analytics.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing with significant upfront implementation fees (often millions) and per-bed or per-user subscription models starting at $500K+ annually for mid-sized facilities.
MEDITECH Expanse
enterpriseWeb-based, patient-centered EHR designed for mid-sized acute care facilities with robust clinical decision support and scalability.
Fully web-based Expanse platform with intuitive mobile-first design for acute care workflows
MEDITECH Expanse is a fully web-based electronic health record (EHR) platform designed specifically for acute care settings, providing comprehensive tools for inpatient clinical documentation, computerized provider order entry (CPOE), medication management, and care coordination. It supports real-time decision support, interoperability with other systems, and mobile access to streamline workflows in hospitals. Widely used by community and mid-sized hospitals, Expanse emphasizes patient safety features and scalability to meet diverse acute care needs.
Pros
- Robust acute care functionalities including advanced CPOE and clinical decision support
- Strong interoperability and scalability for community hospitals
- Web-native architecture enabling anytime, anywhere access without heavy client software
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to complex interface
- High upfront implementation and customization costs
- Occasional performance lags in high-volume environments
Best For
Mid-sized community hospitals seeking a reliable, scalable acute care EMR with strong inpatient focus.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, often $1M+ for implementation plus annual fees based on beds/users; contact vendor for quotes.
Altera Digital Health Sunrise
enterpriseModular EHR platform emphasizing interoperability, population health, and acute care workflows for diverse hospital sizes.
Sunrise Unity Platform, delivering a single, real-time patient record across acute, ambulatory, and post-acute care settings
Altera Digital Health Sunrise is a comprehensive, web-based electronic health record (EHR) system optimized for acute care environments like hospitals and health systems. It streamlines clinical workflows with features for order management, medication administration, clinical documentation, and decision support. Sunrise emphasizes interoperability and scalability, enabling a unified patient record across the care continuum while integrating with ancillary systems.
Pros
- Robust acute care functionality including closed-loop medication management and clinical surveillance
- Strong interoperability standards support (e.g., FHIR, HL7) for seamless data exchange
- Highly scalable and customizable for large enterprise health systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex user interface for new staff
- Lengthy and resource-intensive implementation process
- High upfront and ongoing costs tailored to enterprise scale
Best For
Large hospitals and integrated health systems requiring a scalable, feature-rich acute care EMR with enterprise-wide integration.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on bed count, users, and modules; typically involves significant implementation fees plus annual subscriptions starting at $500K+ for mid-sized facilities.
TruBridge Thrive
enterpriseCloud-native EHR with integrated revenue cycle and clinical tools optimized for community and critical access acute care hospitals.
Fully integrated Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) embedded directly within the EHR for real-time financial visibility during clinical workflows
TruBridge Thrive is a cloud-based EHR platform designed specifically for acute care environments, including critical access hospitals (CAHs) and rural health systems. It provides comprehensive clinical workflows such as order entry, documentation, medication management, and interoperability via standards like FHIR and HL7. Thrive also integrates revenue cycle management (RCM) tools to optimize billing and financial operations alongside patient care delivery.
Pros
- Seamless integration of EHR and RCM for streamlined financial and clinical workflows
- User-friendly interface tailored for smaller acute care facilities with strong rural/CAH support
- Robust interoperability and mobile accessibility for on-the-go clinical decisions
Cons
- Limited scalability and advanced analytics compared to enterprise solutions like Epic
- Customization options can be restrictive without additional vendor support
- Slower implementation timelines for complex acute care integrations
Best For
Small to mid-sized acute care hospitals and critical access facilities prioritizing integrated EHR/RCM and ease of use over enterprise-scale features.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing starting around $200-$400 per bed/month, depending on modules and facility size; includes implementation fees.
MEDHOST
enterpriseReal-time ED and acute care management system providing throughput optimization and clinical decision support.
ED Throughput Dashboard for real-time patient flow visualization and resource optimization
MEDHOST is a specialized acute care EMR software platform designed primarily for emergency departments (EDs) and hospital inpatient settings, offering tools for patient tracking, clinical documentation, order entry, and real-time throughput management. It excels in high-volume acute environments with features like bed management, acuity-based staffing, and seamless integration with hospital systems. The solution supports regulatory compliance and data analytics to improve operational efficiency in fast-paced care delivery.
Pros
- Highly tailored ED workflows and patient tracking
- Rapid implementation and scalability for acute care
- Strong interoperability and real-time analytics
Cons
- User interface can feel dated compared to modern EMRs
- Customization often requires vendor support
- Pricing lacks transparency and can be high for smaller facilities
Best For
Mid-sized hospitals and standalone EDs prioritizing efficient acute care management and throughput optimization.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically subscription per bed or user starting at $150+/bed/month plus implementation fees.
Cantata Health
enterpriseSpecialized EHR for long-term acute care hospitals featuring quality reporting, compliance, and therapy documentation.
Advanced crisis management suite with risk assessment, safety planning, and mobile crisis documentation tailored for behavioral acute care
Cantata Health provides a specialized electronic medical record (EMR) solution primarily designed for behavioral health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers, with modules supporting acute care scenarios like crisis stabilization and inpatient psychiatric units. It offers tools for comprehensive assessments, treatment planning, progress notes, medication management, and regulatory compliance tailored to high-acuity behavioral health environments. While strong in behavioral-specific workflows, it lacks robust support for general acute care features like advanced vital signs monitoring, surgical order sets, or seamless integration with hospital-wide systems for somatic acute care.
Pros
- Specialized behavioral health templates and crisis triage tools excel in psychiatric acute settings
- Strong compliance with regulations like SAMHSA and Joint Commission for SUD and MH care
- Integrated billing, telehealth, and outcomes tracking streamline workflows
Cons
- Limited capabilities for general acute care like ICU monitoring, lab/radiology integration, or CPOE for non-psych meds
- Interface can feel clunky for users accustomed to broader hospital EMRs like Epic or Cerner
- Custom pricing lacks transparency and may not scale well for large general acute facilities
Best For
Behavioral health organizations handling acute psychiatric or SUD crisis care, such as inpatient psych units or crisis centers.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on modules, users, and facility size; typically starts at $100-300 per user/month with implementation fees; contact for quote.
Netsmart myUnity
enterpriseIntegrated EHR for behavioral health acute care and inpatient facilities with crisis intervention capabilities.
Integrated CareTools suite with behavioral health-specific outcome measures and real-time acuity tracking
Netsmart myUnity is a comprehensive, web-based EHR platform tailored for behavioral health and human services organizations, with strong capabilities for acute care inpatient settings like psychiatric hospitals. It streamlines workflows including patient assessments, treatment planning, medication management, and discharge coordination, while supporting real-time documentation and regulatory compliance. The platform emphasizes interoperability via FHIR and HL7 standards, enabling seamless data exchange with other health systems for improved care continuity in high-acuity environments.
Pros
- Specialized behavioral health tools for acute psychiatric care, including risk assessments and crisis intervention documentation
- Robust interoperability and analytics for data-driven decisions
- Integrated revenue cycle management to optimize billing in acute settings
Cons
- Less optimized for general medical acute care outside behavioral health
- Steep implementation and customization process
- Higher costs may strain smaller facilities
Best For
Acute care psychiatric hospitals and behavioral health providers needing a specialized, integrated EHR for inpatient workflows.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on facility size, modules, and users; typically subscription-based starting at $200+ per user/month, quote required.
Ellkay LKChart
enterpriseLTACH-focused EMR with automated regulatory compliance, billing, and clinical documentation for acute respiratory care.
Seamless FHIR-based interoperability for real-time data sharing across acute and post-acute care continuum
Ellkay LKChart is an electronic health record (EHR) system primarily designed for post-acute and long-term care facilities, such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), offering tools for clinical documentation, medication management, and regulatory compliance like MDS 3.0. It supports interoperability with acute care systems via standards like HL7 and FHIR, enabling care transitions. While it provides robust features for continuum of care, it lacks specialized high-acuity modules typical of dedicated acute care EMRs, such as advanced ICU monitoring or surgical workflows.
Pros
- Excellent interoperability for care transitions between acute and post-acute settings
- Mobile point-of-care documentation reduces clinician workload
- Strong regulatory compliance tools tailored for SNFs
Cons
- Not optimized for high-acuity acute care environments like ICUs or ORs
- Limited advanced analytics compared to top acute EMRs
- Customization requires vendor support and can delay implementation
Best For
Post-acute care facilities, such as SNFs, that require seamless data exchange with acute care hospitals.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on facility size, beds, and modules; typically $100-200 per bed/month – contact Ellkay for a quote.
3M 360 Encompass System
enterprisePost-acute and LTACH EHR with advanced coding, documentation, and quality measure tracking for acute care transitions.
Proprietary 3M Natural Language Understanding (NLU) for real-time coding from unstructured clinical documentation
The 3M 360 Encompass System is a specialized health information platform focused on coding, compliance, and clinical documentation improvement for acute care environments. It uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) to analyze clinician notes in real-time, suggesting accurate ICD-10, DRG, and HCC codes while integrating seamlessly with major EMRs like Epic and Cerner. This enhances revenue cycle management, reduces denials, and supports CDI workflows without replacing core EMR functionalities.
Pros
- Superior NLP-driven coding accuracy and automation
- Strong EMR integrations for streamlined workflows
- Robust compliance and audit tools reducing claim denials
Cons
- High implementation and customization costs
- Steep learning curve for non-coders
- Limited as a standalone EMR; excels as an add-on
Best For
Large acute care hospitals and health systems prioritizing coding precision and revenue integrity within existing EMR ecosystems.
Pricing
Custom enterprise subscription pricing starting at $100K+ annually, scaled by facility size, users, and modules.
Conclusion
Epic emerges as the top choice, offering a comprehensive suite of integrated clinical, operational, and patient engagement tools for large acute care hospitals. Oracle Health stands as a strong enterprise alternative, with advanced analytics and revenue cycle management for complex environments, while MEDITECH Expanse excels for mid-sized facilities, combining patient-centered design with scalable decision support. Each solution addresses distinct needs, but Epic’s holistic approach sets it apart.
Explore Epic to experience its integrated capabilities firsthand—an investment in streamlining workflows and enhancing care delivery for your acute care setting.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison