Quick Overview
- 1#1: Epic - Comprehensive EHR platform leading in acute care with advanced interoperability, analytics, and clinical workflows for hospitals.
- 2#2: Oracle Health - Integrated health IT suite including Millennium EHR for acute care management, population health, and operational efficiency.
- 3#3: MEDITECH Expanse - Web-based EHR designed for acute care hospitals offering scalable clinical and financial tools with AI enhancements.
- 4#4: Altera Sunrise - Robust acute care EHR supporting clinical documentation, order management, and revenue cycle in complex hospital environments.
- 5#5: Evident Thrive - Integrated EHR and RCM platform tailored for community acute care hospitals with strong usability and cost-effectiveness.
- 6#6: MEDHOST - Emergency department information system (EDIS) and acute care solutions for high-acuity patient throughput and compliance.
- 7#7: Philips Tasy - Unified EMR with seamless device integration for acute care monitoring, workflows, and patient safety.
- 8#8: GE HealthCare Centricity - Enterprise clinical information system supporting acute care imaging, diagnostics, and command center operations.
- 9#9: Optum Picis - Specialized perioperative and critical care software for surgical tracking and acute resource management.
- 10#10: Viz.ai - AI-driven platform for detecting and coordinating acute neurological events like stroke in hospital settings.
Tools were ranked based on clinical capabilities, interoperability, user-friendliness, and overall value, ensuring they address the unique needs of acute care environments from large hospitals to community health systems.
Comparison Table
Acute care software is vital for healthcare organizations, enhancing efficiency and patient outcomes. This comparison table delves into tools like Epic, Oracle Health, MEDITECH Expanse, Altera Sunrise, Evident Thrive, and more, offering key insights to guide software selection.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Epic Comprehensive EHR platform leading in acute care with advanced interoperability, analytics, and clinical workflows for hospitals. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Oracle Health Integrated health IT suite including Millennium EHR for acute care management, population health, and operational efficiency. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | MEDITECH Expanse Web-based EHR designed for acute care hospitals offering scalable clinical and financial tools with AI enhancements. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Altera Sunrise Robust acute care EHR supporting clinical documentation, order management, and revenue cycle in complex hospital environments. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Evident Thrive Integrated EHR and RCM platform tailored for community acute care hospitals with strong usability and cost-effectiveness. | enterprise | 5.8/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.2/10 | 5.0/10 |
| 6 | MEDHOST Emergency department information system (EDIS) and acute care solutions for high-acuity patient throughput and compliance. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Philips Tasy Unified EMR with seamless device integration for acute care monitoring, workflows, and patient safety. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | GE HealthCare Centricity Enterprise clinical information system supporting acute care imaging, diagnostics, and command center operations. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 9 | Optum Picis Specialized perioperative and critical care software for surgical tracking and acute resource management. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Viz.ai AI-driven platform for detecting and coordinating acute neurological events like stroke in hospital settings. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
Comprehensive EHR platform leading in acute care with advanced interoperability, analytics, and clinical workflows for hospitals.
Integrated health IT suite including Millennium EHR for acute care management, population health, and operational efficiency.
Web-based EHR designed for acute care hospitals offering scalable clinical and financial tools with AI enhancements.
Robust acute care EHR supporting clinical documentation, order management, and revenue cycle in complex hospital environments.
Integrated EHR and RCM platform tailored for community acute care hospitals with strong usability and cost-effectiveness.
Emergency department information system (EDIS) and acute care solutions for high-acuity patient throughput and compliance.
Unified EMR with seamless device integration for acute care monitoring, workflows, and patient safety.
Enterprise clinical information system supporting acute care imaging, diagnostics, and command center operations.
Specialized perioperative and critical care software for surgical tracking and acute resource management.
AI-driven platform for detecting and coordinating acute neurological events like stroke in hospital settings.
Epic
enterpriseComprehensive EHR platform leading in acute care with advanced interoperability, analytics, and clinical workflows for hospitals.
Epic's Care Everywhere interoperability network, allowing instant access to longitudinal patient data across unaffiliated organizations
Epic is a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system tailored for acute care settings, including hospitals, emergency departments, ICUs, and inpatient units. It streamlines clinical workflows with features like computerized physician order entry (CPOE), clinical decision support, medication management, and real-time patient monitoring. Epic's ecosystem supports interoperability across 250+ health systems, enabling secure data exchange for over 300 million patient records, making it the gold standard for large-scale acute care delivery.
Pros
- Unparalleled depth in acute care modules for inpatient, ED, and perioperative workflows
- Epic Galaxy network for nationwide interoperability and data sharing
- Advanced analytics, AI-driven insights, and customizable reporting
Cons
- Extremely high implementation costs and lengthy deployment (often 2-5 years)
- Steep learning curve with complex interface requiring extensive training
- Limited flexibility for small or mid-sized organizations due to scalability focus
Best For
Large hospital networks, academic medical centers, and integrated health systems needing enterprise-grade acute care EHR with robust scalability and interoperability.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing; implementation often exceeds $100M for large systems, plus annual fees of 2-4% of revenue and per-user costs.
Oracle Health
enterpriseIntegrated health IT suite including Millennium EHR for acute care management, population health, and operational efficiency.
AI-powered Oracle Clinical Digital Assistant for real-time, voice-enabled clinical documentation and decision support
Oracle Health is a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) platform designed for acute care settings like hospitals and emergency departments, offering end-to-end clinical workflows including documentation, order entry, medication management, and perioperative care. It leverages Oracle's cloud infrastructure and AI capabilities for real-time data analytics, interoperability via FHIR standards, and predictive insights to enhance patient outcomes. The solution, built on the legacy Cerner Millennium platform, supports high-volume inpatient environments with robust scalability for enterprise health systems.
Pros
- Enterprise-grade scalability for large hospitals with seamless device integration
- Advanced AI-driven clinical decision support and predictive analytics
- Strong interoperability and compliance with healthcare standards like FHIR and HL7
Cons
- Complex implementation process with long timelines and high costs
- Steep learning curve for clinical staff due to extensive customization options
- Premium pricing that may overwhelm smaller facilities
Best For
Large-scale hospital networks and academic medical centers needing robust, AI-enhanced acute care EHR with deep analytics.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing with implementation costs often exceeding $1M+ and annual subscriptions based on bed size/users; contact sales for quotes.
MEDITECH Expanse
enterpriseWeb-based EHR designed for acute care hospitals offering scalable clinical and financial tools with AI enhancements.
Expanse Platform's single desktop experience with embedded real-time analytics and AI tools directly in clinician workflows
MEDITECH Expanse is a web-based electronic health record (EHR) platform tailored for acute care environments like hospitals and health systems. It supports clinical workflows including documentation, order entry, medication management, and real-time decision support. The system emphasizes interoperability, population health analytics, and mobile accessibility to enhance patient care delivery and operational efficiency.
Pros
- Robust interoperability with standards like FHIR for seamless data exchange
- Advanced analytics and AI-driven insights for population health and predictive care
- Fully web-based platform with mobile apps for anytime, anywhere access
Cons
- Steep learning curve and extensive training required for full adoption
- Lengthy and costly implementation process, often 12-24 months
- Customizations can be rigid compared to more modular competitors
Best For
Medium to large acute care hospitals and health systems prioritizing integrated EHR with strong analytics and long-term scalability.
Pricing
Enterprise custom pricing based on facility size and modules; typically involves multi-million-dollar upfront implementation plus annual subscriptions per bed/user.
Altera Sunrise
enterpriseRobust acute care EHR supporting clinical documentation, order management, and revenue cycle in complex hospital environments.
Integrated Clinical Command Center for real-time patient surveillance and predictive analytics across the acute care continuum
Altera Sunrise is a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) platform tailored for acute care settings, including hospitals, emergency departments, and inpatient units. It streamlines clinical workflows with features like order entry, medication management, documentation, and real-time decision support. The system excels in interoperability, allowing seamless data exchange across enterprise health IT ecosystems while supporting high-volume, complex patient care.
Pros
- Robust acute care functionality covering ER, inpatient, and perioperative workflows
- High customizability with powerful configuration tools
- Strong interoperability and integration with third-party systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex user interface
- Lengthy and costly implementation process
- Premium pricing that may strain smaller budgets
Best For
Large hospitals and health systems requiring a scalable, enterprise-grade EHR for high-acuity patient management.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $500K+ annually based on bed size and modules, with implementation costs often exceeding $1M.
Evident Thrive
enterpriseIntegrated EHR and RCM platform tailored for community acute care hospitals with strong usability and cost-effectiveness.
Advanced automation for regulatory compliance like OASIS and HMM, streamlining post-acute documentation from acute discharges
Evident Thrive is a cloud-based EHR and practice management platform primarily built for home health, hospice, and post-acute care, offering tools for clinical documentation, scheduling, billing, and compliance. It includes mobile apps for field clinicians, telehealth integration, and automation features like OASIS assessment support. While strong in transitional care workflows, it lacks core acute care functionalities such as inpatient bed management, real-time hospital vitals monitoring, or surgical order sets, making it less ideal for traditional hospital acute care environments.
Pros
- Modern cloud-based architecture with excellent mobile accessibility for clinicians
- Strong compliance and billing automation tailored to post-acute transitions
- Telehealth and voice documentation features enhance efficiency in field-based care
Cons
- Not designed for core acute care needs like ICU monitoring or hospital order management
- Limited scalability for high-volume inpatient acute care settings
- Customization options insufficient for complex hospital workflows
Best For
Post-acute care providers or small acute facilities focused on care transitions and home-based follow-up rather than inpatient hospital operations.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically subscription-based starting at $200-500 per user/month depending on modules and agency size; contact vendor for quote.
MEDHOST
enterpriseEmergency department information system (EDIS) and acute care solutions for high-acuity patient throughput and compliance.
Acuity-based ED management with real-time patient boarding and throughput analytics
MEDHOST is a comprehensive EHR platform designed specifically for acute care settings, including emergency departments, inpatient units, and perioperative environments. It offers integrated modules for clinical documentation, order management, revenue cycle, and patient flow optimization to streamline hospital operations. With a focus on clinician efficiency and real-time data insights, MEDHOST supports high-acuity patient care while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Pros
- Robust ED-specific tools for patient tracking and throughput
- Highly customizable workflows tailored to acute care needs
- Strong integration with revenue cycle and billing systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve and lengthy implementation
- Higher pricing for smaller facilities
- User interface feels somewhat dated compared to modern EHRs
Best For
Mid-sized hospitals with high-volume emergency departments needing specialized acute care workflows.
Pricing
Enterprise-level custom pricing; typically starts at $200+ per bed/month, requires vendor quote.
Philips Tasy
enterpriseUnified EMR with seamless device integration for acute care monitoring, workflows, and patient safety.
Seamless, plug-and-play integration with Philips patient monitors, automatically populating real-time hemodynamic data into the patient's unified record.
Philips Tasy is a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) and hospital information system (HIS) tailored for acute care settings, unifying clinical, administrative, and financial workflows across hospital departments. It provides real-time patient data access, clinical decision support, and seamless integration with medical devices for enhanced care coordination in high-acuity environments like ICUs and EDs. Tasy enables interdisciplinary teams to manage the entire patient journey from admission to discharge with a single, longitudinal record.
Pros
- Robust integration with Philips monitoring devices for real-time vital signs and data flow
- Comprehensive clinical decision support tools reducing errors and improving outcomes
- Scalable architecture supporting large-scale hospital deployments
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup requiring extensive training
- High implementation and customization costs
- Limited flexibility for non-Philips device integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Large acute care hospitals with Philips monitoring infrastructure seeking a unified EHR for high-volume patient management.
Pricing
Enterprise-level custom pricing with significant upfront implementation fees (often $1M+), annual licensing, and maintenance costs based on bed size and modules.
GE HealthCare Centricity
enterpriseEnterprise clinical information system supporting acute care imaging, diagnostics, and command center operations.
Native integration with GE HealthCare's imaging portfolio for real-time, vendor-neutral access to radiology, cardiology, and enterprise-wide images
GE HealthCare Centricity is a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system tailored for acute care settings like hospitals and emergency departments, offering modules for clinical documentation, order management, medication administration, and perioperative workflows. It emphasizes interoperability with GE's imaging and diagnostic devices, enabling seamless data flow across enterprise systems. Centricity supports high-volume patient care with decision support tools and compliance features for regulatory standards.
Pros
- Deep integration with GE imaging and devices for unified diagnostics
- Scalable architecture suitable for large hospital networks
- Robust clinical decision support and regulatory compliance tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex user interface
- High upfront implementation and customization costs
- Relatively slower adaptation to modern cloud-native features
Best For
Large acute care hospitals with existing GE equipment seeking reliable, imaging-integrated EHR for enterprise-scale operations.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing with implementation costs often exceeding $1M for mid-sized facilities, plus annual maintenance fees.
Optum Picis
enterpriseSpecialized perioperative and critical care software for surgical tracking and acute resource management.
Touch-enabled anesthesia information management system (AIMS) for seamless intra-operative documentation
Optum Picis is a comprehensive perioperative and critical care software suite tailored for acute care environments, including operating rooms, ICUs, and PACUs. It offers clinician-centric tools for anesthesia documentation, surgical scheduling, inventory management, and real-time patient monitoring to streamline workflows and enhance decision-making. The platform integrates with major EHRs and emphasizes touch-enabled interfaces for efficient intra-operative charting and compliance reporting.
Pros
- Highly specialized perioperative and critical care modules with real-time data capture
- Strong integration capabilities with EHRs like Epic and Cerner
- Clinician-driven design reduces documentation time during procedures
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical clinical staff
- Complex implementation process often requiring extensive customization
- High ongoing maintenance and support costs
Best For
Large hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers handling high-volume acute care procedures.
Pricing
Enterprise-level custom pricing, typically $500K+ annually for mid-sized implementations including modules, support, and training.
Viz.ai
specializedAI-driven platform for detecting and coordinating acute neurological events like stroke in hospital settings.
Real-time AI-powered LVO detection from non-contrast CT scans with mobile stroke team alerts
Viz.ai is an AI-powered platform specializing in acute stroke care, using computer vision to analyze CT head scans in real-time for detecting large vessel occlusions (LVOs) and other stroke indicators. It automatically notifies stroke teams via mobile alerts, coordinates care workflows, and integrates with EHR and PACS systems to expedite triage and treatment. The solution has FDA clearance and is deployed in hundreds of hospitals to reduce door-to-needle times for thrombolysis and thrombectomy.
Pros
- Ultra-fast AI detection with high sensitivity for LVOs, often under 2 minutes
- Seamless mobile notifications and command center dashboard for team coordination
- Proven clinical outcomes with reduced treatment times in real-world studies
Cons
- Narrow focus primarily on neurovascular emergencies, less versatile for general acute care
- Requires robust IT integration and high-quality imaging hardware
- Enterprise pricing model can be costly for mid-sized or rural facilities
Best For
Large stroke centers and comprehensive hospitals prioritizing rapid neurovascular intervention workflows.
Pricing
Custom enterprise subscription, typically $100K–$500K+ annually based on bed count, scan volume, and modules.
Conclusion
The review of acute care software highlights a distinguished group, with Epic leading as the top choice, boasting a comprehensive EHR platform that excels in interoperability, analytics, and clinical workflows. Close behind are Oracle Health, offering an integrated suite for acute management and population health, and MEDITECH Expanse, a scalable web-based solution with AI enhancements—each providing robust options tailored to different institutional needs. Together, these tools redefine efficiency and care delivery in acute settings.
To unlock the full potential of acute care management, begin with Epic, a proven leader in driving seamless, effective clinical and operational outcomes.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison