I have been very satisfied with our Optimus EMR system. I feel it is easy to use for those inputing information. The reports are very helpful and the clinical expertise of our consultants have been more than helpful. I have to say when I first looked into EMR systems, I was under the false impression that they would save time. I have come to realize that was faulty thinking. However, the data we have on our residents makes the extra time worth while. The system prompts the user to fill in all the important information which could be left off written documentation. I feel we know our residents extremely well because of the complete picture we get from Optimus. Additionally, when a physician calls in and asks about a specific issue, the answer is at our finger tips. There's no long searching through the hand written notes. Care plans are easy to design and change as needed. The medication administration has cut down on medication errors. It's a very complete charting system. Additionally, the tech support is very quick to respond. So what are the down sides. I don't think there are major downsides to Optimus. The one issue that is frustrating to staff is when kiosks go down. This is an issue of technology, not Optimus EMR. There is also a learning curve for staff especially if some are of a generation where computers were not used readily. We contracted for additional training to assure staff were comfortable with the product. We also had to change the we did things and adapt to the EMR systems. Optimus does not customize its product for the client. When I first heard this I was concerned, but after a long an arduous study of other systems that did, I found there to be excessive additional costs for customization and a greater number of glitches. So in the end, we have found Optimus to be the best choice. They also stay up on regulations and adapt the software to meet the market's current needs.

We have been using the EMR since 2008 and my first impression of Optimus as a great system, at the onset when we were reviewing different programs, still holds true. It is a software that is easy to use, is very comprehensive, and really addresses what nurses should be looking into when they assess or evaluate a resident. It serves as a great guide to assure the nurse is addressing everything. Managing a 180 bed facility with a nursing staff of about 170 team members makes it a breeze to assure compliance with documentation requirements. The quality reports makes my job as a Chief Nursing Officer a lot easier. The Administrative and support staff of Optimus are so friendly and accommodating that it makes you feel you really are a part of them. The only problem I had was the interface with pharmacy and communicating clearly concerns that needed to be resolved. Liza Conrad was very helpful with getting us ahead with this concern.

Pros - better visibility to information for nurses; EMar for Nursing Home side works well, MDS reporting is more efficient Cons - Billing still not functioning, EMar on the Assisted Living side is causing us process issues, windows updates cause Optimus to nor work until you update corflag process - this becomes very time consuming. I believe that Optimus will be a great system for us, it is just frustrating that it is taking so long to get the full system implemented.