Computers don't always save time in the short run, but they're the most efficient way to go in the long run. Convincing your staff of this however is another story. Staff reaction to automation is often generation-specific. Those who grew up with computers will have a greater comfort level in problem-solving and navigating through new programs than those who precede the computer's invasion of health care. Software that tracks preference cards and links a case's charges and supplies to patients and providers is perhaps the secret to cost efficiency in the surgical arena. If you're preparing to convert to EMRs, be certain your software is specific enough to meet your facility's needs.

— Monica M. Ziegler, MSN, CASC

Amkai
AmkaiOffice 2.0
(866) 265-2434
www.amkai.com
List price: $22,000 to $40,000, depending on facility size
Seeking an alternative to your aging and limited management software system? AmkaiOffice 2.0 might be it. With the knowledge gained as the creators of the popular AdvantX system, the Amkai team has analyzed leading outpatient surgery legacy software offerings, adapted and improved many of their best features and added a whole host of user-requested capabilities and tools.

Anthro Corporation
eNook Pro
(800) 325-3841
www.anthro.com
List price: $1,129 (small size); $1,199 (large size)
This wall-mounted nook, which can hold up to 75 pounds, offers a solution if you have enough spare wall space. The manufacturer says this system can be flipped up like a Murphy bed when not in use and opened by entering a numeric security code and pushing the magnetic door latch. It's available in two sizes: one for LCD monitors and another for laptops.

Computer Programs and Systems, Inc.
CPSI System
(800) 711-2774
www.cpsinet.com
List price: starting at $150,000
Looking to replace paper charts with a true electronic medical record that promises better and faster documentation? The CPSI System could be the answer for you. The system offers a complete array of financial and clinical applications, including revenue cycle management, OR scheduling, OR management, and multi-disciplinary OR documentation with an integrated, Web-based physician portal to EMRs, CPOE and PACS.

DRE Medical
Envoy PDM (Patient Data Management)
(800) 477-2006
www.dremed.com
List price: not disclosed
You can monitor patients throughout your surgical center from a single location with this all-in-one, wireless telemetry central station monitor that tracks the vital signs of up to six patients from pre-op through discharge. You can also track patient data like demographics, medications and medical history. The Envoy PDM has a large, color touchscreen that is easy to use and eliminates the need for a keyboard, says DRE Medical.

Ergotron
StyleView Cart
(651) 681-7600
www.ergotron.com
List price: $1,399 to $1,599, based on configuration
Here's an affordable solution to your point-of-care computing challenges. The featherlight StyleView responds easily to a caregiver's touch and effortlessly maneuvers to the point of care, says Ergotron. Its expansive range of ergonomic features includes 20 inches of sit-to-stand motion combined with independent screen positioning and a negative-tilt keyboard tray.

InfoLogix
SurgiChip
(215) 604-0691
www.infologix.com
List price: starts at $50,000, with lease-to-own programs available
By taking a quick glance at a SurgiChip label applied at the surgical site, you can easily see the patient's name and the intended procedure. But if you run the system's new, larger, handheld radio frequency reader over the embedded chip, you'll also send the patient's data to a nearby computer, including the procedure he is scheduled to have, for another reminder of the correct surgical site.

Medi-Dose
MILT 3.0 Software
(888) MEDI-DOSE
www.medidose.com
List price: $299 for new customers; $129 for existing customers who wish to upgrade
How'd you like to create your own barcodes from your desktop computer? MILT 3.0 (Medi-Dose Information Labeling Technology) offers numerous fonts, graphics, sizes and shapes so you can customize barcodes to help improve your management performance through improved medication identification, supply organization and other applications.

Omnimed
Viewpoint Computer Wall Desk
(800) 257-2326
www.omnimedbeam.com
List price: $1,275
This fully-functioning, wall-mounted computer desk provides a secure and ergonomic work area for point-of-care patient data management, says Omnimed. The workstation features three areas to store your computer, monitor and keyboard. It's constructed of heavy gauge steel with a stylish wood grain cabinet available in beige, light gray or a custom color. Other features include multiple entry ports for power and network cables, ambidextrous mouse tray, keyboard tray with nine-degrees of negative tilt, programmable push-button lock, variable height monitor mounting, smooth operating gas cylinders with closure adjustment and storage compartment.

Prinion Customer Financing
CreditStar
(877) 5-PRINION
www.prinion.com
List price: not disclosed
This Windows-based software package gives small- and mid-sized business owners new options for in-house financing of surgical services. The company describes the software as an affordable modular financial management program that calculates credit risk, manages monthly statements and monitors, tracks and automatically issues customer payment letters.

RES-Q Healthcare Systems
Surgical Events Notification Module
(800) 572-1911
www.res-q.com
List price: $20,000
This case scheduling application assesses and confirms surgeons' procedure-specific preferences, staff and equipment requirements, supply lists and inventory, and OR availability. It then sets surgery schedules that diminish resource conflicts and boost productivity. From the surgical documentation screen in the system, and with just a few mouse clicks,you can send voice or text messages to the cell phones of any assigned staff members (surgeons, anesthesiologists or CRNAs, for example) to notify them that patients are ready for surgery.

Source Medical
Vision EHR
(800) 719-1904
www.sourcemed.net
List price: varies based on number of users and options required
Vision EHR is the only electronic health record that provides consistent workflow within your facility's core application, says Source Medical. This single database solution offers a highly customizable user interface, letting you convert existing paper forms to an electronic format and make quick changes without interrupting workflow.

Source Medical
SourcePlus EdgeSurvey
(800) 719-1904
www.sourcemed.net
List price: $175 implementation fee; $58 monthly subscription fee
This Web-based patient satisfaction survey, benchmarking and quality assurance solution helps facilities achieve and sustain peak performance, says Source Medical. EdgeSurvey provides the industry's only fully-authenticated online survey collection and assessment technology with the flexibility to accommodate paper-based surveys, adds the company. Surveys are customizable to represent a facility's uniqueness and the benchmarking analysis provides insight into your performance against peers.