CareFirst vs McKesson Paragon

CareFirst and McKesson Paragon are both Electronic Health Record systems used in healthcare settings. CareFirst offers a comprehensive platform for managing patient records, billing, and scheduling, while McKesson Paragon focuses on streamlining clinical workflows and improving patient care.

General information

CareFirst
McKesson Paragon
Introduction :
CareFirst is a comprehensive Electronic Health Record system that has gained popularity for its user-friendly interface and robust features. Launched in recent years, it has quickly become a preferred choice for healthcare providers due to its adaptability to various settings and specialties. CareFirst offers seamless integration with other healthcare systems, enhancing efficiency and patient care. Its intuitive design and customizable options make it a top contender in the EHR market.
Introduction :
McKesson Paragon is a comprehensive EHR system that has been in use since the 1980s, making it one of the longest-standing platforms in the market. It is not open source but is highly popular due to its user-friendly interface, robust features for various healthcare settings, and strong integration capabilities. McKesson Paragon is widely used in hospitals and healthcare facilities for its ability to streamline workflows and improve patient care.
Advantages :
  • Seamless integration with other systems
  • Customizable templates for different specialties
  • User-friendly interface for easy navigation
  • Robust security measures to protect patient data
  • Efficient communication tools for healthcare providers
Advantages :
  • User-friendly interface for easy navigation and efficient workflow processes.
  • Customizable to meet specific needs of healthcare providers and organizations.
  • Seamless integration with other systems for comprehensive patient care coordination.
  • Robust reporting and analytics capabilities for data-driven decision-making.
  • Strong customer support and training resources for successful implementation.
Disadvantages :
  • Limited customization options
  • Higher cost compared to competitors
  • Steeper learning curve for users
  • Lack of integration with other systems
  • Limited scalability for larger healthcare organizations
Disadvantages :
  • Limited interoperability with other systems
  • Steep learning curve for users
  • High implementation and maintenance costs
  • Lack of customization options
  • Limited support for specialty-specific workflows
Manufacturer : Cerner
Cerner is a well-known EHR manufacturer used by many healthcare organizations. It offers a comprehensive system with various features and functionalities to support efficient patient care and management.
Manufacturer : McKesson
McKesson Paragon is manufactured by McKesson Corporation, a leading healthcare technology company known for providing innovative solutions for healthcare organizations. McKesson Paragon offers a comprehensive electronic health record system for efficient patient care management.
Official website : https://www.carefirst.com/


Commercial details

CareFirst
McKesson Paragon
🟡 Open source : Partially.
The platform is partially open source, with certain components available for public access and contribution. However, some parts may be proprietary or restricted in terms of code access.
🟡 Open source : Partially.
McKesson Paragon is not fully open source, but it does offer some level of openness for customization and integration with other systems. The code is not publicly available.
⚪ Free option : Unknown.
It is unclear if CareFirst offers a free option. Further research is needed to determine if there is a hosted option with limited features or if it is a fully-featured platform.
⚪ Free option : Unknown.
It is unclear if McKesson Paragon offers a free option. Further research or contacting the provider directly may be necessary to determine if there are any hosted or limited feature options available.
⚪ Hosted : Unknown.
It is unclear if CareFirst offers a hosted option. Further research or contacting the provider directly may be necessary to determine the availability of this feature.
⚪ Hosted : Unknown.
There may be hosted options available for McKesson Paragon, but specific details on pricing and availability are unclear. It is recommended to inquire directly with the provider for more information.
⚪ Self host : Unknown.
CareFirst may offer self-hosting options through third-party vendors, but specific details are not readily available. It is recommended to inquire directly with CareFirst for more information on self-hosting capabilities.
⚪ Self host : Unknown.
There may be options for self-hosting through third-party vendors, but direct self-hosting by McKesson Paragon is unclear. Further investigation or inquiry may be needed for confirmation.


Care settings

CareFirst
McKesson Paragon
🟢 General practice : Yes.
CareFirst is commonly used in GP surgeries for managing patient records, appointments, and billing. It is a widely adopted system within general practice settings.
⚪ General practice : Unknown.
McKesson Paragon is primarily used in hospital settings and may not be commonly used in general practice (GP surgeries). Further research is needed to determine its prevalence in this setting.
⚪ Community care : Unknown.
CareFirst is not commonly used in the NHS community setting, and there is limited information available for comparison with other Electronic Health Record Systems such as EMIS, TPP, Epic, and Cerner.
⚪ Community care : Unknown.
McKesson Paragon is primarily used in acute care settings and may not be commonly used in the community setting. Further research is needed to determine its prevalence in community healthcare environments.
⚪ Hospital and Acute : Unknown.
CareFirst is not commonly used in acute hospital systems in the NHS. Its prevalence and integration with other platforms are unclear for comparison purposes.
🟢 Hospital and Acute : Yes.
McKesson Paragon is commonly used in acute hospital systems, offering comprehensive solutions tailored to the specific needs of acute care settings.


Key features

CareFirst
McKesson Paragon
🟢 Mobile version : Yes.
CareFirst EHR does have a mobile version for clinicians, allowing them to access patient information and records on-the-go. This mobile version enhances flexibility and efficiency in providing care.
🟢 Mobile version : Yes.
McKesson Paragon offers a mobile version for clinicians, allowing them to access the EHR system on-the-go for convenient patient care. The mobile version is web-based, providing flexibility and accessibility.
🟢 Referral management : Yes.
CareFirst's EHR includes referral management features, allowing for streamlined coordination of patient referrals to specialists or other healthcare providers within the system.
🟢 Referral management : Yes.
McKesson Paragon offers robust referral management features to streamline the process of referring patients to other healthcare providers, ensuring seamless coordination of care and improved patient outcomes.
⚪ Waiting list management : Unknown.
The presence of waiting list management features in CareFirst's EHR system is not clearly stated or documented, making it uncertain whether this functionality is available compared to other platforms.
⚪ Waiting list management : Unknown.
There is no clear information available regarding waiting list management features in McKesson Paragon EHR compared to other platforms.
🟢 Booking management : Yes.
CareFirst EHR includes booking management features to streamline appointment scheduling and manage patient bookings efficiently, enhancing overall practice operations and patient experience.
⚪ Booking management : Unknown.
McKesson Paragon's booking management features are not clearly specified in comparison to other EHR systems. Further information or clarification is needed to determine the presence of such features.
🟢 Document management : Yes.
CareFirst EHR offers robust document management features, allowing users to efficiently store, organize, and access patient records and other important documents within the system.
🟢 Document management : Yes.
McKesson Paragon offers robust document management features, allowing users to efficiently store, organize, and retrieve patient records and other documents within the EHR system.
🟢 Decision support : Yes.
CareFirst EHR includes a clinical decision support feature, providing healthcare professionals with real-time guidance and recommendations based on patient data and best practices to improve care quality and outcomes.
🟢 Decision support : Yes.
McKesson Paragon includes clinical decision support features to assist healthcare providers in making informed decisions and improving patient care outcomes.
🟢 Lab results : Yes.
The EHR supports lab results and can integrate them seamlessly into patient records, allowing healthcare providers to easily access and analyze this important data for patient care.
🟢 Lab results : Yes.
McKesson Paragon supports lab results integration, allowing for seamless access to and viewing of lab test results within the EHR system, either manually or via an API.
🟢 Imaging : Yes.
CareFirst EHR supports imaging/radiography results, allowing users to access and view these results within the system, either manually or via an API integration for seamless workflow.
🟢 Imaging : Yes.
McKesson Paragon supports imaging and radiography results, allowing for seamless integration of these diagnostic tests within the EHR system, enhancing overall patient care and treatment planning.
🟢 Billing : Yes.
CareFirst EHR includes a billing/invoicing feature, streamlining the process of generating and managing patient invoices within the system. This can help practices efficiently handle financial transactions and billing tasks.
🟢 Billing : Yes.
McKesson Paragon includes a billing/invoicing feature, allowing healthcare providers to efficiently manage and process financial transactions related to patient care within the EHR system.


API / data sharing

CareFirst
McKesson Paragon
🟢 Patient portal : Yes.
CareFirst's EHR system includes a patient portal, providing patients with secure access to their health information, appointment scheduling, communication with providers, and other features to enhance their engagement in their care.
🟢 Patient portal : Yes.
McKesson Paragon offers a patient portal feature, allowing patients to access their health information, communicate with providers, schedule appointments, and more, enhancing patient engagement and empowerment.
⚪ Patient app : Unknown.
CareFirst's availability of a native patient app for Android and iOS is currently unclear. Further investigation is needed to determine if this feature is offered by the EHR system.
⚪ Patient app : Unknown.
McKesson Paragon's availability of a native patient app for Android and iOS is unclear. Further information or confirmation from the vendor may be required for a definitive answer.
⚪ Has API : Unknown.
The availability of an API for CareFirst is not clearly stated or easily accessible. Further investigation or direct inquiry may be necessary to determine if an API is available.
⚪ Has API : Unknown.
The availability of an API for McKesson Paragon is unclear compared to other EHR systems in the NHS. Further investigation is needed to determine if this platform offers API capabilities.
🟢 FHIR API : Yes.
CareFirst's API is FHIR compliant, allowing for interoperability and seamless data exchange with other healthcare systems, enhancing overall efficiency and patient care coordination.
⚪ FHIR API : Unknown.
McKesson Paragon's API FHIR compliance status is currently unknown in comparison to other Electronic Health Record Systems in the NHS.
⚪ API Documentation : Unknown.
It is unclear whether CareFirst provides public technical API documentation. Further research or direct inquiry may be necessary to determine the availability of such documentation.
⚪ API Documentation : Unknown.
There is no clear information available regarding public technical API documentation for McKesson Paragon. Further research may be needed to determine the availability of such documentation.
🟢 Right of access support : Yes.
The system has facilities to support right of access requests, ensuring users can easily access their health information in compliance with data protection regulations.
🟢 Right of access support : Yes.
McKesson Paragon includes facilities to support right of access requests, ensuring compliance with regulations and enabling patients to easily access their health information.


When choosing between CareFirst and McKesson Paragon, healthcare providers should consider their specific needs and priorities. CareFirst may be better suited for practices looking for an all-in-one solution, while McKesson Paragon could be a better fit for organizations focused on enhancing clinical efficiency and patient outcomes. Ultimately, the right choice depends on the unique requirements of the healthcare facility.