Cerner Millennium vs McKesson Paragon

Cerner Millennium and McKesson Paragon are two popular Electronic Health Record systems used in healthcare settings. Cerner Millennium is known for its comprehensive functionality and interoperability, while McKesson Paragon is praised for its user-friendly interface and ease of use.

General information

Cerner Millennium
McKesson Paragon
Introduction :
Cerner Millennium is a widely used EHR system that was launched in 1997. It is not open source but is popular due to its comprehensive features, interoperability capabilities, and user-friendly interface. Cerner Millennium is commonly implemented in large healthcare settings such as hospitals and health systems, making it a preferred choice for organizations looking for a robust EHR solution.
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 to meet specific needs of healthcare organizations
  • Strong focus on patient safety and data security
  • Robust analytics and reporting capabilities
  • User-friendly interface for easy adoption and training
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 interoperability with other EHR systems
  • Steep learning curve for users
  • High implementation and maintenance costs
  • Lack of customization options
  • Potential for system downtime and technical issues
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 Corporation
Cerner Millennium is manufactured by Cerner Corporation, a leading provider of health information technology solutions. Cerner is a well-established and reputable company in the healthcare industry.
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.cerner.com/


Commercial details

Cerner Millennium
McKesson Paragon
๐Ÿ”ด Open source : No.
Cerner Millennium is not an open source platform. The code is not freely available for modification or redistribution, limiting customization options for users.
๐ŸŸก 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.
๐Ÿ”ด Free option : No.
Cerner Millennium does not offer a free option. It is a comprehensive EHR system with advanced features, but it comes at a cost. However, there may be limited features or hosted options available for specific use cases.
โšช 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.
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Cerner Millennium offers a hosted option for users, providing the flexibility and convenience of accessing the system remotely without the need for on-premises infrastructure. This can be beneficial for organizations looking for a cloud-based solution.
โšช 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.
โšช Self host : Unknown.
Cerner Millennium may offer self-hosting options through third-party vendors, but specific details are unclear. It is recommended to inquire directly with Cerner for more information on self-hosting capabilities.
โšช 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

Cerner Millennium
McKesson Paragon
๐ŸŸข General practice : Yes.
Cerner Millennium is used in some GP surgeries, providing a comprehensive electronic health record system for managing patient data and improving care coordination within primary care settings.
โšช 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.
๐ŸŸข Community care : Yes.
Cerner Millennium is commonly used in the community setting, providing integrated electronic health record solutions for healthcare organizations to improve patient care and operational efficiency.
โšช 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.
๐ŸŸข Hospital and Acute : Yes.
Cerner Millennium is commonly used in acute hospital systems, offering comprehensive electronic health record solutions tailored for hospital settings. It is a widely adopted system in acute care facilities.
๐ŸŸข 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

Cerner Millennium
McKesson Paragon
๐ŸŸข Mobile version : Yes.
Cerner Millennium offers a mobile version for clinicians, allowing them to access the EHR system on-the-go. This mobile version provides convenient access to patient information and clinical tools.
๐ŸŸข 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.
๐ŸŸข Referral management : Yes.
Cerner Millennium offers robust referral management features to streamline the process of referring patients to other healthcare providers, ensuring seamless coordination of care and improved communication.
๐ŸŸข 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.
๐ŸŸข Waiting list management : Yes.
Cerner Millennium includes waiting list management features to help healthcare providers efficiently manage patient queues and prioritize appointments based on urgency and availability.
โšช Waiting list management : Unknown.
There is no clear information available regarding waiting list management features in McKesson Paragon EHR compared to other platforms.
๐ŸŸข Booking management : Yes.
Cerner Millennium offers booking management features to help healthcare providers efficiently schedule appointments and manage patient bookings within the EHR system.
โšช 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.
๐ŸŸข Document management : Yes.
Cerner Millennium offers robust document management features, allowing users to efficiently store, organize, and retrieve patient records and other documents within the EHR system.
๐ŸŸข 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.
๐ŸŸข Decision support : Yes.
Cerner Millennium offers clinical decision support features to assist healthcare providers in making informed decisions and improving patient care outcomes through real-time guidance and alerts.
๐ŸŸข Decision support : Yes.
McKesson Paragon includes clinical decision support features to assist healthcare providers in making informed decisions and improving patient care outcomes.
๐ŸŸข Lab results : Yes.
Cerner Millennium supports lab results, allowing for the integration and display of laboratory test results within the electronic health record system, either manually or via an API.
๐ŸŸข 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.
๐ŸŸข Imaging : Yes.
Cerner Millennium supports imaging and radiography results, allowing for easy access and integration of these important diagnostic images into the electronic health record, either manually or via an API.
๐ŸŸข 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.
๐ŸŸข Billing : Yes.
Cerner Millennium offers a billing/invoicing feature, allowing healthcare providers to manage and process payments efficiently within the EHR system, streamlining the revenue cycle management process.
๐ŸŸข 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

Cerner Millennium
McKesson Paragon
๐ŸŸข Patient portal : Yes.
Cerner Millennium offers a patient portal for individuals to access their health information, communicate with healthcare providers, schedule appointments, and more, enhancing patient engagement and empowerment.
๐ŸŸข 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.
๐ŸŸข Patient app : Yes.
Cerner Millennium has a native patient app available for both Android and iOS platforms, providing patients with access to their health information and communication with healthcare providers.
โšช 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.
๐ŸŸข Has API : Yes.
Cerner Millennium does have an API, allowing for integration with other systems and the development of custom applications to enhance functionality and interoperability.
โšช 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.
๐ŸŸข FHIR API : Yes.
Cerner Millennium is FHIR compliant, allowing for seamless integration with other systems and interoperability. This enables efficient data exchange and collaboration within the healthcare ecosystem.
โšช FHIR API : Unknown.
McKesson Paragon's API FHIR compliance status is currently unknown in comparison to other Electronic Health Record Systems in the NHS.
๐ŸŸข API Documentation : Yes.
Cerner Millennium provides open and public technical API documentation, allowing for easy access to developers looking to integrate with the platform.
โšช 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.
๐ŸŸข Right of access support : Yes.
Cerner Millennium has facilities to support right of access requests, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations and enabling patients to access their health information easily.
๐ŸŸข 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 Cerner Millennium and McKesson Paragon, healthcare organizations should consider their specific needs and priorities. Cerner Millennium offers robust features and integration capabilities, making it ideal for larger institutions with complex requirements. On the other hand, McKesson Paragon’s intuitive design and user-friendly interface may be more suitable for smaller facilities looking for a simpler solution. Ultimately, the right choice depends on the organization’s size, budget, and desired level of customization.