EMIS Web vs McKesson Paragon

EMIS Web and McKesson Paragon are both popular Electronic Health Record systems used in healthcare settings. EMIS Web is known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive functionality, while McKesson Paragon offers robust features for large healthcare organizations.

General information

EMIS Web
McKesson Paragon
Introduction :
EMIS Web is a widely used Electronic Health Record system in the NHS, known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive functionality. Launched in the early 2000s, EMIS Web is popular among healthcare providers for its ability to streamline workflows, improve patient care, and enhance communication between healthcare professionals. It is particularly favored in primary care settings for its ease of use and integration with other healthcare systems.
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 :
  • User-friendly interface for easy navigation and data input.
  • Integration with other healthcare systems for seamless information sharing.
  • Customizable templates and workflows to suit individual practice needs.
  • Comprehensive patient records with detailed clinical information.
  • Secure data storage and compliance with NHS data protection regulations.
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 new users
  • Lack of customization options for individual practices
  • Slow customer support response times
  • Potential for system downtime affecting patient care
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 : EMIS Web is manufactured by EMIS Health.
EMIS Health is a leading healthcare technology provider in the UK, specializing in electronic health record systems. EMIS Web is one of their flagship products used widely in the NHS.
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.emishealth.com/


Commercial details

EMIS Web
McKesson Paragon
🔴 Open source : No.
EMIS Web is not an open source platform. The code is not publicly available for viewing or modification. It is a proprietary software developed by EMIS Health for use in healthcare settings.
🟡 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 there is a free option for EMIS Web. Further research or contacting the provider directly may be necessary to determine if any free options or limited features are available.
⚪ 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.
There may be hosted options available for EMIS Web, but specific details on whether it is directly offered by the provider or through third-party vendors are unclear.
⚪ 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.
There may be options for self-hosting through third-party vendors, but specific details are unclear. Further research or direct inquiry with EMIS Web may be necessary for confirmation.
⚪ 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

EMIS Web
McKesson Paragon
🟢 General practice : Yes.
EMIS Web is commonly used in GP surgeries across the NHS, offering a range of functionalities tailored to primary care settings. It is a well-established system with a strong presence in general practice.
⚪ 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 : Yes.
EMIS Web is commonly used in the community setting for managing patient records, appointments, and prescriptions. It is a widely adopted system among GP practices and community healthcare providers.
⚪ 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.
EMIS Web is primarily used in primary care settings, and its usage in acute hospital systems is not well-documented. Further research or confirmation from specific hospitals is needed to determine its prevalence in acute care settings.
🟢 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

EMIS Web
McKesson Paragon
🟢 Mobile version : Yes.
EMIS Web does have a mobile version for clinicians, allowing them to access patient information and manage their tasks on-the-go. This mobile version enhances flexibility and efficiency in healthcare delivery.
🟢 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.
EMIS Web offers robust referral management features, allowing healthcare providers to efficiently manage and track patient referrals within the system, enhancing coordination of care and communication between providers.
🟢 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 : Yes.
EMIS Web offers waiting list management features to help healthcare providers efficiently manage patient queues and appointments, improving overall workflow and patient satisfaction.
⚪ 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.
EMIS Web offers booking management features to help healthcare providers efficiently schedule appointments and manage patient bookings within the EHR system, enhancing overall workflow and organization.
⚪ 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.
EMIS Web offers robust document management features, allowing users to securely store and organize patient records, test results, and other important documents within the EHR 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.
EMIS Web does offer clinical decision support features, providing healthcare professionals with real-time guidance and alerts to improve patient care and safety within the system.
🟢 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.
EMIS Web supports lab results, allowing users to view and manage laboratory test results within the EHR system either manually or via an API integration for seamless data retrieval.
🟢 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.
EMIS Web supports imaging and radiography results, allowing users to view and manage these results within the EHR system, either manually or via an API integration with imaging systems.
🟢 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.
EMIS Web does have a billing/invoicing feature, allowing users to generate invoices for services provided. This feature streamlines the billing process and helps with financial management within the system.
🟢 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

EMIS Web
McKesson Paragon
🟢 Patient portal : Yes.
EMIS Web offers a patient portal, allowing patients to access their health records, book appointments, and communicate with healthcare providers online, enhancing patient engagement and convenience.
🟢 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.
It is unclear whether EMIS Web has a native patient app for Android or iOS. Further research or contacting the provider directly may be necessary to confirm this information.
⚪ 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 : Yes.
EMIS Web does have an API, allowing for integration with other systems and the development of custom applications to enhance functionality and interoperability.
⚪ 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 : Unknown.
EMIS Web's API compliance with FHIR standards is not clearly stated. Further investigation or direct inquiry with the provider may be needed to determine its FHIR compliance.
⚪ 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.
There is no clear indication of public technical API documentation available for EMIS Web. Further investigation is needed to determine the accessibility of this information.
⚪ 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.
EMIS Web does have facilities to support right of access requests, allowing users to easily access their personal 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 EMIS Web and McKesson Paragon, it ultimately depends on the specific needs and size of the healthcare organization. EMIS Web may be more suitable for smaller practices looking for ease of use, while McKesson Paragon could be a better fit for larger institutions requiring advanced capabilities. Careful consideration of features and scalability is crucial to making the right choice.