With the push to convert to electronic health records intensifying, small practices are finally getting the attention they deserve. The most recent vendor to offer an electronic health record system designed for a small practice is Epocrates.

Best known for its point of care decision support solutions and online references, Epocrates now offers EpocratesEHR. Designed by physicians for physicans, EpocatesEHR was built from the ground up specifically for small practices.

As with many electronic health record systems, EpocratesEHR is a monthly subscription service. Among its many features is an intuitive interface that includes a Task Manager. The Task Manager allows doctors to list patient tasks by priority and status. The list is viewable from all screens, so to-dos are always in sight.

In addition to templates for many of the top diagnoses made in primary care and family practice settings, doctors can create custom templates based on their needs. A voice-to-text feature is under development. It will give physicians the ability to dictate notes, send e-mail, search the Web, and command and control their PCs and remote devices entirely by voice.

Access to eLabs is part of the subscription to EpocratesEHR.  eLabs lets doctors transmit and receive lab orders and results and the subscription includes access to three labs of your choice (two nationals and one local). The e-Prescribing module is Surescripts-certified and allows physicians to prescribe and route prescriptions directly from the examination room to the patient's preferred pharmacy.

EpocratesEHR includes a reminder task list that provides a snapshot of a patient’s essential information and profile. From there it is easy to access the patient’s full chart. EpocratesEHR offers comprehensive support and training. It is available via phone, e-mail, or chat during business hours or 24/7 via its support and training portal.

In addition, EpocratesEHR offers access via iPhone -- an iPad app is in the works, so doctors can access patient records and process prescriptions anytime, anywhere.