1. Introduction

Did you know that nearly 70% of skilled nursing facilities are actively seeking new technology partners to address rising operational costs, staffing shortages, and regulatory pressures in 2025? Emerging trends reveal that while the post-acute care sector faces ongoing challenges, there are more opportunities than ever for forward-thinking providers to thrive—especially by leveraging the right software solutions.

For years, MatrixCare has been a go-to electronic health record (EHR) platform for skilled nursing facilities. However, as the industry shifts toward greater interoperability, data-driven care, and more stringent value-based purchasing requirements, many leaders are questioning if MatrixCare truly offers the flexibility and innovation needed for the future. Interoperability and proactive, evidence-based care are no longer luxuries—they’re necessities for compliance, reimbursement, and quality outcomes.

So, what does it really mean to find a solution that’s better than MatrixCare? In this article, we’ll examine the current landscape of skilled nursing technology, highlight the critical gaps many facilities experience with MatrixCare, and showcase the essential features and alternative platforms that can help your organization stay ahead in 2025 and beyond. If you’re ready to elevate care, streamline operations, and ensure future-readiness, read on to discover what to look for in your next skilled nursing software partner.

2. Current Challenges in Better Than MatrixCare

As skilled nursing facilities and other healthcare organizations seek alternatives that are “better than MatrixCare,” they often encounter a unique set of challenges. While the motivation is to find more robust, user-friendly, and integrated electronic health record (EHR) platforms, the journey is not without obstacles. Below, we explore the most prominent pain points facilities face in their quest for superior solutions, supported by current research and statistics.

• 1. Data Migration Complexities
  Transitioning from MatrixCare to a new EHR system can be daunting. According to HealthIT.gov, 59% of healthcare organizations cite data migration as a top concern when switching EHRs. Data quality, historical records, and interoperability must be preserved, and any misstep can lead to operational disruptions and patient safety risks.
• 2. Staff Training and Change Management
  Adopting a new system requires extensive staff training. A 2023 KFF survey found that 43% of healthcare workers experienced workflow slowdowns and increased error rates post-EHR implementation due to inadequate training. This impacts both compliance and the quality of patient care.
• 3. Integration with Existing Systems
  Ensuring seamless interoperability with ancillary software (pharmacy, billing, lab, and diagnostic tools) is a significant hurdle. A 2022 AHA survey reported that 57% of hospitals struggle to integrate new EHRs with legacy systems, leading to fragmented data and inefficient workflows.
• 4. Compliance and Regulatory Burdens
  Remaining compliant with HIPAA, CMS, and state-specific regulations is complex, especially during software transitions. Non-compliance risks hefty penalties; in 2022 alone, HIPAA violations cost organizations over $28 million according to HIPAA Journal. Efficient solutions must support these evolving requirements without adding administrative overhead.
• 5. Cost Overruns and Budget Constraints
  The financial investment in switching EHR platforms is substantial. A Health Affairs study estimates the average cost of EHR implementation at $162,000 per provider, with ongoing annual maintenance of $85,000. Budget overruns can delay implementation and strain resources.
• 6. User Experience and Customization Limitations
  While facilities seek solutions that are more intuitive than MatrixCare, many alternatives fall short in customizable workflows and ease of use. According to a 2023 KLAS Research report, only 35% of respondents are “very satisfied” with the usability of their current EHR.
• 7. Impact on Patient Care and Satisfaction
  During EHR transitions, patient care can be disrupted. The Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association notes a 15% increase in documentation errors and a 12% rise in patient complaints during the first six months after EHR changes.

These challenges not only affect day-to-day operations but also have far-reaching implications for compliance and the quality of patient care. As facilities strive to go “better than MatrixCare,” careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing support are essential to mitigate risks and maximize the benefits of their chosen solutions.

3. How Sparkco AI Transforms Better Than MatrixCare

MatrixCare is a well-established EHR solution for long-term and home-based care providers, offering tools for efficiency and staff engagement. However, Sparkco AI takes these capabilities to the next level by leveraging advanced artificial intelligence and seamless automation. Here’s how Sparkco AI directly addresses—and surpasses—MatrixCare’s common challenges:

• 1. Intelligent Workflow Automation
  Sparkco AI automates routine administrative tasks, such as scheduling, documentation, and billing. Unlike MatrixCare’s manual or semi-automated workflows, Sparkco’s AI-driven engine identifies repetitive tasks and handles them in real-time. This reduces staff workload, minimizes human error, and ensures that clinicians can focus more on patient care rather than paperwork.
• 2. Predictive Analytics for Better Care Outcomes
  Sparkco AI uses predictive analytics to spot trends in patient data, such as the risk of falls, hospital readmissions, or medication errors. While MatrixCare offers reporting tools, Sparkco’s machine learning algorithms proactively alert care teams to potential issues before they happen, enabling earlier interventions and improved clinical outcomes.
• 3. Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Documentation
  Sparkco AI employs NLP to transcribe and interpret clinician notes, orders, and assessments directly from voice or free-text input. This dramatically speeds up documentation, improves accuracy, and reduces the cognitive load on staff. MatrixCare relies on more traditional data entry, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
• 4. Seamless Integration and Interoperability
  Sparkco AI is designed with robust integration capabilities, supporting HL7, FHIR, and other industry standards. It can connect effortlessly with existing EHRs, pharmacy platforms, and lab systems. Unlike MatrixCare, which may require custom development for integrations, Sparkco’s API-driven approach ensures rapid deployment and real-time data exchange across the care continuum.
• 5. Personalized Care Recommendations
  Sparkco AI analyzes each resident’s health data to offer tailored care plan suggestions. This individualized approach helps care teams deliver more effective interventions and achieve higher satisfaction scores. MatrixCare offers care planning, but Sparkco’s AI-driven personalization ensures that recommendations are always up-to-date and evidence-based.
• 6. Enhanced User Experience
  Sparkco AI features a modern, intuitive interface that adapts to the workflows of skilled nursing staff. With smart prompts, role-based dashboards, and instant alerts, teams can act quickly and confidently. This leads to higher staff engagement and lower training time, overcoming a common challenge with MatrixCare’s more traditional interface.

In summary, Sparkco AI not only matches MatrixCare’s foundational EHR capabilities but also adds advanced automation, predictive intelligence, and seamless integration. By harnessing the power of AI, Sparkco helps skilled nursing facilities deliver safer, more efficient, and patient-centered care—while maximizing operational efficiency and staff satisfaction.

4. Measurable Benefits and ROI

In skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), the integration of advanced automated solutions can significantly outperform legacy platforms like MatrixCare in both operational efficiency and financial returns. Leveraging automation not only streamlines workflows but also delivers quantifiable benefits across time savings, cost reduction, and compliance. Below, we detail key measurable advantages—supported by real-world data and case studies—to illustrate the superior ROI of next-generation platforms.

• Time Savings: Up to 40% Reduction in Documentation Time
  Automated solutions have been shown to reduce clinical documentation time by 30-40% compared to traditional EHRs like MatrixCare (HealthIT.gov). This translates to an average savings of 15-20 hours per nurse per month, allowing staff to focus more on resident care.
• Labor Cost Reduction: $50,000+ Saved Annually per Facility
  By automating administrative and billing processes, SNFs can reduce FTE (full-time equivalent) needs, saving an average of $50,000-$100,000 per year in labor costs (Becker’s Hospital Review).
• Billing Accuracy and Revenue Capture: 15% Increase in Collected Revenue
  Automated billing and coding tools reduce claim errors by up to 80% and increase overall collected revenue by 10-15% (HFMA).
• Regulatory Compliance: 50% Fewer Deficiency Citations
  Facilities using advanced automated compliance tracking experienced 50% fewer deficiency citations during regulatory surveys versus those on older platforms (LTC Management Case Study).
• Error Reduction: 70% Decrease in Medication Errors
  Medication administration errors dropped by up to 70% after implementing automated eMAR (electronic medication administration records) compared to manual or semi-automated systems (AHRQ PSNet).
• Audit Readiness: 60% Faster Audit Preparation
  Automated audit trails and reporting tools enable SNFs to prepare for audits 60% faster than with manual methods, directly reducing the risk of costly penalties (Forbes).
• Staff Satisfaction: 25% Improvement in Retention Rates
  Facilities that adopted intuitive automated platforms saw 25% higher staff retention rates due to reduced burnout and improved workflow (NIH Study).
• Resident Outcomes: 20% Fewer Hospital Readmissions
  Enhanced clinical decision support and proactive alerts led to a 20% reduction in hospital readmissions within 30 days (AHCA/NCAL).

These statistics underscore how a modern, automated solution can deliver a rapid and compelling ROI—often within the first year of implementation—by directly impacting operational efficiency, bottom-line savings, regulatory standing, and quality of care. By choosing automation that goes beyond MatrixCare’s capabilities, SNFs are positioned for sustainable success in a challenging healthcare landscape.

5. Implementation Best Practices

Successfully implementing a new skilled nursing facility software solution that’s “better than MatrixCare” requires a structured, proactive approach. The following best practices will help your organization ensure a smooth transition, regulatory compliance, and staff adoption, while minimizing disruptions to resident care.

1. Assemble a Cross-Functional Implementation Team
   

   Involve representatives from clinical, administrative, IT, and compliance departments. This ensures diverse perspectives and stakeholder buy-in.
   Tip: Assign clear roles and responsibilities. Designate a clinical champion to bridge communication between staff and leadership.
   Pitfall to Avoid: Leaving out end-users from early discussions, which can lead to resistance and overlooked workflow challenges.

2. Conduct a Comprehensive Needs Assessment
   

   Map current workflows and identify pain points with your existing system. Document compliance requirements tied to CMS survey changes and upcoming regulations.
   Tip: Engage staff in shadowing sessions to uncover hidden inefficiencies.
   Pitfall to Avoid: Assuming “off-the-shelf” configurations will meet your facility’s unique needs.

3. Develop a Customized Implementation Plan
   

   Create a detailed project timeline with milestones, deliverables, and success metrics. Align the plan with regulatory deadlines, such as HOPE assessment tool rollouts or CMS updates.
   Tip: Schedule regular check-ins and adjust the plan based on staff feedback.
   Pitfall to Avoid: Failing to allow buffer time for unexpected technical or staffing challenges.

4. Focus on Data Migration and System Integration
   

   Prioritize secure, accurate migration of resident records. Ensure integration with pharmacy, billing, and MDS assessment tools.
   Tip: Run parallel systems for a short period to validate data integrity.
   Pitfall to Avoid: Overlooking data mapping nuances, leading to compliance risks or lost information.

5. Deliver Role-Based Training and Ongoing Support
   

   Tailor training sessions to different user groups. Utilize hands-on, scenario-based learning and reinforce regulatory updates.
   Tip: Offer “super-user” programs to build internal expertise and peer support.
   Pitfall to Avoid: One-size-fits-all training, which can leave gaps in competency and confidence.