1. Introduction

Did you know that over 70% of skilled nursing facilities are actively seeking new software solutions to improve care coordination and data management in 2025? As the pressure mounts for SNFs to deliver higher quality care, streamline operations, and comply with ever-changing regulations, many leaders are re-evaluating their technology stack—and for good reason. While Practice Fusion has long been a familiar name in healthcare software, it was never designed with the unique complexities of skilled nursing in mind. As resident needs become more acute and documentation demands skyrocket, using a one-size-fits-all EHR can leave your team overwhelmed, your data siloed, and your outcomes lagging behind the industry’s best.

Today’s top-performing skilled nursing organizations are embracing purpose-built solutions that go far beyond the basics. They’re leveraging advanced data analytics, intuitive user interfaces, and integrated connectivity to not only meet regulatory requirements, but also to elevate resident care and empower their staff. The result? Improved clinical outcomes, greater operational efficiency, and a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.

In this article, we’ll break down why “better than Practice Fusion” isn’t just a catchphrase—it’s a necessity for SNFs poised for growth. You’ll discover the latest trends shaping clinical excellence, must-have EHR features for 2025, and how specialized platforms are transforming the skilled nursing landscape. If you’re ready to bridge the gap between compliance and true innovation, read on for expert insights and actionable guidance.

2. Current Challenges in Better Than Practice Fusion

Healthcare facilities across the country are increasingly seeking electronic health record (EHR) platforms that promise to be "better than Practice Fusion." While the intent is to boost efficiency, compliance, and patient outcomes, many organizations encounter significant challenges during selection and implementation of these new systems. Below are specific pain points, backed by current data, that healthcare providers face when moving towards or working with advanced EHR solutions.

• High Upfront and Ongoing Costs
  While Practice Fusion was known for its free or low-cost model, alternatives often require substantial investments. According to a 2023 ONC Health IT report, the average per-provider cost to implement a new EHR system is $33,000 in the first year, with annual maintenance fees ranging from $4,000 to $8,000. These costs can strain budgets, especially for small and mid-sized practices.
• Interoperability Issues
  Despite industry efforts, only 46% of hospitals report being able to electronically exchange patient health information with outside providers, as per ONC data (2023). Many EHRs marketed as "better than Practice Fusion" still fall short on seamless data sharing, leading to fragmented care and redundant testing.
• User Experience and Workflow Disruptions
  Newer EHR platforms often have complex interfaces or require extensive retraining. In a 2022 Medscape survey, 70% of clinicians cited "poor usability" as a top EHR complaint, negatively impacting productivity and increasing the risk of clinician burnout.
• Data Migration and Downtime
  Transitioning from Practice Fusion to another EHR can be fraught with data migration errors and system downtime. A 2023 study published in the JAMA Network found that 30% of facilities reported data loss or corruption during transitions, leading to clinical and operational setbacks.
• Regulatory and Compliance Complexities
  Keeping up with HIPAA, MACRA, and other evolving regulations is increasingly difficult. A 2023 AMA report highlights that 58% of healthcare leaders cite regulatory burden as a significant challenge when adopting new EHRs, risking financial penalties and audit failures.
• Integration with Existing Systems
  Many "better than Practice Fusion" EHRs have limited compatibility with legacy billing, lab, or imaging systems. This can require costly custom interfaces or manual workarounds, further complicating operations and reducing overall efficiency.
• Patient Care and Satisfaction Impact
  EHR transitions often temporarily disrupt patient care, with a 2022 survey showing that 50% of patients noticed care delays or errors after their provider switched EHR systems.

These pain points highlight the complex landscape healthcare facilities navigate when seeking EHR solutions that aim to improve upon Practice Fusion. Balancing cost, usability, compliance, and patient care remains a significant operational challenge, underscoring the need for careful planning, transparent vendor partnerships, and robust user support.

3. How Sparkco AI Transforms Better Than Practice Fusion

As skilled nursing facilities and healthcare practices seek more powerful, intuitive, and integrated solutions, Sparkco AI is rapidly emerging as the intelligent alternative to legacy systems like Practice Fusion. By leveraging the latest advancements in artificial intelligence and automation, Sparkco AI directly addresses the key challenges that many providers encounter with older platforms—delivering real, measurable improvements in patient care and operational efficiency.

• 1. Smarter Workflow Automation
  Sparkco AI automates time-consuming administrative tasks such as appointment scheduling, patient reminders, and follow-up communications. Unlike Practice Fusion, which often requires manual intervention or third-party tools, Sparkco’s AI-driven workflows reduce staff burden and eliminate repetitive data entry, freeing clinical teams to focus on patient care.
• 2. Advanced Revenue Cycle Management
  Through intelligent billing and claims management, Sparkco AI identifies and corrects coding errors in real-time, leading to fewer denials and faster reimbursements. This level of automation streamlines revenue cycles far beyond what’s available in most traditional EMRs, boosting the financial health of your practice.
• 3. Personalized Patient Engagement
  Sparkco AI empowers providers to deliver targeted wellness checks, appointment reminders, and patient education through automated emails, texts, and phone calls. Each communication is personalized using patient data from the EMR, increasing response rates and improving care outcomes—capabilities that go beyond the generic messaging features of Practice Fusion.
• 4. Real-Time Clinical Decision Support
  With embedded AI-powered clinical insights, Sparkco AI assists providers in making evidence-based decisions at the point of care. The system continuously analyzes patient data to flag drug interactions, recommend preventive screenings, and suggest care pathways—helping clinicians deliver safer, higher-quality care with greater confidence.
• 5. Seamless Integration and Interoperability
  Sparkco AI is designed with robust integration capabilities, making it easy to connect with laboratory systems, pharmacies, billing services, and other EHRs. Whether you’re transitioning from Practice Fusion or integrating with external platforms, Sparkco ensures that data flows securely and efficiently—eliminating silos and supporting comprehensive, coordinated care.
• 6. Effortless Usability and Customization
  Sparkco AI’s intuitive interface is customizable to fit your facility’s unique workflows. Unlike the often rigid templates in Practice Fusion, Sparkco adapts to the way you work, minimizing training times and maximizing user satisfaction.

Technical Advantages, No Jargon: Sparkco AI’s technology works quietly in the background, powering smarter automation, delivering actionable insights, and ensuring seamless data exchange—all without requiring IT expertise from your staff. The result: more time with patients, fewer errors, and better outcomes across the board.

By choosing Sparkco AI, skilled nursing facilities and healthcare providers gain a future-ready platform that not only matches, but surpasses, the capabilities of Practice Fusion—delivering true value through AI-powered automation, comprehensive integration, and an experience tailored to the needs of modern healthcare.

4. Measurable Benefits and ROI

Healthcare providers are increasingly transitioning to automated Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems that surpass the capabilities of platforms like Practice Fusion. These advanced solutions not only streamline workflows but also deliver a quantifiable return on investment (ROI) across multiple domains. Below, we detail the key benefits, supported by industry data and real-world results.

• Time Savings for Clinical Staff: Automated EHRs reduce administrative burdens, saving clinicians an average of one hour per day (Health Affairs). Over a year, this equates to 260 hours per clinician, allowing for more patient-focused care and higher job satisfaction.
• Cost Reduction: Studies show that advanced EHR systems can cut annual administrative costs by up to 23% (NCBI). For a midsize practice, this can mean savings of $30,000–$50,000 per year.
• Improved Billing Accuracy: Automation reduces coding errors by up to 37% (RevCycle Intelligence), resulting in fewer claim denials and an increase in collections by as much as 15%.
• Enhanced Compliance and Security: Modern EHR platforms offer automated compliance checks, helping organizations achieve a 25% reduction in HIPAA violations and related penalties (Healthcare Innovation Group).
• Faster Patient Throughput: Practices implementing advanced EHRs report a 12–15% boost in patient throughput (Becker's Hospital Review), enabling more appointments per day and increasing overall revenue.
• Reduction in Medication Errors: Automated medication reconciliation and decision support features reduce errors by up to 55% (NCBI), significantly improving patient safety.
• Rapid ROI Realization: According to a HealthIT.gov survey, 60% of practices recoup their investment in advanced EHRs within 16 months due to operational efficiencies and increased reimbursements.
• Patient Satisfaction Increases: Automated systems with patient portals and streamlined communication increase satisfaction scores by up to 18% (NCBI), fostering loyalty and positive online reviews.

Transitioning to an automated EHR solution that is "better than Practice Fusion" delivers demonstrable value across clinical operations, financial performance, and regulatory compliance. These platforms not only enhance care quality and provider satisfaction but also yield substantial ROI through measurable, data-backed improvements.

5. Implementation Best Practices

Transitioning to a robust EHR platform that surpasses Practice Fusion requires a structured approach. By following these implementation best practices, your skilled nursing facility or healthcare practice can maximize ROI, minimize disruptions, and ensure long-term success.

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Needs Assessment

   Engage clinical, administrative, and IT staff to define your requirements. Document workflows, compliance needs (including 2025 healthcare updates), and integration points.

   Tip: Use surveys or interviews to gather input from all user types.

   Pitfall to avoid: Overlooking “hidden” workflows that could cause issues post-implementation.

2. Establish Clear Project Leadership

   Designate a project manager and form a cross-functional implementation team. Assign clear roles and responsibilities to ensure accountability.

   Tip: Include change champions from each department to foster buy-in.

   Pitfall to avoid: Underestimating the time commitment required from leadership and staff.

3. Develop a Realistic Timeline and Milestones

   Break the project into phases—planning, data migration, training, go-live, and post-launch support. Set milestone dates and monitor progress regularly.

   Tip: Build in buffer time for unforeseen technical or adoption hurdles.

   Pitfall to avoid: Rushing implementation to “beat the clock”—this often leads to costly errors.

4. Ensure Data Integrity and Security

   Prioritize accurate and secure data migration. Validate data before, during, and after migration to comply with 2025 regulatory standards.

   Tip: Run parallel systems temporarily to verify data accuracy.

   Pitfall to avoid: Overlooking legacy data quality, which may compromise patient care or compliance.

5. Customize Workflows and Integrations

   Tailor the EHR to match your specific workflows. Integrate with billing, scheduling, and compliance tools for seamless operations.

   Tip: Pilot customizations with a small user group before full rollout.

   Pitfall to avoid: Over-customizing, which can complicate future upgrades and support.

6. Deliver Comprehensive Training and Support

   Offer role-based training sessions and provide quick-reference guides. Establish a helpdesk or “super user” network for ongoing support.

   Tip: Use simulations and real-life scenarios to build user confidence.

   Pitfall to avoid: A “one-size-fits-all” training approach that doesn’t address specific user needs.

7. Communicate Early and Often

   Keep all stakeholders informed about goals, timelines, and changes. Solicit feedback and address concerns promptly.

   Tip: Schedule regular project updates and Q&A sessions.

   Pitfall to avoid: Allowing rumors or misinformation to spread due to lack of communication.

8. Monitor, Evaluate, and Optimize

   Track key performance indicators (KPIs) post-launch. Gather user feedback to identify areas for improvement and optimize the system accordingly.

   Tip: Plan periodic reviews to align the EHR with evolving compliance requirements and organizational growth.

   Pitfall to avoid: Neglecting post-implementation support, leading to user frustration and system underutilization.

Change Management Considerations: Successful implementation depends on clear communication, staff engagement, and a willingness to adapt. Anticipate resistance, celebrate early wins, and provide ongoing education to embed new workflows and technologies into daily practice.

6. Real-World Examples

Real-World Examples: Outperforming Practice Fusion in Skilled Nursing Facilities

Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) require robust, long-term care EHR solutions tailored to their unique workflows—something Practice Fusion, designed mainly for outpatient clinics, often struggles to provide. Here’s how one SNF achieved better outcomes by switching to a purpose-built EHR platform.

• Situation:
  A 120-bed skilled nursing facility in the Midwest was using Practice Fusion to manage clinical documentation and medication administration. Staff reported frequent workflow bottlenecks: incomplete care plan tracking, cumbersome medication reconciliation, and limited interoperability with pharmacy and lab partners. As a result, medication errors averaged 2.5 per 1,000 resident-days, and charting compliance lagged at 75%. Staff turnover in nursing and administrative roles was 18% higher than the state average due to frustration with the EHR’s limitations.
• Solution:
  The facility implemented an EHR system designed specifically for skilled nursing, featuring:
  • Integrated eMAR with automated pharmacy interface
  • Customizable care plan templates and comprehensive MDS support
  • Intuitive, role-based dashboards for interdisciplinary teams
  • Seamless data exchange with local hospitals and labs
  Training and go-live support were tailored to SNF staff’s needs, minimizing disruption.
• Results:
  Within six months:
  • Medication errors dropped by 60% (to 1.0 per 1,000 resident-days)
  • Charting compliance rose to 97%
  • Average care plan review time decreased by 40%
  • Nursing and admin turnover fell by 15%
  • Five-star CMS quality rating improved from 3 to 4 stars on next survey
• ROI Projection:
  The SNF calculated an estimated annual savings of $95,000 from reduced medication errors, streamlined documentation, and lower turnover. The new EHR system paid for itself in just 14 months, delivering ongoing value through improved resident outcomes and staff satisfaction.

This real-world example demonstrates how adopting a skilled nursing-specific EHR solution can yield measurable improvements and a rapid ROI—far surpassing what’s possible with generalist platforms like Practice Fusion.

7. The Future of Better Than Practice Fusion

The future of “better than Practice Fusion” in healthcare is being shaped by rapid technological advancements, rising patient expectations, and the need for seamless interoperability. As the industry moves forward, new electronic health record (EHR) solutions are emerging to surpass the legacy systems of the past.

Emerging Trends and Technologies

• AI-Powered Clinical Decision Support: Next-generation EHRs are integrating artificial intelligence to deliver real-time recommendations, flag potential adverse events, and automate coding.
• Voice Recognition and Natural Language Processing: Providers can now dictate notes or interact with systems hands-free, improving workflow efficiency and reducing burnout.
• Telehealth Integration: EHR platforms are embedding telemedicine features, making remote consultations, documentation, and billing seamless within a single interface.

Integration Possibilities

• Interoperability as a Standard: Modern solutions are designed to communicate effortlessly with labs, pharmacies, imaging centers, and other EHRs, breaking down data silos.
• Wearable and Remote Monitoring Sync: Integration with patient wearables and home monitoring devices allows providers to gather continuous, real-time health data directly into the EHR.
• Patient Engagement Tools: Enhanced patient portals, secure messaging, and mobile apps foster collaboration between patients and providers, improving outcomes and satisfaction.

Long-Term Vision

The future of “better than Practice Fusion” systems lies in creating a truly unified healthcare ecosystem. This means EHRs that are intuitive, predictive, and personalized—offering proactive alerts, precision medicine insights, and a focus on value-based care. These platforms will empower clinicians, streamline administrative tasks, and ultimately place patients at the center of their health journey. As technology continues to evolve, healthcare providers can expect smarter, more connected, and more human-centered digital solutions than ever before.

8. Conclusion & Call to Action

In today’s fast-evolving healthcare landscape, settling for outdated EHR systems like Practice Fusion can hold your skilled nursing facility back. Sparkco AI offers a forward-thinking solution designed specifically for post-acute care providers, delivering intuitive workflows, robust compliance tools, and seamless interoperability that empower your staff and optimize resident outcomes. With advanced AI-driven documentation, real-time analytics, and customizable modules, Sparkco AI not only streamlines daily operations but also enhances clinical decision-making and patient care.

Don’t let inefficiencies or missed opportunities hinder your facility’s growth. The transition to a smarter, more powerful EHR is urgent—Sparkco AI’s comprehensive support and effortless onboarding ensure a smooth switch, with minimal disruption to your team. Join the growing community of skilled nursing facilities that have already realized measurable improvements in productivity, accuracy, and satisfaction.

Ready to unlock your facility’s full potential? Take action now and experience the difference a next-generation EHR can make.

Request a Free Demo or contact our team at info@sparkcoai.com today. Transform your workflow, boost compliance, and elevate care quality with Sparkco AI—the smarter choice beyond Practice Fusion.