The Journey to Revolution EHR: Why the Oklahoma College of Optometry at NSU Made the Switch
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Introduction
When the Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSUOCO) set out to find a new electronic health records (EHR) system in 2015, they knew they needed a solution that could meet the unique demands of an academic institution.
The Challenge
NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry needed a flexible, cloud-based system to manage patient data across 11 locations. Faculty and students also wanted a more user-friendly interface to improve clinical training.
Their existing system wasn’t making the grade—
faculty and students struggled with inefficiencies, and the platform lacked the flexibility to adapt to the school’s evolving needs.
After evaluating eight different EHR systems, NSUOCO narrowed the selection down to two contenders. The final decision was nearly unanimous: Eight out of nine faculty members voted in favor of RevolutionEHR.
According to Dr. Nate Lighthizer, Dean of NSUOCO, the choice came down to three key factors:
- Usability: The system needed to be intuitive enough for students to learn quickly and efficient enough for faculty to use in high-volume clinical settings.
- Customization: As an academic institution, NSUOCO required an EHR that could support multiple specialties, from primary care to laser procedures, all while allowing modifications to fit their teaching methodologies.
- Cloud-based accessibility: With 11 clinical locations, including two university-based clinics and nine Cherokee Nation partner sites, they needed an EHR that would function seamlessly across multiple locations without requiring on-premise servers.
Nearly a decade later, NSUOCO has no regrets. RevolutionEHR continues to be the EHR of choice for their institution, offering the flexibility and efficiency needed to train the next generation of optometrists.
"They've been very responsive to our needs, and we have been thrilled on our nearly 9-year journey with Revolution"
— Dr. Nathan Lighthizer, Dean, NSUOCO
The Solution
NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry needed a flexible, cloud-based system to manage patient data across 11 locations. Faculty and students also wanted a more user-friendly interface to improve clinical training.
What Makes RevolutionEHR Ideal for Academic Institutions?
1. Usability: An Intuitive System That Enhances Learning
For optometry students, clinical rotations are where textbook knowledge meets real-world application. The last thing they need is an EHR system that complicates patient care. RevolutionEHR’s user-friendly interface allows students to focus on their exams and treatment plans rather than struggling with software navigation.
RevolutionEHR is designed strictly for optometry, so there are no superfluous functions to complicate the learning process.
It’s also used by more providers than any other EHR, including thousands of retail locations, so there is a good chance they will find themselves in a Rev office when they finish school.
"RevolutionEHR is really easy to learn. Within a few patient encounters, students get comfortable with the workflow. That means we can spend more time focusing on clinical decision-making rather than documentation hurdles.”
2. Customization: Built to Support the Complexity of Optometry Training
Unlike a private practice, an academic setting requires a highly adaptable EHR. Students rotate through various specialty clinics—pediatrics, glaucoma, contact lenses, low vision, and laser procedures—each with unique documentation needs.
RevolutionEHR allows custom templates to be created for different clinics, streamlining the documentation process while maintaining educational flexibility.
"We’ve got dozens and dozens of different clinics, and this one EHR has to be able to work for a laser clinic or a pediatric clinic. RevolutionEHR was able to meet all of our needs and be flexible in all those different clinics and all those different locations.”
3. Cloud-Based System: Essential for Multi-Location Training
NSUOCO’s partnership with the Cherokee Nation means students rotate through nine off-campus clinics. A traditional server-based EHR would require extensive IT maintenance and on-site hosting, making cross-location access a challenge.
With RevolutionEHR’s cloud-based system, students and faculty can access patient records from anywhere, ensuring continuity of care across all 11 clinical sites. This also prepares students for real-world practice, as more private practices are shifting toward cloud-based solutions.
"Being able to log into RevolutionEHR from any location is a game changer. It mirrors what students will experience in their future practices, especially if they work in multi-location groups or telehealth settings."
By the Numbers
- NSUOCO evaluated 8 different EHR/EMR platforms.
- A team of 9 voted 8 to 1 in favor of RevolutionEHR.
- The multilocation campus has 11 sites, all managed with RevolutionEHR.
- 112 students use RevolutionEHR across locations.
- 38 faculty members wouldn’t change a thing about RevolutionEHR.
- NSUOCO has been happily using RevolutionEHR for 9 years.
A Trusted Partner in Clinical Training
For NSUOCO, the decision to implement RevolutionEHR nearly nine years ago has paid off in better clinical training, improved efficiency, and enhanced student preparedness.
As technology continues to evolve, RevolutionEHR remains committed to supporting optometry schools by providing cutting-edge EHR solutions tailored for education.
"We needed an EHR that could work for everything-from a pediatric vision therapy exam to a YAG laser procedure. Revolution EHR lets us tweak templates and workflows to match each specialty, making it a seamless experience for students and faculty. We're very happy."
—Dr. Nathan Lighthizer, Dean Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry
The Results
Faculty report high satisfaction with the software’s responsiveness and functionality. Students train on a single system across clinics, which improves consistency, efficiency, and overall patient care.
Would you like to see how RevolutionEHR can transform optometry training at your institution? Request a demo today.