If you are reading this now, then you are using all the tools you need to take advantage of athenahealth’s suite of Web-based business solutions for medical groups. With only a PC and Internet Explorer as a browser, your medical group can take advantage of athenaNet’s proprietary rules engine and flexible Internet technology.
athenahealth® recommends a relatively new desktop or laptop PC (less than three years old) and printer for best performance and experience.
For athenaNet, Pentium IV processor 1.4 GHz or better, minimum of 512mb RAM, 15GB hard drive or higher, and Network Interface Card (NIC). At least a 17" monitor running 1024x768 at Medium (16 bit) color depth is recommended.
athenaClinicalsSM supports the use of Tablet or Convertible PCs, in addition to desktop and laptops. For best performance, we recommend an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor with a minimum of 2GB RAM.
Windows 2000, XP Professional or Vista with the latest service packs and critical updates.
Microsoft Internet Explorer (non-branded) version 6.0 or above set as default browser and with 128-bit encryption. (Mozilla, Opera, Safari, and others are not supported and will not work with athenaNet®.)
Note: www.athenahealth.com must be a trusted site
Tablet or convertible use with athenaClinicals requires Windows XP Tablet Edition, or higher (Vista acceptable), with the latest Service packs and critical updates.
A local or network laser printer is required for printing. Laser printers must be used from manufactures that provide and support driver compatibility with all MS Windows operating systems. Latest print drivers should be installed to ensure proper printing. For athenaNet, we recommend at least 10ppm laser printers, with at least a 20ppm printer for Reception or for use with athenaClinicals. A printer with PCL capability is highly recommended, and required for some forms such as HCFAs.
athenaClinicalsSM requires a high-volume fax machine capable of handling up to 150 pages per provider per day. The fax machine must be capable of supporting a minimum resolution of 600 dpi, and be equipped with a high volume document feeder.
Because the athenaNet® system is run centrally, there is no server at the client’s office; wide-area network connectivity is very important. Clients can connect to the athenaNet® system over the Internet using dedicated circuits from a business-class Internet Service Provider. These clients order and install their own circuits and athenahealth’s Technical Services team will test them prior to go-live to make sure they meet our minimum standards. athenahealth recommends DSL, business-class cable modem, or T1/Fractional T1 access. athenahealth recommends LAN access in administrative areas and business-class broadband (minimum 1.5 megabits). The use of dialup connectivity methods, including analog modem and ISDN, is discouraged, but can be used as a backup to gain access if their main connectivity were to go out. If the client connects via the Internet, the client is responsible for any problems on their network. Consult with your IT vendor or staff to design the layout of wireless routers, access points, security, additional LAN and power outlets and purchase of additional new equipment. Note that wireless networks can be disrupted by radio frequencies in the public domain, including microwaves and 2.4 gHz cordless phones – the presence of these types of devices should be carefully considered when configuring and testing a wireless network. Additionally, the client is responsible for working with its ISP to resolve any outages.
Alternatively, in order to make sure the athenaNet® system is there when our clients need it, athenahealth has arranged special pricing for high-quality, high-speed, secure connectivity through Global Crossing, a worldwide Tier 1 network provider. All clients are guaranteed 99.7% server availability between the hours of 6am and 1am Eastern Time, 365 days per year. In addition, those clients on our private network are guaranteed 99.9% network availability (excluding local loop) at all times from our network provider, Global Crossing. athenahealth will assist the client in installing and maintaining Global Crossing connectivity.
For athenaClinicals, we recommend complete, comprehensive wireless LAN access that has been tested to ensure connections throughout your practice. Additionally, redundant Internet connections will ensure maximum uptime.
Less than a 120ms consistent average ping roundtrip time, depending on geographic location. Measured between the hours of 9am and 5pm (excluding noon-1pm) on a normal business day. This test can be done from either the office router or a desktop machine to ’athenanet.athenahealth.com’. Ping test should send at least 200 ping requests with a packet size of 200 bytes to acquire a good average of performance.
ActiveX controls must be downloadable through the firewall. There is a single ActiveX control in the application. If, however, ActiveX is blocked at the firewall, athenaNet® will adapt to use an HTML variant of the control.
TCP/IP port connectivity: The following TCP ports must be open outbound: 80 and 443. Users must be able to log into athenaNet® and navigate from screen-to-screen (an athenahealth Implementation Associate will help conduct this test).
Citrix, Terminal or Thin Client networking environments can support athenaNet – requires athenahealth technical assessment.
Citrix, Terminal or Thin Client networks are not supported for running athenaClinicals.
athenaNet is compatible with MedicScan insurance card scanning. For athenaClinicals, we recommend a scanner with document feeder.
For athenaClinicals, users must have administrative rights to download, install and run ActiveX Controls from athenahealth. athenaClinicals also supports the optional use of Dragon voice recognition software.
"Thanks to athenahealth, we have the data today that tells us exactly what's going on in the practice."