Cerner PowerChart Guide
What is Cerner PowerChart 2026: Complete User Guide & Features?
Everything about Cerner PowerChart - the clinical application for viewing patient charts, documentation, and orders. Features, tips, and how to use PowerChart effectively.
PowerChart is where Cerner clinicians spend most of their day -- charting, ordering, reviewing results. If you are new to it or want to work faster, this is what you need to know.
What is PowerChart?
PowerChart is the application Cerner clinicians live in. It pulls together the patient chart -- demographics, problems, meds, allergies, labs, vitals, notes, and orders — into a single interface. Think of it as Cerner's equivalent to Epic's Hyperspace.
Every other Cerner module feeds into or launches from PowerChart: FirstNet for the ED, SurgiNet for the OR, PharmNet for pharmacy. If you use Cerner, PowerChart is the application you open first and close last.
PowerChart Features
Patient Chart Review
View complete patient information in one place
- • Demographics
- • Problem list
- • Medications
- • Allergies
- • Lab results
- • Vitals
Clinical Documentation
Document patient encounters and care
- • Progress notes
- • H&P
- • Procedure notes
- • Discharge summaries
- • Nursing documentation
CPOE (Orders)
Computerized provider order entry
- • Medication orders
- • Lab orders
- • Imaging orders
- • Consults
- • Diet orders
Results Review
View and manage test results
- • Lab results
- • Imaging reports
- • Pathology
- • Cardiology
- • Trending
Message Center
Manage clinical communications
- • InBox
- • Results
- • Verbal orders
- • Co-signatures
- • Tasks
MPages
Customizable dashboard views
- • Specialty-specific views
- • Workflow summaries
- • Quick access panels
PowerChart Tips
Use keyboard shortcuts
Ctrl+O for orders, Ctrl+D for documentation speeds up workflow
Customize your MPage
Work with IT to create a dashboard that fits your workflow
Use favorites
Save frequently used orders as favorites for quick access
Learn PowerNote
Dynamic documentation templates save significant time
Set up filters
Filter result views to show only what you need
PowerChart vs Epic
If you are evaluating both systems, here is how PowerChart's tools map to their Epic equivalents:
| Feature | PowerChart | Epic |
|---|---|---|
| Documentation | PowerNote, iView | SmartText, Notes |
| Orders | PowerOrders | Orders/CPOE |
| Dashboard | MPages | Storyboard |
Access PowerChart
Every hospital has its own PowerChart login URL. There is no central login page. Check with your IT help desk for your org's specific address.