August 20, 2010 in EMR Articles by admin

Providers and EMR Evaluation in 2010

Physicians are considering an ever-increasing number of software vendors when shopping for the right electronic medical record system, according to a new report from research firm KLAS.

However, established vendors Allscripts, NextGen and eClinicalWorks still maintain the most mindshare in the ambulatory EMR market, as those vendors are considered in one of every three purchase.

For the new report, Ambulatory EMR Buying: A Roller Coaster Ride in 2010, KLAS interviewed more than 370 healthcare providers who plan to choose an EMR solution in the next two years. The goal was to discover which EMR vendors are making the short list.

KLAS found that providers are increasing their pool of considered vendors, including lesser-known options. This is especially true for small practices with one to five physicians, where 72 percent are considering solutions outside the best-known vendors. Larger practices also are considering vendors that have traditionally serviced smaller organizations.

“The vendors with the largest market share – companies like Allscripts, NextGen and eClinicalWorks – are considered the most often in purchasing decisions,” said Mark Wagner, KLAS general manager of ambulatory research and author of the report. “What’s interesting, however, is the number of smaller vendors, such as athenahealth, e-MDs and Greenway, which are getting more looks, even from practices that are larger than their typical clients.”

The KLAS report also found that among providers planning an EMR purchase, nearly a third of them are replacing an existing solution. Half of the providers planning a switch are doing so because their current EMR lacks functionality or certification – because they are not viable go-forward strategies in today’s ARRA-focused healthcare environment.

Which ambulatory EMR vendors providers are considering varies significantly depending on practice size. However, some overall trends were evident:

* Allscripts EMR products (including Enterprise, Professional, Misys and MyWay) are being collectively considered in 35 percent of purchase decisions, more often than any other vendor’s products;
* NextGen is being considered in 32 percent of planned purchases;
* eClinicalWorks is being considered in 29 percent of purchase decisions.

Other vendors highlighted in the KLAS report include athenahealth, Cerner, e-MDs, Eclipsys, Epic, GE, Greenway, McKesson and Sage.

Source: Healthcare IT News.

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August 20, 2010 in EMR Articles by admin

EMR for Meaningful Use Compliance

Physicians and administrators across the country are preparing to make investments in electronic medical records software. The priority for many right now is ensuring that the software they select will be Meaningful Use compliant, as required by ONC for the ARRA funds.

Unfortunately, the Final Rule defining “Meaningful Use” has not been released. In light of this, there are a few considerations as you review EMR software ratings and compare features.

> Many vendors are offering guarantees that their software will be ready to help you meet Meaningful Use. Review the small print but this might helpful in allowing you to proceed now instead of waiting.

> Don’t rely on the EMR software to get you to compliance. While the vendors tout “Meaningful Use” compliance, there will be some necessary workflow changes (CPOE, etc), interfaces (quality reporting, etc), and axillary products (Web Portal, Secure Mail, etc.)

> While the certification process has not been defined, current certifications may offer reassurance that the software will be capable. One of the most notable & trusted certification bodies for the EMR world is CCHIT, so you may want to consider this in your comparison studies.

> Finally, while the incentive is significant, the highest priority has to be to improve patient care. EMR software can help you do this, but it will take careful planning and workflow design to be sure it is actually meaningful for you. When you evaluate solutions, consider how your team will work with each vendor; they will be your partner in this project.

Use the free form below as a starting point. ChartZoom can help you identify EMR software providers that serve your area and have solutions that meet your needs.

August 19, 2010 in Compare EMR Software, EMR Articles by admin

EMR Software Vendors

The following is an exhaustive list of EMR vendors. Many more have joined the ranks in recent years, attracted by the federal investment in this area. We would anticipate that EMR suppliers will begin increased consolidation effort in the next decade, but for now, potential buyers have an extensive list of EMR solutions available to them. The form here will help us connect you with the best matches for your organization.

Find EMR Software Vendors with our Free Comparison Tool Now.

Are you looking to implement Electronic Medical Records for your hospital or outpatient clinic? This site is free to health care staff and providers. We provide a simple, powerful online EMR comparison tool, which helps you determine the best EMR system for your specific needs. Answer a few questions here now and save a lot of research time in the future.

The following is an exhaustive list of EMR vendors. Many more have joined the ranks in recent years, attracted by the federal investment in this area. We would anticipate that EMR suppliers will begin increased consolidation effort in the next decade, but for now, potential buyers have an extensive list of EMR solutions available to them. The form at the bottom will help us connect you with the best matches for your organization.

Find EMR Software Vendors with our Comparison Tool Now. Are you looking to implement Electronic Medical Records for your hospital or outpatient clinic? This site is free to health care staff and providers. We provide a simple, powerful online EMR comparison tool, which helps you determine the best EMR system for your specific needs. Answer a few questions here now and save a lot of research time in the future.