The following items were ranked as executives' and IT leaders' top considerations when making clinical technology purchase decisions.
HIMSS Media conducted a survey earlier this year on behalf of Philips Healthcare, polling 142 respondents on their plans for technology investments.
Nearly 40 percent of respondents held C-level positions, the predominant position being the CIO. Another 30 percent comprised IT directors and managers. Eighty-five percent of respondents represent either standalone hospitals or integrated delivery networks.
Respondents could select five items out of the 12 below to rank in order of importance. Percentages reflect the portion of respondents who selected each item as the number one consideration.
1. It is linked to EMR adoption — 43 percent
2. It drives measurable clinical improvements (e.g. reduced mortality) — 32 percent
3. It connects inpatient, outpatient and other organizational entities (e.g. physician offices, homes and clinics) — 27 percent
4. It is interoperable with the EMR — 24 percent
5. It expands or enhances EMR functionality — 23 percent
6. It supports physician recruitment efforts — 23 percent
7. It supports new program development — 22 percent
8. In is interoperable with existing clinical information systems — 21 percent
9. It drives measurable operational improvements (e.g. reduced length of stay, reduced cost of losses via asset tracking) — 11 percent
10. It supports standardization across the enterprise — 10 percent
11. It can be leveraged for multiple projects — 8 percent
12. It can be implemented in phases/modules, by department or faculty — 6 percent
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