An increasing number of hospitals and health systems are in the market for a replacement electronic health record system. Almost 50 percent of hospitals with 200 or more beds will purchase a new electronic medical record system by 2016, according to a KLAS report. And about 40 percent of providers shopping for a new electronic health record system during the first quarter of 2014 were seeking a replacement for their current EHR, according to a survey from EHR reviewer Software Advice.
For providers that are currently shopping around, seven hospital and health system executives share why they selected their current EHR system.
Bob DeGrand, Vice President and CIO of Froedtert Health (Milwaukee).
EHR Vendor: Epic Systems
Froedtert Health chose Epic Systems in 2002 because it was a system designed by physicians and care providers and was highly customizable to our needs. In addition, it was a proven product for academic medical centers like ours. We also liked the fact that Epic is based in Wisconsin, where our health care system also is located.
Rod Dykehouse, CIO, and Christopher DeFlitch, MD, CMIO, Penn State Milton S. Hershey (Pa.) Medical Center.
EHR Vendor: Cerner
Penn State Hershey Medical Center initially partnered with Cerner in 1998 to automate the viewing of lab results. Penn State Hershey selected Cerner again in 2003 to implement a comprehensive inpatient electronic medical record system. In 2011, Penn State Hershey chose to further our relationship, selecting Cerner for ambulatory EMR implementation. Penn State Hershey continues to deploy Cerner tools throughout the enterprise: 700-member Penn State Hershey Medical Group, 10,000 employees, patients via the portal, measuring outcomes analysis and successfully attesting for meaningful use. Through our partnership with Cerner, we will continue to innovate with the EMR for the benefit of our patients and the future of our health system.
Hunter Kome, COO of Oconee Medical Center (Seneca, S.C.)
EHR Vendor: McKesson
Oconee Medical Center chose Paragon from McKesson based on an analysis of the total cost of ownership over five years. We found that we could achieve significant savings by choosing an integrated, Windows-based system because of the reduced technological footprint, maintenance costs and licensing fees. After we conducted demos for staff and physicians from across the organization, we were comfortable that in addition to the cost savings, Paragon would meet our clinical and business needs as well.
Paragon is a good fit for Oconee Medical Center because it is built on a modern, Windows-based platform, and we are able to customize it easily to meet our needs. We also feel that Paragon positions us for a rapidly approaching future in which we need to easily share information across the continuum of care to facilitate population health management.
Dave Muhs, CFO of Henry County Health Center (Mount Pleasant, Iowa).
EHR Vendor: CPSI
In 2003, an organizational-wide commitment was made to integrate the entire hospital system and enhance the patient experience. The decision to go with our current software vendor was driven by the following: Detailed specifications of all vendors, a very strenuous request for proposal process and the capabilities of the system chosen.
Based upon survey responses and a 15-year cost analysis, the RFP committee selected CPSI. The consensus among almost all HCHC departments was that it was a better fit for our hospital. We implemented CPSI on Nov. 1, 2004.
The following results have occurred since the implementation of CPSI: Over 99 percent error free rate, reduction of delinquent records from 30 percent in 2005 to 5 percent in 2011 and less than 1 percent today and a charge capture increase of 10 percent due to integrated system.
Cindy Peterson, Vice President and CIO of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital (Valencia, Calif.).
EHR Vendor: Meditech
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital chose Meditech for its integrated patient centric solution. The solution allows our clinicians and physicians to have the right patient information at the right time to make good decisions on patient care. Also, instead of spending time and costs to interface best of breed applications, the hospital can spend the time to review and optimize workflows that focus on patient outcomes. Finally, the partnership with Meditech allows us to develop system enhancements that enhance patient safety.
Rick Schooler, Vice President and CIO of Orlando Health.
EHR Vendor: Allscripts
The decision [to use Allscripts' EHR] was made in 2003 and the deciding factors were (in order of importance): features and functions as voted/determined by clinical and physician users; less complex to implement, support and maintain; and price.
Overall features and functions have proven, in my opinion, to be the most valued aspect of the technology platform.
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