Vendor Selection:

There are approximately one hundred vendors selling Electronic Health Records (EHR) and/or Practice Management (PM) software systems. It would be a daunting task to consider thoroughly evaluating every one of those vendors to see if they meet all of your functional criteria. One option would be to send out a request for proposal (RFP) to every vendor. However, they will all likely respond and flood you with an ocean of information that you must wade through.

Fortunately, there are other options to help considerably reduce the potential candidate list. Start by eliminating those that fail to meet some basic criteria. Here are a few suggestions:

• Watch out for any vendor who uses a custom non-commercial database that stores your data. Or, a vendor that will not provide regular copies of your backed up data on media that you have possession of (this should not be a problem if you are running your own Server). Remember, you are migrating from a paper based records system (and possibly an existing electronic Practice Management system) to a new computerized and integrated system. Your data is therefore invaluable. The last thing you need is for your data to be locked up in a database that cannot be recovered, converted, or otherwise be accessible if you suddenly have to move from one vendor to another... for whatever reason.
• The list of vendors can be easily determined by visiting the CCHIT website here. CCHIT is the certification body that determines whose products will qualify for the government incentive payments under the HITECH act. Their website lists all of the vendors vying for certification, their current level of certification (if any), and links to the vendor websites for further information.
• Does the vendor meet the CCHIT 2008 and/or 2011 certification criteria? If not, they are not prepared to meet your needs.
• Does the vendor offer both EHR and PM functionality in an integrated system (i.e. not separate programs)? These two functions should be completely "baked in."
• Does the vendor offer both "On Premises" and ASP "hosted" versions of their software? If not, pass on the vendor. You do not want to get locked into a limited solution with no flexibility for the future.
• How long has the vendor been in business? How strong (or weak) is their financial health? You do not want to consider any vendor that presents a high risk of either becoming insolvent or marginalized because of inadequate funding. With over one hundred vendors in this market, there will be an inevitable "shakeout". You cannot afford to have all of your company data tied to a vendor that you suspect cannot support you for the long term.
• Does the vendor have a product, or products, that support solo practices as well as larger practices? What is their market focus? If you are a small practice, you need a vendor that concentrates on that market segment. You do not want a vendor who is focusing on large groups or hospitals almost exclusively. Their lower tier products may languish from an upgrade and/or support perspective.
• Are there press reports, industry news, or colleagues that indicate certain vendors as being risky? Be careful interpreting these sources of information. Every practice will have a different experience and not all of the "bad" experiences are the vendor's fault.

At this point, you should have a "short list" of vendor candidates from which to begin your more formal evaluation. You may have other ideas on how to shorten your candidate list as well.

» Continue to Next Page