For ED Solutions, Mix of Integration and Functionality Attracts ARRA-Minded Buyers
Epic and Wellsoft ED systems achieve balance between integration and functionality -- and take top slots in new KLAS report.

OREM, UT, November 17, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As hospitals consider ED strategies to help satisfy meaningful use objectives, they seek a blend of robust functionality and tight integration, according to a new report by KLAS.

For this latest study, "EDIS 2010--Functionality vs. Integration: Finding the Right Mix", KLAS compiled feedback from over 700 providers to investigate the effect of ARRA on ED purchasing priorities, as well as to highlight vendor progress in delivering both clinical functionality and integration.

"Historically, best-of-breed EDIS vendors have led the market in addressing the needs of ED clinicians," said Steve VanWagenen, KLAS research director and author of the report. "Providers using best-of-breed EDIS solutions most often describe their CPOE, medication reconciliation, and nurse/physician documentation tools as strong; however, some enterprise EDIS vendors are climbing the ladder as they develop more robust functionality."

According to the report, integration is still a key focus for many organizations, and many are willing to sacrifice some functionality today for integration and anticipated functional improvements in the future. As a result, only 69 percent of best-of-breed clients indicated that their current system is part of their long-term plans, compared to 93 percent of enterprise customers.

"Best-of-breed EDIS vendors obviously want to meet their customers' needs for integration, and Allscripts, MEDHOST, and Wellsoft have led the way, receiving above-average scores in this area," VanWagenen commented. "However, providers report that enterprise vendors with their own EDIS offerings, such as Allscripts (Eclipsys), Cerner, Epic, McKesson, and MEDITECH, are often less motivated to work with best-of-breed vendors to develop interfaces."

Tying with scores of 88.2 out of 100, enterprise vendor Epic and best-of-breed vendor Wellsoft took the top spots in "EDIS 2010--Functionality vs. Integration: Finding the Right Mix". They were followed by MEDHOST (83.8) and Allscripts (83.2). The report also highlights Cerner, CMR, Eclipsys, Emergisoft, EmpowER, McKesson, MEDITECH, Picis, and T-System and includes brief updates on a dozen additional EDIS vendors.

For more information about the ED software market, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of EDIS vendors, "EDIS 2010--Functionality vs. Integration: Finding the Right Mix" is available to healthcare providers online for a significant discount off the standard retail price. To purchase the full report, healthcare providers and vendors can visit www.KLASresearch.com/report.

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Andrea Morrill
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