Vendor Selection Criteria: Core clinical features
Core Clinical Features
In 2003, the DHHS [1] asked the IOM [2] to provide guidance on the basic functionalities of electronic health records systems. The committee concluded that the core functionalities should address the following areas:
- Improvement of patient safety
- Support delivery of effective patient care
- Facilitate management of chronic conditions
- Improve efficiency
- Feasibility of implementation and
- Integration of hospital services
In the Journal of Healthcare Information Management Kranny et. al discussed the importance of an application in the EHR which will promote continuity of care. During the selection of a vendor it is imperative for the decision committee to find out if there is an integration of inpatient, clinical and outpatient interface systems. [1] The patient's progress in house and discharge summary should be accessible by his primary care provider upon discharge. Medications that were discontinued during hospitalization should be updated in the patient's outpatient medication profile so wrong medications are not refilled by the patient. In addition, when new medications are added to the patient medication regimen it should be accessible by the primary care provider and outpatient pharmacist.
The IOM committee decided that the core functionalities of EHR system should cover the following areas: [2]
- Improvement of patient safety
- Support delivery of effective patient care
- Facilitate management of chronic conditions
- Improve efficiency
- Feasibility of implementation
Jain et al. (2010), in the article Evaluating EHR Systems, describes a few criteria to look for in EHR selection. Considerations for EHR selection should include privacy of patient data, interoperability, ease of use( for physicians and support staff) and efficiency of the integrated systems. Management support during implementation is crucial. [3]
Based on these areas, the they identified eight categories of core functionalities, including: [2]
- Health information and data
- Results management
- Order entry/management
- Decision support
- Electronic communication and connectivity
- Patient support; administrative processes
- Reporting and population health management
back to home, Vendor Selection criteria
References
- ↑ Finding an EHR vendor: Mistakes are costly, and questions about confidentiality linger. (2011). Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, 23 (42), 1-4.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Johnson 2006: Selecting an electronic medical record system for the physician practice. http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahima/bok1_035390.hcsp?dDocName=bok1_035390g
- ↑ Jain, V. (2010). Evaluating EHR systems. Health Management Technology, 31(8), 22-24. Retrieved from http://ezproxyhost.library.tmc.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/747986471?accountid=7034
