Electronic health record is a systematic collection of electronic health information about individual patients in digital formats that is capable of being shared across different healthcare settings (Smaltz and Eta 3). EHR in particular is generated and maintained within an institution to enable the concerned stakeholder’s access to patient’s medical records across facilities. For this paper we will take the first scenario which is in a rural 50 bed independent acute care facility, without other clinics or facility in corporation. With 25,000 residents seeking its services, the health care facility requires an EHR system with the following characteristics as a must:
- Easy to use
- Works at a high speed
- Allows user flexibility
- Can combine functionality score
- Easy to learn
- Durable and easy to implement
- Have available software upgrades
In addition to these the vendor should be in a position to offer training, support and implementation assistance as well as stability in the market.
In this case we will evaluate four vendors namely; e-MDs, EMR network, Medicomsoft and OmniMD. Using the vendor ranking tool, we will evaluate the best suited vendor for the system required by the scenario one. Our focus will be limited to functional characteristics and vendor characteristics and from these we will compile our final overall ranking that will enable us to make the best decision.
There are three tables; table A for functionality measure, table B for vendor characteristics and table C for overall ranking. Each entry requirement is assigned a score where the highest score is 50 and the total score a vendor can score with regard to the two parameters is 550. The overall percentage which combines the parameter A and B is the one used to determine the best vendor to give our tender.
The ranking and awarding of points was made using their favorable published ratings and their ads in their websites. Then comparison was made in line with the requirements of the case in scenario one.
Table A. Functionality
Table B. Vendor Characteristics
Table C. Overall Ranking
The results for the above score are e-MDs 50%, EMR network 53.6%, OmniMD 90.9% and Medicomsoft 49.09%. Drawing from the above vendor ranking the best vendor is OmniMD because it has scored much higher above others in terms of functionality and vendor characteristics. In vendor characteristics for instance OmniMD offers excellent services such as training, implementation support and are financially secure as compared to others. In conclusion with over 90% score in the assessment OmniMD vendor (www.omnimd.com/), has a promising system which can enable the facility to install EMR that will allow quick, accurate and efficient healthcare record management for scenario 1.
Works Cited
Smaltz, Detlev, and Eta Berner. The Executive’s Guide to Electronic Health Records. New York: Health Administration Press, 2007. Print.