Healthcare research firm KLAS has released the KLAS EMR Toolkit to help providers make informed choices regarding stimulus-related technology decisions.
The new stimulus package and its provisions for the "meaningful use" of EMRs have created a number of questions, and many healthcare providers are examining what the package might mean to their facilities, KLAS executives said. Despite the potential of increased funding for healthcare IT, some in the industry are warning CIOs against moving too quickly, without careful consideration to the long-term impact of those purchases.
"Providers have to be careful that they are not so focused on the money that they make poor vendor choices and slam in systems in a way that fails to make necessary process changes and meaningfully engage clinicians," John Glaser, CIO at Partners Healthcare System in Boston, wrote recently.
To assist providers, KLAS has created the KLAS EMR Toolkit, which offers performance ratings and analyses of leading EMR vendors for inpatient and outpatient markets, as well as professional services firms that offer implementation expertise. The toolkit is available as a complimentary resource to all healthcare providers.
"We hope the KLAS EMR Toolkit will be a useful resource for providers as they consider the increased use, replacement or adoption of EMR systems," said KLAS founder and Chairman Kent Gale. "While increased funding for healthcare IT holds the potential of improving hospital operations, the realization of those benefits is all about finding the right long-term technology investment."
The KLAS EMR Toolkit can be downloaded by healthcare providers at www.KLASresearch.com/klasemrtoolkit. Healthcare IT vendors, consultants and investment bankers can purchase the toolkit from the KLAS Web site.
