A healthcare system EHR selection process

Client Description

A healthcare system that operates a hospital, medical center, and multiple primary, specialty, and urgent care practices.

Problem/Issue

The healthcare system had key objectives for its new ambulatory system, including provider-based billing support, integration with the Meditech Health Information Systems (HIS), and ease of use for physicians, practice administrators, and staff. The healthcare system used a variety of applications for clinical, administrative, and financial functions.

BerryDunn’s Approach

During our engagement we:

• Assessed the system's practices to understand workflow and operations, and to identify areas of improvement
• Met with physicians, administrators, and staff to gain their perspectives on what was needed in the new electronic health record (EHR) and practice management software
• Developed and issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) including Functional and Technical Requirements
• Structured and facilitated vendor demonstrations
• Managed the peer reference check process
• Facilitated evaluation meetings with the EHR selection and steering committees
• Negotiated the contractual agreements between the healthcare system and the selected vendor

Outcomes

By the end of the engagement, BerryDunn had:

• Identified the key objectives for implementing the EHR and practice management applications
• Developed workflow diagrams of the clinical, operational, and financial processes
• Conducted an objective and thorough evaluation of candidate vendors
• Negotiated contractual agreements favorable for the healthcare system in financial terms, in the definition of the relationship between the healthcare system and the preferred vendor, and in the healthcare system's control over the implementation process
• Developed the approach for integrating the ambulatory systems with Meditech HIS