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Interoperability Platforms 2019:
Shifting Away from Traditional HIE

Authored by: Coray Tate and Colin Buckley | October 2019 |

Interest in HIE technology exploded nearly a decade ago, and the HIE solution market has been in flux ever since. Today, the field of vendors is narrow, and many provider organizations want technology that is more than a conduit for sharing patient records—they are looking for interoperability platforms that enable the use of aggregated data for innovative use cases. To understand where vendors are in the transition from traditional HIE to interoperability platforms, KLAS interviewed organizations identified by their vendor as their most advanced users. In-depth interviews with these organizations—as well as general performance feedback from vendors’ broader customer bases—reveal wide variation in use cases and the customer experience.

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Strategic M&A 2019:
A Recipe for Success with Mergers and Acquisitions

Authored by: Chris Chandler and Emily Paxman | October 2019 | Read Time: 5 minutes

Mergers and acquisitions are a common occurrence in the healthcare IT industry, and recent years have seen several big announcements in the EHR space (e.g., Cerner acquiring Siemens, Allscripts acquiring McKesson). This report provides an update on recent M&A activity and—by examining customer satisfaction before, during, and one year after a merger or acquisition—answers these questions posed by investors, vendors, and healthcare organizations:

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Innovation Center Consortium 2019 White Paper:
Accelerating Next-Generation Healthcare IT Development

Authored by: Doug Tolley and Emily Paxman | October 2019 | Read Time: 4 minutes

In September 2019, the new KLAS Innovation Center Consortium kicked off with a day-long workshop attended by a select group of representatives from some of healthcare’s most forward-thinking provider innovation centers. The goal of the workshop was to share development priorities and best practices for seeing healthcare IT innovation projects through to success. The insights shared in this paper come from the day’s small group discussions.

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DHIS 2019 White Paper:
Paving the Way for Radical Change in Healthcare

October 2019 | Read Time: 5 minutes

In September 2019, KLAS hosted its third annual investment symposium. In attendance were healthcare thought leaders from private equity and venture-capital firms, digital health companies, healthcare provider organizations, and health-system incubators. Small group discussions focused on identifying practical ways that the efforts of investors, vendors, and providers can be aligned to overcome some of healthcare’s biggest challenges. The intent of this paper is to share insights from those discussions and to highlight ways stakeholders throughout the industry can support radical change.

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Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) 2019:
Standout Vendors in an Early Market

Authored by: Joe VanDeGraaff and Dan Czech | October 2019 | Read Time: 6 minutes

As healthcare IT has become increasingly interconnected, securing medical devices—many of which were not purpose built for usage on a computer network—has become a top priority for healthcare security professionals. In response, a plethora of Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) software has emerged, creating high purchase energy, especially among larger organizations. To better understand this market energy, KLAS spoke with 47 unique organizations that have recently selected an IoMT vendor to determine which vendors they considered and ultimately selected, what factors contributed to their decision, and how they engaged with third-party services firms. Future KLAS research will delve further into how these IoMT vendors actually perform.

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Consulting for Cerner Software 2019:
Consultant Expertise Is the Measure of Success

Authored by: Ryan Oliver and Jennifer Despain | September 2019 | Read Time: 5 minutes

Organizations using Cerner’s EMR and revenue cycle software are increasingly looking for help from consulting firms to implement and optimize this software. These organizations almost universally consider Cerner’s in-house services, but those who engage Cerner for implementation or IT advisory services tend to be dissatisfied in much higher numbers than those who opt to use a third party. This report aims to help organizations find the best fit by diving into Cerner’s and other firms’ depth and breadth of experience, strategic expertise, and dedication to client success. 

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Emerging Technology Spotlight:
Olive AI

Authored by: Doug Tolley and Sam Eaquinto | September 2019 |

Brand new in 2019, KLAS’s Emerging Technology Spotlight reports help provider organizations separate reality from hype in emerging healthcare markets, companies, and technologies. Each Spotlight report focuses on a single technology or company, with the ultimate goal of uncovering the early customer experience and identifying how innovative companies are solving healthcare problems. The reports are brief in nature (2–3 pages) and include a product/company overview, an initial performance assessment, a summary of the validated customer experience (via customer interviews), an interview with a company executive, and KLAS’s Points to Ponder (questions organizations should keep in mind when evaluating vendors).

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Pulse Check 2019 - Epic Small Practices EMR:
New Visibility into an Unexplored Market

Authored by: Aaron Gleave and Alex McIntosh | September 2019 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Epic’s footprint among small practices (1–10 physicians) is extensive and growing as more of these clinics join local ACOs, affiliate with other organizations using Epic, or simply want the benefits that come with better clinical integration. Yet relatively little insight exists into how the solution performs for small practices or what successes and challenges these organizations encounter with Epic. This report is KLAS’ first attempt to shine a light on the experience of Epic users in small ambulatory settings.

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Smart Pumps 2019 Decision Insights:
Energy at the Enterprise Level

Authored by: Jackson Tate and Sam Eaquinto | September 2019 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Most smart pumps today garner fairly high overall satisfaction, yet factors such as EMR interoperability, total cost of ownership, and platform consolidation lead to high variability in how often different vendors are considered. Examining 36 smart pump purchase decisions made in the last 18 months, this report considers each vendor’s market energy and the reasons smart pumps are being considered, selected, and replaced.

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Global (Non-US) EMR Implementations 2019:
Who Can Best Help Me Navigate My EMR Implementation?

Authored by: Everton Santos and Jon Christensen | September 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Given the intense nature of an EMR implementation, it is natural that most projects will experience at least a few unexpected hurdles. In fact, about 30% of healthcare organizations outside the US report going over budget and 40% report vendor-missed timelines. However, feedback from recent implementations^† shows that some vendors are much more likely to help their clients stay on budget, on time, and within scope. Which vendors make the list?

† Data for this report was collected from organizations outside the US who contracted for an EMR between January 2016 and August 2018 and who are either currently implementing their solution or have already done so. Feedback was also collected from some organizations who have an ongoing implementation that started prior to January 2016.

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Cerner Revenue Cycle Management 2019:
Cerner Customers Cautiously Optimistic

Authored by: Boyd Stewart and Alex McIntosh | August 2019 | Read Time: 4 minutes

In August 2018, representatives from some of Cerner’s largest and most complex customers met with Cerner executives to participate in a transparent summit around revenue cycle success. The purpose of this summit was to provide insights that would enable Cerner to conduct a significant pivot to regain client confidence and deliver a world-class RCM solution. After the summit, Cerner made specific commitments to clients on when issues would be addressed. This report is a follow-up on Cerner’s progress toward those commitments.

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Computer-Assisted Coding (CAC) 2019:
Is CAC Worth the Investment?

Authored by: Dan Zeitner and Jennifer Despain | August 2019 | Read Time: 4 minutes

When first released, computer-assisted coding (CAC) solutions were slow to deliver hoped-for outcomes. If your organization is one of the many wondering whether they are now worth the investment, you should know this: 94% of adopters interviewed by KLAS would purchase their CAC solution again. To help organizations understand what outcomes are possible with a CAC solution and how well the various vendors help their customers achieve these outcomes, KLAS gathered two types of customer feedback: (1) general performance feedback from across each vendor’s customer base, and (2) in-depth, outcomes-related feedback from vendors’ deepest adopters.

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Emerging HCIT Companies 2019 Midyear Update:
Top-of-Mind Healthcare Technologies

Authored by: Doug Tolley and Sam Eaquinto | August 2019 | Read Time: 1 minute

Annually, KLAS conducts thousands of interviews with provider organizations to better understand their experience with their healthcare IT vendors. However, not all vendors are measured by KLAS today—some emerging vendors have very small customer bases, and others work in market segments outside KLAS’ current focus. To gain insights on these emerging companies, KLAS asks interviewed organizations to share the most innovative or potentially disruptive HIT vendor they have seen or heard about recently. During the first half of 2019, 68 healthcare professionals from 66 different provider organizations responded to this question.

This report shares the top-of-mind companies and market segments that surfaced from these interviews; in the future, KLAS will monitor those companies that continue to pique market interest and gain mindshare among healthcare organizations.

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Drug Diversion Monitoring 2019:
An Early Look at Emerging vs. Established Technology

Authored by: Jackson Tate and Paul Warburton | August 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Given the increased nationwide focus on the opioid epidemic, there has been a surge in demand for advanced drug diversion monitoring tools. Both established and emerging vendors have responded by developing new solutions that promise next-generation technology to comprehensively and proactively monitor dispensing behaviors. This report offers an early look at how far along these vendors are and what the customer experience is like so far. Despite increased interest, few customers feel they are having a true next-generation experience with their solution today.

Payer Care Management 2019:
Decision Insights Report

Authored by: Doug Tolley and Sam Eaquinto | August 2019 | Read Time: 10 minutes

While utilization management and care management solutions have been around for decades, today health plans are looking for modern technology solutions to help them manage multiple business lines and adapt to changing requirements for value-based care. While innovation overall in payer HIT is not abundant, KLAS has seen an increase in decision energy mostly from relatively or completely new vendors receiving stronger consideration than existing or established vendors.

KLAS defines payer care management solutions as systems comprising functionality in areas like utilization management, case management, disease management, and care coordination. 40 unique payer organizations shared insights with KLAS about their purchasing decision process, including which vendors they considered, selected, and decided to replace. As validated in this research, future-state goals (noted below) are becoming increasingly important in these decisions.

Medication Inventory Management 2019:
How Close Is Your Vendor to Enabling True Enterprise MIM?

Authored by: Jackson Tate & Paul Warburton | August 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Enterprise medication inventory management (MIM) can create substantial efficiency gains and financial savings, but the reality today is that no pharmacy or EMR vendor delivers the full visibility hospitals need. Even those vendors furthest down the path lag behind the inventory capabilities found in other industries, such as retail and manufacturing. To highlight which vendors have made progress and where gaps still remain, this report compares the reality of each vendor’s MIM offering with the full spectrum of capabilities required for true enterprise MIM. Additional findings are also highlighted in two areas that impact MIM—automated dispensing cabinets and medication kit/tray management solutions.

Acute Care EMR Decision Insights 2019:
Buyers Unwilling to Settle

Authored by: Doug Tolley and Sam Eaquinto | August 2019 | Read Time: 6 minutes

A seamless patient record across the healthcare organization has become a universal expectation. Having integrated acute care and ambulatory records is the most-often-cited reason for a hospital of any size to look at a new EMR system. EMR systems without proven integration are rarely considered and even more rarely selected. Buyers know what is possible from an EMR, and most are now unwilling to settle for less.

Cerner, Epic, and MEDITECH are most likely to be considered for large hospitals (500+ beds) and midsize hospitals (201–500 beds). The competition for hospitals with fewer than 200 beds is much more crowded, with MEDITECH Expanse, athenahealth, Allscripts (both Sunrise™ and Paragon), CPSI, eClinicalWorks, and MEDHOST battling alongside Cerner CommunityWorks and Epic Community Connect.

DHIS International 2019 White Paper

July 2019 | Read Time: 20 minutes

On 3–4 June 2019, KLAS convened a symposium in Sitges, Spain (just outside Barcelona). This symposium brought together healthcare thought leaders from Europe and other non-US regions to wrestle with the challenges the global healthcare industry faces in adopting innovative technology to help solve healthcare-related problems. Discussion topics included policy barriers and areas of high-impact investment, such as patient engagement, AI, interoperability, telehealth, and enterprise imaging. Attendees included representatives from healthcare provider organisations—including public hospitals & trusts, regional authorities, and private healthcare groups—as well as from IT suppliers, private equity firms, industry consultants, and investment bankers. This white paper represents the collective insights shared by these attendees.

Healthcare IT Investor Update:
2019 Q3

July 2019 | Read Time: 1 minute

In the 2019 Q3 Investor Update, KLAS investment experts Chris Chandler and Ben Brown discuss market share data for the healthcare business intelligence, along with the impact of recent acquisitions in this pace, EHR satisfaction and the athenahealth purchase, and KLAS Decision Insights data. Find out how these high energy topics will impact the investing landscape moving forward.

Improving EHRs Globally:
An Arch Collaborative Impact Report 2019

Authored by: Taylor Davis and Connor Bice | June 2019 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Today, achieving EHR satisfaction is a global endeavor as digitization of patient records becomes more and more common throughout the world. This report aims to increase awareness of the similarities and differences in EHR challenges faced by US and non-US health systems. To date, 189 organizations across the globe have measured the feedback of their clinicians (totaling >90,000 responses) and have received benchmarking data comparing them to similar organizations. 13 of these organizations are outside the United States. Do non-US health systems have a different perception of their EHR compared to US organizations? And if there are differences, what can each group learn from the other?

In most ways, US and non-US health systems have similar experiences with their EHRs. For both groups, system reliability and internal integration are the two aspects of the EHR generating most satisfaction. The areas where more significant differences appear are efficiency (non-US health systems are more satisfied by 12 percentage points) and external integration (US health systems are more satisfied by 9 percentage points).

How Aligned Are Provider Organizations with the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) Guidelines?:
A KLAS-CHIME White Paper

Authored by: Dan Czech | June 2019 | Read Time: 21 minutes

The 405(d) Task Group—convened by HHS following the Cybersecurity Act of 2015—recently released “Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices: Managing Threats and Protecting Patients” (HICP), a document containing recommendations for provider organizations on how they can reduce and mitigate their cybersecurity risks.

Outsourced Revenue Cycle Services 2019:
Are Outsourced Revenue Cycle Services Worth the Investment?

Authored by: Daniel Zeitner and Shea Smart | June 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Provider organizations investing in outsourced revenue cycle services to relieve cost and resource burdens need their firms to take true ownership of the complex revenue cycle and deliver accordingly. Unfortunately, some firms are falling short—most common for clients using full revenue cycle outsourcing (RCO). As a result, organizations are increasingly choosing and generally report more success with extended business office services (EBOS), which are more focused in scope. KLAS spoke to 140 provider organizations using RCO or EBOS to determine which firms are delivering and which are falling behind.

HIT Advisory Services 2019:
Seasoned vs. Developing Firms

Authored by: Ryan Oliver and Lauren Barton | June 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Implementation and go-live work is on the decline as healthcare organizations shift their focus to more strategic projects. Many firms that traditionally provided tactical services have responded by expanding their offerings to include more HIT advisory work. Given the influx of options, organizations are asking KLAS, “Can the developing firms^† meet my needs, or are seasoned firms a safer bet?” The answer is that there are many high-performing options in both groups, and organizations must consider several factors to find the best fit.

Radiation Therapy 2019:
Relationships a Key Driver of Value

Authored by: Monique Rasband and Lauren Barton | June 2019 | Read Time: 5 minutes

The purchase of radiation therapy equipment is a large—and often long-term—investment, and while the vendors are few, the stakes are high. To be able to provide effective treatments and attract patients (who are more mobile and more involved in their care than ever), organizations need accurate, reliable technology backed by stellar vendor support. This report will help organizations determine which vendor will give them the best value by examining (1) customer loyalty and long-term plans; (2) relationships and support; and (3) ease of use and integration.

Payer IT Consulting 2019:
Which Firms Can Adapt to Meet the Complex IT Needs of Payer Organizations?

Authored by: Ryan Pretnik and Jennifer Despain | May 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Demand for payer IT consulting services continues to rise as changing market regulations have increased the need for improved efficiency, accurate software, and ways to navigate the complex market environment. This report, KLAS’ first in the market, offers transparency into what payer IT consulting firms offer and their performance, including expertise and adaptability to customer needs (i.e., being flexible in approach and staffing and agile in making changes). At a high level, healthcare-specific firms are delivering more guidance and flexibility than cross-industry firms, though there are exceptions to this trend. 

Opioid Prescription Intelligence 2019:
Providers Realizing Improved Opioid-Prescribing Outcomes

Authored by: Jackson Tate and Alex McIntosh | May 2019 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Opioid prescription intelligence solutions combat the challenge of accessing data from prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) by pulling this crucial information into the EMR workflow. Hospitals and practices are seeing great success with these solutions—organizations consistently report they can better identify opiate seekers, reduce dangerous prescription mismatches, improve prescribing habits, and advance their opioid-stewardship strategies. No matter the solution organizations choose or the details of their opioid-stewardship strategy, prescription intelligence solutions can benefit patients.

Practice Management (11+ Physicians) 2019:
Big Changes in a Highly Established Market

Authored by: Aaron Gleave and Alex McIntosh | May 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Practice management (PM) solutions continue to demonstrate surprising variation in performance despite their longstanding usage in ambulatory practices. This variation is partly attributable to often-changing regulatory requirements, but some PM vendors still struggle to deliver basic functionality. Others are proving that commitment to customer success can reverse poor performance or raise the bar in the market.

Can My EHR Get Me There?:
An Arch Collaborative Impact Report 2019

Authored by: Taylor Davis and Connor Bice | May 2019 | Read Time: 2 minutes

The KLAS Arch Collaborative has collected the feedback of over 80,000 clinicians at 180+ organizations across 9 countries and found that which EHR vendor they use does not determine satisfaction on its own.

Successful Users’ Keys to EHR Satisfaction:
An Arch Collaborative Impact Report 2019

Authored by: Taylor Davis and Connor Bice | May 2019 | Read Time: 2 minutes

In October 2018, the Arch Collaborative added an open-ended question to the end of our clinician-experience survey for those who report high satisfaction and efficiency: What do you believe that you do differently from some of your peers that enables you to be highly successful with the EHR? This question only appears for those clinicians who agree or strongly agree that the EHR enables them to deliver high-quality care and that the EHR makes them as efficient as possible. Arch Collaborative data has indicated that the keys to EHR success lie with EHR education, EHR personalization, and the organization’s culture. But what do the clinicians themselves cite? The following report highlights what the first 1,261 clinicians to answer the question above do differently to be successful, and what other clinicians who may not be using the EHR quite as successfully can learn from their peers.

Cerner Revenue Cycle Management:
Has Cerner Changed Course?

Authored by: Boyd Stewart and Alex McIntosh | May 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

In August 2018, representatives from some of Cerner’s largest and most complex customers met with Cerner executives to participate in a transparent summit around revenue cycle success. The purpose of this summit was to provide Cerner with enough insight to enable Cerner to conduct a significant pivot to regain client confidence in Cerner and deliver a world-class RCM solution. After the summit, Cerner made specific commitments to clients on when issues would be addressed.

Healthcare IT Investor Update:
2019 Q2

May 2019 | Read Time: 1 minute

In the 2019 Q2 Investor Update, KLAS investment experts Chris Chandler and Ben Brown discuss market share data for the acute care EMR space, future hospital deals, and organizations' decision to outsource revenue cycle. Find out how these high energy topics will impact the investing landscape moving forward.

Global (Non-US) EMR Market Share 2019:
Large Public Tenders Shape 2018 EMR Landscape

Authored by: Everton Santos and Jon Christensen | May 2019 | Read Time: 7 minutes

In 2018, over 180 healthcare organizations outside the United States made EMR purchase decisions—impacting 377 hospitals (303 new wins, 74 migrations). Though public tenders represent just 5% of the contracts signed, they account for over a quarter of the hospitals impacted. Examining these and other EMR decisions, this report aims to determine how EMR vendors fared in 2018 so that organizations looking to buy know what their peers are selecting.

US Hospital EMR Market Share 2019:
Significant Movement in Every Market Sector

Authored by: Coray Tate and Paul Warburton | April 2019 | Read Time: 5 minutes

In terms of EMR purchasing, 2018 was the busiest of the past three years. This energy impacted every market sector, with the US government finalizing contracts, three large health systems changing EMRs, and the small-hospital market continuing to see churn. While the majority of all organizations that made go-forward decisions in 2018—regardless of size or type—chose Cerner or Epic, this does not tell the whole story.

Emerging Technology Spotlight:
SailPoint

April 2019 |

Brand new in 2019, KLAS’s Emerging Technology Spotlight reports help provider organizations separate reality from hype in emerging healthcare markets, companies, and technologies. Each Spotlight report focuses on a single technology or company, with the ultimate goal of uncovering the early customer experience and identifying how innovative companies are solving healthcare problems. The reports are brief in nature (2–3 pages) and include a product/company overview, an initial performance assessment, a summary of the validated customer experience (via customer interviews), an interview with a company executive, and KLAS’s Points to Ponder (questions organizations should keep in mind when evaluating vendors).

RTLS 2019:
Exploring Attainable Outcomes with Deep Adopters

Authored by: Tanya Egbert and Shea Smart | April 2019 | Read Time: 5 minutes

KLAS’ 2016 RTLS report revealed that many provider organizations want to do more with RTLS. This year, vendors’ deepest adopters share how they are expanding their use of RTLS solutions. What significant outcomes are they seeing because of these efforts? How can other organizations do the same? Additionally, insights from both deep adopters and vendors’ broader customer bases indicate that while most RTLS vendors successfully help organizations drive outcomes, there are a couple of vendors with which success is much less likely. 

ERP 2019:
Performance in the Cloud

Authored by: Tanya Egbert and Lauren Barton | April 2019 | Read Time: 7 minutes

In the traditionally stagnant market of ERP (HR, finance, and/or supply chain), aging on-premises solutions are giving way to several cloud options now on the table. Given the significant lift required to move to a new ERP system, many organizations contemplating the cloud are taking the opportunity to consider all vendors, not just their incumbent. To help in this search, KLAS interviewed provider organizations who are currently live with a cloud ERP solution to find out how the solutions perform overall, what kind of support and relationships each vendor offers during implementation and beyond, and organizations’ plans for the future.

Precision Medicine Implementer's Guide 2019

Authored by: Kody Hansen and Alex McIntosh | April 2019 |

In March of 2019, 56 leaders from provider organizations with advanced, established precision medicine programs and 20 vendor leaders met in Chicago to learn from each other and discuss how other healthcare organizations could begin to set up and create their own precision medicine programs.

The goal of the summit was to advance healthcare and improve outcomes by encouraging the increased adoption of precision medicine technologies and disseminating the knowledge and learnings held and experienced by the organizations in attendance.

Patient Privacy Monitoring 2019:
Who Stands Out in a Highly Competitive Market?

Authored by: Paul Pitcher and Dan Czech | April 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

The patient privacy environment today includes heightened regulatory demands, constrained resources, and an increasing number of PHI breaches, which are often tied to inappropriate insider access. Organizations can no longer protect patient privacy and meet regulatory demands simply by combing audit logs. They need patient privacy monitoring vendors who deliver partner-level service and strong solutions that limit false positives. KLAS interviewed 106 provider organizations to find out which vendors excel in these areas and which decision factors are key in purchasing decisions today.

Clearing the Way to Value-Based Care Success:
PHM Cornerstone Summit White Paper 2019

Authored by: Bradley Hunter and Colin Buckley | April 2019 | Read Time: 24 minutes

When CMS rolled out the Medicare Shared Savings Program in 2011, it helped initiate a wave of optimism that value-based reimbursement (VBR) programs would go a long way toward resolving the persistent problem of rising healthcare costs. Eight years later, some say that VBR has not lived up to its promises, and enthusiasm seems to be shrinking as many provider organizations hesitate to take on meaningful risk. Those that press forward often find that expected financial outcomes are out of reach. What happened to dampen enthusiasm? Why is success so difficult to achieve?

On November 14, 2018, leading executives from provider, payer, and vendor organizations convened in Salt Lake City, UT, to help answer these questions. Together, they identified strategic and operational barriers that have dampened VBR headway as well as potential solutions to clear the way. They also discussed ways to measure VBR progress in the future at both national and organizational levels. This document is being publicly shared to help all those that may benefit from the combined experience and expertise of summit attendees. (See page 15 for a list of attendees.)

The Nurse EHR Experience:
An Arch Collaborative Impact Report 2019

Authored by: Taylor Davis & Connor Bice | March 2019 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Since nurses work widely with the EHR, it is crucial to measure their experience with it so that opportunities for improvement can be found. And since, on average, nurses report significantly higher EHR satisfaction than physicians, it is also important to understand their successes; doing so provides vital information about how to improve EHR satisfaction for all clinicians.

Decision Insights 2019:
National Trends

Authored by: Doug Tolley and Sam Eaquinto | March 2019 | Read Time: 4 minutes

IV Compounding 2019:
New Options Garner Consideration, But Traditional Solutions Still Outperform

Authored by: Paul Hess, Jackson Tate, and Paul Warburton | March 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

While patient safety and regulatory compliance are the main purchasing drivers for IV workflow management solutions and IV robots, many organizations are also looking to consolidate their pharmacy systems. To this end, organizations are wondering whether the workflow management solutions from EMR vendor Epic and broader pharmacy vendors BD and Omnicell are performing on par with those of the strong traditional players Baxter and Grifols. IV robots continue to fall short of customers’ expectations, though vendor acquisitions and mergers have shifted the performance landscape. Against this market backdrop, this report examines vendor differentiation in the key areas of market energy, patient safety, product throughput, and functionality.

Medical Oncology 2019:
Customer Pain Points and Critical Success Areas

Authored by: Monique Rasband and Lauren Barton | March 2019 | Read Time: 4 minutes

The bulk of cancer care in the US is delivered by community cancer centers. They come in all sizes, and many have large-organization and academic affiliations, so their IT needs are getting more complex. These organizations need IT systems that can help them overcome oncology-specific challenges related to workflows, benchmarking, clinical trials, and data integration with other core EMRs. This report—focused specifically on medical oncology—examines how committed vendors are to making their customers successful and looks at customers’ functionality successes and pain points in the critical areas mentioned above.

Infection Control 2019:
An Early Look at Innovative Technologies

Authored by: Kody Hansen and Jennifer Despain | March 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Emerging vendor solutions aim to address advanced priorities within infection control, including UV disinfection, electronic hand hygiene systems, robust alerting logic, and predictive analytics (among others). KLAS will provide a random, aggregated view of the perceptions and considerations of the infection control community by interviewing ~50 organizations regarding their investment priorities and considerations.

Quality Management 2019:
The Search for a One-Stop Shop

Authored by: Ryan Pretnik and Shea Smart | March 2019 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Expectations for quality management vendors have shifted—while provider organizations were previously satisfied with basic regulatory reporting tools, they are now looking for a single platform that provides more robust quality improvement functionality. However, development from several quality management vendors has remained fairly stagnant, and many organizations find they must fill the gaps with population health management tools, EMRs, and BI solutions. Against this backdrop, this report explores (1) the correlation between trust and customer loyalty, (2) customer satisfaction with current functionality, and (3) which vendors use strong guidance to ensure customer success.

Are EMRAM Stage 7 Physicians More Successful?:
A 2019 KLAS–HIMSS Analytics Collaboration

Authored by: Taylor Davis | February 2019 | Read Time: 6 minutes

The last 10 years have seen a dramatic rise in the adoption of health information technology—as well as a dramatic rise in physician frustration with this technology. What about the organizations that have reached the peak of EHR adoption: HIMSS EMRAM Stage 7? Are their physicians more or less frustrated? To answer this question, KLAS (in cooperation with HIMSS Analytics) has used the public reporting of Stage 6 & 7 hospitals in the US to see whether there is a correlation between HIMSS EMRAM stage and EHR user satisfaction.

Legacy Data Archiving 2019:
A First Look at a Changing Market

Authored by: Ryan Oliver and Shea Smart | February 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Mergers, acquisitions, and the purchase of new IT solutions leave many healthcare organizations with legacy systems on their hands. Methods for handling these systems have matured over time, with many organizations today choosing to retire the systems and archive their data. 85% of organizations who have gone this route report positive financial impacts (and many others expect financial benefits in the future). However, the data-archiving vendor market is expanding as new vendors enter the field and current vendors broaden their expertise and offerings. How can organizations find the vendor that best suits their needs? Focused on the current state of the market—yet acknowledging its fluid nature—this report explores (1) the breadth of each vendor’s KLAS-validated archiving experience; (2) customer satisfaction with the data-migration process; and (3) customer satisfaction with the accuracy and accessibility of the legacy data.

Patient Engagement 2019:
Current and Future Trends in Vendor Selection

Authored by: Adam Cherrington and Colin Buckley | February 2019 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Providers’ demand for effective patient engagement (PE) solutions continues to grow, as does the number of HIT vendors claiming to meet those needs. But which vendors are meeting needs today, and which are likely to play meaningful roles tomorrow? KLAS asked providers to name HIT vendors they are currently using or considering for future use: 74 organizations mentioned 109 unique vendor names. In an effort to make sense of all the options, this report is the first to apply a patient engagement–specific framework developed through the collaboration of leading provider and vendor executives at the KLAS Keystone Summit in October 2018.

Home Health 2019:
Decision Insights Report

Authored by: Doug Tolley and Sam Eaquinto | February 2019 | Read Time: 8 minutes

For many home health agencies, a quality EHR is a critical factor for staying in business. Home health EHR vendors are expected to be a strategic partner, helping customers navigate the current regulations and upcoming regulatory changes in the home health market. Accuracy of documentation and a focus on outcomes over activity are primary themes in market segment discussions. This report answers the critical questions of home health executives: Are other customers of my vendor satisfied? Which vendors do other home health agencies see as the most competitive when they are making their selections? When other agencies decide to make a change, where do they go?

Small Practice Ambulatory EMR/PM (10 or Fewer Physicians) 2019:
Building Strong Foundations for Customer Success

Authored by: Aaron Gleave and Alex McIntosh | February 2019 | Read Time: 3 minutes

As healthcare has moved beyond meaningful use, small practices have begun to expect more from their vendors and to look for EMRs that do morethan meet basic regulatory requirements. As a result, EMR/PM satisfaction among small practices (10 or fewer physicians) has varied greatly over thepast year—scores for a number of vendors have swung more than 10 percentage points (some positively, some negatively). To explore what the futureholds for this market, KLAS spoke to hundreds of small practice customers about their EMR/PM experiences and needs and also interviewed executivesand representatives from AdvancedMD, Allscripts, Aprima, athenahealth, Azalea Health, CareCloud, Cerner, CureMD, eMDs, Greenway Health, Kareo,NextGen, Quest Diagnostics, and Virence Health (GE Healthcare) to find out how these vendors plan to increase customer satisfaction going forward.

Emerging HCIT Companies 2019:
Innovative Approaches to Tackling Healthcare's Problems

Authored by: Ben Brown and Alex McIntosh | February 2019 | Read Time: 1 minute

In the tens of thousands of interviews KLAS conducts with healthcare providers on an annual basis, new companies or solutions are sometimes revealed as taking new or innovative approaches to solving some of the problems faced in healthcare today. This report shares the top-of-mind companies that surfaced during our emerging technology research interviews with provider organizations across the country in 2018; KLAS will continue to monitor those companies that continue to pique provider interest.

2019 Best in KLAS:
Software/Services

January 2019 | Read Time: 5 minutes

The Best in KLAS designation is reserved for vendor solutions that lead those software and services market segments that have the broadest operational and clinical impact on healthcare organizations. These vendors earn the title of Best in KLAS—a recognition of their outstanding efforts to help healthcare professionals deliver better patient care. Separate from the winners of Best in KLAS, Category Leaders also earn top honors for helping healthcare professionals provide better patient care. The Category Leader designation is reserved for vendor solutions that lead select market segments in which at least two products meet a minimum level of KLAS Konfidence.

2019 Best in KLAS:
Global (Non-US)

January 2019 | Read Time: 1 minute

The Global Best in KLAS awards are given to vendors to recognize their outstanding efforts to help healthcare professionals deliver better patient care. In this report, Best in KLAS awards are given only in the software market segments that have the broadest operational and clinical impact on healthcare organizations around the world. For the first time ever, Best in KLAS awards will be awarded on a regional level.

Middle East EMR 2019:
An In-Depth Look at Regional Performance and Market Share

Authored by: Everton Santos and Jon Christensen | January 2019 | Read Time: 2 minutes

In the Middle East, EMR purchasing energy is growing. The number of private healthcare groups in the region is expanding, and several public healthcare organizations are evaluating their go-forward EMR plans. And while overall digital maturity of hospitals is lower in the Middle East than in some other parts of the world, those organizations who have decided to implement an EMR have very high expectations for deep adoption and need vendor partners who can help them meet their goals. This report—KLAS’ first focused exclusively on the Middle East—explores which vendors have market energy and how well they meet customers’ needs.

Small Practice Ambulatory EMR/PM (10 or Fewer Physicians) 2018:
Decision Insights Report

Authored by: Doug Tolley & Sam Eaquinto | January 2019 | Read Time: 8 minutes

Small ambulatory practices have been increasingly ignored by some EMR/PM vendors, and their overall satisfaction has decreased steadily—over the past six and half years, the average overall score for vendors in the small practice ambulatory EMR market has dropped from 81.6 to 74.2 (out of 100). Small practices today are looking for more than just a minimally viable EMR—they want to invest in an asset that improves their bottom line, facilitates patient-centric care, and increases clinician job satisfaction. And they want their EMR vendor to be a strategic partner that provides great support. The introduction of meaningful use created a flood of EMR vendors, most of whom were unable to sustain viable long-term business models. Today, KLAS tracks less than 20 vendors in the small practice market segment. None meet all the needs of small practices today.

Population Health Management 2018, Part 1:
Partnering and Guidance - The X Factors to PHM Success

Authored by: Bradley Hunter and Paul Warburton | January 2019 | Read Time: 6 minutes

When it comes to achieving success with population health management, good technology is not enough. Vendor partnering and guidance are the x factors provider organizations need to drive success with their value-based reimbursement (VBR) strategies. Some vendors have risen to the challenge, while others have faltered following acquisitions or efforts to scale. Whether organizations are looking to engage a vendor for a specific VBR strategy or for a more long-term approach, this report aims to help them uncover which vendors provide strong partnering and guidance to mitigate risk and help customers achieve positive financial and patient outcomes.

AMS & Help Desk 2018:
Which Firms Are Exceeding Expectations and How?

Authored by: Ryan Oliver and Shea Smart | December 2018 | Read Time: 6 minutes

Both the number of relevant firms and the depth of services offered within application management services (AMS) and help desk services have expanded in recent years. Some long-term players in the market are falling behind (e.g., CareTech Solutions, Cerner, and NTT DATA), and a few newcomers have widened the field (e.g., Cumberland, emids, HCTec, Nordic, and ROI Healthcare Solutions). KLAS spoke to 130 provider organizations who shared their experience with their AMS and help desk firms.

Value-Based Care Managed Services 2018:
The Art of Possible

Authored by: Warren Whitford and Lois Krotz | December 2018 | Read Time: 6 minutes

Over the past two years, leaders from 30+ provider/payer organizations and 20+ healthcare software and services companies have helped KLAS develop and refine a framework for VBC managed services. This study includes: (1) a vendor framework showing firms’ stated capabilities, (2) details on the current state of the VBC managed services market, and (3) as part of a new approach by KLAS, a view of what is possible in VBC through in-depth case studies on how market-leading organizations are achieving positive results. (Available in full report only.) Throughout this report, note that while measured firms are compared directly, capabilities and expertise can vary significantly, and choosing a firm that fits your unique needs is critical to success.

Operational Command Centers 2018:
An Underutilized Approach to Improving Efficiency and Outcomes

Authored by: Tanya Egbert and Emily Paxman | December 2018 | Read Time: 3 minutes

While the term “command center” may conjure up images of NASA’s mission control or a highly sophisticated military operation, command centers also have a place in healthcare. Though few US hospitals or health systems are currently live with a command center, healthcare organizations have recently begun to reimagine this centralized approach to operations. The early consensus? Command centers can drive significant outcomes—including improved efficiency, increased revenue, and enhanced patient safety and satisfaction. Given these reported benefits, your organization may be wondering:

• What is a command center, and what technology/departments are typically involved?

• What specific outcomes are being achieved?

• How do the vendors differ in their approach to command centers and in their contributions to customer success?

• What best practices would organizations with live command centers recommend to their peers?

To answer these questions, KLAS asked command center vendors to point us toward their most innovative and forward-thinking customers. We then randomly interviewed three or four customers for each (24 organizations in total) to gather insights into this underutilized operational approach.

Cerner Revenue Cycle Management 2018:
Commitment Made Versus Commitments Kept

Authored by: Boyd Stewart & Alex McIntosh | December 2018 | Read Time: 3 minutes

In August 2018, 37 representatives from 17 current Cerner RCM clients and 24 representatives from 12 third-party consulting firms gathered in Salt Lake City with Cerner executives to participate in a transparent summit around revenue cycle success. The purpose of this summit was best described by Bert Zimmerli, CFO of host organization Intermountain Healthcare, in his invitation to peers to participate: “To work together to help accelerate client success and satisfaction with Cerner’s revenue cycle management solutions” and to work with Cerner “to formulate a plan worthy of our confidence.” Prior to the summit, many Cerner RCM customers had expressed varying degrees of dissatisfaction with the solution and with Cerner’s development. To find out whether customers’ perceptions of Cerner and the RCM solution have changed, KLAS has reached out to the provider organizations and firms who attended the summit, as well as a handful of other advanced Cerner RCM customers, to gather feedback on the proposed changes and the future of Cerner’s RCM solution.

Orthopedic EMR 2018:
Who Meets the Needs of Orthopedic Practices?

Authored by: Aaron Gleave and Alex McIntosh | December 2018 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Given the growing utilization of orthopedic treatments, it is more important than ever for orthopedic practices to have EMR technology that enables clinician, patient, and financial success. However, KLAS’ Arch Collaborative research—which has collected EMR usability surveys from over 65,000 clinicians—indicates that orthopedists are some of the most dissatisfied EMR users. These users understand that just because an EMR is highly usable in other settings doesn’t mean it is the right fit for orthopedics. Many vendors say they can provide the unique functionality, usability, and workflows orthopedists need, but which actually deliver on these promises? And how do the various general EMRs compare to orthopedic-specific solutions? To find out, KLAS interviewed 120 healthcare professionals—including orthopedists, directors, CMIOs, practice administrators, nurses, and others—at both hospitals and standalone orthopedic practices.

Telehealth Virtual Care Platforms 2018:
Which Telehealth Vendors Have The Scalability Customers Need?

Authored by: Bret Sharp and Colin Buckley | December 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

Healthcare organizations report high satisfaction with their telehealth virtual care platforms (VCPs), so one might think it makes no difference what platform is used. In reality, there are significant differences in how broad the various platforms are and in the quality of the vendors’ service. Additionally, there is a trend of poor integration, and enterprise scalability is anything but certain for VCPs from either best-of-breed or EMR vendors. Hold on—this industry is about to get interesting!

Clinical Surveillance 2018:
Alerts Are Leading to Better Outcomes

Authored by: Kody Hansen and Alex McIntosh | November 2018 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Clinical surveillance tools hold the promise of giving caregivers clinically actionable insights that decrease mortality, reduce readmissions, and improve overall patient outcomes, and clinicians expect these alerts to be embedded directly within their workflow. However, KLAS found it difficult to validate some vendors’ claims of having extensive live customers—at the time of this research, only Cerner and Epic have seen significant adoption of their surveillance tools. What impacts do clinical surveillance tools have on patient care and how can vendors better meet customers’ clinical surveillance needs?

Cardiovascular Structured Reporting 2018:
Who Can Set Clinicians Up For Success?

Authored by: Monique Rasband and Emily Paxman | November 2018 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Adopting structured reporting is top of mind in the cardiology space, but moving the needle has proven difficult. Even when organizations have expanded their deployment of structured reporting, clinician adoption has not always followed; a common reason is that end-user clinicians are dissatisfied with their system. This report highlights what areas are critical to an excellent clinician experience and how well vendors deliver in these areas. KLAS also spoke to 41 deep adopters of structured reporting across a variety of vendors to uncover their keys to success.

Healthcare Management Consulting 2018:
Who Can Help with Healthcare’s Biggest Challenges?—An Executive Perspective

Authored by: Warren Whitford and Lois Krotz | November 2018 | Read Time: 4 minutes

The primary goals of this perception report will be to identify management consulting firms who can help meet healthcare executives needs not only now, but in the future as well. We will highlight the breadth of their capabilities and the depth of their healthcare expertise. Additionally, we will uncover the emerging consulting needs of providers and the attributes they value in a consulting firm.

Speech Recognition—Front-End EMR 2018:
Decision Insights Report

Authored by: Boyd Stewart and Alex McIntosh | November 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States, said, “Competition is not only the basis of protection to the consumer but is the incentive to progress.” Competition forces vendors to focus on relationships and protects consumers from stagnant development and higher pricing. In the past, Nuance maintained multiple product offerings and had the largest customer base in the market by far. Today, healthcare organizations are typically choosing between two high-quality products in purchasing decisions: Nuance Dragon Medical One and MModal Fluency Direct. This increased competition has been good for customers and led to improvements by both vendors. KLAS conducted 38 interviews in the past 18 months about purchasing decisions for front-end EMR speech recognition solutions. This report analyzes those decisions to determine why healthcare providers choose one product over another and what the perceived strengths and weaknesses of each offering are.

Improving the EHR Experience Through Personalization:
An Arch Collaborative Impact Report

Authored by: Taylor Davis & Connor Bice | November 2018 | Read Time: 1 minute

If there were a yellow brick road that led to higher EHR satisfaction, that path would be EHR personalization. Personalization leads to better EHR efficiency, better physician agreement that the EHR enables quality care, more provider trust that the EHR vendor has built a quality tool, and higher overall EHR satisfaction.

Precision Medicine Provider Validations 2018:
The Voice of the Provider - Report 2 of 2

Authored by: Kody Hansen and Alex McIntosh | November 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

The transformative promise of precision medicine is often cited by healthcare industry leaders (both providers and vendors) as the driving reason why healthcare organizations need to begin their own clinical genomics programs. But with high barriers to entry, questions remain about whether precision medicine technology has reached a point where pioneering provider organizations have been able to realize a return on their investments. In KLAS’ previous report on the subject, vendors weighed in on the functionalities they offer; in this report, providers share their perspective on the vendors they use. While performance data on individual vendors is not available in this report due to the early nature of this market, KLAS has aggregated the results as a measure of overall performance.

Patient Engagement Keystone Summit White Paper

Authored by: Adam Cherrington and Colin Buckley | November 2018 | Read Time: 8 minutes

On October 2, 2018, healthcare IT leaders (19 leaders from healthcare organizations and 29 leaders from vendor organizations) gathered outside Salt Lake City for one day to discuss patient engagement initiatives, outcomes, strategies, and best practices. The goal of this summit is to create a patient engagement framework that organizations can use as a compass to guide their goals and strategies and as a scorecard to assess progress along the way

Global EMR Performance 2018:
Spotlight on Regional Performance

Authored by: Everton Santos and Jon Christensen | November 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

EMR adoption has grown significantly, rapidly changing the global EMR landscape. While previous KLAS reports gave mainly aggregate, global views of EMR performance, the state of the market is now such that KLAS can also more deeply examine vendor performance by region, giving provider organizations a more valuable, accurate picture of how vendors respond to regional needs. As part of this regional emphasis, this report examines how confident customers are in their vendor’s overall R&D efforts, in their dedication to healthcare in various regions, and in their ability to strategically partner with organizations to help drive deeper EMR adoption.

Ambulatory EHR (11+ Physicians) 2018:
Decision Insights Report

Authored by: Doug Tolley and Sam Eaquinto | October 2018 | Read Time: 9 minutes

Secure Communication 2018:
Decision Insights Report

Authored by: Paul Hess and Paul Warburton | October 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

Secure communication is a rapidly evolving market, with high variability in terms of both customer needs and vendor offerings. Whether replacing an existing solution or making a net-new purchase, acute care organizations are largely moving toward broad communication platforms† that streamline communication organization-wide. In contrast, ambulatory organizations are focused primarily on HIPAA-compliant messaging. This report—which combines performance feedback from current customers with purchasing insights from 100 acute care, ambulatory, and post– acute care organizations—examines which vendors are most often considered, what factors most influence their decisions, and how current customers rate vendor performance.

Healthcare IT Investor Update:
2018 Q4

October 2018 |

In the 2018 Q4 Investor Update, KLAS investment experts Chris Chandler and Ben Brown discuss the future of Apple’s health records app, market share data for the ambulatory EMR space, and why there’s big interest in hospital revenue cycle management. Find out how these high energy topics will impact the investing landscape moving forward.

EHR Mastery—Scribes and Voice Recognition Not the Answer (Yet):
An Arch Collaborative Impact Report

Authored by: Taylor Davis and Connor Bice | October 2018 | Read Time: 1 minute

The burden of documentation is a seemingly never-ending uphill climb for providers. Scribes and voice recognition are solutions advertised to help increase the usability of the EHR by relieving some of this burden from the provider's shoulders. In the course of research efforts to identify data-backed best practices regarding documentation, KLAS found little evidence that scribes or voice recognition significantly improve EHR satisfaction or efficiency. 

Opioid Management Perception 2018:
EMR Vendors Being Pushed to Center Stage

Authored by: Jackson Tate & Alex McIntosh | October 2018 | Read Time: 4 minutes

More than 100 opioid-related overdose deaths occur in the United States every day, and the healthcare community knows that making changes at the point of care can help stem the tide of addiction. To discover what steps healthcare organizations are taking, KLAS asked over 100 leaders from organizations of all sizes to describe their plans for opioid management and to share what technology vendors they are looking to for help. Unlike traditional KLAS performance reports, this report is focused on discovering what strategies and technologies are top of mind as organizations implement, monitor, and improve their opioid stewardship strategies.

PACS 2018:
Achieving Success from Selection to Go-Live

Authored by: Eder Lagemann and Emily Paxman | October 2018 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Consolidation among provider organizations continues to drive a high level of purchasing energy in the PACS space. In this report, KLAS aims to help organizations in any stage of the buying process—from vendor selection to go-live— by highlighting which vendors providers are purchasing and why, what to look for to avoid buyer’s remorse, and the keys to success after a vendor is selected.

Medical Device Security 2018:
What Are the Greatest Challenges and How Can They be Overcome? CHIME Edition

Authored by: Joe VanDeGraaff and Dan Czech | October 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

While funding and strategy development have increased for security overall, healthcare organizations are bombarded from all sides by security attacks. Due to the patient-safety risks, many feel particularly vulnerable when it comes to medical device security. This report—a collaborative effort between the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), the Association for Executives in Healthcare Information Security (AEHIS), KLAS, and provider organizations—aims to examine the current state of the industry and identify best practices for improvement. 148 interviewed provider organizations shared how confident they feel in their medical device security strategies, the most common challenges they face, their perceptions of the security and transparency of major medical device manufacturers, and the best practices they leverage to overcome medical device security challenges.

EHR Mastery—The Impact of Training:
An Arch Collaborative Impact Report

Authored by: Taylor Davis and Connor Bice | October 2018 | Read Time: 1 minute

Organizations occasionally look for a magical solution that will fix clinician dissatisfaction with the EHR. Unfortunately, because education is a human experience, there isn’t any one training program that will magically solve this dilemma. But what has been made clear—by analyzing survey responses from over 40,000 end users—is that good training has a profound and lasting impact on a clinician’s satisfaction with the EHR.

Behavioral Health 2018:
A First Look at Behavioral Health EHR Performance

Authored by: Tyson Blauer and Jon Christensen | October 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

The behavioral health EHR market segment is one of the lowest performing that KLAS measures (2nd percentile). While vendor performance is low across the board, most frustrated customers plan to stay with their behavioral health vendor due to limited resources and a lack of compelling alternatives. This report, KLAS’ first on behavioral health EHRs, is intended to give executives at behavioral health organizations a high-level overview of the market and to shine a spotlight on where vendors can improve. Specifically, this report dives into the behavioral health vendors used most frequently (in both inpatient and outpatient settings) and their performance in product quality, development, and service and support.

Medical Device Security 2018:
What Are the Greatest Challenges, and How Can They Be Overcome?

Authored by: Joe VanDeGraaff and Dan Czech | October 2018 | Read Time: 6 minutes

While funding and strategy development have increased for security overall, healthcare organizations are bombarded from all sides by security attacks. Due to the patient-safety risks, many feel particularly vulnerable when it comes to medical device security. This report—a collaborative effort between the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), the Association for Executives in Healthcare Information Security (AEHIS), KLAS, and provider organizations—aims to examine the current state of the industry and identify best practices for improvement. 148 interviewed provider organizations shared how confident they feel in their medical device security strategies, the most common challenges they face, their perceptions of the security and transparency of major medical device manufacturers, and the best practices they leverage to overcome medical device security challenges.

DHIS 2018—An Innovation Dilemma:
Truly Activating Patients in Their Own Care

Authored by: Bobby Low and Jennifer Despain | October 2018 | Read Time: 11 minutes

KLAS convened some of the most influential healthcare thinkers for its second annual investor conference, the KLAS Digital Health Investment Symposium, in Snowbird, Utah, August 14–15, 2018. Attendees included healthcare providers, healthcare payers, corporate development professionals, and representatives from private equity firms, venture-capital firms, digital health companies, health-system incubator companies, analyst firms, and investment banks. This white paper represents the collective insights from these healthcare executives exploring the difficult challenge of truly activating patients in their own care. Over the past two years, patient engagement has continued to be a high-energy market segment for innovation and investment according to KLAS’s Emerging HCIT Companies report as new companies continue to enter the market, attempting to solve complex provider needs. Due to this energy, KLAS asked these thought leaders to participate in a roundtable discussion to explore the biggest challenges and solutions relative to patient engagement to help push the industry to new innovation, investment, and solutions. 

Remote Patient Monitoring 2018:
High Potential in a Shifting Landscape

Authored by: Bret Sharp and Colin Buckley | October 2018 | Read Time: 4 minutes

As provider organizations grapple with complex, strategic initiatives such as population health and patient engagement, a more tactical innovation is re-emerging: remote patient monitoring (RPM). RPM solutions monitor patients in-home by collecting biometric and behavioral data and alerting caregivers when intervention is needed. In this first RPM report, KLAS has partnered with the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) to examine why some organizations support little or no RPM and why others are more developed and are expanding their usage. This report also assesses the potential RPM vendors have to address the needs of patients and their healthcare providers in this shifting landscape. To validate RPM viability today, KLAS spoke with 25 organizations using seven leading RPM vendor platforms.

Ambulatory Therapy/Rehab 2018:
A Closer Look at the Specialty EMR Vendors

Authored by: Aaron Gleave and Alex McIntosh | September 2018 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Utilization of ambulatory therapy/rehab services is expanding as healthcare providers, patients, and payers look for treatment options that are less risky and more cost effective than surgery and drug therapy. Some of the ambulatory organizations that provide these services use general (non-specialty) ambulatory EMRs. Others choose EMRs tailored specifically to the ambulatory therapy/ rehab market. Several vendors offer such products, but how well do these specialty vendors deliver solutions, relationships, and reporting that meet the market’s unique needs? What are their strengths and shortcomings?

Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) 2018:
Workflows and Prioritization Drive Quality and Financial Outcomes

Authored by: Daniel Zeitner and Paul Warburton | September 2018 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Closing gaps in clinical documentation leads to improved revenue and higher documentation quality. Provider organizations using CDI tools need vendor partners who have proven solutions that can drive clinical and financial outcomes, enable smooth workflows in the midst of regulation changes, and prioritize CDI tasks to maximize the impact of clinical documentation specialists (CDSs). In examining these capabilities, this report primarily evaluates the performance of software vendors and their solutions, though CDI services firms are also evaluated regarding how well their guidance and training drive outcomes.

Release of Information (ROI) 2018:
Who Delivers Most Consistently Across Customers?

Authored by: Hayden Young and Sam Eaquinto | September 2018 | Read Time: 3 minutes

In 2016, the small pool of release-of-information (ROI) services firms was shrunk even further by the merger of HealthPort and IOD, the two largest players in the ROI market. Today, Ciox Health—the new firm created by the merger—continues its predecessors’ market-share dominance but has fallen well below competitors MRO and Verisma in terms of customer satisfaction. A newly released automated tool from Ciox Health has some dissatisfied customers optimistic that their experience will improve, but others are considering MRO and Verisma as viable alternatives. This report examines the strengths and weaknesses of each firm to help organizations decide which is right for them.

Patient Access 2018:
A Deeper Dive Into Broad Adoption

Authored by: Paul Pitcher and Alex McIntosh | September 2018 | Read Time: 4 minutes

With the rise of high-deductible health plans, provider organizations are increasingly utilizing tools and processes that facilitate patient payments and guard against bad debt, and they are more reliant on technology to manage patient access activities. Hoping for a more streamlined workflow, many are consolidating to a single vendor for multiple tools. As this transition continues, how does the experience of broad adopters† compare to that of limited adopters? Is automated preauthorization the game-changing functionality vendors describe and customers seek? What impact are current patient access solutions having? KLAS spoke to 60+ broad adopters in addition to 70+ customers with more limited adoption to get their feedback.

European EMR 2018

Authored by: Everton Santos and Jon Christensen | August 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

Europe has one of the most dynamic and competitive EMR markets in the world, with active tenders in nearly every region. Amidst this activity, multiregional vendors are becoming more prevalent, forcing regional solutions to redefine themselves in order to stay relevant. To determine which vendors are best meeting current customers’ expectations and needs, this report examines KLAS market share data as well as performance feedback gathered in 100+ interviews with decision-makers at customer organizations in 12 European countries.

Physician Scheduling 2018:
Cost-Effective Gains in Efficiency

Authored by: Tanya Egbert and Chris Ptak | August 2018 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Physician scheduling solutions are receiving more attention as departments and organizations recognize the increasing inefficiency of scheduling by hand. With enterprise-wide deployment of such solutions on the rise, provider organizations are asking which solutions can save them time while simultaneously helping them reduce physician burnout, create fair and balanced schedules, and ensure 24/7 coverage. This report examines the degree to which market-leading physician scheduling solutions are saving administrative time, which are most effective for enterprise use, and whether promises of mobile convenience make a difference.

Nurse & Staff Scheduling 2018:
Cost-Reducing Convenience & Mobility

Authored by: Tanya Egbert and Chris Ptak | August 2018 | Read Time: 4 minutes

KLAS will explore which nurse and physician staffing solutions are most successful in helping providers become more efficient with scheduling as to save time, and reduce overstaffing and overtime. Also, to differentiate vendors based on mobile applications, predictive scheduling, and acuity-based scheduling (nurse only).

Worksite Health Services 2018:
A First Look at Firms’ Performance

Authored by: Joe VanDeGraaff and Lois Krotz | August 2018 | Read Time: 8 minutes

In the field of worksite health services—here defined by KLAS as employer-sponsored healthcare delivery and prevention services done at or near the employer worksite—options abound when it comes to selecting a firm. How can employer organizations ensure they pick the firm that best meets their needs? Which firms deliver the best worksite health services experience to employer organizations? Based on feedback from 86 employer organizations, this report goes beyond KLAS’ previous research—“Worksite Health Services 2018: Market Introduction and Vendor Guide,” in which worksite health services firms were identified and a market framework was established—to give deeper insight into why specific firms are chosen and how they perform.

Healthcare Business Intelligence 2018:
Who’s Advancing Data Analytics & Infrastructure?

Authored by: Julie Beard and Lois Krotz | August 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

Organizations’ business intelligence and analytics infrastructure is often composed of multiple solutions working in conjunction and on top of one another. As standard capabilities like data acquisition, storage, and management become commonplace, providers are experimenting with solutions that leverage more advanced capabilities to reduce costs and improve outcomes. This report validates those advanced capabilities, explores the healthcare outcomes being achieved by vendors’ clients with the most advanced usage of their solutions, and attempts to provide some helpful categorization in a market with a lot of options and historically little transparency.

Emerging HCIT Companies 2018

Authored by: Ben Brown and Bobby Low | August 2018 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Each year, KLAS conducts approximately 20,000 annual interviews with healthcare providers; during these interviews, insights into new vendors’ approaches to trying to solve problems in healthcare are often shared. As a follow-up to last year’s Emerging Vendors report, KLAS spoke to more than 100 provider leaders and asked them to share which new/innovative vendors they have encountered in the past year. Additionally, guidance provided by our provider partners pushes KLAS to find the newest vendors and solutions for tackling some of healthcare’s biggest problems. While not always well known, these vendors have stood out to KLAS for the types of solutions and/or approaches to problem-solving that they appear to offer. Through provider interviews and other sources such as KLAS website search data and internal research, KLAS has identified many vendors that are not quite ready to be fully measured but are in the process of gaining mindshare among healthcare providers.

Go-Live Support 2018:
The Bar Has Been Raised, Which Firms Can Meet It?

Authored by: Nathan Evans and Shea Smart | July 2018 | Read Time: 3 minutes

The bar for go-live support has been raised, with many healthcare organizations now expecting their firm to handle the complex task of managing and planning logistics for their go-live resources, who could number in the hundreds. Though most healthcare organizations are satisfied with these services, some firms do not meet all expectations. KLAS spoke with 69 provider organizations (over half of the hospital organizations in the US who have used go-live services in the last 18 months) to better understand how they measure go-live success as well as to discover how well their go-live firm met their expectations for managing personnel, providing knowledgeable resources, and effectively planning and coordinating logistics.

Healthcare IT Investor Update:
2018 Q3

Authored by: Ben Brown | July 2018 |

In the KLAS Investor Update, Q3 of 2018, KLAS’ Director of Investment Research Chris Chandler discusses; global EHR market share and current trends, US community hospital market share, and which vendors are succeeding in population health management.

Smart Pumps 2018:
Deeper Partnering Needed

Authored by: Jackson Tate and Paul Warburton | July 2018 | Read Time: 3 minutes

With increased pressure to reduce medication-administration costs and improve efficiency, provider organizations are looking for smart pump vendors capable of being strategic partners. In interviews with KLAS, organizations identify several ways vendors can do this: (1) develop strong customer relationships that extend beyond just the implementation; (2) drive EMR interoperability; (3) help customers get strong financial value from the pumps; and (4) provide analytics and reports that produce actionable insights. This report aims to discover which vendors deliver best in these key areas.

Precision Medicine Vendor Validations 2018:
The Voice of the Vendor - Report 1 of 2

Authored by: Kody Hansen and Alex McIntosh | July 2018 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Given its potential to help providers deliver better, more targeted care and dramatically improve patient outcomes, precision medicine is a growing area of interest for many provider organizations. Those looking to develop a precision medicine program can find it confusing to determine which of the hundreds of vendors in the market will be most helpful. To add clarity as to how some of the different vendors perform, what functionality they offer, and what first steps organizations can take to establish a precision medicine program, KLAS has embarked on a two-part report on the topic. Through research, interviews, and association events, KLAS has identified a small number of precision medicine vendors who have high mindshare among healthcare providers. This first report focuses on these vendors. Each was invited to share details regarding their market perspective and product capabilities. In a second report, KLAS will interview live customers in order to validate each vendor's claims and provide further details on their offerings. It will also validate additional vendors not covered in this first report.

Patient Intake Management 2018:
Solutions for a More Efficient Practice

Authored by: Aaron Gleave and Alex McIntosh | June 2018 | Read Time: 2 minutes

How often do patients have to fill out a form like the one below, submitting the same information over and over again—information that clinic employees must then spend time reviewing and transcribing into patient records? Patient intake management solutions offer a potential remedy to this inefficient process as they can drastically reduce the churn, duplication, and storage requirements that accompany traditional paper forms. In addition to increasing efficiency, improving data capture, and boosting patient satisfaction, these solutions can also create a foundation for patient engagement programs and can have direct financial impacts. Which solutions best help ambulatory practices as they seek to automate processes, improve quality of care, increase efficiency, and drive patient satisfaction?

Payer Quality and Risk Analytics 2018:
Different Options for Different Needs

Authored by: Peter Van Mondfrans and Chris Ptak | June 2018 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Ever-evolving HEDIS metrics continue to demand payer attention, but annual quality reporting alone is not an effective way to close care gaps or reduce costs. Health plans have repeatedly expressed a need for more frequent HEDIS reporting and deeper analytics capabilities that enable them to empower proactive care interventions and improve outcomes for their members. KLAS asked 84 health plans which vendors go beyond the required HEDIS check boxes to help clients forecast risk and improve quality.

Digital Rounding 2018:
A First Look at Digital Rounding Vendor Performance

Authored by: Adam Cherrington and Colin Buckley | June 2018 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Increasingly, payers are adjusting reimbursements based on the quality of the patient experience. This has led to increased interest in rounding solutions that help hospitals measure and improve patient satisfaction during patients’ stays. Solutions are offered from several different vendor types, including those that already specialize in IPS, patient outreach, nurse communications, and consulting; as well as standalone vendors who have not yet been on the KLAS radar. With so many vendors in play, this report will clarify for providers what their options are and what the potential experience will be with the various vendors.

HIT Assessment & Strategic Planning 2018:
Which Firms Partner to Exceed Expectations?

Authored by: Warren Whitford and Lois Krotz | May 2018 | Read Time: 6 minutes

Healthcare IT advisory services firms have never been in higher demand. Due to struggles with complex enterprise systems, integration, interoperability, and the growing complexity of the HIT regulatory environment, healthcare providers have a burgeoning need for help with a wide variety of IT assessment, strategy, and operational engagements. This research will focus on helping CIOs understand: Which firms offer the broadest scope of advisory services? Who is doing the most HIT advisory work? Which IT advisory firms understand healthcare's unique challenges? In which areas does each firm excel? And which firms lead in providing quality consultants, strategic competency, operational execution, and tools & methodology?

US Hospital EMR Market Share 2018:
Small Hospitals Hungry for New Technology

Authored by: Erik Bermudez & Paul Warburton | May 2018 | Read Time: 4 minutes

In 2017, 216 acute care hospitals contracted for a new EMR, with 1–200 bed hospitals accounting for the vast majority (80%) of these decisions. These smaller hospitals are hungry for new technology but often resource poor; over half that signed a new contract in 2017 chose a less expensive or less resource-intensive platform—namely, athenahealth, MEDITECH, and the community deployment models from Cerner and Epic. This report investigates this and other shifts that impacted buying energy in 2017.

Enterprise Imaging 2018:
How Top Organizations and Vendors Are Achieving Outcomes

Authored by: Monique Rasband and Emily Paxman | May 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

The enterprise imaging market is evolving, and it is clear that success comes from deliberately executing a plan, not simply adopting technology. When provider organizations partner with vendors to leverage vendor experience, build strong governance, and carefully plan their strategy rollout, achieving outcomes in enterprise imaging is possible. KLAS interviewed 137 organizations in the United States live with enterprise imaging to shed light on what top-performing organizations and vendors are doing to drive success.

NHS Interoperability 2018:
Data-Sharing Efforts, Obstacles, and Progress in England

Authored by: Jeremy Goff and Jon Christensen | May 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

NHS England’s Five-Year Forward View and the National Information Board’s response have thrust interoperable systems into the national spotlight in England, including the development of a Local Health and Care Record Exemplar programme. This report represents KLAS’ first look at interoperability within the NHS. The report examines how well organisations (i.e., primary, secondary, mental health, community, and social care organisations) are able to receive outside patient data, and it will serve as a baseline for future research. What types of electronic data sharing are taking place today, how frequently, and with what benefit? What technologies are relied on most? How are suppliers perceived by customers relative to the suppliers’ role in facilitating interoperability? 

Apple Health Records 2018:
Early Participants Weigh In

Authored by: Adam Cherrington and Colin Buckley | May 2018 | Read Time: 4 minutes

On January 24, Apple announced Apple Health Records, a new iPhone feature for downloading, aggregating, and viewing patient medical records. The revelation created a stir for at least a few reasons: (1) Apple is a consumer-oriented healthcare outsider; (2) Apple is attempting to make inroads where peers Google and Microsoft have failed; and (3) the feature has the potential to impact millions of patients given the iPhone’s broad customer base. Many articles and blogs about this announcement have already been written, but this report goes deeper. KLAS interviewed executives at all 12 of the early adopter health systems that partnered with Apple through the beta process to ask: How real is this capability and what is the expected impact? How soon might it make a difference? What is the experience like so far and what hurdles do providers face? What challenges does Apple face and how likely are they to succeed where others have flopped?

Front-End Speech 2018:
Insights from Organizations with the Highest Adoption

Authored by: Boyd Stewart and Alexander McIntosh | May 2018 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Front-end speech recognition tools have long held the promise of increasing EMR usability for physicians and helping to decrease costs. In reality, a lack of widespread adoption has hampered healthcare organizations’ ability to fully realize an impact. To clarify this, KLAS asked Dolbey, MModal, and Nuance to provide lists of a few of their customers with the highest levels of adoption; these providers shared insights into what impacts widespread adoption of front-end speech technology can have.

Medication Inventory Management 2018:
How Well Are Vendors Positioned to Close the Gaps?

Authored by: Bret Sharp & Jon Christensen | April 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

Enterprise Medication Inventory Management (EMIM) continues to be a challenge for providers as they attempt to aggregate data from disparate systems to provide actionable intelligence for efficient medication inventory management. This report will highlight the relative strengths and weaknesses of medication inventory management solutions. Including how broadly they are deployed within healthcare organizations, with what solutions they are successfully interfaced, and their relative strengths on driving optimal workflows and providing actionable intelligence.

Patient Accounting 2018:
Transitioning from Legacy Systems

Authored by: Boyd Stewart and Alex McIntosh | April 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

The legacy patient accounting solutions that provider organizations have used for years are often stable and highly customized. However, many organizations are now cautiously moving to newer PA systems in pursuit of clinical integration. These legacy conversions go primarily to Cerner and Epic, who are the only vendors with enough such conversions to be included in this report. The page below gives a brief overview of the overall market, while the rest of the report zeroes in exclusively on Cerner and Epic.

Clinical Process Improvement 2018:
Paving the Way for Improved Clinical Processes

Authored by: Kody Hansen & Colin Buckley | April 2018 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Tools that provide clinical-process insights assist healthcare leaders as they identify clinical areas in need of improvement and facilitate operational interventions. Use cases include improving staff efficiency, compliance, and workflow via clinical data aggregation, analytics, and reporting functionality.

Community (1–200 Beds) HIS 2018:
Innovation Wanted

Authored by: Gregory Fenton & Paul Warburton | April 2018 | Read Time: 6 minutes

With market energy extremely high in the community space, KLAS is planning to do study around the unique needs of the providers whose organizations are on the smaller end of the inpatient hospital market (<200 beds). Providers in this space need the focus and attention from their vendor partners to be successful and to provide the needed functionality for their service lines to take care of their patient populations. Financial viability is top of mind for provider leadership teams in the community space and providers need a more dynamic and forward thinking approach to help them become more financially secure as they begin to take on new risk based agreements and stay viable in the coming years.

Decision Insights Report 2018:
National Trends & Best Practices

Authored by: Doug Tolley & Sam Eaquinto | April 2018 | Read Time: 6 minutes

The Decision Insights National Trends and Best Practices report will help providers understand which vendors have market energy, are being considered in purchase decisions, and why their peers are considering those vendors. The report will also explore the relationship between market energy, provider retention, and provider satisfaction in determining which vendors are delivering a superior overall experience for provider organizations. KLAS will be highlighting 30+ vendors in 22 market segments.

Healthcare IT Investor Update:
2018 Q2

April 2018 |

In this quarter’s installment of KLAS’ Investor Update, learn what providers are saying about Cerner’s patient accounting solution, how athenahealth can deliver to smaller hospitals, how Allscript’s acquisition model is affecting customer satisfaction and if Evolent can deliver on value-based care services.

Post–Acute Care 2018:
Providers' Simple Request

Authored by: Erik Bermudez and Colin Buckley | April 2018 | Read Time: 4 minutes

After five years of tracking the status of EMR interoperability between acute care and ambulatory environments, leading providers, vendors, and other industry stakeholders urged KLAS in a new direction: measure post–acute care organizations’ ability to share patient records across the continuum of care. Based on 160 interviews, this report represents an initial “spot check” for homecare and long-term care organizations using leading post–acute care EMR vendors. It reveals an environment very different from acute care and ambulatory settings in terms of expectations, progress, and quite simply awareness of EMR interoperability strategies among both providers and vendors.

Healthcare Consulting and Services 2018:
Which Firms Deliver a True Partnering Experience?

Authored by: Mike Smith and Lois Krotz | March 2018 | Read Time: 4 minutes

The need for partners is stronger now than it has ever been as healthcare organizations continue their journey to provide seamless care across the continuum, shift from fee-for-service to fee-for-value, reduce costs, and ultimately improve patient care. KLAS has published numerous reports on a wide range of consulting services, but this is the first that focuses on which firms healthcare organizations consider true partners. KLAS interviewed decision makers from 246 healthcare organizations about the consulting and services firms they have used to discover which they consider true partners and which they would avoid using again.

Artificial Intelligence in Imaging 2018:
Early Adopters Speak Out

Authored by: Monique Rasband and Emily Paxman | February 2018 | Read Time: 8 minutes

The HIT industry is abuzz with talk about artificial intelligence (AI), a broad term used to describe the use of algorithms and software to approximate human cognition in the analysis of complex data. Of all the healthcare areas with potential AI applications, imaging has received the greatest attention. Vendors and providers in this space are looking forward to using AI to improve diagnosis processes, develop treatment protocols, and personalize patient care, among other use cases. In this report, 81 healthcare organizations (primarily large IDNS) help separate hype from reality by sharing details regarding their early imaging AI deployments and plans and by identifying which vendors they see as early leaders.

Performance Global de PEP 2017:
Mantendo o Ritmo em um Mercado em Transformação

Authored by: Jeremy Goff and Jon Christensen | February 2018 | Read Time: 6 minutes

Com os milhões sendo investidos em sistemas de PEP em todo o mundo, as organizações não podem se dar aoluxo de tomar a decisão errada. As implantações enfrentam um escrutínio nunca antes visto, de modo que asorganizações que esperam evitar a reinvenção da roda buscam orientações e recomendações sólidas de seusfornecedores. Quais os fornecedores que melhor ajudam os clientes a maximizar seus investimentos e a conduzira aderência clínica profunda? Quais as soluções que melhor atendem às necessidades do corpo clínico? A KLASentrevistou 215 organizações em 34 países para descobrir isso.

Clinical Mobility 2018:
Leveraging a Smartphone Strategy

Authored by: Paul Hess and Jonathan Christensen | February 2018 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Smartphones are becoming increasingly common, and healthcare organizations often lack a strategy on how to best leverage these powerful devices. This report, KLAS’ first on smartphones, sets out to clarify common strategies in healthcare (see chart at right). Which vendors are most prevalent as shared- or personal-use devices? What are vendors’ key strengths and weaknesses in healthcare? How have organizations successfully incorporated BYOD into their strategy?

Outsourced Coding 2018:
Value-Adds Key in Evolving Market

Authored by: Daniel Zeitner and Lois Krotz | February 2018 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Post ICD-10, provider organizations’ needs for inpatient outsourced coding are evolving as demand for this service is dropping sharply. Amidst this scaling back, the firms most likely to have staying power will be those able to adapt and provide additional value beyond quality coding. Since coding firm options abound, this report seeks to help provider organizations identify those firms that best deliver the value-adds they need, such as strategic partnering, leadership, and volume flexibility.

Worksite Health Services 2018:
Market Introduction and Vendor Guide

Authored by: Joe Van De Graaff and Lois Krotz | February 2018 | Read Time: 5 minutes

This report gives provides a market landscape and vendor guide into a new area where KLAS is starting to do research: worksite health. Commonly adopted by mid-size and large companies across all industries (i.e. manufacturing, retail, finance, healthcare), worksite health services provide convenient and ongoing healthcare services at the workplace, with employees (and sometimes their families) being the direct recipients. Employer organizations contract with vendors in worksite health services with a few main goals: reduce healthcare costs and improve employee health and productivity. KLAS’ introductory report in this market outlines the major vendors providing broad services and shows differences between them based on company structure and experience, available offerings, and their approach to the market.

Healthcare IT Investor Update:
2018 Q1

January 2018 |

KLAS publishes quarterly investor updates on healthcare IT trends to watch. In this Q1 2018 iteration, KLAS dives into who the most deployed non-EMR vendors are, the differences in deployment and functionality gaps, physician workflow, and Arcadia’s VBC technology’s impact on analytics and outcomes.

2018 Best in KLAS:
Global Non-US

January 2018 | Read Time: 1 minute

The Global Best in KLAS awards are given to vendors to recognize their outstanding efforts to help healthcare professionals deliver better patient care. In this report, Best in KLAS awards are given only in the software market segments that have the broadest operational and clinical impact on healthcare organizations around the world. Separate from Best in KLAS, the Category Leader award is a regional designation given, where data levels allow, to the top market segment performer in each region.

Patient Communications 2017:
How Are Organizations Reaching Out to Patients?

Authored by: Adam Cherrington and Colin Buckley | December 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Patient portals seem like the perfect tools for engaging patients in their care. They are pervasive, multi-functioned, integrated with EMRs, and . . . poorly adopted by patients, who have little interest in logging in to them unless they absolutely must. To compensate, provider organizations have increasingly deployed outreach tools that automatically push messages and content to patients’ phones and mobile devices. Organizations say these tools are very successful and that their use is expanding. Seeking greater value and impact for customers, vendors are extending capabilities beyond their individual niches. This report examines the different ways vendors are helping engage patients and delivering value to customers.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers 2017:
The Evolving Landscape of Ambulatory Surgery Center Solutions

Authored by: Gregory Fenton and Alexander McIntosh | December 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

When selecting a technology partner, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have very different choices today than they did in the past. The number of vendor options has declined following Surgical Information Systems’ (SIS) acquisitions of AmkaiSolutions (2014) and SourceMed (April 2017). How well has SIS performed for these acquired customers, how do the options from SIS compare with those from the remaining established competitor, HSTpathways, and what new and emerging options do ASCs have? In KLAS’ first report on ASC solutions, 89 respondents from 80 unique ASCs share their experiences with the various solutions and vendors currently available.

Ambulatory EMR Usability 2017:
Leadership Perceptions of Vendor Performance

Authored by: Aaron Gleave and Alex McIntosh | December 2017 | Read Time: 4 minutes

In ambulatory settings, EMR usability as well as the efficiencies of a well-built EMR are hugely important for physicians. All vendors claim they are focused on improving physician usability, yet in KLAS’ previous usability reports, no vendors excelled at meeting usability expectations. What has changed over the past two years and how are these changes helping or hurting physicians’ abilities to deliver care? To find out, KLAS interviewed ambulatory organizations with 11 or more physicians, speaking mainly to physician leaders and end-user physicians.

Value-Based Care Managed Services 2017:
Achieving Outcomes Through Technology-Enabled Services

Authored by: Warren Whitford and Lois Krotz | December 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

As more healthcare organizations make the jump to value-based care, VBC managed services firms are being leveraged to help. KLAS interviewed 52 unique organizations to gather feedback on how well their VBC managed services firm helps them achieve outcomes and also on these firms’ trending performance, ability to partner, and delivery across VBC competencies. Additionally, this report provides insights on whether firms share financial risk and whether clients plan to expand or reduce their current level of engagement. Below is a framework for understanding the types of services offered by each VBC managed services firm.

Healthcare Management Consulting 2017:
Keeping Pace with a Transforming Market

Authored by: Warren Whitford and Lois Krotz | December 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

As challenges in healthcare become more complex, stakeholders more demanding, and value-based care more important, healthcare organizations have increasingly high expectations of the consultants they engage. KLAS interviewed 299 provider and payer executives for a better understanding of how the various management consulting firms impact clients’ success, the top attributes of successful firm/client relationships, and clients’ biggest hurdles when engaging firms.

Data Loss Prevention 2017:
Optimization Support Drives Satisfaction; Few Solutions Used Broadly

Authored by: Garrett Hall and Dan Czech | December 2017 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Allowing PHI to wrongfully get outside a healthcare organization’s network can create sizeable regulatory and financial consequences for organizations and erode public trust. Risks to a healthcare organization’s sensitive data—whether unintentional or malicious—must be identified and neutralized. In order to understand how organizations are addressing these challenges, KLAS spoke with 100 security professionals, largely CISOs, to learn about their DLP strategies. While most organizations are confident in their solution’s ability to prevent PHI loss, KLAS uncovered the capabilities providers are most commonly adopting, how broadly DLP solutions are deployed, which DLP solutions require significant support and optimization, and how actionable the insights are that DLP vendors are producing.

Ambulatory RCM Services 2017:
Finding Consistent Partners

Authored by: Aaron Gleave and Jon Christensen | December 2017 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Ambulatory revenue cycle management (RCM) services continue to increase in popularity. Just three years ago in 2014, KLAS’s first look included only five vendors. Today, provider organizations have over a dozen options to choose from. This report covers ten of the most prominent vendors that have proven capable of scaling beyond single-physician practices. With considerable growth, however, often come growing pains. Which vendors have established themselves as consistent, reliable partners? Who scales to best meet the needs of larger clinics? And how much do customers expect from these vendors as they look to value-based care on the horizon? KLAS interviewed 174 clinics to find out.

Acute EMR Usability 2017:
Physician Leaders Say There is Still Work to be Done

Authored by: Erik Bermudez and Alex McIntosh | December 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

All major EMR vendors claim to be focused on creating a highly usable experience for clinician users, but what is the day-to-day user experience really like? KLAS interviewed 91 physician leadership professionals to gather their unique, representative insights as to the truth of vendors’ claims and the current state of EMR usability. Including feedback regarding organizational, end-user, and vendor dynamics, these leadership perspectives encapsulate broader insights as to the key successes, shortcomings, and frustrations clinicians currently experience with EMR usability. Though perceptions from physician leadership often differ from the end user experience, these views encompass a wider view of vendor performance.

Off-Premises Computing Perception 2017:
Energy Shifts to the Cloud

Authored by: Mike Smith and Lois Krotz | December 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Over 70% of healthcare organizations that participated in this study have moved at least some applications or IT infrastructure off-premises. While most of those using off-premises computing are doing so through a hosting environment, future plans lean heavily toward the cloud. For this research, 144 US-based healthcare organizations were asked about the off-premises cloud and hosting options they are currently using, whether they are considering moving to the cloud, why they would or would not move in this direction, and which vendors they are considering or would consider for future off-premises computing needs.

MEDITECH Web Ambulatory:
Insights into the Early-Adopter Experience

Authored by: Erik Bermudez and Jon Christensen | December 2017 | Read Time: 4 minutes

For years, MEDITECH has had a successful yet conservative approach to the market. Their newest offering, Web Ambulatory, represents a bold departure and has been widely anticipated by customers for its promise of inpatient/outpatient integration and web-based functionality. How is it going so far? KLAS interviewed 19 of the 22 organizations live on Web Ambulatory to highlight the successes achieved and the challenges faced by early adopters of both the EMR and practice management (PM) pieces.

Talent Management 2017:
High Performers in Performance Management

Authored by: Tanya Egbert and Chris Ptak | December 2017 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Many provider organizations are interested in having a single solution that can competently meet all their talent management needs. Because talent management suites are often implemented one or two modules at a time, KLAS scrutinized satisfaction with performance management functionality within the context of broader talent management performance and found that organizations have a number of comprehensive, high-performing options.

Creating the EMR Advantage:
The Arch Collaborative EMR Best Practices Study

Authored by: Taylor Davis | December 2017 | Read Time: 8 minutes

We built EMRs to help clinicians deliver dramatically better care and to be more efficient in that care. If clinicians everywhere consistently praised EMRs for revolutionizing the practice of medicine, wouldn't that be an indication that the EMR was a success?  But that is not happening.  In late 2016, in an effort to turn the tide of EMR frustration, KLAS gathered with a handful of provider organizations with the idea of creating a common end-user satisfaction survey to be used as a means of establishing satisfaction benchmarks and enabling provider organizations to learn from each other’s successes and failures. Today, this effort—called the Arch Collaborative—has collected 15,535 user perspectives from 55 organizations.

Cornerstone Summit 2017:
Population Health Definition, Outcomes Measurement, and Best Practices

Authored by: Taylor Davis, Bradley Hunter, Warren Whitford, and Mark Allphin | November 2017 | Read Time: 12 minutes

As a follow-up summit to the 2016 Population Health Keystone Summit, executives from 23 healthcare services and software firms, along with leaders from 27 provider organizations and 7 payer organizations, gathered just outside of Salt Lake City. This white paper is a synopsis of the Summit activities and findings.

Claims and Denials Management 2017:
Support & New Tools Highly Valued in Well-Established Market

Authored by: Paul Pitcher and Lois Krotz | November 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

With strong, easy-to-use claims-editing functionality now a commodity among claims management solutions, what differentiates the vendors in this market, and what areas do healthcare organizations identify as being next on their wish lists? Interviews with 296 healthcare organizations reveal three key factors that organizations are looking for from their claims management vendor today: stellar support, improved denials management functionality, and better drill-down analytics. The first two are examined below.

Digital Health Investment Symposium:
Where Do We Need to Focus Future Healthcare Technology Investments?

Authored by: Ben Brown, Chris Chandler, and Bobby Low | November 2017 |

KLAS convened its first annual investor conference, The KLAS Digital Health Investment Symposium, in Park City, Utah on September 27 and 28, 2017. The intent of this white paper is to give corporate development and investors an idea of the major challenges in healthcare and provide ideas for possible solutions and areas for investment so that current challenges can be mitigated.

Continuum of Care 2017:
A Comprehensive Look at EMRs in a Connected Continuum

Authored by: Coray Tate and Jon Christensen | November 2017 | Read Time: 5 minutes

For healthcare to make the shift to value-based care, the care continuum will have to change from a series of disconnected siloes to a connected ecosystem. This report looks across the care continuum to examine which vendors—including both enterprise and single-setting EMR vendors—are best positioned to help customers successfully adapt in each care setting (i.e., ambulatory care, acute care, homecare, long-term care [LTC], behavioral health, and urgent care).

Global PACS 2017:
Enterprise Imaging Reshaping PACS Decisions

Authored by: Eder Lagemann and Paul Warburton | November 2017 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Enterprise imaging—the ability to store, view, and access clinical images from multiple departments or organizations—is an increasingly key consideration in PACS purchasing decisions as well as overall imaging strategies. KLAS measures several technologies that impact organizations’ enterprise imaging (EI) strategies; chief among them are PACS solutions, vendor-neutral archives (VNAs), and universal viewers. KLAS spoke to 345 individuals in 43 countries outside the US to determine which VNAs they have selected or considered and to measure how PACS vendors have performed over the last 18 months.

Care Management 2017:
Solutions Struggle to Keep Pace

Authored by: Peter Van Mondfrans & Lois Krotz | November 2017 | Read Time: 5 minutes

As reimbursement and care models continue to evolve, health plans pursuing a member-centric approach to care management have increasingly higher expectations of their care management software solutions. Accordingly, solutions are struggling to keep pace with health plans that are moving toward population health and wellness. Which vendors are most supportive of their customers’ goals and innovative enough to meet changing needs? KLAS spoke with 71 health plans to find out.

Managing the Cost of Care:
How Are Provider Organizations Tackling the Cost of Care?

Authored by: Boyd Stewart, Paul Pitcher, and Lois Krotz | October 2017 | Read Time: 4 minutes

With healthcare costs at unsustainable levels, the industry finds itself on a trajectory from fee-for-service to value-based care. Provider organizations who aren’t prepared to manage cost and take on risk while also maintaining or improving quality will have a hard time surviving. In this first-time report, KLAS takes an early look at the various ways organizations that already have a strategy are tackling this challenge and what vendors they are using or considering to help them. Interviews were conducted mainly with C-level executives, mostly from organizations with 500+ beds. Only the strategies and vendors most commonly brought up in interviews are discussed below.

ED Usability 2017:
Enterprise Considerations, Not Workflow, Shaping the Future

Authored by: Jackson Tate and Alexander McIntosh | October 2017 | Read Time: 4 minutes

For years, best-of-breed vendors have shown that it is possible to deliver an EDIS that meets provider organizations’ needs and expectations for usability and functionality. As the market shifts and enterprise vendors play a larger and larger role, they will need to keep up with the standards set by the high-functioning, best-of-breed solutions. To determine the impact that the most highly adopted ED vendors are having on usability and which are meeting customers’ needs, KLAS sought out hard-to-obtain feedback from physician leadership and ED end users.

Healthcare IT Investor Update:
2017 Q4

October 2017 |

KLAS releases to investors quarterly updates on healthcare IT trends to watch. In this Q4 2017 update, KLAS discusses the Allscripts-McKesson acquisition, athenahealth's progress in the hospital market, current news about eClinicalWorks, and energy in the practice management space. Find out how these recent changes are impacting the market as a whole.

Telehealth Virtual Care Platforms 2017:
Who Is Supporting Healthcare Organizations’ Abilities to Expand Virtual Care?

Authored by: Mark Allphin, Bret Sharp, and Colin Buckley | October 2017 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Healthcare organizations have found that virtual care platforms (VCPs) reduce delivery costs, increase access to new patients, and allow organizations to deliver better care. While these platforms are just one aspect of the rapidly evolving telehealth market, a number of vendors now offer virtual care platforms supporting diverse visit types and use cases. Some have only a handful of live organizations today, but all are growing. Working with the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), KLAS reached out to healthcare organizations facilitating live video visits on virtual care platforms to provide an early look at who is helping organizations expand telehealth services today.

athenahealth for Hospitals:
Insights into the Early-Adopter Experience

Authored by: Gregory Fenton and Jon Christensen | October 2017 | Read Time: 2 minutes

athenahealth entered the underserved community hospital EMR market in 2015 with the acquisition of RazorInsights. Since then, provider interest has skyrocketed, with athenaOne for Hospitals and Health Systems being the third most frequently selected hospital EMR solution in the US in both 2015 and 2016. This report takes an early look at the progress athenahealth has made and the overall experience of early adopters. Speaking with executives, IT professionals, and departmental end users, KLAS interviewed all of the 8 hospitals who contracted directly with athenahealth to convert from another EMR and who came live by February 2017. KLAS also spoke with 28 other hospitals who contracted with athenahealth but were not yet live as of February 2017 to get their thoughts on how things are progressing. Hospitals who migrated from the acquired RazorInsights platform were excluded from this research as their experience is atypical of what prospective clients could expect.

Emerging Companies 2017

Authored by: Ben Brown and Alex McIntosh | October 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Radiation Therapy 2017:
Technology Outpacing Interoperability

Authored by: Monique Rasband and Paul Warburton | September 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Since KLAS last reported on radiation therapy in 2014, the overall high-performing market has seen some significant changes—adoption of Elekta’s go-forward platform (the Versa HD) has increased, and Varian customers have seen positive shifts in support and relationships. This report seeks to help provider organizations better understand radiation therapy vendor performance in the areas of functionality, support, and integration and will also examine the widening gap between the highest and lowest performers in the treatment planning market.

Allscripts' McKesson EIS Business Acquisition 2017:
Frustrated Paragon Customers Hope for Quick Development

Authored by: Mark Allphin and Jon Christensen | September 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

In August 2017, Allscripts announced their intentions to purchase McKesson's Enterprise Information Solutions. This announcement comes after a period of uncertainty regarding McKesson’s plans for the future of Paragon and other EIS solutions. KLAS reached out to current Paragon customers to gauge how they are reacting to the news. Do Paragon clients feel the acquisition puts them in a better position? Does it change any customers’ long-term plans? To find out, KLAS got perspectives from 38 organizations (30% of all organizations using Paragon).

Cornerstone Summit 2017:
Interoperability

September 2017 | Read Time: 13 minutes

The Cornerstone Summit on Interoperability represents an ongoing desire of provider organizations to work together across care settings, side by side with vendors, industry groups, and regulatory partners to learn from past interoperability measurements and offer recommendations to better assess our progress and needs into the future.

Antimicrobial Stewardship 2017:
AMS Tools Significantly Driving Patient Interventions

Authored by: Kody Hansen and Paul Warburton | August 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

In response to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance and the increase in government regulation regarding antibiotic usage, healthcare organizations are stepping up their efforts to treat patients with the right antibiotics, in the right doses, and for the right duration. Many have already moved from or are looking to move from the manual, paper processes of the past to software systems that can help them better and more efficiently achieve their antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) goals. As is often the case in markets where many users are switching from manual to automated processes for the first time, users’ initial reactions to their AMS technology have been positive. But which vendors are best enabling customers to intervene, track internal metrics, and optimize their use of their AMS system?

Global Healthcare IT Consulting:
Which Firms Are Considered for Implementation and Advisory Work?

Authored by: Jeremy Goff and Jonathan Christensen | August 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

With EMR implementations outside the US on the rise, many provider organizations have asked KLAS which firms they can turn to for help in planning for or implementing an EMR. Within healthcare organizations, resources for strategizing and implementing are often stretched thin, and this report—KLAS’ first on consulting firms outside the US—highlights how these organizations perceive healthcare IT (HIT) consulting firms. Who are they considering for upcoming projects, for what purpose, and who has mindshar e?

Practice Management 2017 (Over 10 Physicians):
Many Vendors Struggle to Provide Consistent Experience across Practice Size

Authored by: Aaron Gleave and Alex McIntosh | August 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

To find the right practice management solution for their organization, large (over 75 physicians) and midsize (11–75 physicians) ambulatory practices need to know which vendors can meet their specific support, functionality, customization, and integration needs. The larger the practice, the more complex those needs are—how do the solutions perform for each practice size, and which are best able to handle the increased intricacy of larger practices?

eClinicalWorks 2017:
Snapshot of Customer Reactions to the DOJ Settlement

Authored by: Erik Bermudez and Jon Christensen | July 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

On May 31, 2017, news broke that EHR vendor eClinicalWorks had reached a settlement with the Department of Justice over allegations stemming from the False Claims Act. Subsequently, a number of healthcare providers reached out to KLAS asking how customers were responding and what implications the settlement held for eClinicalWorks’ customer base moving forward. KLAS reached out to users who had previously rated eClinicalWorks to see how their satisfaction and future plans with eClinicalWorks have changed.

Smart Pump/EMR Interoperability 2017:
First Look at Interoperability Performance

Authored by: Paul Hess and Paul Warburton | July 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

In the last few years, the number of hospitals live with smart pump/EMR interoperability (meaning both autoprogramming and autodocumentation) has grown from just a handful to roughly 200. Though this is still a small portion of all hospitals in the US, many providers identify interoperability as the most important next step to make infusions safer. This report provides a first-time look at user satisfaction with interoperability workflows and also examines which pump vendors are taking the initiative to move this technology along and what EMR vendors are doing to improve workflows and reporting.

Healthcare IT Investor Update:
2017 Q3

July 2017 | Read Time: 1 minute

Implementation Services 2017

Authored by: Garrett Hall and Lois Krotz | July 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

According to KLAS’ 2016 Healthcare Consulting report, providers anticipate using services firms to help with implementations more than with any other area. In order to help providers narrow down the seemingly endless number of implementation firms, this report identifies the type of implementation work each firm performs, including business solutions implementation, enterprise implementation leadership, support and staffing, and go-live support. KLAS spoke with 660 organizations who provided insights on what products these firms have experience implementing, what implementation services they offer, and how well they live up to expectations.

Health Insurance Enrollment Solutions 2017

Authored by: Joe Van De Graaff and Lois Krotz | July 2017 | Read Time: 5 minutes

This first-time KLAS report takes an early look at the vendor solutions used for health insurance exchanges and insurance enrollment in the ACA market. Faced with the uncertainty, political instability, and complex regulation that characterize the ACA market today, healthcare payers are searching for vendors who can help them successfully weather the storm. Based on interviews with healthcare payer executives, this KLAS report gives initial but important insight into how well—or poorly—some of the key solution vendors are meeting needs.

Interactive Patient Systems 2017:
Turning Interactivity into Outcomes

Authored by: Adam Cherrington and Colin Buckley | June 2017 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Interactive patient systems (IPS) represent a major investment compared to the televisions and video players they replace. Fortunately, IPS solutions have been largely successful in meeting two key needs: educating and entertaining patients. But that is just the beginning of what IPS solutions can do, say vendors. Expanded capabilities—such as EMR integration, real-time patient communication, and additional entertainment options—promise to further improve patients’ experiences and engagement. This report examines which IPS vendors most consistently deliver on their customers’ expected outcomes.

Patient Flow 2017:
No Reason to Wait

Authored by: Tanya Egbert and Chris Ptak | June 2017 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Managing the flow of patients in an acute care setting is one of the more complicated challenges confronting providers today. With multiple robust and improving patient flow solutions available, there is no reason for healthcare organizations to put off optimizing their patient flow performance.

Medical Oncology 2017:
A Medical Oncology Perspective

Authored by: Monique Rasband and Alexander McIntosh | June 2017 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Amid several changes to the medical oncology vendor landscape, many providers continue to struggle with poor overall integration, workflows, and usability. KLAS reached out to providers in the medical oncology space to gather feedback regarding their vendors’ investments and how well their vendors meet end users’ needs.

EMR Improvement Collaborative:
Working Together to Improve EMR Usability

Authored by: Taylor Davis, Bob Cash, Adam Gale | May 2017 | Read Time: 1 minute

The KLAS EMR Improvement Collaborative was created to help healthcare organizations learn from one another. KLAS measures the usability of EMRs and providers' skills and satisfaction with the EMRs in order to learn the keys to maximizing EMR efficiency.

CAPD 2017:
An Early Look

Authored by: Boyd Stewart and Paul Warburton | May 2017 | Read Time: 2 minutes

The new technology of computer-assisted physician documentation (CAPD) is gaining interest from providers, most of whom see CAPD as an additional clinical documentation improvement (CDI) tool. Vendors are promising solutions that improve accuracy by reviewing documentation and then querying physicians for clarification. As CAPD adoption expands, early adopters are seeing initial benefits and are optimistic about leveraging CAPD to further improve documentation completeness and financial outcomes. KLAS asked early adopters how well the technology integrates into their workflows, what improvements they have achieved, and what factors affect physician adoption.

Sepsis 2017:
Which Vendors Can Help?

Authored by: Kody Hansen and Jon Christensen | April 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Sepsis is not a new concern for healthcare providers, but many organizations hope to leverage the learning of early pioneers who have automated the detection of both septic and pre-septic patients. For this report, KLAS interviewed organizations using vendor-supplied sepsis technology and services and also asked those yet to implement what their plans are for the future and how focused their EMR and surveillance/infection control vendors are on improving sepsis outcomes. While this report examines provider use of vendor-supplied sepsis technology and services, other providers may address sepsis more broadly via the automation of infection control.

Freestanding Emergency Centers 2017:
An Early Look at An Emerging Market

Authored by: Jackson Tate and Alex McIntosh | April 2017 | Read Time: 4 minutes

In 2009, the first freestanding emergency center (FEC) opened its doors^†. In the years since, hundreds of such facilities have opened in Texas. Several other states have also recently adopted or are considering legislation that would allow FECs to expand into the states and extend emergency services to underserved areas. This rapid growth has created an urgent need for EMR technology that meets the needs specific to FECs. To find out which EMR vendors are best helping FECs, KLAS spoke specifically to providers in Texas—the most mature FEC market—interviewing at least half of the EPOWERdoc, T System, CMR, and Wellsoft customers in the state.

Healthcare IT Investor Update:
2017 Q2

April 2017 |

IV Compounding 2017:
Assessing Vendor Offerings for IV Workflow Management and IV Robots

Authored by: Paul Hess and Paul Warburton | April 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Telehealth Virtual Care Platforms 2017:
An Early Look at the State of Telehealth, A KLAS-CHIME Benchmarking Report

Authored by: Mark Allphin, Bret Sharp, and Colin Buckley | March 2017 | Read Time: 15 minutes

Payer Core Claims and Administration 2017:
The Future Suggests a Bumpy Road

Authored by: Julie Beard and Lois Krotz | March 2017 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Many health plans today are faced with rapidly changing regulations combined with middle-of-the-road performance from their core claims and administration vendors. Citing poor service and support, old technology, and nickel-and-diming, these health plans are looking for improved innovation and the ability to quickly adapt to industry changes.

Ultrasound 2017:
What Vendor Strengths Help Providers Succeed?

Authored by: Monique Rasband and Alex McIntosh | March 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

As the ultrasound imaging market continues to expand, so do expectations for innovative technology focused on improving efficiency and usability. With several strong ultrasound imaging options available, providers wonder what separates one vendor from another. Providers interviewed by KLAS felt vendors that consistently offered the newest innovations and effectively communicated were set apart from the rest. Additionally, respondents shared their future purchasing plans for ultrasound, with more plans geared toward point-of-care ultrasound.

Payer Quality Analytics 2017:
From Regulatory Reporting to Quality Improvement

Authored by: Joe Van De Graaff and Lois Krotz | March 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Health plans today look for proactive vendors who go beyond required quality reporting (i.e., HEDIS) to help close care gaps and improve quality. KLAS interviewed 57 payers to see how they view their vendor(s) in this important quest.

Vendor Selection 2017:
Crucial Factors to Consider When Choosing a Consulting Firm

Authored by: Warren Whitford and Lois Krotz | March 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Market changes—namely, Cerner’s acquisition of Siemens’ healthcare IT, the sunsetting of McKesson Horizon, the release of MEDITECH 6.0, and the continued record-breaking pace of healthcare mergers and acquisitions—have caused many providers to reevaluate their EMR options. At the same time, increasing numbers of health systems are looking to technology to enhance population health efforts, resulting in more IT decisions regarding population health, business intelligence, and telehealth. Providers have many excellent options to choose from when looking for a consulting firm to help with these high-stakes vendor selections, but considering the following four factors can help them find a firm that will be an advocate for clients’ best interests.

Revenue Cycle Services 2017:
How Do RCS Firms Measure Up to Providers’ Needs?

Authored by: Boyd Stewart and Lois Krotz | March 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Healthcare revenue cycle is complex: compensation for care can come from any of several different payers, and policies are constantly changing. When providers decide to place the care of their financial stream in the hands of a revenue cycle services (RCS) firm, they need that firm to be, first and foremost, adept at delivering on key indicators. Providers also need their RCS firms to fit seamlessly into their culture, whether they are engaged long term or short term, for the complete business office (RCO) or for individual parts of the revenue cycle (EBOS).

340B Split Billing 2017:
Who Can Help Providers Adapt to a Changing Market?

Authored by: Adam Cherrington and Shea Smart | February 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

As the 340B market continues to grow and change to meet federal regulations, providers report varying degrees of success with the vendors they use to help them adapt. Providers need vendors that consistently prepare them for and support them through these changes, such as the increasing number of HRSA audits. Which vendors are supporting and guiding providers through the audits? And who offers the strongest tools for 340B setup and reporting? KLAS spoke with 116 340B hospitals to find out how effectively their vendors deliver audit training and guidance as well as split-billing tools.

Cybersecurity 2017:
Healthcare Provider Security Assessment, A KLAS-CHIME Benchmarking Report

Authored by: Garrett Hall and Jon Christensen | February 2017 | Read Time: 16 minutes

Security in healthcare has never been more critical. As payment and delivery reforms propel the industry toward greater connectivity and information exchange, new vulnerabilities arise. Cybercriminals are continually finding new and more sophisticated ways to attack networks and are searching for even the smallest crack. In an effort to benchmark the current state of security preparedness across the healthcare industry, KLAS and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) embarked on a study to assess best practices and gain insights on healthcare organizations’ current security programs.

Advanced Visualization 2017:
Comprehensive Options Exist in an Unconsolidated World

Authored by: Monique Rasband and Paul Warburton | February 2017 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Though many providers have been able to reduce the number of advanced visualization (AV) vendors in use within their organizations, consolidation onto one platform for all applications is not yet a reality. Providers keep multiple systems in order to meet differing physician preferences and retain specialized functionality while also taking advantage of some of the more automated AV software included in their PACS and imaging equipment purchases. In this report, KLAS targeted providers who have a server-based, enterprise-wide approach to AV to discover whether viable consolidation options exist, who providers consider as they expand their use of AV, and the factors in addition to functionality—such as training and server experience—that affect provider success.

Imaging Modality Purchasing Trends 2017 (Smaller Organizations):
Small Market Remains Wide Open

Authored by: Coray Tate and Alex McIntosh | February 2017 | Read Time: 2 minutes

KLAS spoke to 74 smaller healthcare organizations (hospitals under 500 beds and imaging centers) to find out which vendors’ technologies they plan to expand and which will be used less frequently or abandoned. Vendor-exclusive contracts are less prevalent in smaller organizations, who are more inclined than larger facilities to choose a product based on functionality and relationship. Though smaller organizations are willing to entertain a wide variety of vendors, different vendors do dominate the various modalities, and the vendors’ predicted growth rates vary greatly.

Healthcare IT Investor Update:
2017 Q1

January 2017 |

Cerner Patient Accounting & Practice Management 2016:
Can My Organization Be Successful?

Authored by: Boyd Stewart and Taylor Davis | January 2017 |

More than one in three organizations looking to change their inpatient revenue cycle solution are leaning toward Cerner Patient Accounting. The desire to move to an integrated revenue cycle solution is strong, but so is apprehension since frustration among current Cerner customers is common. Feedback ranges from significant improvements in organizational outcomes that have “saved” organizations’ financials to missed timelines, missed revenue targets, organizational embarrassment, or even replacement of the full Cerner suite. How likely is it that your organization will be successful?

Global Population Health Perception 2016:
An Early Look at Trends, Technology, and Initiatives Outside the US

Authored by: Eder Lagemann and Jon Christensen | January 2017 | Read Time: 1 minute

Global interest in population health is growing, becoming top of mind for more than just forward-thinking hospital organizations. However, what population health means and how it is addressed varies, from Asia and Oceania, Europe, and Northern America, where population health is maturing, to the Middle East, where a vision is just taking shape, to Latin America, where few healthcare groups have a vision. This report takes an early look at emerging population health trends and initiatives outside the US, as well as the underlying technology identified as key to these strategies—HIE and population health management systems. For additional insight, US performance data, where available, has been included on vendors of international interest.

Value-Based Care Managed Services 2016:
Technology-Enabled Services to Support Your Transformation to Value

Authored by: Warren Whitford and Lois Krotz | December 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

As the healthcare market shifts from fee-for-service to value-based care (VBC), many provider and payer organizations have been left feeling that they are playing a game with constantly changing rules and which they have little chance of winning. For help handling the immense complexity of transitioning to a new business model, many such organizations turn to value-based care managed services firms. The first chart below shows several key factors organizations will want to consider when choosing a firm, including type and scope of work performed, experience with VBC initiatives, average size of client organizations, lives covered in VBC programs, and overall performance. Also important are how the firms perform in each of the five VBC pillars as well as what clinical and financial outcomes their customers have achieved.

Anesthesia Performance 2016:
A Clinician Take on Anesthesia Information Management Systems

Authored by: Gregory Fenton and Alex McIntosh | December 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

In order to deliver the best care possible to the patient, clinicians and departmental personnel need the best systems that provide strong functionality, nimble workflows, and exceptional vendor support. Anesthesia solutions exist from both enterprise and best-of-breed vendors with some stark differences between them. Which vendors are best meeting the needs of the OR department and clinicians, and which vendors are committed to provider success in anesthesia? KLAS spoke to clinicians and OR personnel to find out.

Healthcare Management Consulting 2016:
(Mostly) Great Options for Tackling Healthcare's Biggest Challenges

Authored by: Warren Whitford and Lois Krotz | December 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Healthcare organizations are turning to management consultants for help with the flood of change currently disrupting the US healthcare market. In these high-stakes engagements, healthcare organizations, and therefore the firms they rely on, can’t afford to fail. Luckily, many excellent choices exist among both the more traditional, cross-industry management consulting firms and those that are more healthcare specific. Interviews with 276 provider and payer executives highlight how these firms are meeting customers’ high expectations as well as which firms don’t quite measure up.

Alarm Management 2016:
Which Vendors Are Best Positioned to Help Reduce Notification Fatigue?

Authored by: Paul Hess and Jon Christensen | November 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Despite having allocated resources to reduce notification fatigue, nearly half of providers interviewed for this study feel that they are still in the early stages of progressing toward the National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) from The Joint Commission. As vendors’ efforts to reduce alarm fatigue are in their infancy, this study looks at which alarm management middleware vendors are helping providers put in a solid foundation to reduce notification fatigue through innovative routing and escalation, reporting, and guidance.

Keystone Summit 2016:
Population Health IT Definition

November 2016 | Read Time: 9 minutes

The objective of the Keystone Summit on population health was to define core competencies of a provider population health IT solution and recognize the vendors that have developed and widely implemented these solutions. This framework was developed to differentiate current technologies, with an expectation that it will need to evolve in parallel with the evolution of the population health IT market.

CDS 2016:
Providers Expect EMRs to Drive CDS Impact

Authored by: Adam Cherrington and Jon Christensen | November 2016 | Read Time: 4 minutes

KLAS intended this research to measure the outcomes being achieved with third-party CDS applications. However, many providers struggled to quantify their solution’s impact—a telling trend. As a result, this report highlights other insights gleaned from KLAS’ interviews regarding providers’ CDS solutions. Today, providers consider ease of adoption and clinical-reference quality when purchasing a system. What does the future hold for CDS? What role will EMRs play, and which third-party applications do providers report having success with?

Claims and Clearinghouse 2016 (Large Organizations):
Who Delivers the Guidance and Tools Providers Need?

Authored by: Jackson Tate and Alex McIntosh | November 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes

The shift to value-based care is placing increased pressure on clearinghouse vendors to deliver enhanced tools and improved guidance for their customers. Good clearinghouse options abound, but providers still need to select the tools, technology, and relationship that best fit their organizational culture, preferences, and goals. Which vendors are providing large practices (>20 physicians) with new and useful technology for value-based reimbursements, and what lessons can these practices share with their peers?

2016 Best in KLAS Awards:
Medical Equipment

November 2016 |

Reflecting the provider voice, this report ranks the best-performing imaging and pharmacy automation equipment covering more than 50 products, including pharmacy automation, CT, MR, ultrasound, among others. The research enables providers to make more-informed technology decisions and helps vendors strive for excellence. Download the report to find out how well your vendors and prospective vendors perform, which vendors keep their promises best, and which offerings best meet customer expectations. Want to see how your healthcare IT vendors perform? Download the July 2016 Mid-Term Performance Review: Software & Services.

Healthcare Consulting 2016:
Who Can Help with Current and Future Needs?

Authored by: Garrett Hall and Lois Krotz | November 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Healthcare organizations most often achieve desired consulting outcomes when third-party firms are proficient, collaborative, trustworthy, strategic, and efficient. And engagements most often flounder when firms are the opposite: salesy, incompetent, inflexible, overpromising, and non-strategic. With feedback gathered from 176 providers, this report will reveal which firms are perceived as most often demonstrating these attributes, as well as which are perceived as best positioned to meet emerging consulting needs.

Care Management 2016:
Changing Market, Changing Needs

Authored by: Joe Van De Graaff and Lois Krotz | October 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Amid industry changes to reimbursement and care models, health plans are switching their sights from traditional utilization/cost management to member-centric care management and even wellness. Vendor software solutions for care management are plentiful, but are they keeping up with changing client needs? KLAS spoke with 74 health plans to find out.

Ambulatory RCM Services 2016:
Who Best Meets Needs in This Exploding Market?

Authored by: Aaron Gleave and Jon Christensen | October 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Revenue cycle management (RCM) services, which began as an athenahealth innovation years ago, have now exploded in popularity. Of the providers KLAS interviewed, two-thirds using RCM services say they are worth the investment and have helped them become more efficient. Not all providers are finding success, however. Vendor delivery in the key areas of account management, vendor guidance, transparency, and denials has a critical impact on provider success and varies widely among vendors and different practice sizes.

Portable X-Ray 2016:
New Provider Preferences Reshaping the Market

Authored by: Amy Fetter Johnson and Emily Paxman | September 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Technological improvements among portable x-ray solutions are having a significant impact on the quality of patient care and how efficiently healthcare organizations administer studies. While all vendors contribute positively to patient care and organizational efficiency, providers feel that some vendors do this more effectively than others. The best fit for an organization depends on provider expectations, which can vary greatly. KLAS spoke with customers who have purchased at least one portable x-ray unit in the last two years to explore why vendors are or are not selected, how often vendors are being considered, and the strengths and weaknesses of portable x-ray machines.

Healthcare CRM 2016:
Wide Variation in Provider Goals and Vendor Performance

Authored by: Adam Cherrington, Colin Buckley, and Paul Warburton | September 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

The opportunity for customer relationship management (CRM) to have a meaningful impact in healthcare is growing. However, managing relationships with current and prospective patients and physicians often requires new workflows and access to consumer data not typically tracked in healthcare today. Even as this nascent market is still being defined, many vendors claim to help in a myriad of ways. This report will explain which of the most common niches vendors are being used in as well as help providers understand their peers’ current overall satisfaction with vendors’ technology and service.

Scheduling 2016 - Staff, Nurse, and Physician:
Are Vendors Delivering Promised Technology?

Authored by: Tanya Egbert and Emily Paxman | September 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

New staff and nurse scheduling technologies, like predictive scheduling, mobile tools, self-scheduling, and acuity tools, promise to help healthcare providers improve staffing efficiency. This report explores how deeply new technologies are being adopted and how well they perform and takes a first look at physician scheduling options.

Optimization Services 2016:
Driving Outcomes from Implementation to Performance Improvement

Authored by: Garrett Hall and Lois Krotz | August 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

As the first wave of HIT system implementations ends, providers who find that their systems are not delivering maximum value often turn to consulting firms to optimize these systems through process, workflow, and application improvement. This report discusses which firms are making the biggest impact, how well the firms enhance workflows and applications, and what types of optimization services they offer.

Computer-Assisted Coding 2016:
Who Is Delivering Promised Value in ICD-10?

Authored by: Boyd Stewart and Emily Paxman | August 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

More and more providers have adopted computer-assisted coding (CAC) solutions in response to ICD-10. Successful providers say the key is to look beyond the technology to find a vendor partner that provides strong implementations and training, that communicates and shares best practices throughout the tuning process, and that is dedicated to ongoing product improvement. This report examines which vendors are making strides to improve in these areas and how well CAC vendors perform in the core post-ICD-10 areas of precision, recall, speed-to-value, and impact on productivity.

Smart Pumps 2016:
The Quest for Patient Safety

Authored by: Paul Hess and Jon Christensen | August 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

The driving force behind smart pumps has always been greater patient safety. Differences exist in how well various pumps help with this goal, so KLAS turned to the end users—mainly nurses—to gather insights regarding drug-library compliance, reporting, ease of use, and wireless functionality. BD is gauged to have the most comprehensive pump platform, while Baxter leads in ease of use and drug-library compliance for LVPs. Pfizer is rolling out new pumps. Both B. Braun and Smiths Medical lag behind in wireless adoption and integration.

Healthcare IT Investor Update:
2016 Q4

August 2016 |

2016 Midterm Performance Review:
Software & Services

July 2016 |

The 2016 Mid-term Performance Review: Software & Services report provides a summary of the KLAS performance ratings gathered over the past 12 months (18 months for select services) for healthcare IT software and services vendors/firms in 104 market segments. All vendor products are listed with performance scores that have been compiled from the feedback of thousands of healthcare providers at physician offices, clinics, hospitals, and IDNs throughout the United States and Canada. The following is an overview of some of the noteworthy insights and changes since the publication of the 2015 report.

Core Payer Platforms 2016:
New Payvider Market Meets Old Technology

Authored by: Joe Van De Graaff and Lois Krotz | July 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

New market demands are pushing health systems to take on more risk, resulting in some starting their own health plans. These provider-owned health plans (“payviders”) and other full-risk-bearing organizations like them rely on vendor solutions for core payer functions, yet many of the platforms are decades old. How well do these solutions perform, and will new entrants shake up this reemerging market?

Population Health Perception 2016:
Vendors Find their Place in Providers' Plans

Authored by: Mark Allphin and Colin Buckley | July 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes

In the three years KLAS has reported on population health management (PHM) solutions, we have described a fragmented market, with scores of vendors from many different backgrounds. EMR vendors continue to dominate, but best-of-breed players are staying competitive with niche capabilities and robust functionality. The discussion now turns to which solutions have staying power and which are on track to be replaced. In this report, 165 providers describe the role of their PHM vendors and identify which they feel are poised to lead the vendor field.

Best in KLAS Imaging Modalities Insights

June 2016 |

Imaging Modality Trends (Large Organizations):
Significant Changes On The Horizon

Authored by: Coray Tate and Alex Mcintosh | June 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Imaging centers are becoming less of the standalone profit centers they once were, and technology and support have become driving factors in large organizations’ plans to expand or decrease what they purchase from imaging vendors. Traditionally, the imaging market has been dominated by Siemens and GE Healthcare, with Philips and Toshiba bringing up the rear. Now, Siemens has begun to pull away, and Toshiba has lost momentum. Smaller niche vendors like Hologic and Carestream are filling the gaps in mammography and x-ray, but other small vendors have yet to make a sizable imprint. KLAS spoke to some of the largest providers in the US to find out which vendors are most trusted for future purchases.

Healthcare Price Transparency Solutions 2016:
An Early Look

Authored by: Joe VanDeGraaff and Lois Krotz | June 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Healthcare costs are soaring. Insurance premiums keep rising. And for most consumers, healthcare costs are anything but transparent—when the “mystery” bill finally arrives, many are shocked at what they have to pay. This first-time KLAS report takes a very preliminary look at vendor solutions used in the price transparency market and highlights client experiences among payers, employers, and providers.

Tomosynthesis 2016:
Can GE and Siemens Compete with Hologic?

Authored by: Monique Rasband and Emily Paxman | June 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Since first releasing tomosynthesis in 2011, Hologic has dominated the 3D mammography market and until recently has had no competition in the U.S. Despite significant imaging-equipment footprints, Siemens and GE were slow to release tomosynthesis, receiving FDA approval in 2014 and 2015, respectively. While providers using all of these systems are highly satisfied and feel the technology is worth the investment, users point to key differences among vendors in regard to implementation, development, and relationships that they feel others should know about before selecting a tomosynthesis solution.

Patient Outreach 2016:
Driving Outcomes – From No-Shows to Better Health

Authored by: Adam Cherrington and Colin Buckley | May 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

The success of the value-based care model that healthcare is moving toward hinges on providers’ ability to engage the patients in their care. Many patient outreach vendors claim to help providers in this endeavor, but not all solutions are created equal. Providers are asking which solutions offer various outreach functionalities, which are driving the best outcomes, which vendors best help providers leverage their solutions, and what value EMR vendors bring to the table.

HIT Purchasing Trends 2016 (U.S.):
The Shift From Foundational to Transformational IT

Authored by: Coray Tate and Colin Buckley | May 2016 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Both providers and vendors have shifted the public HIT discussion to transformational solutions—population health, BI/analytics, patient engagement, HIE/interoperability, and telehealth. But the reality is that a significant portion of providers’ money and energy is still devoted to shoring up their foundational IT solutions—acute/ambulatory EMR and revenue cycle. While their current EMR is not the only factor affecting providers’ purchasing, there is a strong correlation between providers’ foundational IT integration and their ability to focus on transformational technologies.

Value-Based Care Timing 2016:
The Transition from Fee-For-Service

Authored by: Mark Allphin | May 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes

It’s been five years since Medicare kicked off an industry-wide transition from fee-for-service reimbursement to a system that rewards quality rather than quantity. Commercial payers are following suit, and providers expect participation is inevitable. Some providers are adopting value-based care (VBC) initiatives in an attempt to remain competitive, while HIT vendors are counting on VBC as a revenue stream. Based on 173 provider interviews, this report examines the progress of VBC and which HIT vendors and solutions are making a difference.

Natural Language Processing:
Glimpses Into the Future of Unstructured Data Mining

Authored by: Boyd Stewart & April Ridgeway | May 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

In many ways, the current healthcare climate has created the perfect storm for a surge in provider mindshare toward leveraging NLP to help improve patient care. However, providers currently face challenges evaluating the different NLP offerings and how they will perform in specific contexts. Additionally, providers note that current NLP solutions face significant challenges in unraveling the complexities of medical language. KLAS spoke with academic facilities, large IDNs, and known NLP users to provide an overview of the NLP market, provider strategies, and NLP use cases and a very early look at what vendors are offering in NLP solutions.

Epic Consulting 2016:
Which Firms Provide Breadth, Depth, and Expertise?

Authored by: Garrett Hall & Lois Krotz | May 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

This competitive marketplace includes many firms utilizing Epic-certified consultants to ensure client success. Firm breadth, depth, expertise, and scalability differentiate exceptional performance to help providers find the best fit. Six firms stand out with broad service offerings in at least three areas, complemented by deep experience drawn from completing many engagements. Other firms offer more focused services and/or have less experience in fewer engagements.

Ambulatory Specialty 2016:
One Size Does Not Fit All

Authored by: Aaron Gleave | April 2016 | Read Time: 1 minute

Specialty-specific EMRs continue to provide the best content for individual specialties, with PCC (pediatrics) and Modernizing Medicine (dermatology) setting the standard for their specialties. Most broad-focus vendors are meeting needs in family/internal medicine, but how do they perform across other specialties? And which vendors are best suited to the unique needs of smaller, independent practices and specialties? To answer these questions and help providers find the best fit for their specialty mix, KLAS interviewed over 700 healthcare professionals.

Oncology 2016:
Navigating the Oncology IT Road Map

Authored by: Monique Rasband | April 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

The oncology IT landscape has shifted dramatically in the last two years. Varian’s announcement that they will no longer offer ARIA for medical oncology but will partner with Flatiron for OncoEMR has providers beginning to weigh their options. Additionally, as Cerner and Epic try to compete with best-of-breed offerings from Elekta, McKesson, and now Flatiron, providers wonder whether these vendors have viable options. This report looks at providers’ plans for the future as well as the vendor strengths and weaknesses that potential customers need to be aware of.

Outpatient Pharmacy 2016:
Who Is Meeting Today's Demands?

Authored by: Adam Cherrington | April 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes

In response to healthcare and payment reform, providers are turning to the outpatient pharmacy to cut costs and improve outcomes. In a space where development has traditionally been slow, providers are tasked with finding a vendor partner that can meet population health and value-based care challenges. To help providers determine which vendors best meet their needs, this report addresses key provider questions: which vendors are making strategic product improvements, which solutions can scale, which vendors foster strong relationships with customers, and what are the strengths and weaknesses of outpatient pharmacy systems today?

Imaging IT Landscape 2016:
Enterprise Platform

Authored by: Amy Fetter Johnson & Monique Rasband | April 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes

As provider organizations expand their patient responsibility and make strategic purchases to meet the needs of an evolving healthcare landscape, imaging IT stands out as an area for consolidation and growth. Providers are faced with the challenge of working more collaboratively with disparate products across a variety of segments. To help providers quickly determine which vendors best meet their needs, KLAS examined the breadth of current offerings and the consistency of vendor delivery across the portfolio.

Pharmacy 2016:
Are You Partnered to Reduce Costs?

Authored by: Paul Hess | March 2016 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Healthcare reform and decreasing reimbursements are restructuring hospital budgets around the country, and more than ever, hospital executives are looking for ways to reduce pharmacy costs by boosting staff productivity and decreasing medication spending. KLAS interviewed 55 hospital C-levels and 124 pharmacy directors about initiatives they are implementing to position themselves for value-based care and about which vendors they are partnering with in the various segments that make up the pharmacy automation and inventory ecosystem.

HIE 2016:
Shifts in Vendor Performance and Provider Outlook

Authored by: Bradley Hunter | March 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Health information exchange (HIE) was one of the first answers to the challenge of interoperability. Despite a rousing start and years to mature, HIE has largely been a story of missed expectations. More than half of the vendors KLAS reported on in 2011 are no longer competing in the market, including several industry stalwarts. While at least one prominent vendor has pulled out of a tailspin, others are struggling in new ways. Which vendors are most stable? Which are being counted on for the future and why? KLAS spoke with 332 organizations to understand vendors’ past performance and providers’ outlook for the future.

Ambulatory EMR Purchasing:
Enterprise-Wide Considerations Reshaping Market

Authored by: Aaron Gleave | February 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes

The drivers for EMR purchasing decisions vary by provider environment, but accountable care, population health, and interoperability top most lists. Even organizations that remain independent are influenced by these drivers, a trend that has sharply decreased provider interest in the market’s traditional players. This report examines which vendors ambulatory organizations of all sizes are considering and why.

2016 Acute EMR Buying Decisions:
EMR Replacements Heating Up

Authored by: Erik Bermudez | February 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Vendor and product consolidations continue to reshape the face of the acute care EMR market as the number of hospitals running legacy, or limited life, systems increases. A number of health systems are considering a change, and most say Epic or Cerner is their likely acute care EMR replacement. MEDITECH continues to fight hard to retain their legacy customers, while other vendors get little consideration overall. What does this mean for providers and vendors alike? KLAS spoke to over 800 organizations to find out.

Cerner/Siemens Acquisition:
Soarian Migration in High Gear

Authored by: Coray Tate | January 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Cerner’s acquisition of Siemens touches the foundational HIT systems of hundreds of provider organizations and has Soarian customers on an accelerated path to an EMR change. Patient accounting customers are hoping the vendors’ historically weak financial systems will become stronger together. This report examines how providers in the United States are responding to the way Cerner has managed the needs of this blended customer base over the first year.

Ambulatory PM Performance:
Best PM Vendors For Providers' Coming Needs

Authored by: Erik Bermudez | December 2015 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Payment reform is drastically changing how providers think about healthcare delivery and reimbursement. Providers are relying heavily on their practice management (PM) solutions to aid them throughout this transition. KLAS spoke to 963 providers to understand which vendors are best leading their small, midsize, and large customers to long-term success.

Enterprise Imaging 2015:
Strategies, Options, and Vendor Performance

Authored by: Monique Rasband | December 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Enterprise imaging—the ability to store, view, and exchange images from multiple service lines—promises to revolutionize the imaging landscape. Yet many providers are still uncertain as to how to move forward. To add much needed context, KLAS conducted targeted interviews with 92 providers who have a clear enterprise imaging strategy to find out how these early adopters are moving forward and how well vendors perform in an enterprise imaging setting.

Enterprise Healthcare BI:
The Search for Outcomes

Authored by: Joe Van de Graaff | December 2015 | Read Time: 3 minutes

In healthcare, BI isn’t just about BI anymore. A BI platform’s capability and horsepower—traditional hallmarks of large and established BI vendors—are only as good as the insights and outcomes they help create. This report differentiates 11 enterprise BI vendors based on client reviews in performance, insights, and outcomes.

Global HIT Trends 2015:
Which Vendors Are Providers Betting On?

Authored by: Jeremy Goff | December 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Providers globally are focused on adopting and upgrading EMR solutions at a higher rate than ever before. Those tasked with making the choice want to know which vendors are considered in their region and what sets those vendors apart. KLAS interviewed key decision makers at 111 organizations around the globe to understand their buying plans. Of these organizations, 46 plan to replace or acquire a new EMR. Additionally, providers shared their purchasing plans for other technologies, such as imaging, analytics, and enterprise content management solutions.

Labor and Delivery 2015:
A Deep Look at Integration and Functionality

Authored by: Lance Reynolds | October 2015 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Providers planning to purchase a new L&D documentation system are looking for meaningful connectivity with core clinical systems without sacrificing robust functionality. KLAS interviewed providers to discover which vendors provide the strongest connectivity and which provide the documentation functionality that best meets providers’ needs.

The Emerging Payvider Market:
Which Vendors Matter Most?

Authored by: Joe Van De Graaff & Lois Krotz | October 2015 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Provider-owned health plans (payviders) aren’t new, but the payvider market, now permeated with ACOs and new risk-sharing arrangements, is seeing new life and seeking new direction. Which vendors are seen as most critical? Which vendors would clients avoid or replace? KLAS spoke with 44 organizations (health plans), representing more than one-third of the payvider market, to find out.

Epic's Global Performance:
An Early Look at Customers Outside the U.S.

Authored by: Jeremy Goff | October 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Provider interest in Epic continues to increase in many regions of the world. Notwithstanding Epic’s large, proven install base in the U.S., many providers wonder whether Epic’s U.S. success can translate globally and whether it is worth the higher price. KLAS spoke with all seven organizations live with (and nearly all those implementing) EpicCare Inpatient EMR outside the U.S. KLAS primarily interviewed healthcare executives and directors to answer providers’ questions about the Epic customer experience (from implementation until post– go-live), budget accuracy, and depth of adoption.º ºKLAS interviewed multiple individuals in areas with significant press coverage. This report focuses on the experiences of those interviewed rather than on third-party reports.

Is it Time to Reevaluate My Lab Strategy?:
Laboratory Vendor Market Update 2015

Authored by: Colin Buckley | September 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

In mature HIT markets, radical innovation and clever marketing hold little sway. That means the battle between best-of-breed vendors (who want to hold on to customers) and enterprise vendors (who want to encourage migration) depends on the strength of the individual players. The determining factors can be evaluated in three key dimensions: product, service, and value. This report highlights vendor strengths and weaknesses and also explores the maturity of Epic Beaker in the laboratory market.

CDI Solutions 2015:
Moving Closer to Documentation Completion

Authored by: Boyd Stewart | September 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Providers approach clinical documentation improvement (CDI) in multiple ways, but all are looking to improve the same things: their physician adoption, clinical documentation specialist (CDS) productivity, chart completeness and accuracy, and case mix index (CMI). Some turn to vendors for software and workflow tools to help them manage queries and reporting; some engage consulting firms for implementations, optimization, or specialized CDS and physician training; and yet others want a one-stop CDI shop that does everything.

athenahealth vs. eClinicalWorks:
Which Suite Best Meets Your Independent Practice's Needs?

Authored by: Erik Bermudez | September 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

The ambulatory EMR market continues to be turbulent. With practice consolidations and usability worries top of mind, many providers are reanalyzing their go-forward EMR strategies. Among independent physician practices, athenahealth and eClinicalWorks are currently the primary EMRs being considered. This report compares the strengths and weaknesses of these two leaders in the independent-practice market.

Women's Imaging 2015:
Are New Technologies Delivering Promised Benefits?

Authored by: Monique Rasband and Emily Paxman | September 2015 | Read Time: 3 minutes

New technologies in women’s imaging promise to deliver better patient care and save providers time, but are these benefits truly being realized? How do the old and new technologies compare? Provider interviews shed light on vendor performance, what technologies providers feel are worth the investment, and where the market will be heading over the next two years.

MEDITECH Consulting:
Which Firms Are Ready to Support Providers' Varied Consulting Needs?

Authored by: Garrett Hall | August 2015 | Read Time: 4 minutes

MEDITECH has 19% of the overall EMR market share in the U.S.+ With three different platforms live, they have a large client base with great and varied consulting needs, from legacy support to implementation services. Last year, MEDITECH created the READY certification program to verify consultants’ knowledge of MEDITECH applications. This study explores clients’ experiences with 16 firms and 128 MEDITECH implementation and advisory projects. Which READY-certified firms excel in offering general and specific services to support MEDITECH clients on MAGIC, C/S, and 6.x?

IT Outsourcing 2015:
Strategic Partnering Boosts Operational Benefits

Authored by: Mike Smith | July 2015 | Read Time: 3 minutes

As providers adapt to changing reimbursement requirements and new models of care, many who outsource part or all of their IT environments are able to focus on and in some cases boost their performance in key operational areas such as gaining efficiencies, improving patient care, and reducing costs. In this age of new healthcare delivery, which firms stand out in providing strategic direction and needed IT services in extensive and partial outsourcing environments?

How are Providers Managing Specialty Drugs?:
A KLAS Brief on the Specialty Pharmacy Market

Authored by: Adam Cherrington | July 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Today, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for tracking and documenting the various aspects of specialty drug administration and adherence across the continuum of care. Over three-quarters of inpatient providers are already providing specialty services or planning to do so in the next two years, and with no comprehensive solution available, organizations must cobble together multiple systems to meet their specialty pharmacy needs. Which vendors/systems are providers leveraging? What types of organizations can benefit from a dedicated specialty pharmacy system? This summary gives a brief look at the current state of this emerging market.

HIM Services Performance 2015:
Coding, Transcription, Release of Information

Authored by: Boyd Stewart | June 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

While the HIM environment is changing, provider expectations of quality from HIM services firms are not. Many providers contract with multiple coding firms in anticipation of ICD-10 coder shortages, and in spite of front-end speech and EMR documentation technology benefits, many providers still need transcription services. Across the board, coding, transcription, and release of information customers are quick to move away from firms not meeting metrics. This report measures how firms in each of these categories meet client expectations and which are best at delivering quality resources and consistent service.

Implementation Potholes 2015:
How to Smooth Out the Ride

Authored by: Mike Smith | June 2015 | Read Time: 3 minutes

As nearly 1,300 U.S. hospitals consider a move to new core clinical and financial systems in the coming years, this report focuses on the common implementation potholes of specific vendors, best practices for success, and insights on the consultants who can help.

Are All Dose Monitoring Solutions Created Equal? Early Trends in an Emerging Market

Authored by: Monique Rasband | June 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Early adopters of dose monitoring solutions have found that the tools make a difference in quality improvement, protocol optimization, and patient safety. While this emerging market is still in the early stages—most vendors outside of Bayer have a small install base—KLAS data includes early indicators that vendors differ in their ability to help in those three areas.

Integration Engines 2015:
Corepoint Outperforms All BIK Winners

Authored by: Paul Pitcher | June 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Corepoint and InterSystems lead a high-performing market, where integration engine configuration needs vary widely. While most vendors meet the broad requirements, Corepoint and Cerner (Siemens) are favored by users who are reliant on drag-and-drop functionality (i.e., wizards). Infor, InterSystems, and Orion are preferred by organizations needing a broader suite of development tools. In this study, integration engine vendor performance is measured beyond basic functionality to include automation-tool strength, scalability breadth, and factors such as customer support that drive client satisfaction.

Getting More Value & Avoiding Surprises:
A Detailed Look at Imaging Vendor Performance

Authored by: Monique Rasband | May 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Providers make big imaging investments in order to establish a strong fleet of imaging modalities, and they want to know which vendors offer the greatest value—which they define as reliable technology at a fair price backed by excellent support and effective relationships. KLAS interviewed 569 providers to find out which vendors provide the most value and to uncover any potential unwelcome surprises to avoid.

Patient Portals 2015:
Who’s Driving Meaningful Patient Interaction?

Authored by: Coray Tate | April 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Today’s meaningful use requirement of patient portal access by 5% of patients is confirmed to be a fairly low bar, but a more challenging future is just beginning. Value-based care is forcing patient portals to evolve from being tools for reactive compliance to instruments that allow patients to proactively engage in their care. This report analyzes three flavors of portals (enterprise, ambulatory, and agnostic) and shows which vendors have proven to best meet current needs while also developing solutions for a more strategic tomorrow.

Revenue Cycle Services 2015:
Can Firms Help Providers Adapt to the Changing Revenue Cycle Environment?

Authored by: Boyd Stewart and Lois Krotz | April 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

The current revenue cycle environment is defined by change, whether it be the industry shift to value-based care, providers changing their RCM software solutions, or organizational operations being improved in order to increase efficiency and decrease cost. In this study, providers evaluate how well their firms help them improve collections (cash, A/R); streamline processes; decrease costs; and most importantly, evolve into a future state.

Healthcare BI:
Moving Towards the Continuum of Care

March 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

While vendor products and options in the health analytics market are broad, a few key trends stand out to healthcare providers: a gap of healthcare expertise among BI vendors, increased complexity of data aggregation, and a heightened call for analytics solutions for the continuum of care (COC). This report highlights providers’ perceptions/consideration of vendors seen as capable in these areas.

dbMotion 2015:
A Reality Check

Authored by: Mark Allphin and Colin Buckley | March 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Allscripts’ dbMotion software tackles two of the biggest challenges faced by providers today: health information exchange (HIE) and population health management (PHM). Allscripts states that dbMotion is core to their long-term strategy. Amidst high energy and high expectations, KLAS spoke with nearly half of the customers live on dbMotion to find out what is real today and what is likely ahead.

Global EMR Trends:
Which EMR Should You Choose?

Authored by: Jon Christensen, Jeremy Goff, and Lauren McConkie | February 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

KLAS has been measuring health information technology outside the United States for the past four years, focusing primarily on core clinical and administration systems (EMR/PAS) as well as on PACS. KLAS focuses on three types of research: market share (vendor contracts), mindshare (who providers are considering for purchase), and vendor performance (customer satisfaction). Take a look below at the most important global learnings KLAS uncovered in 2014.

HIM Purchasing Plans 2015:
Which Solutions are Considered for the Future?

Authored by: Boyd Stewart | February 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

HIM efficiency is at the forefront of providers’ minds, with many consolidating processes into fewer vendors’ systems, streamlining technology, and incorporating core vendor solutions when available. For this report, KLAS focused on speaking with HIM directors from organizations with 200+ beds to understand which HIM solutions are currently being used and considered for the near future.

ICD-10 Preparation:
Which Firm Has the Most Implementation Expertise?

Authored by: Boyd Stewart & Austin Cameron | February 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Clinical documentation improvement (CDI) software and services, computer assisted coding (CAC), dual coding, and expertise provided by ICD-10 implementation firms are pillars in many providers’ ICD-10 preparation road maps. This report highlights which vendors/firms are helping providers achieve the greatest success in each area.

10 Trends of 2014 You May Have Missed

Authored by: Adam Gale | February 2015 | Read Time: 9 minutes

No, I’m not talking about wearable tech, the ice bucket challenge, or Radiant Orchid (PANTONE’s 2014 color of the year). The trends that busy healthcare CIOs like you value most are the ones that will impact how you are able to do your job. And having spent the last year conducting over 18,000 interviews with healthcare providers and leaders just like you, KLAS is in a unique position to identify those trends.

2014 Midterm Performance Review:
Medical Equipment and Infrastructure

January 2015 |

The "2014 Mid-Term Performance Review: Medical Equipment & Infrastructure" report profiles medical equipment, imaging, and infrastructure vendors, providing a detailed look at the performance of each company's product line for the past 12 months.

Ambulatory EMR 2015:
Key Findings From the Past 16 Months

Authored by: Erik Bermudez | January 2015 | Read Time: 3 minutes

A lot is happening in the ambulatory EMR market. This report highlights five of the most important findings from KLAS Research in 2014.

IV Robots & Workflow Management 2014:
Is It Time to Adopt?

Authored by: Paul Hess | November 2014 |

Providers continue to see manual compounding of IV solutions as the area of the medication preparation process most vulnerable to errors. Despite the risk for compounding errors, the early adoption of IV robots and use of workflow solutions has not kept pace with the threat because of cost concerns and competing priorities. Provider interest is still high, and many wonder when, if not now, is the right time to adopt.

ACO Payers 2014:
Le Tour de Risk

Authored by: Mark Allphin | October 2014 |

Providers are moving steadily down the path of value-based care, but they vary in their readiness to take on more risk. Fortunately, commercial payers offer a range of “rides” that fit providers’ different needs, from comfortable transitions to trail-breaking endeavors. Based on conversations with 23 providers about 43 risk sharing agreements, this study examines the roles that five top national payers are playing in helping providers progress in the new world of accountability.

Cerner/Siemens Acquisition 2014:
A Side-By-Side Look at the Data

Authored by: Coray Tate | October 2014 | Read Time: 1 minute

Hundreds of providers across the globe are impacted by Cerner’s recent acquisition of Siemens. Many decisions are yet to be made on how Cerner will leverage the two companies’ offerings going forward. This report puts the data side by side as both providers and Cerner make strategic decisions about what the future holds.

Epic Consulting 2014:
The Bumper Crop of Epic Consulting Firms

Authored by: Erik Westerlind & Lois Krotz | September 2014 |

In the past two years, Epic has won 92 hospitals with over 200 beds. This market growth has led to a bumper crop of Epic consulting firms. The number of Epic consulting firms since the last KLAS Epic services study has grown from 13 to 21 fully rated firms, with another 12 firms appearing with preliminary data. Most of these firms are high performing. This study measures Epic consulting engagements from the last 18 months to show how they stack up and to assist provider organizations in selecting the firm right for them.

Radiation Therapy 2014:
The Fight Against Cancer Is Heating Up

Authored by: Monique Rasband | September 2014 |

The fight against cancer continues to be one of the fiercest in healthcare today. The battle to enable providers to be successful in that fight is gaining in intensity too. Varian has long been the market share leader, with the CyberKnife and TomoTherapy units delivering distinct options. Previously ignored by Varian and Accuray, Elekta has been strong recently, adding the Versa HD to their portfolio with strong, provider-centric support. The established vendors now recognize they are in a fight. And another fight is brewing in treatment planning: while Elekta, Philips, and Varian are striving to deliver a complete enterprise solution, newcomer RaySearch is stepping into the ring. Can Elekta continue to raise the bar? What is Varian doing to combat them? Will Philips and Accuray find an edge? KLAS spoke with 101 oncology providers to find out.

DR Mobile 2014:
Loyalty Tested

Authored by: Brady Heiner | August 2014 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Niche x-ray vendors, led by Shimadzu, are dominating the mobile x-ray space. Enterprise vendors are working to deliver a more robust portable solution that will either deter enterprise customers from changing or regain customers who have changed. Providers are looking to vendors for improved patient care, particularly in pediatrics, and an improved workflow. Who is vying with Shimadzu to take their place as leader in this space? Is GE gaining back any of the dominance they had in the heydays of the AMX 4s? Which vendors are delivering new tools and innovations? This report looks at the current state of the mobile x-ray market based on the opinions of 184 providers.

Human Capital Management 2014:
Just Efficient Is Not Sufficient

Authored by: Joe Van De Graaff & Austin Cameron | August 2014 |

Human capital management (HCM) is all about employing and managing a workforce and is the number-one cost for healthcare providers. This report differentiates vendors based on the products they offer, how well they deliver efficiency, & more.

InterSystems Global 2014:
An Early Look at TrakCare around the World

Authored by: Chris Brown | June 2014 |

InterSystems TrakCare was highlighted as the fastest-growing EMR solution outside the United States in the recently published Global EMR Market Share report from KLAS. Offering a number of modules for a lower price, the product is an attractive solution for providers. Why are so many providers selecting TrakCare? How does the product perform, and are customers getting their money’s worth? KLAS spoke to TrakCare customers worldwide to find out. This data provides an early look at the product in three global regions.

Image Exchange 2014:
Delivering Added Value in an Enterprise World

Authored by: Matt Terry | June 2014 |

As provider organizations look to implement enterprise imaging strategies, the demand for better image exchange tools and sharing capabilities is growing. Healthcare organizations want to exchange images seamlessly and quickly across disparate platforms, organizations, and users. Image exchange vendors have successfully addressed these needs to a large extent. Which image exchange vendors are delivering added value and functionality? Which have earned high loyalty in this environment of consolidation and change? KLAS has spoken with 193 providers from 166 organizations to find out.

Clinical Market Share 2014:
Competition Mounts as Markets Collide

Authored by: Colin Buckley | June 2014 | Read Time: 3 minutes

In our first report combining EMR trends in both large (over 200 beds) and small (200 beds or less) hospitals, KLAS charts the speed and direction of the acute care market in 2013.

Cardiovascular Ultrasound Product Comparison Report 2014

June 2014 |

General Imaging Ultrasound Product Comparison Report 2014

June 2014 |

Digital X-Ray Product Comparison Report 2014

June 2014 |

Digital Mammography Product Comparison Report 2014

June 2014 |

CV/IR X-Ray Product Comparison Report 2014

June 2014 |

Computed Tomography (CT) - 64-Slice Product Comparison Report 2014

June 2014 |

MR 1.5 T Product Comparison Report 2014

June 2014 |

Long-Term Care 2014:
Which vendors deliver on the fundamentals?

Authored by: Erik Bermudez & Jon Christensen | May 2014 |

Long-term care (LTC) organizations are becoming more prominent in the care continuum. As the market evolves, long-term care providers need up-to-date, easy-to-use solutions that meet fundamental needs and adapt to market demands. Which vendors best meet providers’ basic needs for usability, functionality, and support? Which are best known for development? Which best meet the needs of larger and/or smaller organizations? KLAS interviewed 154 provider organizations to find out.

Epic HIE 2014:
Everywhere, Elsewhere, or Nowhere Else?

Authored by: Mark Allphin | May 2014 |

Wide-ranging praise from customers has made Epic a top-ranked software vendor in many KLAS reports. One area, however, is often a subject of criticism: Epic’s ability to share clinical data outside of an Epic ecosystem. Among many customers and competitors, Epic has a reputation as a closed system that is unsuitable for the collaboration and interoperability seen as vital for patients and providers alike. The goal of this report is to test that reputation among organizations said to be sharing clinical data between Epic and non-Epic systems today, examine how that is being accomplished, and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of Epic’s approach. Via 28 provider interviews, we look through the eyes of both Epic customers and the non-Epic organizations with which they share patient information.

Outsourced Coding 2014:
Do You Have Enough Resources for the ICD-10 Transition?

Authored by: Boyd Stewart | March 2014 |

With the ICD-10 deadline in clear view, the outsourced coding market has never been as exciting—or as noisy—as it is today. Facing coder shortages and productivity loss, many providers are looking to outsourced coding firms to address current and anticipated coding gaps. This report explores which coding firms providers are contracting with, how they compare in various quality measures, and what providers’ future plans are with these services.

CT 2014:
What Can You Do With Less?

Authored by: Brady Heiner | March 2014 | Read Time: 4 minutes

As providers consider their CT-fleet strategy, they are looking for the best value. They want to be able to purchase and utilize a second-tier scanner for most of their needs to maximize their imaging budget. Providers want to know how often these scanners are used for advanced procedures such as cardiac, pediatric, and stroke procedures, and how well they perform. Which vendors offer the best iterative reconstruction, and which vendors are winning new business? KLAS spoke with 101 providers from 87 organizations to find out.

Epic Enters the Community Space:
Collaboration Brings Synergies with Smaller Organizations

Authored by: Paul Pitcher & Lois Krotz | February 2014 |

Until recently, Epic was largely an unattainable solution for the community hospital space. Over the past several years, independent community providers have been able to utilize full Epic capabilities (Epic Community Connect) via hosting partnerships with larger Epic clients. This report discusses how these community providers view the integration, affordability, and impact on patient care of this hosted offering.

Weathering Change:
Merge Healthcare Imaging Suite 2014

Authored by: Monique Rasband | February 2014 |

A CEO change, a new chairman of the board, and the company’s temporary exploration of strategic options, including a potential sale of the company, have given Merge customers a reason to pause. But Merge has weathered these changing conditions well. With increasing energy around partnering with a strategic imaging vendor, providers want to know how good of a partner Merge is. How do key clients see their future with Merge? How confident are customers in Merge’s executives, current technology, and road map? How well does the Merge imaging suite integrate with hospital EMRs? KLAS spoke with 147 Merge customers to gather insight on how Merge is performing. In addition, 31 key clients were interviewed to answer these questions.

Homecare 2014:
Vendor Readiness to Meet New Demands

Authored by: Erik Bermudez & Jon Christensen | January 2014 |

Homecare technology is not new. But the demands that homecare technology faces today are. This report explores vendors’ abilities to meet the development, interoperability, and value needs of today’s homecare agencies—needs that are all highly important to organizations that are exploring accountable care and population health. Which vendors are currently best positioned to meet these new pressures?

Ambulatory EMR (11-75 Physicians):
Can Any Vendor Set a High Standard?

Authored by: Mark Wagner | December 2013 |

The introduction of meaningful use has significantly impacted the EMR landscape as vendors strive to stay ahead of federal regulation. Many vendors find themselves struggling to deliver in this new model, yet a handful have risen to the challenge. This report hopes to educate providers on the current EMR performance landscape in the midsize practices.

Revenue Cycle Outsourcing 2013:
Tools, Expertise, and Resources Key to Improved Collections

December 2013 |

Providers are reaching out to revenue cycle outsourcing firms more than ever as their environments increase in complexity and the need for improved collections, greater efficiency, and accuracy grows. With some of the largest contracts signed in the past two years, the market has seen tremendous growth, resulting in over 38 organizations encompassing 460 total hospitals currently using revenue cycle outsourcing. For this report, KLAS spoke with 28 of these organizations to highlight the differences in each firm’s collection tools and strategies as well as to show strengths, weaknesses, and other differences between them.

Clinical Decision Support 2013:
Sizing Up Point-of-Care Reference Tools

Authored by: Adam Cherrington | December 2013 |

CDS reference tools play an important role in aiding caregivers by providing current information on diseases, drugs, and care plans. With a number of products on the market, which ones are being used most and why? How impactful are these tools, and how would care differ if they were gone?

EMR Technology Perception 2013:
Separating Fact From Fiction

November 2013 |

With millions of dollars in electronic medical records (EMRs) at stake as a result of meaningful use, vendors have made underlying technology a key value proposition in recent sales pitches. This value goes well beyond scalability and uptime to cover how data architectures, system flexibility, and open standards can positively impact clinical quality. Marketing campaigns appear to make compelling arguments around technology, but what is proving true with providers? To provide clarity around the facts and fiction that surround EMR product technologies, KLAS interviewed 117 progressive organizations to determine what really matters and the impact technology is having on what they are able to do.

Teleradiology 2013:
Serving the Emergency Department

November 2013 |

As government regulations expand and reimbursements shrink, some radiology groups are considering bringing night and weekend reads back in-house, and a few have already made the leap. Hospitals looking to save some money are contracting directly with teleradiology firms. Providers are looking for teleradiology firms to demonstrate their value and offer excellent service. Which vendors can take care of ED needs best? Who has the best report quality and is most consistent with turnaround times? KLAS spoke with 213 providers to find out.

Cerner Global 2013:
A Detailed Look Outside the United States

October 2013 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Providers around the globe are looking to vendors like Cerner that can provide a core EMR with a range of departmental solutions. This report on Cerner is the first in a series of studies highlighting providers’ experiences with EHR vendors outside the United States. With the intricacies that multinational companies face, how well does Cerner meet the needs of clients in different parts of the world? Are they a viable partner? Are they worth the effort and cost? To find answers to these questions, KLAS spoke with 35 provider organizations outside the United States.

Image Exchange 2013:
A Close Look at Accelarad

October 2013 | Read Time: 3 minutes

As the necessity to easily exchange images between healthcare facilities has grown, the image exchange market has been heating up. Accelarad was the first to attack the problem of image exchange, and they are the top-ranked image exchange vendor. What can providers expect when working with Accelarad? What success and challenges have providers experienced?

Accenture U.S. Provider Consulting 2013:
An Analysis of Accenture's DNA

September 2013 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Over the past several years KLAS has had little to share with providers about Accenture. While their number of engagements is fewer than some other firms’ in number, their projects tend to be large and in some cases unique due to the scope and type of work being performed. Accenture’s approach is to be a meaningful all-around partner to a limited number of clients. For this research KLAS interviewed senior executives from most of Accenture’s largest U.S. provider clients to obtain insights regarding their experience and the work performed.

McKesson Paragon 2013:
Balancing the Risk & the Reward

September 2013 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Since McKesson’s Better Health 2020 announcement, many large Horizon customers have wondered whether Paragon is a viable option for them. Can Paragon really scale to meet the needs of larger hospitals? What risk would hospitals be taking to get a more affordable price? What are their peers doing? To answer these questions, KLAS spoke with 44 Paragon organizations (16 over 200 beds, 28 under 200 beds).

PatientKeeper 2013:
A New Take on Inpatient CPOE

September 2013 | Read Time: 3 minutes

PatientKeeper offers a CPOE overlay that is used in conjunction with an existing EMR. Is this a viable option for hospitals struggling to get CPOE adoption with their current EMR solution? KLAS spoke with all six organizations using PatientKeeper CPOE as of August 2013, getting perspectives from six IT professionals/decision makers and five physicians, to find out.

Image Archive 2013:
Finding Out What Is In Store For VNA

September 2013 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Image-storage needs are evolving from consolidating separate archives to supporting multiple formats, vendors, and platforms. Providers expect to see a positive ROI, scalability, and consistent development. Where can providers turn? Can their existing PACS vendor meet their needs? Or must they choose an archive-only solution? KLAS spoke with 150 providers to find out.

Advanced Visualization 2013:
How Advanced Is It?

August 2013 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Advanced visualization software (AVS) is evolving and growing quickly as vendors add more functionality and tools for different types of procedures and modalities. Providers are looking to consolidate vendors, and two-thirds said they would even consider using the AVS for their primary reading environment, but only if and when complete functionality is offered. How far are vendors from offering a complete system? Are major imaging players Siemens, Philips, and GE Healthcare ahead of the game in functionality and service? Or are best-of-breed vendors Vital and TeraRecon better at meeting providers’ needs?

CDS Surveillance 2013:
Impacting Outcomes

July 2013 | Read Time: 4 minutes

As clinical outcomes are being readily tied to reimbursement, surveillance tools have continued to expand in breadth and depth of usage. KLAS defines surveillance as solutions that monitor patient parameters and call attention to pertinent changes in patient conditions in order to facilitate early interventions by clinicians. Many providers are using third-party products while others are opting to leverage their EMRs. KLAS interviewed over 140 providers using surveillance specific products or surveillance functionality within their EMR to better answer the following questions: How big of an impact is surveillance having today? How capable are these systems out of the box? How easy are they to customize?

Cerner CommunityWorks 2013:
Newer Kid on the Block

June 2013 | Read Time: 3 minutes

While relatively new to the market, Cerner CommunityWorks is quickly gaining traction, especially in critical access and somewhat larger organizations. Its unique model of a hosted solution in conjunction with requisite Application Management Services (AMS) offers a fully integrated solution supporting physician and hospital, clinical and revenue cycle environments. Although provider interest is high, many questions remain. Via detailed conversations with CommunityWorks users, this report deciphers the successes, struggles, and unique aspects associated with this offering.

Telehealth 2013:
Piecing the Puzzle Together

June 2013 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Telehealth captures the attention of many provider organizations today. With healthcare reform adding approximately 25 million insured patients and increasing accountability, providers are beginning to see telehealth as an affordable and practical solution to meet these new demands. What challenges do providers currently face? What solutions are on the market? And how might telehealth evolve KLAS randomly interviewed 121 health systems across the U.S. to learn the answers and better understand how providers are perceiving this market.

UK GP System Performance 2013:
Making An Informed Decision

June 2013 | Read Time: 3 minutes

In an effort to ensure that their GP systems are equipped for delivering quality patient care, many GPs across the UK are exploring their options. KLAS interviewed providers from 102 GP practices to offer greater transparency into supplier system performance. Which suppliers lead in system functionality, service, training, and up-to-date technology?

MEDITECH 6.0:
A Lot of Ground to Cover

May 2013 | Read Time: 3 minutes

MEDITECH promises 6.0 to be the fully integrated, cost-effective, user-friendly answer for today’s healthcare. With providers facing increasing pressure from meaningful use (MU), value-based purchasing, and accountable care, it has never been more important for vendors to deliver on their promises. After three years on the market, how well is MEDITECH 6.0 delivering the advanced clinical usability providers were promised? How does 6.0 compare to MAGIC and C/S, as well as other EMRs on the market? Is MEDITECH 6.0 becoming the EMR of choice to solve today’s healthcare needs?

ECG 2013:
Interfacing Is the Heart of the Matter

May 2013 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Providers want their ECG data management systems to connect more easily to their EMR to improve efficiency. Also, providers are looking for more flexibility and interoperability between carts and data management systems, along with wireless capabilities. Which vendors are meeting those needs and expectations in regard to flexibility, interoperability, and functionality? KLAS spoke with 163 providers at 154 healthcare organizations about their ECG carts and data management systems to find out.

Post-Acute Care Perception 2013:
High Hopes and Big Plans

April 2013 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Despite its reputation for complex regulations and slim profit margins, post–acute care is a renewed area of interest for health systems that see it as a critical part of their accountable care strategies. KLAS interviewed 77 hospitals and 51 standalone post–acute care facilities to better understand their plans, challenges, and technology decisions. Among the gaps in enterprise and best-of-breed solutions, what paths are providers taking?

Patient Flow 2013:
Mapping Hospital Operations

April 2013 | Read Time: 2 minutes

In the hospital maze, operations staff members need dynamic maps to see patient movement clearly. Provider focus to improve efficiency and operational capacity has pushed adoption of patient flow software, and few providers would look back. KLAS interviewed 134 providers to ask which vendors offer the best bed management, environmental services (EVS), patient transport, and transfer/access center functionality.

UK PACS 2013:
The View Is Changing

April 2013 | Read Time: 4 minutes

In the UK, many healthcare trusts are currently under regional contracts with a licensed service provider (LSP). These PACS contracts are starting to come up for renewal this summer and over the next couple of years, which means hundreds of millions of pounds in imaging IT business. Trusts and individual hospitals are taking a serious look at their options. Clinicians and IT professionals wonder about the track record of and new entrants to the UK PACS market. Which suppliers are best positioned to pick up new business in the UK? KLAS spoke with 93 providers from the UK to find out.

Echocardiography 2013:
2D or Not 2D?

March 2013 | Read Time: 4 minutes

With cost pressures and radiography dose concerns growing, echocardiography continues to be a key in diagnosing heart conditions. Providers are wondering what new echo technologies are proving to be most beneficial. With new offerings of 3D/4D imaging and TEE, who is delivering? KLAS spoke with 172 providers to find out.

Cloud Computing Perception:
The Hybrid Cloud in Healthcare

March 2013 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Adoption of the cloud in healthcare is slowly growing as concerns over security, performance, and data control still loom in providers’ minds. This report asked providers about cloud solutions for their clinical and ERP needs and found that just over one-third of the market has adopted attributes of cloud computing—mostly hybrid cloud computing —for these solutions. This report explores the dynamics of providers using cloud technology as well as the strategies and concerns of those providers who are not currently using cloud technology.

UK and Ireland EPR/PAS Performance 2013:
A Peer Review of Current Experience

Authored by: Chris Brown | February 2013 | Read Time: 4 minutes

In 2012, 50% of interviewed trusts reported plans to acquire an EPR and PAS in the next 24 months. Key questions providers asked included: Can CSC finally deliver Lorenzo? How does Cerner perform outside of NPfIT? What other suppliers can deliver, outside of Cerner and CSC? KLAS interviewed 45 trusts in the UK and Ireland on their current performance and gathered enough information to report on the following suppliers: Cerner, CSC, and MEDITECH.

Agfa HealthCare 2013:
Partnering With Agfa in 2013

February 2013 | Read Time: 4 minutes

As needs evolve for imaging departments, providers are looking for long-term vendor partners that can articulate and execute a strategic vision as a sole source across several solutions. Many vendors have mastered the ability to articulate a vision, but can they truly help their clients achieve the anticipated success? Agfa customers are asking this question. In this study, we will be looking at the full spectrum of deliverables offered by Agfa. Has Agfa achieved a strategic vision with their customers? Do their current customers see them as an excellent partner? And where is Agfa headed?

EDIS 2013:
Revealing the Physicians' Voice

February 2013 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Hospitals are moving toward integrated enterprise platforms, and many are including the EDIS in that decision. But what impact does that replacement have on the ED physician? This report—KLAS’ first to review ED systems strictly through the eyes of the physician—compares the differences between enterprise and best-of-breed (BoB) offerings in facilitating ED efficiency, documentation quality, patient safety, and interoperability.

ICD-10 Perception:
Can Technology Relieve Readiness Issues?

December 2012 | Read Time: 4 minutes

The national switch from ICD-9 to ICD-10 rivals the complexity of a heart transplant, with every healthcare organization in the country soberly asking itself if it will survive the surgery. With the deadline being pushed back to 2014, how have providers’ strategies shifted? Is there a shortcut to ICD-10 preparedness? How well are vendors stepping up to help?

Radiology PACS Technology:
The World Looks Under The Covers

November 2012 |

According to InMedica¹, the PACS, RIS, and CVIS markets are estimated to be billion dollar markets each year over the next five years. With big opportunities for PACS replacement and adoption in the UK, the Middle East, and parts of South America and Asia, providers are looking for resources that will help them make the best healthcare IT decisions and inform them of which vendors are best suited for their needs. KLAS has seen global provider requests and participation increase significantly over the last several years.

Siemens CT:
How Stellar Can A Detector Be?

November 2012 | Read Time: 4 minutes

This KLAS technology review is a first peek globally at Siemens’ new Stellar Detector, a part of the new single-detector SOMATOM Definition Edge and dual-source Definition Flash, as well as an optional upgrade for existing SOMATOM Definition Flash and AS scanners. Specifically, we asked what value in patient care a new detector can have on a decades-old but highly reliable imaging modality. Moreover, how quickly can providers ascertain this value in an environment that increasingly demands real-time or near real-time information?

KLAS Pharmacy Buyers Guide 2012

November 2012 |

From pharmacy automation to smart pumps to medication administration, the "2012 KLAS Pharmacy Buyers Guide" features ratings for more than 100 software packages and equipment offerings, all based on the feedback of thousands of healthcare providers.

KLAS Medical Imaging Buyers Guide 2012

November 2012 |

From CT to ultrasound to PACS, the "2012 KLAS Medical Imaging Buyers Guide" features product ratings for hundreds of modalities and software packages.

Intelerad InteleOne:
A KLAS Innovation Review

October 2012 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Intelerad® InteleOne® is an interoperable HL7 DICOM automation solution designed to weave disparate PACS and RIS solutions together into a single enterprise radiology workflow platform, with a goal of achieving greater efficiency, getting quicker study turnaround times, and delivering better patient care. Rather than signing in and out of different PACS solutions all with their own idiosyncrasies, radiologists can sign into one system and see their reads for the day.

Mobile Healthcare Applications:
Can Enterprise Vendors Keep Up?

October 2012 |

Mobile devices have exploded into healthcare and are affecting all providers. As physicians work to improve outcomes and be more efficient, effective, and flexible in their delivery of healthcare, they are increasingly looking for ways to integrate mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets into their workflow. Seventy percent of respondents indicated that they are using mobile devices to access clinical applications from almost every major EMR vendor (Allscripts, Cerner, Epic, GE, McKesson, MEDITECH, and Siemens), and more providers use Apple than any other device. Apple’s dominance has been fueled by healthcare user preference as physicians bring their own devices (BYOD) into organizations to help them provide patient care.

England’s EPR Perception 2012:
Supplier Mindshare Post NPfIT

October 2012 |

The climate in England is r ipe for change —with nearly 50% of surveyed trusts going to tender in the next 24 months for an EPR solution and another third going to tender by 2015. In addition, 89% were looking to change their patient administrat ion system (PAS) at the same time, with many looking for an integrated EPR/PAS solution. The vast majority of trusts will be contracting directly with their EPR supplier for the software, implementation, and ongoing support. KLAS spoke with approximately 25% of the acute care trusts in England about their upcoming tenders.

Anesthesia Cabinets:
Is My Automation Vendor Ready?

September 2012 | Read Time: 4 minutes

A KLAS Brief distills the most important trends and data from an emerging market into an easily digested two-page report. KLAS Brief purchasers also receive access to a corresponding webinar detailing findings and a Q&A session with the brief’s author.

Rapid Growth of Meaningful Use Consulting:
Why Providers Are Reaching Out

July 2012 |

To be frank, providers need help attesting for meaningful use (MU) Stage 1 and beyond. Most have not yet attested, and many who originally decided to tackle MU implementations, optimizations, and other projects on their own are feeling overstretched and overwhelmed and are scrambling for third-party assistance. One CFO said, “We were struggling to do the implementation ourselves, and I ultimately bit the bullet and hired Cumberland to come in and help us get our act together. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my professional career.”

HIE Consulting:
Leveraging Third-Party Expertise for HIE Success

June 2012 | Read Time: 4 minutes

A KLAS Brief distills the most important trends and data from an emerging market into an easily digested two-page report. KLAS Brief purchasers also receive access to a corresponding webinar detailing findings and a Q&A session with the brief’s author.

Navigating the Sea of Epic Consulting Firms

May 2012 |

Demand is at an all-time high for Epic consultants. KLAS verified an unbelievable 45 firms doing Epic-related work, and there are certainly additional firms and a host of independent consultants that KLAS has not yet validated. Epic’s customers are often large hospitals/health systems with strong IT teams, but the size and complexity of the Epic installs combined with pressing timelines have created a strong need for additional firepower—from a large implementation force running the show to project managers to just a boost in manpower.

SaaS EMR 2012:
Is It For You?

May 2012 |

KLAS spoke with over 260 healthcare providers that are currently using SaaS EMR.

Proton Therapy 2012:
Dollars, Decisions, and Debates

April 2012 |

With only 10 live centers in the U.S., speculation about the required investment and effectiveness of proton therapy is plentiful, but actual facts are in short supply. In the cancer treatment world, proton therapy is a hot topic; it is critical for some patients, as well as expensive and controversial.

Microsoft Amalga 2012:
The Price of Flexibility

April 2012 |

Amalga predates the latest healthcare reforms and seems tailor-made to meet these needs, yet the platform has experienced halting adoption and mixed success and—to some observers—still suffers an identity crisis. Given Amalga’s potential yet lack of progress, KLAS felt providers would benefit from a closer look at Amalga’s story. We spoke with 16 organizations, representing 75 percent of live customers—in an effort to understand what attracted them to Amalga, what was delivered, and why some have experienced success and others only regret.

Urgent Care 2012:
A Host of EMR Options

March 2012 |

Estimates suggest 9,000 urgent care centers exist today in America, with approximately 86% indicating plans for additional locations, larger facilities, or simply increased volume. Urgent care centers select from a host of EMR options, including best-of-breed systems, EDIS solutions, or ambulatory offerings. KLAS interviewed 76 urgent care organizations to determine what types of urgent care EMR solutions are best meeting providers’ needs, focusing on best-of-breed vendors CodoniX, DocuTAP, and Practice Velocity.

Meaningful Use Attestation 2012:
Early Birds Take Flight

February 2012 |

At present, meaningful use (MU) is one of the most focused-on initiatives in American healthcare. As of November 2011, 833 (or roughly 14%) of U.S. hospitals have attested to meeting Stage 1 requirements, with many more lining up to follow. CMS data shows that both large and small hospital vendors found success in the first year of MU attestation. Hospitals using Allscripts, Healthland, HMS, McKesson, and Siemens were slower to take off than others using Cerner, CPSI, Epic, and MEDITECH. Why are some vendors ahead and others behind? Which providers felt their vendor was prepared to attest, and who weathered a few storms? And how confident are providers in their vendor for meeting Stages 1–2? KLAS interviewed 104 successful provider attesters to find out.

Paragon:
A Paradigm Shift

February 2012 |

In some ways, Paragon is like McKesson’s growing teenager: McKesson is investing a lot of money in Paragon and it is developing rapidly and starting to get a deep voice, but some elements are not fully developed or have just recently bloomed. The increased multimillion dollar investment in Paragon was announced in December 2011 as part of McKesson’s Better Health 2020 strategy; the rapid growth is seen in the fact that Paragon’s customer base has nearly quadrupled over the last five years and in the accelerated delivery of Paragon functionality; the immaturity is manifest with product gaps in ambulatory, HR, and physician documentation (which was recently released in December 2011) and weaknesses with ED and lab.

Medical Device Integration 2012:
Proven Connections

February 2012 |

Going into 2012, one could argue that the healthcare world’s dominant concern is cost. The industry is awash with grand initiatives such as meaningful use, health information exchange, accountable care organizations, and more, all of which aim to make healthcare more efficient while improving quality. In a simple, more immediate way, some healthcare providers are quietly getting a bump in quality and efficiency through medical device integration systems (MDIS).

Application Hosting:
Dynamic Changes Bring Providers Better Options

December 2011 |

The application hosting market has seen tremendous changes over the past two years. Performance has shifted dramatically for nearly every hosting provider measured, with some service firms now better rivaling the traditionally high-performing software vendors. Additionally, there have been three major changes in the market landscape, with Xerox acquiring ACS, Allscripts partnering with ACS for the latter to run its hosting business, and Velocity acquiring NaviSite’s Lawson hosting unit.

HIE Perception 2011:
Public or Private?

December 2011 |

In the 2010 health information exchange (HIE) study, the loudest concern among providers looking at HIE options was how technologically savvy the vendor was. HIEs were largely seen as nebulous with little proven experience. Although the waters are still a little muddy a year later, vendors now offer more proven technology and experience, which seems to have shifted providers’ primary concerns away from technology and toward cost and long-term viability. In this study, the story splits into public versus private HIE models. Diverse provider needs lend to different HIE types, and while there is some overlap, most vendors play either to the private or public area. Of the famous five Ws, the biggest question is, who? Who can get the job done the fastest and cheapest, while leaving providers the most control?

Path to Cloud Computing Foggy:
Perception Study 2011

November 2011 |

What is cloud computing? The term has been around for nearly a decade in the industrial, financial, construction, and software industries, but its entrance into healthcare is only a few years old. Despite all the cloud washing(the practice of rebranding ASP or application hosting services as cloud solutions) that is happening in the IT world right now, there is still some confusion among providers as to exactly what cloud computing is, its potential application within healthcare, and how providers have utilized it thus far.

MEDITECH V.6 2011:
Expectations Meet Reality

September 2011 |

With the largest hospital EMR market share, MEDITECH impacts more hospitals and patients than most other vendors. Key to MEDITECH’s popularity has been clients’ willingness to accept weak clinical usability in exchange for affordability and stability. Recently, however, government pressures to advance meaningful use (MU) have pushed clients to demand more. In answer, MEDITECH has been rolling out an upgraded platform now referred to as v.6. Sales seem brisk, with over 50 sites live and another 150 contracted. At the same time, some v.6 customers have canceled go lives mid-implementation, and other large, long-time MEDITECH customers are demoing competing products or jumping the MEDITECH ship entirely. These kind of decisions were rarely heard of in the past and providers are asking, “Is v.6 ready?”

Epic Beaker:
Ready or Not?

August 2011 |

The laboratory market typically sees little movement. Because of the expense and complexity from a laboratory system’s deep penetration into a hospital, laboratory systems are not changed frequently. If providers do change, it is rarely from a more sophisticated solution to a more immature one. One product that seems to be bucking that trend is Epic Beaker, Epic’s newly available laboratory solution. Of surveyed Epic hospitals currently using other laboratory solutions, over half are preparing to make the switch from their current laboratory solution to Epic—most within the next one to two years—despite noting its current immaturity in comparison to their more advanced solutions.

CPOE 2011:
The ARRA Effect

July 2011 |

In the years leading up to the passage of ARRA, computerized physician order entry (CPOE) was considered a best practice in the U.S. healthcare market, but CPOE adoption among U.S. providers was increasing at only a leisurely pace. Typically larger or more advanced organizations were making CPOE progress, while the rest of the market saw CPOE as something they would do eventually, but they were in no hurry. By the end of 2008, only an estimated 12.5% of U.S. hospitals were live on CPOE.

Inventory Management in Pharmacy Automation:
Seeking Efficiency in a Complex Process

July 2011 |

One organization described saving over $1 million from improving their inventory management system, while another described losing thousands of dollars from drug overstock and inventory inefficiency. How are providers moving from the more common second scenario to the first? With providers tightening belts all around, many want to improve their bottom line through better drug inventory management. Pharmacies want to decrease inventory on hand—“money on the shelf”—and expired medications—“money in the trash.” However, the best approach is not obvious.

PET/CT 2011:
New Technologies in Focus

July 2011 |

Medical imaging reconciles a multitude of challenges; however, the obstacles that Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) has to confront are unique. Advanced technology and proactive service have launched these scanners ahead of their current patient volumes. KLAS spoke with medical professionals in order to understand how the recent refinements in PET/CT have affected providers and what providers are doing to take full advantage of this relatively new pairing.

Clinical Implementation Services:
High in Demand but More Specialized in Need

June 2011 |

The need for consultants with specialized and vendor-specific expertise is growing. Increasing amounts of community hospitals and hospitals under 500 beds are acquiring and implementing EMRs, and they are reaching out to consultants for guidance and assistance. Many larger hospitals needing clinical documentation and CPOE assistance are seeking consultants to assist in a supportive capacity. Consequently, this environment has produced an increasing number of overall projects, but fewer projects in which firms take the lead in large-scale implementations.

Extended Business Office Services:
Money Talks

April 2011 |

Most healthcare provider organizations use third-party firms for Extended Business Office Services (EBOS), but the engagements are varied. These services range from temporary project-based work, such as netting down A/R or handling batches of legacy receivables, to continual assistance with things like financial clearance or ongoing A/R follow-up of a certain insurer, age, or dollar amount. Just as there is a wide variety of services that business process outsourcing (BPO) firms offer, there is a wide variety of firms from which providers can choose. The 90 provider survey respondents in this study identified a total of 21 total firms they were utilizing, of which 10 qualified to be included in this report (7 ranked and 3 for early trending). To make the landscape even more complex, many of these BPO firms specialize in one or two revenue cycle services and in certain facility sizes.

Internal Wireless Voice Communication System:
Improving Patient Care and Satisfaction by Staying Connected

February 2011 |

Only a decade ago, contemplating a switch from traditional telephone systems to wireless VoIP technology made most healthcare IT executives squirm. Many viewed sole reliance on unproven wireless IP telephony as a significant risk, especially when considering how crucial voice communications are to the inner workings of a hospital. Providers were just starting to implement wireless networks for the most basic usage, and most were not considering the additional technical requirements of wireless VoIP.

Winning with Service and Reliability:
CR Review 2011

February 2011 |

X-ray continues to be the primary diagnostic imaging resource of choice. To that end, Computed Radiography (CR) technology has proven to be a cost-effective way to extend the life and ROI of x-ray equipment. This is increasingly relevant as hospitals face the pressure of improving outcomes and meeting the demands of meaningful use, healthcare reform, and lower reimbursements.

A Provider's Guide to MEDITECH Consulting Firms

December 2010 |

How does a vendor help ensure that over 1,000 hospital clients qualify for stimulus funding? Many MEDITECH clients look to MEDITECH for help meeting requirements in areas such as CPOE, only to discover the vendor is too stretched and unable to assist. How does MEDITECH move over a thousand hospitals to their new v.6, or at least help providers get all the components installed to qualify using MAGIC 5.6.4? One answer to these questions may lie in the extra manpower and expertise consulting firms can provide. But which one should a hospital use? Big bucks and meaningful use (MU) qualification are on the line, so getting it right the first time is critical.

Enterprise Scheduling:
Best-of-Breeds and Shifting Provider Strategies

December 2010 |

Patient access—scheduling, admissions, and registration—is on the minds of many healthcare providers as they look for ways to operate more efficiently. Scheduling systems, in particular, are becoming more central to the patient-access process. Healthcare organizations are finding that these solutions can have a tremendous impact on the revenue cycle process, clinician productivity, strategic use of human and material resources, patient throughput and satisfaction, and, ultimately, the bottom line.

Surgery Management 2010:
In Pursuit of Advanced Functionality

December 2010 |

In the overall picture of a hospital, the surgery department plays a critical role. Not only does it have a substantial financial impact on the hospital, it is a critical point of care for patients—a point where clinician actions can significantly impact patients’ lives. Because so much rides on a well-run surgery department, a hospital’s surgery management system plays an important role in that hospital’s ability to meet both its financial and clinical goals.

Single Sign On:
To Identity Management and Beyond

December 2010 |

Faster logins, increased productivity, enhanced clinical workflow, and improved security are among the benefits providers seek in single sign-on (SSO) technologies. As in 2008, when KLAS first published research on the SSO market, increasing numbers of providers continue to report that these solutions free clinicians from many repetitive tasks associated with logging into applications to access patient information. This freedom allows clinicians to focus more on patient care and their own workflow without being encumbered by technology. SSO prevents users from having to enter multiple usernames and passwords and, when implemented and used correctly, can greatly reduce the number of clicks required to access clinical systems.

Transcription Services:
Competition, Technology, Consolidation

November 2010 |

Providers are more satisfied with their transcription vendors than they have ever been, and competition at the top has heated up. However, providers have also shown that their needs are changing. While quality, turnaround times, and service continue to heavily influence satisfaction, evolving technology has emerged as a likely differentiator.

RAC Management Vendors:
Early Leaders Among Rising Awareness

November 2010 |

What for years was perceived by many healthcare institutions as a distant concern has finally arrived. The long-dreaded Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program is picking up steam, bolstered by a federal mandate that all states must establish fully operational RAC programs by April 1, 2011. Originally conducted as a three-year demonstration program in just a handful of states, RAC audits have now been made permanent by the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006. This process dictates that RAC audits now be conducted in all 50 states in an effort to identify improper Medicare payments. Any home health agency, physician office, durable medical equipment company, or other organization that bills Medicare could be a target for these audits.

Siemens Soarian:
Making Strides in Clinical Adoption

November 2010 |

Since its release in 2001, the story of Siemens Soarian has been one of ups and downs. When the solution was first introduced to the market, it generated quite a bit of excitement, and expectations were high. But in the early years, Siemens was unable to meet those high expectations. Early adopters complained of system instability, and Siemens failed to meet development deadlines.

Personal Health Records (PHRs):
Strategies Taking Shape

November 2010 |

Autumn is here and colorful leaves are falling. When trying to rake leaves in the wind, people may have a terrific rake and a smooth lawn, but the leaves will travel with the wind. So it is with personal health record (PHR) adoption by the general population. Recent stimulus dollars have energized PHRs as a way to deliver patient data from an electronic medical record (EMR), ultimately giving consumers control of their own medical information, but building a PHR that patients will fully use is often like trying to create a tidy pile of leaves in a windstorm. KLAS interviewed 120 acute care organizations, representing over 750 hospitals, about their PHR intentions. Close to 90 percent have PHRs on their minds and are starting pilots or actively formulating a plan, while just over 10 percent have no plans and are not investing time or energy on PHRs.

Shifting Demand for Consultants:
Who's Hot, Who's Not, and Why

May 2010 |

At its introduction, the electronic medical record (EMR) provoked a ground swell of large-scale EMR implementations, mostly dominated by five professional services firms (PSFs): Accenture, ACS, CTG, FCG, and IBM. Now the bulk of EMR implementations—large projects, big budgets, major firms—is nearly gone. The market landscape is different, with smaller clients, more limited projects, and a multitude of firms. Acquisitions have diffused talent across many smaller firms, who are taking a bite of the pie once owned by a select few.

Getting to Stimulus Funding:
Which Consultants Can Help?

March 2010 |

Over 90 percent of acute care hospitals in the U.S. have work to do to clear the CMS-proposed CPOE adoption hurdle. For some, their work will just be an internal focus and rollout using their own staff. For others, it will require outside resources, mostly from third-party consulting firms. Many will make major investments in a professional services firm (PSF) to lead and staff the CPOE rollout from planning, project management, software implementation, and training to a live CPOE implementation, including clinical transformation. This report will address the major PSFs, providing past performance scores where available. The information should help hospitals and IDNs, whether they are looking for advisory services and staff augmentation or for full project delivery, to achieve the CMS-proposed CPOE levels. The goal of this study is to break the information down into bite-sized pieces for the provider community.

KLAS HIT Buyers Guide 2010

February 2010 |

From EMRs to clearinghouse services to PACS, the KLAS HIT Buyers Guide features product ratings for over 700 software packages and services offerings. At HIMSS 2010 and beyond, the buyers guide is a resource to help healthcare providers get past the hype and make informed technology decisions. The guide features objective ratings for each software vendor’s implementation, service and product quality, and each services vendor's sales, delivery and communication – all based on the feedback of thousands of healthcare providers.

Allscripts:
The Merger, the Upgrade and What it Means Today

November 2009 |

In the midst of the current electronic health record (EHR) frenzy, the recently merged Allscripts-Misys Healthcare Solutions controls the largest ambulatory EMR/EHR client base. Allscripts is also the most-often-considered vendor in the market today, with a historical reputation of flexible software and solid support. At the time the merger with Misys was announced, Allscripts was also engaged in a major overhaul of its Enterprise EHR (TouchWorks). Today, as the dust from that merger continues to settle and many customers contemplate an upgrade to v.11, it can be difficult to get a clear picture of the Allscripts world from a user perspective; and with HITECH deadlines looming, that clear picture is more crucial now than ever before.

Toshiba:
Earning a Seat at the Table

October 2009 |

GE, Philips, and Siemens represent the Big 3 of imaging equipment, but Toshiba is making its way to the negotiating table, often on equal footing, and finding success. As stated by one radiology director, “Toshiba has really come on well lately in this market. There are the big three vendors, plus Toshiba.” This statement is not a new phenomenon. When KLAS officially began monitoring the performance of medical equipment vendors in 2006, the excellent client satisfaction scores Toshiba received were quickly noticed. Yet, many imaging departments outside of Toshiba’s core clients did not have a deep understanding of what Toshiba offered.

Enterprise DMI:
Finding the Right Stepping-Stone to Full EMR

October 2009 |

More than 30 healthcare IT (HIT) vendors offer DMI solutions, but which solutions best serve as a stepping-stone between a paper record and a full EMR? Does one DMI product/vendor offer a sure bet for success? According to provider feedback, almost any organization can find DMI success with either of the top-performing products on the market, MedPlus ChartMaxx or Hyland OnBase. Both vendors exhibit a consistent track record of performance; however, depending on an organization’s goals and resources, other DMI solutions may provide a better fit.

Closing the IT Gap:
Critical Access to 50 Bed Hospitals

July 2009 |

Despite the fact that hospitals with fewer than 50 beds comprise an underserved market segment, they will be held to the same standards of meaningful use as larger hospitals, and will therefore be as affected—or more so—if they are unable to demonstrate meaningful use in coming years. For those hospitals without an EMR, it could take years to achieve meaningful use, which might not be fast enough to qualify for the first round of stimulus disbursements or meet required outcome improvements. With that timeline in mind, hospitals are looking for vendors that will deliver strong clinical functionality, including physician and nursing documentation, bar coding at the point of care, and CPOE. All of these items will collectively help clients improve outcomes while achieving meaningful use, and thereby qualify for stimulus funds. At the same time, hospitals need to meet the ever-growing challenges associated with the revenue cycle and its increasingly complex regulatory requirements.

Meditech Version 6:
A Strong Step Forward?

July 2009 |

What is happening with the new Meditech version 6 platform, and how could it help me? Hospital CIOs frequently ask this question as they search for any and all information regarding Meditech’s latest offering. Intense interest from many of the 2,000+ Meditech clients motivated KLAS to engage in focused research on the new Meditech platform: What are the initial reactions of the first version 6 clients? Why are some Meditech clients committed to version 6, while others are migrating to other vendor strategies?

Staying on Target with ERP Implementations:
A Report on Healthcare Consulting Firms

June 2009 |

Providers’ demands for today’s financial enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation services are significantly different from what they were just a few years ago. Projects are now smaller, the consultant’s role is less extensive, and the skill sets are more specialized. The landscape for this arena is changing as new modules are coming online and the definition of financial ERP is expanding. Some consulting firms have adapted and excelled, while the software vendors have struggled to adapt their approaches and to deliver the needed expertise.

Executive Reaction to the Stimulus Package 2009

May 2009 |

The ARRA is causing whiplash as provider executives change direction, accelerate "meaningful use" plans, or abruptly stop or scale back other plans. The dramatic 2008 economic downturn redirected hospital executives into a survival mode, but the future reimbursement changes per the ARRA have caused a violent shock in the market.

For Better or Worse:
A Report for Providers on Healthcare IT Mergers and Acquisitions

March 2009 |

When a healthcare provider has made a significant investment in an IT system or consulting service, the prospect of that system's vendor being acquired raises a number of questions, from what will happen to key management relationships to how will the move affect product development plans?

KLAS EMR Toolkit:
A Healthcare Provider Resource for Stimulus-Related Technology Decisions

March 2009 |

While a host of questions remain unanswered about the impact of the recently signed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and its effect on healthcare IT (HIT) spending, many healthcare providers are already closely examining what the new stimulus package might mean to their facilities.

The Rise of eClinicalWorks:
Separating Fact from Fiction

March 2009 |

In just a few years, eClinicalWorks has gone from primarily a small physician practice solution with limited mindshare to one of the most considered solutions for any size or type of organization with physician practice EMR needs. Some liken the provider response to eClinicalWorks to the first reactions to Epic in its early days. It is rare to see a vendor with such a market impact in KLAS research.

Maximizing Your Consulting Investment:
A Report on Healthcare IT Consulting Services

February 2009 |

While many new choices lack name recognition among providers, a little homework may lead a CIO to a high-performing firm with great value. The purpose of this HIT consulting services report is to provide clarity and differentiation to the market and to act as a guide to CIOs and other healthcare executives as they evaluate consulting firms across seven key service areas.

Beyond the CIS:
Why are hospitals buying aggregation solutions

January 2009 |

In KLAS' 2009 "Beyond the CIS: Why are hospitals buying aggregation solutions? Report", healthcare providers share their thoughts on and experiences with the various aggregation solutions on the market.

High-Volume Unit Dose Packaging 2008

September 2008 |

On February 25, 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a landmark release that outlined the rules governing barcode requirements for human drugs and blood. The new rule requires certain human drug and biological product labels to have barcodes. This rule applies to manufacturers, repackers, relabelers, and private label distributers of prescription drug products and over-the-counter drugs. However, while the barcode requirement is mandatory for packaged shipments from the manufacturer, it is not mandatory at the unit dose level.

Medication Administration Barcoding at the Point Of Contact (BPOC) 2008

January 2008 |

Since 2003, KLAS has been monitoring the Medication Administration Barcoding at the point of contact (BPOC) market. In this report, KLAS set out to discover what changes were occurring in marketplace as well as the successes and struggles healthcare providers were encountering. The investigation includes vendor performance ratings from their healthcare providers, bar-code technology implementation time, management reports and interfaces. This 318 page report also features provider feedback relating to labeling unit dose medications and scanning compliance.

CVIS Perception 2007

December 2007 |

In this cardiovascular information system (CVIS) perception study, KLAS focuses on provider perceptions rather than actual performance scores in the marketplace. KLAS set out to answer prevalent provider questions regarding CVIS in this report. What constitutes a complete, integrated CVIS? What are the essential CVIS components? Which vendors are closest to developing a truly integrated CVIS? How close are they? What strategies are hospitals employing to piece together a CVIS?

Top 20:
2007 Best in KLAS

December 2007 |

The "2007 Year-End Top 20 Best in KLAS Report" is a summary of performance data collected over the past 13 months from healthcare professionals and IT Executives. Included in the report is a ranking of the Top 20 vendors overall, as well as a ranking of the top vendors in key areas of performance.

Hand-Carried Ultrasound 2007

November 2007 |

This Hand Carried Ultrasound (HCU) Study is a direct result of the demand from the provider community for KLAS to look into the HCU market. Providers wanted to know which vendors played major roles in the market and what type of experiences providers were having with HCU.

Cardiology PACS 2007

October 2007 |

As healthcare providers continue to scramble to find clinical efficiencies and operational effectiveness improvements in cardiology services, market needs expand beyond the cath and echo modalities into vascular, peripheral vascular and nuclear cardiology areas, providers more aggressively seek remote and Web access to imaging as well as reports and frustration increases with the lack of interface.

Ambulatory EMR (100+) 2007

September 2007 | Read Time: 1 minute

Provider organizations with an EMR report using 85 percent of its functionality- but what exactly are they using? Which vendors lead adoption? What are the impediments to adoption? How does a new EMR impact physician workflow? Just how satisfied are providers, especially physicians? And what about that ever-nagging integration question?

Nursing Adoption of IT:
A Look from the Inside Out 2007

July 2007 |

Nursing patient care solutions... How deep? How satisfied? Eighty-eight percent of acute organizations investing in nursing solutions report nursing adoption – but how much more than basic functions are they using? And what about the real tough stuff? Which vendors lead client adoption? What unique challenges do nurses face? And just how satisfied are nurses with their patient care IT solutions?

Top 20:
2007 Mid-Year Report Card

June 2007 |

KLAS' Top 20 Mid-Year Report Card summarizes vendor performance rankings for both software and medical equipment, along with professional firms.

PACS Perception 2007

April 2007 |

KLAS interviewed a random sampling of healthcare executives to measure the perception relative to the leading Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) vendors. Participants were asked to compare the possible vendors in the market and identify key drivers in choosing a particular vendor. The results were then compared to previous studies performed in 2005 and 2003, where applicable. The purpose of this study was to understand the most likely vendors to be included by healthcare and IT professionals in today’s PACS selection process and why and how that has changed over time.

Software Quality

March 2007 |

The goal of the Software Quality (SQ) report is to create a common understanding of the definitions, expectations and consequences of software quality. This updated survey provides a checkpoint on the steps forward.

Ambulatory EMR Report 2007 (Over 25 Physician Practices)

February 2007 |

Know the vendors that are playing in this larger physician market. Understand some of the benefits and challenges that large practices are facing with implementing EMRs. Know the extent of physician adoption in utilizing EMR functionality. Understand why performance scores have decreased significantly over the past two years. Know what some of the challenges organizations are facing in rolling out EMR functionality and integration with inpatient systems.

Professional Services Perception 2007

January 2007 |

KLAS' first Professional Services Perception report focuses on provider perceptions of Professional Services Firms (PSFs).

Clinical and Financial ERP Implementation

August 2006 |

The Clinical and Financial ERP Implementation Study captures invaluable feedback from healthcare providers on professional services firms that have assisted them.

CIS/CPOE 2006 Perception

July 2006 |

If providers were to start fresh today and select a new CPOE system, with all the attendant charting, alerting and clinical repository capabilities, which vendors would they consider purchasing?

Computed and Digital Radiography (CR/DR) Perception Study 2006

June 2006 |

Who are the perceived leaders in Computed and Digital Radiography? What are the key factors providers consider when choosing a manufacturer? What is the current state of the CR/DR playing field?

Revenue Cycle Consulting - Transformation Report 2006

May 2006 |

Providers faced with tight margins and huge receivables are continually fine-tuning their reimbursement strategies, reviewing their compliance performance, and seeking ways to collect more cash on a timely basis. To help them maximize their assets and boost their bottom line, some providers have turned to professional service firms to evaluate and reengineer, or transform, their revenue cycles.

Revenue Cycle - New Technology Report 2006

March 2006 |

KLAS' 2006 Revenue Cycle - New Technology Report highlights provider feedback on the Cerner Millennium ProFit and Epic Resolute Inpatient products. Providers and vendors requested that KLAS complete the study at this time to gauge the progress Cerner and Epic are making in the delivery of their products.

Clinical Workflow Perception Report 2006

January 2006 |

The cry for workflow capabilities in clinical solutions to improve patient safety and outcomes can be seen in advertisements and brochures across the industry. Behind the scenes, outcomes are improving. Less time spent on unproductive tasks and patients experiencing safer, more enjoyable treatments are visions of the future enabled by “smarter” software. Workflow Management is a natural component of that software.

Closed-Loop Medication Management Solutions Report 2005

January 2006 |

This report provides a snapshot of today’s vendors with products supporting steps in the closed-loop medication management process (order entry, fulfillment, dispensing, administration).

Time and Attendance Market Review 2005

November 2005 |

KLAS Market Reviews are condensed versions of KLAS’ specialty reports. Market Reviews combine analysis of performance and trending data for one year with commentary on select market segments.

Clinical Portals Report 2005

September 2005 |

KLAS’ first-ever Clinical Portals Study looks at the web portals offered by HIS, CIS, Specialty and Healthcare Industry integrator vendors as solutions for giving physicians and clinicians access to inpatient and outpatient information.

Core Clinical Systems:
On Time Delivery Report 2005

August 2005 | Read Time: 1 minute

The 2005 On-Time Delivery Study is an update to the 2004 study, which endeavored to meter the success of clinical implementations involving provider-based Clinical Data Repositories (CDRs), Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE), Clinical Charting and Pharmacy.

Patient Safety Report 2005

May 2005 |

Five years ago the Institute of Medicine estimated that 44,000 - 98,000 hospital deaths per year were due to preventable errors. Since then, the focus on patient safety has become all-encompassing and includes government involvement, increased consumer awareness and several initiatives. In fact, JCAHO reports that almost 50 percent of today’s hospital standards are directly related to patient safety.

Diagnostic Imaging Package

March 2005 |

The diagnostic imaging package includes three KLAS reports - PACS Acute Care Report 2004, Dictation/Transcription/Speech Recognition Study 2004 and Radiology Report 2005.

Business Decision Support Systems Report 2005

February 2005 |

Healthcare organizations are continually challenged with meeting regulatory changes as well as negotiating for the best possible payer reimbursements. Many organizations have turned to Business Decision Support tools to assist in planning and analysis of revenue opportunities and to measure clinical performance.