How should rural health providers evaluate electronic health record (EHR) vendors?
When selecting an electronic health record (EHR) system, pay special attention to the type of provider and market that each vendor typically serves, as well as the amount of support a vendor provides after EHR implementation. Several vendors specialize in working with small and rural health care clinics with fewer than ten providers.
Your local Regional Extension Center (REC) can help you navigate the vendor landscape. RECs are located in every region of the country to help health care providers select, implement, and become adept and meaningful users of EHRs. Your local REC can help you objectively identify the vendor product that best meets your unique needs as a rural provider. Contact your local REC to find out if you are eligible for free or reduced-price local EHR selection support.
For more information about evaluating EHR vendors in rural settings, see the following resources.
Top Three Rural Health Information Technology Resources for Evaluating Vendors:
- The Health Resources and Services Administration answers several FAQs about Health IT Selection and Implementation in Rural Settings. Topics discussed include: vendor assessments, vendor contracting, infrastructure considerations, and many more.
- Dr. Jennifer Brull, MD, a solo practitioner in Plainsville, Kansas, explains how she evaluated different EHR vendors in this case study.
- The California HealthCare Foundation produced an EHR Selection Toolkit for Community Health Centers
to help centers discuss their practice management and EHR requirements with vendors.