Vendor inquiries are increasing to meet current client demand as well as address new client prospecting. Some vendors are beginning to have a longer lead time for implementation startups or in scheduling demonstrations due to the increased activity. There is no need to panic, but it is prudent to manage not only your staff time but the time of the vendors because there is a challenge ahead for all of us in healthcare. If you are considering going with a new vendor, you should not skip the first steps of the vendor evaluation process and jump right into vendor demonstrations. Read more...

In Information Technology, gap analysis is the study of the differences between two distinct information systems, applications, or modules. Those features, functionality, or modules missing represent the gap. Gap analysis is a comparison process of where you are and where you want to be as a means of bridging the space between them. The goal of the analysis is to provide a baseline for measuring investment of people, time, and money to achieve the desired outcome. Read more...

I read an insightful article "Is Stimulus Money Enough?" . The gist of the article is that money has not been the only obstacle to the adoption of electronic medical records. Ownership and commitment from the top down are required; you cannot cut corners with big bang implementations and you must factor in ongoing training, workflow improvements, and support in the total cost of ownership. All of these make the implementations challenging. Read more...

Picture Archive and Communications Systems (PACS) has become a staple of radiology departments, and now the technology is beginning to be extended to other “ologies.” Having an understanding of the implications for an Enterprise approach may be beneficial for facilities considering PACS technology beyond radiology. Read more...

Enhancing patient care quality, staff efficiency, and user productivity with an EMR requires continual refinement of workflows and documentation. We get better as we use the tools and learn what works, what needs improvement, and what needs change. Vendors continually take advantage of technology advances to offer new solutions, new electronic device capabilities, and advanced functionality. Read more...

Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) technology has revolutionized radiology operations by improving image accessibility and lowering film cost. Many facilities, including smaller hospitals have invested in the technology to stay current and retain physician referrals by offering state-of-the-art services. In order to maximize their investment, many facilities are looking to the radiology PACS to address other imaging requirements as well. Read more...