How are providers spending their funds? And which items are topping their shopping lists? A new report from Reaction’s Research Cloud digs deeper.
The “Big Mega HIT Purchasing” report outlines responses from 248 provider organization leaders across the country. The research took place over a three-week period in December 2016.
Forty-seven percent of respondents came from standalone hospitals, and 38 percent were from IDNs. Another 10 percent were from hospital-owned physician groups and 5 percent were from independent physician groups. Most respondents — 15 percent — were CEOs. Twelve percent were CIOs, followed by CFOs, CNOs and IT directors. Medical directors, nursing directors, quality directors and COOs also participated.
Of the respondents, the highest percentage — 33 percent — said telemedicine was a spending priority.
“We’re not surprised to see telehealth getting the most energy in HIT purchasing,”said Reaction Data Executive Vice President Chris Jensen. “The cost savings and efficiencies this technology provides is undeniable.”
Meanwhile, 32 percent of respondents listed inpatient EHRs and 32 percent listed outpatient EHRs as top considerations. Twenty percent cited patient engagement solutions as important, and 20 percent said spending on MACRA implementation tools was key. While 6 percent of respondents said their priorities were in other areas (like machine learning, decision support or cybersecurity), only 8 percent said they had no purchasing priorities.
However, new spending in 2017 varies by organization. Among those from standalone hospitals, 31 percent indicated they’d spend on inpatient and outpatient EHRs this year, while 28 percent said they’d invest in population health management.
Forty-one percent of IDN respondents anticipate spending on inpatient EHRs, and 24 percent plan on spending on outpatient EHRs. Half of those from hospital-owned physician groups plan to invest in information security, and 38 percent will spend on telehealth. Of respondents from independent physician groups, 52 percent will invest in telehealth, while 33 percent anticipate spending on information security.
In the telehealth realm, four companies are most likely to win new business among surveyed participants: eVisit, Secure Telehealth, Advanced Telehealth Solutions and InTouch Health, each at 17 percent.
Epic took the cake in the inpatient and outpatient EHR categories. Forty percent of respondents looking to buy inpatient EHRs will likely choose Epic, while 39 percent will pick Cerner and 34 percent will choose Meditech. Forty-five percent of those considering buying an outpatient EHR will most likely select Epic. Thirty-two percent will pick Cerner and 31 percent will choose Meditech.
Additionally, Epic claimed a top spot for patient engagement, followed by Press Ganey and Cerner.
As for MACRA implementation, Premier was the supplier most likely to win new business. Advisory Board (Crimson) and Optum also secured top spots.
