by Frank Fortner
By now, most hospitals running the MEDITECH HIS have probably either heard of or viewed demonstrations of MEDITECH’s next generation Client/Server platform (6.x) built upon their newest programming and database technology, currently referred to as FOCUS, although the name may be changing. If you fall into this category, there is a good chance you may already be thinking strategically about your next move with respect to your HIS. If this is the case, your three basic options consist of either (1) getting in line to migrate to FOCUS/6.x, (2) migrate to a different HIS such as Cerner, Epic or McKesson, or (3) stay put with your current version and enhance it to meet the current and coming needs of healthcare IT. As with any investment, let’s think of these options as buy, sell or hold.
(Buy) So maybe you are seriously thinking about investing in the latest and greatest technology that your vendor of choice (MEDITECH) has to offer. The new user interface is very appealing and the re-designed software addresses several workflow issues you have been struggling with. Historically, the MEDITECH HIS has provided you with a solid bang for the buck and you are convinced that their next generation of software will better enable your clinicians to become more meaningful users, delivering safer and more efficient patient care while reaping big rewards from the government via the HITECH act. In short, you see a future brightened by an HHS certified, Stage 6 empowering, meaningfully used HIS that is sure to meet JCAHO’s core measures and bring home the coveted Davies award. If I’m describing your organization, my advice is to get in line quickly. Run, don’t walk! Even at 50-100 conversions per year (I’m being generous here) it could take MEDITECH decades to move all their sites to the 6.x platform.
(Sell) On the other hand, maybe your organization is back at square one with all HIS options on the table, since the HITECH act has become a catalyst to get you thinking about the best way to roll out a certified system by 2015. If there was ever a time to make a change, this is probably it. Perhaps the cost of migrating to 6.x has crossed some ‘magic’ line of capital outlay whereby you view a multi-million dollar migration to FOCUS/6.x essentially the same as a migration to another HIS vendor’s product. While this may prove to be the least exercised option in the MEDITECH community, there are definitely some who are heading down this path, including a few long-time MAGIC customers – that is, if you believe all the rumors you read on healthcare blogs.
(Hold) The final option is to stay put on your current platform, which (if you choose this option) is likely MAGIC, since FOCUS/6.x seems like a more natural pathway for those already on the Client/Server platform, and it really is in many ways. You’ve probably inquired about a migration from MAGIC to the 6.0 hybrid (dual-platform) Client/Server system, but the war stories of moving to Client/Server, project scope, and multi-seven-figure price tag has you thinking you can probably keep your good ol’ MAGIC system running for a few more years while the dust settles on the healthcare landscape. Moreover, MEDITECH has promised their support of MAGIC for years to come and there are plenty of third party vendors out there to help you leverage your current HIS investment and help solve some of the issues addressed by FOCUS/6.x. For one reason or another, it is likely that a large portion of MAGIC sites will end up exercising this option over the next few years.
Whichever pathway your hospital chooses, there is no wrong answer here. These are all valid options based on your individual hospital’s mission, resources and long term strategic goals. One size will not fit all. To suggest otherwise would be folly or at the very least, would not have your organization’s best interest in mind. That said, we welcome a healthy discussion on the topic, so please feel free to leave a comment regarding your current line of thinking on this important decision.
0 responses so far ↓
There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.
Leave a Comment