Practices are increasingly replacing their ambulatory EHR systems, with replacement rates rising by 20% since 2011 due to issues like poor vendor support and system inefficiencies. Before making a switch, practices should evaluate their current EHR system by considering factors such as vendor responsiveness, technical improvement commitments, ownership stability, and the impact on organizational goals and productivity. If replacement is deemed necessary, practices should seek a new vendor that offers rapid implementation, smooth data migration, and superior service.

1. Should You Replace Your
EHR?

2. More and more, practices are replacing
their existing ambulatory EHRs.
According to a recent study, ambulatory
EHR replacement rates increased by 20
percent since 2011.

3. Why are practices switching?
• Lack of strong vendor support
• Lagging product development
• Consolidation of disparate systems
• EHR fails to live up to claims made
by vendor
• EHR hinders efficiency and
productivity

4. Should you make the switch?
If you're thinking about replacing your
current EHR, consider the following
seven questions to determine if EHR
replacement is right for you:

5. Should you make the switch?
1. Could the issues be resolved
through remediation? If so, is the
vendor responsive to your needs and
concerns? If your vendor is unwilling
to work with you to resolve critical
issues, it is time to find a new vendor.

6. Should you make the switch?
2. Could the vendor resolve the
issues by making technical
improvements? If so, will the vendor
commit to making the needed
improvements in a reasonable time
frame? If not, begin the process of
evaluating other EHR systems.

7. Should you make the switch?
3. Is your practice at least partially
responsible for the issues? If your
organization has done everything
possible to resolve issues and your
vendor is unwilling to take the
necessary steps to resolve the
problems, swapping your EHR may
make sense.

8. Should you make the switch?
4. Is your current EHR
product/vendor stable enough to be
in business for the long-term? If your
current EHR vendor is not privately
held and financially stable, consider
making the switch to an EHR partner
that can commit to your success in
the long run.

9. Should you make the switch?
5. What penalties apply if you
terminate the contact? Review the
termination clause in your current
EHR contract to find out what it will
cost if your organization decides to
make the switch before your contract
has expired.

10. Should you make the switch?
6. Can your organization's goals,
such as achieving Meaningful Use,
be accomplished using your current
EHR? If your current EHR is holding
your organization back from meeting
its goals, the switch to a new EHR
may very well be worthwhile.

11. Should you make the switch?
7. Is your current system negatively
impacting physician productivity? An
EHR that hampers productivity now
will only grow worse as the
complexities of health reform
initiatives increase in the future.

12. Now what?
If your issues with your previous
vendor cannot be resolved, select a
new EHR vendor that can provide:
• Rapid implementation
• Smooth data migration
• More results
• Better service

13. Learn more!
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