KLAS: Urgent care centers needing EMRs find bevy of options

Of the more than 9,000 estimated urgent care centers, many reported plans to increase in size or location in the next 12 months. Of those, many need an EMR and are finding that their options include ambulatory EMRs, ED systems and best-of-breed urgent care EMRs, according to a report published by market researcher KLAS.

The Orem, Utah-based KLAS interviewed 76 urgent care organizations about their EMR vendor's performance, focusing on best-of-breed vendors CodoniX, DocuTAP and Practice Velocity.

KLAS compared CodoniX, DocuTAP and Practice Velocity in the areas of efficiency and patient safety, reporting and charge capture, and vendor support and ongoing communication. Practice Velocity edged out its competitors as the top vendor amid the closely packed scores, but providers said it's not just the score that makes the best vendor for an urgent care center. 

KLAS reported that even best-of-breed urgent care EMRs might not be the best approach for every situation. "The best EMR really depends on the urgent care center. Some value clinician efficiency,” report author Erik Bermudez commented. “Others need top vendor support because they don't have in-house IT. Some need to share patient information with an affiliated hospital. Each urgent care center should examine their facility's needs, and then begin vetting vendors and products."

Different providers use different vendors to fit their organizations. Standalone urgent care centers, or those in a chain, tend to use a best-of-breed vendor. Hospital-affiliated locations often adapt an in-house ED solution or ambulatory EMR to receive an integration advantage.

“Using an emergency department information system (EDIS) may be an overkill for urgent care, but it can work,” the report added. “The value of an integrated EDIS across a hospital and an urgent care center is hard to trump.”

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