KLAS: Meditech v.6 is costly, 'half-baked'

While Meditech has the largest EMR market share in the U.S. of any healthcare software vendor, some clients are questioning v.6 go-lives, according to a report from market research firm KLAS.

The Orem, Utah-based company reviewed the experience of 38 new v.6 clients to assess how ready v.6 is for hospital use.

Meditech v.6 is live at more than 50 sites with another 150 contracted, according to KLAS, noting that it’s traditionally popular as an affordable, stable EMR option, despite being weaker with some clinical functions. Meditech v.6 has been touted as a new generation of healthcare technology that gives enhanced usability while staying budget friendly.

The KLAS report, however, pointed to a premature entry to market that has left providers dealing with buggy software and incomplete integration across modules. Not all providers said the issue was surprising.

"From what we can find, provider satisfaction really depends on providers' expectations," the report stated. "The interesting thing about v.6 is you have some providers who are very frustrated, yet others who are perfectly satisfied. Some expect a simple upgrade and have a lot of problems adjusting to the fact that it's a complex, time-intensive build that requires a lot of resources. Others come in expecting that level of work, and they seem to ride the waves quite well."

KLAS concluded that though providers reported v.6 is "half-baked and more expensive than other Meditech options;" it is still considered less expensive than competing products and worth the effort to make it work for them. "The question is not so much is v.6 ready for you," the report noted. "The question is are you ready for v.6?"

Around the web

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals. 

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said the clinical community needs to combat health misinformation at a grassroots level. He warned that patients are immersed in a "sea of misinformation without a compass."

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup