Steps to Conducting an EHR Vendor Assessment

• Identify high-priority needs.
• Identify the most needed EHR features.
• Set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound EHR goals.
• List key decisions of potential deal-breakers.
• Decide where to store the EHR data: in-office, vendor server, or web-based. 
• Narrow the field:
  • Solicit the EHR experience of colleagues.
  • Obtain EHR evaluaton tools and resources from medical societies.
  • Utilize online information about different vendors.
• Further narrow the field using various metrics comparing vendors.
• Conduct 2-5 face-to-face vendor demonstrations.
• Compare core functionalities, look and feel, and practice management features.
• Personally preview each EHR on site, and contact references. 
• Prepare lessons learned questions by your practice before, during, and after implementation.