To assist the adoption of health information technology (HIT), South Dakota has healthPOINT serving it’s physicians. This Regional Extension Center was created under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act’s Health Information Technology Extension Program. Specifically, the purpose of healthPOINT is to provide education, outreach, and technical assistance necessary to help providers in South Dakota improve their quality of healthcare by attaining or exceeding meaningful use of electronic health record (EHR) systems.
The purchase of certified EHR software initial step toward achieving meaningful use of EHR systems. This step is difficult and time-consuming because of the sheer number of vendors and the complexity of choices available. The South Dakota healthPOINT Regional Extension Center can play a crucial role in guiding physicians through selection process and the implementation process for the EHR software the physicians have purchased. healthPOINT is also dedicated to the broader long-term goal of supporting the development of Health Information Exchanges.
Preferred EHR vendors include a select group of EMR (electronic medical record) companies that underwent a significant qualification and selection process and have demonstrated a commitment to South Dakota’s health information technology mission. Some Regional Extension Centers have chosen to offer a list of these preferred EHR vendors. The selected electronic health records vendors agreed to a higher base level of functionality and interoperability that will enable practices to achieve meaningful use of EHR. Additionally, the electronic health records vendors have discounted prices and standardized terms and conditions to facilitate quick and smooth adoption for these Regional Extension Center participants. Regional Extension Center members may also receive group purchasing discounts from these EHR vendors.
There are no preferred EHR vendors recommended by healthPOINT Regional Extension Center.
