Tennessee’s HIT Regional Extension Center (tnREC) assists physicians adopt health information technology (HIT). Specifically, Tennessee’s HIT Regional Extension Center educates and provides physicians with the technical assistance necessary to improve their quality of care through the implementation of electronic health record (EHR) systems.This Regional Extension Center was created under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act’s Health Information Technology Extension Program.
For a physician, the purchase of certified EHR software is the first step toward achieving meaningful use of EHR systems. However, this first step of choosing a suitable EHR software is difficult and time-consuming. This is due to the vast amount of EHR vendors and the complexity of software choices available. Tennessee’s HIT regional Extension Center can guide physicians through the EHR software selection and implementation process. This Regional Extension Center is also dedicated to the broader long-term goal of supporting the development of Health Information Exchanges.
A list of prequalified EHR vendors (also known as preferred EHR vendors) is offered by some Regional Extension Centers. These EHR vendors include a select group of EMR (electronic medical record) companies that qualified through their commitment to the health information technology mission.The preferred EHR vendors offer practices more meaningful use of EHR software through a higher base level of functionality and interoperability. Additionally, the preferred electronic health records vendors may have group discounts, discounted prices, and standardized terms and conditions, allowing quick and smooth adoption for Regional Extension Center participants.
There are no preferred EHR vendors recommended by Tennessee’s Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center.