System Selection & Contract Negotiation
ECG’s expertise related to the functional/operational, management, and technology requirements of physician practices, hospitals, and health systems, combined with our knowledge of the vendor market, allows us to assist our clients throughout an efficient and complete system acquisition process. We utilize a formal system acquisition methodology that can easily be adapted to meet your organization’s specific needs and objectives.
Our application expertise focuses on enterprise information systems, electronic medical records (EMRs)/electronic health records (EHRs), patient access, community and patient integration, revenue cycle management, clinical systems, and ancillary solutions, as well as decision support systems. We impart our breadth of knowledge and deep experience with these core applications to address the requirements of today’s healthcare organizations. Our strength lies not only in our track record with the leading vendors and system technologies, but in our strong understanding of the organizations and operations that these systems must support.
To develop or enhance core information systems, which are critical to sustaining your organization, your patients, and employees, we provide proven structures and methodologies for:
- System assessment and requirements definition.
- Vendor evaluation and selection.
- Contract negotiation and pricing evaluation.
Selected Projects
Conducting a comprehensive assessment of information systems issues for a four-hospital health system. Expand Minimize
We assisted a four-hospital health system in conducting a gap analysis of its current information systems relative to user and management needs. The analysis covered the entire spectrum of applications, including patient access, revenue cycle management, clinical systems, enterprise resource planning, and decision support. This project resulted in establishing a long-term strategy for upgrading the information system capabilities.
Conducting a system selection process for a 350-physician faculty practice plan. Expand Minimize
We facilitated system selection for a 350-faculty practice plan. The assignment resulted in selecting and contracting with a leading software product vendor for physician practice management and managed care systems.
Assisting a large health system with system selection for both hospitals and an owned medical group. Expand Minimize
We assisted a large health system in two concurrent system acquisition processes. The first addressed the needs of an 800-physician medical group, and the second addressed the needs of its hospitals.
Assisting an integrated health system/health plan with selecting managed care and physician office systems. Expand Minimize
We assisted a major health system and insurance company in conducting a system selection process to determine the most appropriate managed care and physician office systems for developing the integrated delivery system environment.
Assisting regional public health providers with selecting a common information system. Expand Minimize
We assisted a partnership of public health and community health centers in selecting a vendor solution for a common practice management system and creating the basis for a long-term partnership. Our work encompassed the: (1) development of the framework for system selection, including member profiles, budget estimates, goals, and objectives; (2) identification of potential vendors and facilitation of vendor communication; (3) introductory presentations with vendors; (4) solicitation of formal proposals through a comprehensive Request for Information and demonstration process; and (5) selection of the preferred vendor solution by working with the client team.
Assisting an independent practice association (IPA) in selecting a practice management system. Expand Minimize
ECG assisted a large IPA by providing quality assurance and decision support in the selection of a new physician practice management system. Assistance included: (1) facilitating development of an RFP; (2) identifying potential vendors; and (3) performing a comparative analysis of the technology, cost, and contract proposed by finalist vendors. Input was also provided into key technical and operational considerations, such as developing an appropriate technical infrastructure and hiring of key IT staff. The project resulted in the successful selection of a system for implementation across all practice sites.
