Qualified EMR Vendors
Time was invested in a comprehensive request for proposals (RFP) process designed to ensure the EMR vendors could provide the high quality products and customer support required by this initiative. Several steps have been created to ensure those specifications will be met.
Only EMRs that will be hosted offsite by an accredited, non-government third party application service provider (ASP) model were considered. Over thirty proposals to the RFP were evaluated. Six successful proponents were identified in July 2007 and they are proceeding to the next steps of contract negotiation and conformance testing with the Ministry of Health. Only upon successful completion of these two steps will they become PITO-qualified EMRs eligible for funding.
Criteria for the RFP process was developed by an advisory group comprised of representatives from both the MOH and BCMA, including more than 40 practicing general and specialist physicians from across BC who were selected by the Ministry. The process was managed by the government's Strategic Acquisitions and Technology Procurement (SATP) branch on behalf of the MOH (for more information see www.bcbid.bc.ca procurement SATP-219 "EMR RFP").
As the PITO program progresses, it will be reviewed regularly to gauge how effectively the needs of specific segments of BC physicians are being met with respect to geographic, specialty and other variations. Accordingly, after July 1, 2009, up to two additional vendors may be added to the PITO-qualified list if required.
| Qualified Vendors | |
|---|---|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Vendor Selection Process
An EMR is similar to any clinical tool and must be tested thoroughly to ensure it will support quality patient care and not endanger patients and their care. Therefore time was invested in a comprehensive request for proposals (RFP) process designed to ensure the EMR vendors could provide the high quality products and customer support required by this initiative. Several steps have been created to ensure those specifications will be met.
Only EMRs that will be hosted offsite by an accredited, non-government third party application service provider (ASP) model were considered. Over thirty proposals to the RFP were evaluated. Six successful proponents were identified in July 2007 and they are proceeding to the next steps of contract negotiation and conformance testing with the Ministry of Health. Only upon successful completion of these two steps will they become PITO-qualified EMRs eligible for funding.
Criteria for the RFP process was developed by an advisory group comprised of representatives from both the MOH and BCMA, including more than 40 practicing general and specialist physicians from across BC who were selected by the Ministry. The process was managed by the government's Strategic Acquisitions and Technology Procurement (SATP) branch on behalf of the MOH (for more information see www.bcbid.bc.ca procurement SATP-219 "EMR RFP").
As the PITO program progresses, it will be reviewed regularly to gauge how effectively the needs of specific segments of BC physicians are being met with respect to geographic, specialty and other variations. Accordingly, after July 1, 2009, up to two additional vendors may be added to the PITO-qualified list if required.