KLAS: Interoperability Becoming A Key Driver in Labor & Delivery Market

Although the labor and delivery market has historically been dominated by best-of-breed systems because of their focus on clinical functionality, increasing demand for integration is changing the game, according to a new KLAS report — Labor and Delivery 2012: Pursuing Interoperable Functionality.

The study found that the need for interoperability among many providers has knocked market-share leaders like GE, Philips, and other best-of-breed systems (such as CCSI OBIX Perinatal Data System, Hill-Rom NaviCare WatchChild, and PeriGen PeriCALM) a bit off balance.

Traditionally, providers have had to choose between a best-of-breed vendor that works to deliver consistent interoperability or an L&D solution from an enterprise vendor such as Cerner, Epic, or McKesson that may not currently offer the same level of clinical functionality. Recently, however, a number of L&D solutions have surfaced that address both clinical and interoperability needs, meaning that users may no longer be forced to choose between functionality and integration when selecting an L&D system.

“Knowing the strengths of these products and understanding providers’ focus on interoperability, our goal with this research is to answer the questions that are top of mind for providers and help them determine the L&D options that will best complement their enterprise or best-of-breed strategy,” said research director and report author Steve Van Wagenen said.

For the report, KLAS interviewed nearly 400 providers to understand their vendor experiences and visions for continuing to improve L&D patient care in concert with their long-term objectives like HIE, ACO, and meaningful use. The study also addresses the functional strengths of the tools clinicians depend on and includes a discussion of L&D ROI.