More than 25% of small and large physician practices are considering replacing their electronic health record systems, according to a new KLAS report, Clinical Innovation & Technology reports.

For the report, titled "Ambulatory EMR Perception 2014: New Leaders Emerging as Market Shifts," KLAS researchers interviewed more than 400 small and large U.S. physician practices (Walsh, Clinical Innovation & Technology).

Key Findings

The researchers found that:

• 27% of respondents were considering replacing their EHR system; and
• An additional 12% wanted to replace their EHR system but face financial or organizational barriers.

The reasons for wanting to replace their EHR systems varied by practice size, according to Jared Dowland, author of the report. He said, "Larger practices are seeking to consolidate from multiple [EHRs] and tighten their relationships with nearby hospitals, while smaller practices are seeking to resolve functionality, support and cost concerns" (Durben Hirsch, FierceEMR).

Findings About EHR Vendors

According to Health Data Management, the EHR vendors that saw the most practices recently switching from their products are:

• GE Healthcare; and
• NextGen

Dowland said, "Looking forward, Allscripts, GE Healthcare, McKesson and NextGen stand to lose more customers than other vendors, as 40% to 50% of their responding customers reported potential plans to leave."

The top vendors being considered by independent practices looking for better functionality, support and cost, include:

• Athenahealth;
• eClinicalWorks;
• Epic; and
• Greenway

Meanwhile, the report found that larger physician practices that are affiliated with hospitals favor EHR systems from:

• Cerner; and
• Epic (Goedert, Health Data Management)