Selecting the right EHR vendor is a major decision for most practices. It is an opportunity that will likely only come once for smaller practices, as they generally do not have the budget to perform two implementations. This is why it is important for practices to do their homework.

Experts say that the first step should be for providers to identify their needs. There are a range of options and some EHR systems will be better suited to certain types of practices than others.

For example, the managed print services provider Auxilio recently released a paper outlining some of the things practices should look for when selecting an EHR vendor. It states that interoperability, network infrastructure requirements and data security should all be top considerations. However, these needs may vary in importance depending on a provider's specialty.

Yet, the one list of requirements that is the same for the majority of medical professionals is the set of meaningful use rules issued by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. These guidelines are intended to provide basic requirements for EHR systems.

Finding an EHR vendor that meets these requirements while also satisfying the needs of an individual practice may be challenging, but will ultimately pay off. This is why it is important for professionals to consult all available sources before making their decision.