Hello Researchers,

First, let me say I am one of you (a GAR), but posting this question
under my day job account. I simply do not have time for this research
myself and I also think that access to some of the paid tools that
some of you may have could be a benefit to the answer.

Please do not undertake this question unless you believe you can
provide a thorough and informative answer. Feel free to create a
dialog in Clarifications, and with any luck, I might even get an email
notification that a RFC has been posted :^) Gar'd willing, so to
speak.

If you find that the questions below merit dividing into separate
questions of if there is so much information available that more can
be provided for a higher price or in separate questions, tell me what
you can do for me.

Here is what I would like:

I need market research on US (only for now) Hospital Information
Systems. I prefer data in the answer rather than a list of links, but
links for additional information and to sources are appreciated.

Links to market research reports only available for purchase are
possibly considered, as well, if they target the information I am
seeking. And fall in the hundreds as opposed to thousands of dollars.

Specifically:
 
1. Who are the major players in US based Hospital Information Systems?
Ideally I would like to know what is being used in around 80% or more
of US hospitals regardless of how many different HIS systems that
turns out to be. I really do not know if there are 5 players or 50.

If some use systems developed in-house, that would be informative as
well, but not critical information. My target is Demographics and
Electronic Birth Records systems. Supplies, HR, Appointments,
Insurance, Billing and the like have no interest for me.

2. What is the market share of each?

3. What database type do they each use? i.e., Oracle, MSSQL, Access, other.

4. How do they differ? What sets them apart from each other? Broad
strokes rather than extensive feature lists unless there is great
value in knowing small details.

5. If there seems to be a trend, is each system used by the major
hospitals, smaller hospitals or a mix of both?

6. What % of hospitals currently employ HL-7 for data exchange? And
what version is supported if that is available? Or possibly phrased a
little differently, what percent of the HIS systems you located above
communicate with HL-7?

7. What methods of importing / exporting demographics and results are
used? HL-7, hand entry, merges from/to, ftp, etc?

8. What data exchange methods for reporting to state or federal
entities are used if any?


Extra credit:

1. What % of hospitals currently employ wireless technologies?

2. At what point is a patient record created for a newborn? Would this
vary depending on the time of day the birth occurred?


I do NOT need to know anything at all about how HIS systems handle
ordering supplies or tests, billing to Medicare or other insurance
carriers, coding, scheduling and the like. I am interested in the
product, database type and the transfer of demographic and results
information into and out of the system from both devices and state and
federal entities.

See what you can find. And ask for clarifications if needed.

Thanks.

PS: Generally only monitor this account during business hours,M-F,PST.
So replies might have a delay.