April 6, 2009 - The 2009 Annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Conference & Exhibition (HIMSS 2009) featured 25,672 total registrants, 13,677 exhibitor staff and 11,291 professional attendees, according to the organization.
Implementing clinical systems – including an electronic medical record (EMR) and computerized provider order entry systems (CPOE) – was cited as the top priority for healthcare information technology (IT) professionals who responded to the HIMSS Leadership Survey.
Of the 304 respondents, 31 percent said the primary focus would be ensuring their organization has a full EMR. Another 17 percent said the primary focus would be the installation of a CPOE. Complete results of the Leadership Survey were presented today at the show.
Survey respondents’ answers also suggested the weakened economy has slowed the breakneck pace of growth but also that they and their organizations remain committed to healthcare IT. More than half of respondents (55 percent) said their IT budgets would increase, compared to 78 percent last year, and 42 percent said their staffing levels would increase, compared to 68 percent last year.
For more information: www.himss.org