Health informatics is a relatively new and very collaborative field that combines the study of design and other IT innovations into the delivery of healthcare. If you’ve recently logged into an account to see your medical lab results or to schedule an appointment, you are experiencing the benefits of health informatics IT work.
Health Informatics, a magazine recognizing leadership in the healthcare IT industry, provides an annual ranking of the top health IT companies. The ranking is based on revenues from the most recent fiscal year. Two market research companies compiled the data used to generate the ranking. When revenues weren’t provided, an estimate was made based on earnings from the previous year.
McKesson Technology Solutions
Topping the list for the fifth year in a row is McKesson Technology Solutions. The Alpharetta, Georgia-based IT software solutions vendor provides software and automation solutions to more than 4,000 hospitals and an additional 2,000 plus healthcare facilities throughout the United States. The country’s top 20 healthcare plans use at least one of the company’s payment management products.
Dell, Inc.
Dell, Inc. has repositioned itself as a leader in providing healthcare information to various healthcare facilities, doctor’s offices, and hospitals. The company states that their goal is to find the right technology to meet client needs. The company employs over a thousand healthcare specialists in an effort to achieve this goal. The Round Rock, a Texas-based company has steadily climbed the rankings to earn the runner-up spot.
CareFusion Corp.
The San Diego, a CA-based company lands in third place, thanks in part to an emphasis on securing personal data with new safety platforms. The company has two basic goals: to reduce medication errors and to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
Philips Healthcare
The Andover, MA-based company provides diagnostic, treatment and preventative care. The fourth-place company puts an emphasis on providing cost-effective solutions to manage patient diagnosis and other important health-related details. The company develops integrated data plans as part of an effort to reduce diagnosis issues and provide comprehensive patient data.
Cerner Corp.
Cerner Corp. specializes in providing complete systems for hospitals and healthcare facilities. The Kansas City, a MO-based company, which places fifth on the most recent Health Informatics ranking, claims to be the largest provider of electronic medical systems in the U.S.* The company provides medical systems to more than 2,000 hospitals and over 8,000 medical facilities around the world.
*McKesson ranks first when additional products and services are taken into consideration.
Cognizant
Jumping from 10th place to a sixth place ranking, Cognizant makes the biggest leap within the top ten over the previous year. The Teaneck, New Jersey-based company specializes in IT software and business process outsourcing services. While noted for its outsourcing services, the company has been increasing its U.S. staff.
Siemens Healthcare
Considered the largest clinical diagnostics provider in the United States, Siemens Healthcare provides medical services to hospitals, doctors, healthcare facilities, and rehab and therapy facilities. The Malvern, PA-based company specializes in laboratory diagnostics. Siemens is considered a trendsetter within the healthcare industry in terms of developing innovative software solutions.
NTT Data, Inc.
NTT Data provides technology-enabled services and solutions to various companies around the world, including healthcare providers. The Boston, MA-based company works with over 57,000 professionals around the world to provide software and system solutions. In addition to providing healthcare information technology, NTT is also noted for providing consultation services to evaluate needs and make recommendations.
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
Ranked ninth on the most recent Health Informatics ranking is Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. The Chicago, IL-based company boosted its ranking after recent mergers with competitors Misys and Eclipsys. Allscripts provides IT management solutions, including electronic health records, provides services to healthcare providers for assistance with prescribing and care management.
CSC
Rounding out the list in tenth place is CSC. The Falls Church, VA-based company prides itself on providing unique healthcare consulting services. Formerly iSOFT, the company has boosted its ranking by becoming one of the world’s largest providers of IT solutions to healthcare providers and facilities. CSC states its goal as improving the quality of care by providing software to better organize patient information.
From the synthesis of healthcare and the IT world, we are beginning to see healthcare incorporating technology beyond the operating room. From streamlining patient information access to managing medication, IT solutions are making healthcare faster and easier for the masses.
Trent Call is an avid healthier blogger. If you’re thinking of a career in health informatics, consider the programs at University of Chicago-Illinois or Boston University.