European Markets for Healthcare IT Platforms

Increasing integration in the European healthcare industry is creating the need for a single point of contact for healthcare information technology (HIT) systems, which in turn, is driving the market for HIT platforms.

Across Europe, healthcare providers are in search of a single, unified platform for clinical and administrative solutions, and HIT vendors with comprehensive product portfolios are attempting to address these needs though individual as well as group solutions. These are the latest findings from Frost & Sullivan (Palo Alto, CA, USA), an international consulting firm.

HIT platforms offer a single, interoperable base on which administrative systems such as patient administrative systems (PAS) and more advanced clinical solutions such as laboratory information systems (LIMS), accident and emergency care, decision support, and radiology information systems (RIS) can function smoothly.

"Shifting to an integrated platform streamlines workflows, helps reduce costs, improves regulatory compliance, and enhances efficiency, patient and user satisfaction,” said Frost & Sullivan research analyst Kiran John. However, he added, "Budgetary restraints, time and change management, and the existence of a large number of legacy systems are affecting further penetration of HIT platform adoption across Europe.”

Thus, HIT platform providers looking to sell complete solutions need to focus on winning contracts that involve smaller implementations. This will allow them to establish relationships with first-time buyers to whom they can sell greater functionality or more advanced solutions at a later date when more funds are available. Since it is unlikely that care providers will undertake complete replacements for the moment due to the huge expenditure involved, HIT platform vendors would do well to build market share by competing for smaller but valuable contracts. As healthcare becomes progressively more integrated, the existing installations will be able to upgrade with greater ease, and consequently, at lower costs.

Frost & Sullivan found that the European markets for HIT platforms earned revenues of US$276.5 million in 2006, and estimated this to reach $526.0 million in 2013.


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