Open-Source EMR and Decision Management Systems

Open-source EMR systems are becoming very popular in less developed countries of the world. In the USA, however, many commercial EMR systems are vying for dominance in healthcare organizations that have the financial flexibility to afford them. This chapter contains discussions and summaries of a number of open-source EMR systems in use today. Each healthcare organization must evaluate the pros and cons of adoption of open-source EMR systems, and judge whether or not features of specific EMR packages suit the needs of the organization. The chapter will provide the “grist” for the decision “mill” for choosing the EMR package that is suited best to the organization.