LONDON, July 2 /PRNewswire/ --     Improved efficiency and patient safety, better cost containment and the
desire to provide integrated healthcare are some of the major factors driving
the growth of the European electronic medical record (EMR) markets. EMR
offers healthcare providers the opportunity to better manage patient data,
create reports and work in an integrated manner, resulting in reduced costs
and superior care delivery.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (
http://healthcareandlifesciencesIT.frost.com), European Electronic Medical
Records Markets, reveals that these markets earned revenues of US$349.6 
million in 2006 and estimates this to reach US$1.15 billion in 2013.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides
manufacturers, end users and other industry participants with an overview of
the latest analysis of European Electronic Medical Records Markets, then send
an e-mail to Radhika Menon Theodore, Corporate Communications, at
rmtheodore@frost.com with your full name, company name, title, telephone
number, fax number and e-mail address. Upon receipt of the above information,
an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

"Having accurate patient data plays a vital role in treating patients
effectively, but this has always depended on maintaining comprehensive
records of patients' encounters with the medical system," remarks Frost &
Sullivan Senior Research Analyst Kiran John. "EMR provides healthcare
professionals and nursing and administrative staff instant access to the
right information from multiple points, and EMR data can be sourced,
accessed, edited, appended and maintained effortlessly."

The cost savings potential of EMR in both primary and hospital care is
perhaps the most compelling factor driving its uptake, given that cost
containment is a top priority for governments and providers alike. The time
and costs associated with basic but essential activities such as creating and
storing charts and employing adequate nursing and administrative staff for
these purposes can be reduced significantly by adopting an EMR system.

However, considering the highly fragmented nature of the European EMR
markets owing to Europe's innate diversity and the varying levels of
penetration of healthcare information technology (HIT), healthcare
authorities are undertaking a standardisation drive in an attempt to provide
better care delivery. Vendors with a European presence are particularly
affected, as they need to customise or even re-invent their products and
price them differently.

This has raised the question of creating unique patient identities, which
many believe is critical to create a strong foundation on which EMR can be
rolled out. There has been an ongoing debate about this issue and whether
certification is really required for EMR solutions, and the answer will have
a direct bearing on both technology adoption and solution creation.

"The need for unique patient identities is critical to the growth of any
patient-centric healthcare information system but this must be initiated at a
national level, which poses a significant challenge," says Mr. John. "EMR
solutions tend to significantly change the care delivery process, and this
brings added challenges in the form of implementation and change management
issues that implementers, providers, governments and users will need to
tackle."

However, the industry is expected to overcome these challenges as both
primary and hospital care providers are fully aware of the benefits of EMR,
which is clearly one of the most anticipated HIT solutions set to be
extensively implemented across Europe. Despite the presence of restraining
factors, there are many compelling drivers boosting the growth of the EMR
markets at an annual rate exceeding 15.0 percent. The market holds an equally
promising future for EMR vendors operating in the primary and hospital care
sectors.

European Electronic Medical Records Markets is part of the Healthcare and
Life Sciences IT Growth partnership Services program, which also includes
research in the following markets: Healthcare IT Platforms, Patient
Administration Systems in Europe, Clinical Decision Support Systems Markets
in Europe, European Patient E-Booking and Healthcare Smart Cards Systems in
Europe. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market
opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following
extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are
available.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering
with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more
than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting,
growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify
and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele
that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment
community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique
global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies,
econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit
http://www.frost.com.

European Electronic Medical Records Markets

M105-48

Contact:

    Radhika Menon Theodore
    Corporate Communications - Europe
    E: rmtheodore@frost.com

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    Corporate Communications - North America
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    E: patrick.cairns@frost.com

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