Selecting an automated patient accounting system.

Hospitals are now considering replacing their present patient accounting systems. But to do so, many issues and questions must be raised, including, how to evaluate a new system and when to replace an existing one. When considering a new financial system, a checklist addressing the hospital's own requirements, conditions, and objectives can be a helpful guide. In fact, development of such a checklist should be considered a major part of the planning process, forcing the hospital to consider all its needs and requirements apart from a specific vendor's system.