KLAS has unveiled its annual "Best in KLAS Awards" for software and professional services in 2011, ranking the best-performing healthcare IT vendors in more than 100 market segments based on ratings from over 18,000 interviews with healthcare providers.

Epic was the top-ranked overall software vendor with a score of 87.1 out of 100. MaxIT Healthcare garnered top ratings for professional services, with an 88.7 score.

Previously known as "Top 20 Best in KLAS," the research firm has renamed the awards "Best in KLAS," and surveyed new market segments in the report, including clinical decision support products, self-service patient kiosks and more.

[See also: KLAS names top 20 software and service vendors.]

This year's report notes that certain systems have more successful go-lives than others – those with the lowest risks were interface engines, RTLS, health information exchange and revenue cycle and patient flow management, officials say. IT segments still struggling with the go-live process included anesthesia, medication administration, ambulatory EMRs, practice management and patient accounting/patient management.

“Since 1998, KLAS has been committed to helping healthcare providers make decisions based on candid peer feedback,” says KLAS President Adam Gale. “Best in KLAS rankings mark those vendors who best keep their promises in their market segments for offering a combination of superior products, strong service, and high customer value. We hope these ratings continue to help providers find transparency from their vendors in making purchasing decisions.”

See the next page for the list of "Best in KLAS Awards"