No surprise here, but maybe some of that stimulus money could change the story for 2010?

According to a study conducted by Healthcare Informatics Research Series: 71 percent of hospitals surveyed said budget allocations for IT are expected to be smaller this year than in 2008. NCR, a global technology company, commissioned the study.

That said, a full 26 percent of hospitals surveyed do not expect a budget allocation change for IT this year, and 3 percent expect an increase in their IT budgets. 

Because of the economic downturn 36 percent of hospitals surveyed said they are being more cautious about IT spending, while 19 percent of hospitals surveyed said they have even delayed certain IT purchases. Some 16 percent have delayed all non-essential IT projects. 

For more on the study: Check out Healthcare Informatics, "The Economy's Impact on Healthcare IT Spending" (pdf)