HIMSS Analytics, a subsidiary of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, will recognize 15 hospitals with its first Stage 7 Award at the HIMSS Annual Conference next month in Chicago.
The award recognizes the hospitals as having attained the highest level on the EMR Adoption Model.
The 15 hospitals are part of two integrated delivery systems. Twelve are from Kaiser Permanente, based in Oakland, Calif., and three are from the NorthShore University HealthSystem, based in Evanston, Ill.
"Stage 7 hospitals represent best practice models for U.S. hospitals seeking to implement electronic medical record environments that improve patient safety, clinical outcomes and patient care delivery efficiency," said Mike Davis, HIMSS Analytics' executive vice president. "We look forward to more U.S. hospitals achieving this level of electronic medical record capabilities, which we will continue to evaluate on an ongoing basis."
HIMSS Analytics developed the EMR Adoption Model in 2005 for evaluating the progress and impact of electronic medical record systems for hospitals in the HIMSS Analytics Database. Tracking their progress in completing eight stages (0-7), hospitals can review the implementation and use of information technology applications with the intent of reaching Stage 7, which represents an advanced patient record environment.
Stage 7 hospitals:
- deliver patient care without the use of paper charts;
- are able to share patient information by sending secure standardized summary record transactions to other care providers;
- use their vast database of clinical information to drive improved care delivery performance, patient safety clinical decision support and outcomes using business intelligence solutions;
- and are best practice examples of how to implement sophisticated EMR environments that fully engage their clinicians.
The Stage 7 validation process includes a site visit conducted by an executive from HIMSS Analytics and two independent, current or former chief information officers. The team visits a representative hospital that has the same EMR applications and clinical use of those EMR applications running in all facilities.
Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente is a leading healthcare provider and not-for-profit health plan serving 8.6 million members. Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect is a comprehensive health information system that includes one of the most advanced electronic medical records available, according to HIMSS Analytics. When fully deployed, it will securely connect members to their healthcare teams, their personal information and the latest medical information.
"Kaiser Permanente is honored to have this milestone in healthcare connectivity recognized, and is proud that our infrastructure allows us to deliver on the promise of health information technology," said Andrew M. Wiesenthal, MD, SM, associate executive director of clinical information support at Kaiser Permanente. "These awards validate our commitment to putting technology in the hands of physicians and caregivers to improve quality, efficiency and ultimately transform the way care is delivered."
Kaiser Permanente's Stage 7 hospitals are South San Francisco Medical Center, South Sacramento Medical Center, Sacramento Medical Center, Roseville Medical Center, Modesto Medical Center, Manteca Hospital, Walnut Creek Medical Center, Antioch Medical Center, Hayward Medical Center, Fremont Medical Center, Santa Rosa Medical Center and Irvine Medical Center.
NorthShore University HealthSystem is a comprehensive, fully integrated healthcare delivery system that serves the greater North Shore and northern Illinois communities. The health system has more than 2,000 affiliated physicians, including a 550-physician multispecialty group practice with more than 70 office locations.
In 2003, NorthShore was among the first in the country to successfully launch a system-wide EMR with demonstrable benefits in quality, safety, efficiency and service to patients.
"We are pleased to achieve this level of accomplishment," said Mark R. Neaman, president and CEO of NorthShore University HealthSystem. "Our clinical systems allow for a patient centric database across our hospitals and physician offices including independent physician offices. These systems give our physicians access to information and images to better serve our patients as we continue to improve quality of care and patient safety."
NorthShore's Stage 7 hospitals are Evanston Hospital, Glenbrook Hospital and Highland Park Hospital.
