May 29, 2012
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has received the highest award from HIMSS Analytics, the research arm of the Health Information and Management Systems Society. This distinction is awarded to hospitals that have attained the highest level on the Electronic Medical Records Adoption Model (EMRAM), which is used to track electronic medical records (EMR) progress. Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center is the first hospital in Ohio and among only 86 of the more than 5,000 hospitals in the United States to achieve this advanced level of patient record service.
“The Stage 7 Award is a tribute to the hard work of every member of our team,” says Dr. Steven G. Gabbe, chief executive officer of Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center. “Our electronic system will allow us to provide more efficient, effective and better coordinated care to our patients. Patient records are in a central, secure location where health providers can access to their patients’ current health information."
“Our electronic system also gives patients more ownership over their own medical care through MyChart. They can review their health history, read over test results and see records from doctor’s appointments and inpatient hospital stays. This will help patients become the active participants in their own health,” said Gabbe.
HIMSS Analytics developed the EMRAM in 2005 as a methodology for evaluating the progress and impact of EMR systems for hospitals in the HIMSS Analytics Database. Tracking their progress in completing eight stages (0-7), hospitals can view the implementation and utilization of information technology applications with the intent of reaching Stage 7.
To achieve this advanced level, a hospital has completely installed an EMR system, data warehousing and data continuity within the emergency department and other areas. Stage 7 hospitals must be able to: deliver patient care without using paper charts, share patient information through secure record transactions to other care providers and use the database of clinical information to drive improved care delivery performance and patient safety decision support. Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center launched an EMR system in October that utilizes a single, integrated health record for all of a patient’s interactions across the entire health system.
“We are very excited to receive the Stage 7 award. We believe this designation is important beyond the award itself because the criteria are structured to represent the advanced use of technology to improve patient care and working towards this achievement has helped us realize our mission of improving people’s lives,” says Phyllis Teater, chief information officer at Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center.
To receive the Stage 7 Award, a healthcare system must advance through all previous levels and be validated by HIMSS, which includes a site visit.
“The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is an extremely data-driven organization with outstanding clinical and business intelligence and a tightly scheduled, successful training process,” says John P. Hoyt, executive vice president of HIMSS Analytics. “Ohio State has changed the culture and expectations of health IT through this process by moving from a best of breed, multi-vendor environment to a primary vendor-focused environment. With the elimination of 169 interfaces, the primary vendor focus enabled enterprise-wide, evidence-based standardization beyond anything previously possible.”
A complete list of hospitals at HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 EMR adoption can be found here: http://go.osu.edu/Kae
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