The Burlington, Mass.-based integrated healthcare system Lahey Health has earned Stage 7 designation on HIMSS Analytics’ Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) for both acute and ambulatory care.
According to a press release from the health system, Lahey Health positioned itself to reach Stage 7 through a dedicated integration of multiple hospitals, outpatient clinics, and provider offices stretching throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. “By combining the EMRAM algorithms across its infrastructure, Lahey Health has developed a mature high quality, high value electronic medical record framework that provides clinicians a central hub for maximizing patient safety, medication administration, and point-of-care interactions,” the release stated.
HIMSS Analytics developed the EMR Adoption Model in 2005 as a methodology for evaluating the progress and impact of EMR systems for hospitals in the HIMSS Analytics Logic. There are eight stages (0-7) that measure a hospital’s implementation and utilization of information technology applications. The final stage, Stage 7, represents an advanced electronic patient record environment. The Stage 7 distinction points to an organization’s ability to integrate EMR technology successfully into quality care delivery.
Only 5 percent of U.S. hospitals have reached this highest level HIMSS designation. Lahey Health is one of fewer than 40 U.S. hospitals and health systems, and the only hospital or health system in Massachusetts, to have earned this distinction for both acute and ambulatory care.
“This achievement is an acknowledgement of the seamless integration between community hospitals, primary care physicians and tertiary specialists across the Lahey Health system which ultimately results in better care for our patients,” Richard Nesto, M.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer, Lahey Health, said in a statement.
Added John Hoyt, HIMSS Analytics, “With Lahey Health’s thorough deployment of electronic medical records, they have developed a comprehensive care environment. Their uniformity of system use is a testament to their enterprise commitment to using their EMR to drive improvements in care quality and efficiency, equally on the inpatient and outpatient basis.”
The system’s Stage 7 designation extends to Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals, primary care physician practices, and multiple outpatient and satellite specialty care facilities across the system. Lahey Health will complete a system-wide installation of the Epic medical record system when Winchester Hospital concludes its implementation.
Lahey Health will be recognized at the 2018 HIMSS Conference & Exhibition on March 5-9, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
