Loma Linda University (LLU) Medical Center and other patient care facilities linked to the health system have achieved Stage 7 designation on HIMSS Analytics’ inpatient Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM), the organization recently announced.
The Stage 7 designation, held by only 6 percent of U.S. hospitals, was given during a survey visit to Loma Linda University Health in Loma Linda, Calif. on Nov. 7. Loma Linda University Medical Center is the teaching hospital for Loma Linda University, which includes schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, allied health, religion, public health, and behavioral health. In addition the medical center, Children’s Hospital, Surgical Hospital and East Campus also received Stage 7 inpatient EMRAM designation.
The survey team, led by Philip Bradley, North American regional director for the Healthcare Advisory Services Group at HIMSS Analytics, complimented Loma Linda University Health on their: robust use of data; true partnerships between operations and IT; operational dashboards and management; effective case studies; staff enthusiasm; and a generally paperless environment.
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.
One of the many initiatives launched by Loma Linda included a decision support tool. This was created to help providers and pharmacists improve the ability to conduct complicated calculations to reach effective use of vancomycin, an antibiotic to treat infections. LLU Medical Center began by programming calculations into patients’ electronic medical records to help ensure faster delivery of information and more consistent results in reaching goal blood levels, officials said.
“Achieving HIMSS Analytics EMRAM Stage 7 speaks to Loma Linda University Health’s commitment to maximizing existing technology to provide quality care for all of our patients,” Francis Chan, M.D., chief medical information officer at LLU Medical Center, said in a statement. “We are confident our health care team will continue to seek out both proven and original methods to continue our institutional mission.”
Loma Linda will be recognized at the 2018 HIMSS Conference & Exhibition on March 5-9, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
