The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), based in Baltimore, has achieved Stage 6 on HIMSS Analytics’ Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) for the ambulatory environment.
HIMSS Analytics, part of the Health Information Management Systems Society, developed the Outpatient EMR Adoption Model in 2012 as a methodology for evaluating the progress and impact of electronic medical record systems for ambulatory facilities in the HIMSS Analytics LOGIC. Tracking their progress in completing eight stages (0-7), ambulatory sites can review the implementation and utilization of information technology applications with the intent of reaching Stage 7, which represents an advanced electronic patient record environment.
“This achievement reflects our system’s focus to ensure we are providing innovative, patient-centric care at every touch point,” Jon Burns, senior vice president and chief information officer for UMMS, said in a statement. “This is a result of physicians, nurses, techs, ancillary staff and administrative staff all collaborating to improve workflows and introduce new features.”
Last fall, five University of Maryland System hospitals (University of Maryland Medical Center, UMMC Midtown campus, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center, Um St. Joseph Medical Center, and UM Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute) also achieved HIMSS Stage 6 on the EMR Adoption Model due in large part to the adoption of the Epic Portfolio electronic medical record.
According to HIMSS Analytics, Stage 6 practices have made significant executive commitments and investments to reach this stage and provide a significant advantage over competitors for patient safety, clinician support, clinician recruitment, and competitive marketing for both consumers and nurse recruitment.
Additionally, Stage 6 healthcare practices have almost fully automated/paperless medical records when IT applications are implemented across most of the care settings and are either starting to evaluate their data for care delivery process improvements or have already documented significant improvements in this area. Further, Stage 6 organizations have made investments that are within reach of most clinics and recognize the strategic value of improving patient care with the EMR. These organizations also have begun to create strategic alignments with their clinical staff to effectively utilize information technology to improve patient engagement and population health.
Stage 6 practices also have achieved a significant advancement in their IT capabilities that positions them to successfully address many of the current industry transformations, such as the meaningful use criteria in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, claims attachments for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, pay for performance, and new government quality reporting programs under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).
“HIMSS Analytics congratulates UMMS for making significant progress towards achieving advanced health IT adoption,” John H. Daniels, global vice president, HIMSS Analytics, said in a statement. “Stage 6 represents a level of sophistication that can lead to innovative healthcare transformation.”
