Kasih Ibu Hospital Group's flagship hospital in Denpasar, capital of Bali, Indonesia, has been validated for Stage 6 of the HIMSS Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model.

The eight-stage model measures an organisation's maturity in their EMR capabilities.

WHY IT MATTERS

Kasih Ibu Hospital Group started as a maternity hospital in Denpasar before becoming a general hospital four years after its founding in 1987. Now with four branches across Bali regencies, the group saw a growing need to digitally transform, being situated in in one of the world's most visited island destinations – last year, about 5 million foreign tourists visited Bali. 

The digital transformation at its 100-bed flagship hospital started with the installation of a business intelligence platform to enable data-driven organisation decision making and identify specific needs and areas of improvement. It then followed the implementation of PACS, LIS, and then its EMR system, powered by Vesalius.

Its visionary leadership led to the EMR implementation in 2018, according to HIMSS. Kasih Ibu Hospital Denpasar recently underwent the EMRAM validation to get its foundational technology, the EMR, checked against international standards. 

During the validation, HIMSS validators noted the hospital's automated early warning scoring (EWS) system with real-time alerts, a supporting technology for the EMR system in the general wards. Kasih Ibu Hospital Denpasar was the first in Indonesia to adopt this system, powered by Philips. It was observed that the EWS can record vital signs data automatically in the EMR within five minutes and detect patient deterioration immediately. 

Meanwhile, Kasih Ibu Hospital Denpasar has also integrated CDSS with globally-recognised clinical resources, rolled out closed-loop management systems, and fully integrated EMR across all departments. It also introduced a patient portal called KIH Connect to improve patient engagement.

"Continuous monitoring and improvement were integral to our process. We regularly monitored the performance of implemented systems using Tableau for data analysis, ensuring effectiveness and efficiency. This approach helped identify areas for continuous improvement and maintain compliance with Stage 6 standards," Kasih Ibu Hospital Group president Krishna Duarsa explained to Healthcare IT News.

"Our team collaboratively ensured that all aspects of our digital systems, processes, and integrations were thoroughly documented. This included detailed records of system implementations, staff training programs, data integration mechanisms, patient safety protocols, and continuous improvement initiatives." 

Following its EMRAM validation, Kasih Ibu Hospital Group says it will continue investing in the digital transformation of its hospitals. It also aims to get its Denpasar hospital validated for the highest EMRAM stage, with HIMSS expecting its integration with SatuSehat for data exchange, among other potential requirements. 

THE LARGER TREND

In 2022, Jakarta-based Pondok Indah Hospital Group became the first healthcare provider in Indonesia to be validated for the HIMSS EMRAM. All three of its hospitals in Pondok Indah, Puri Indah, and Bintaro Jaya were validated for Stage 6. 

Meanwhile, this year, all 43 public hospitals under Hong Kong Hospital Authority, as well as private Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi in Thailand, were validated for Stage 7 of the EMRAM. Taiwan-based Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from South Korea were revalidated for the highest EMRAM stage this year.

ON THE RECORD

"With the gradual advancement of digital transformation in healthcare across the country, our achievement of EMRAM Stage 6, previously attained by only one other hospital, stands as a testament to our advanced healthcare technology capabilities. This success demonstrates that digital transformation is not confined to the capital city of Jakarta but is also thriving in regions beyond," Duarsa said. The hospital has set up an international division which caters to international tourists and expatriates. 

"As a hospital group based in Bali, the tourism hub of Indonesia, our strategic location requires us to meet high standards set by international insurance providers, ensuring that our facilities are top-notch and compliant with global benchmarks. Achieving Stage 6 HIMSS EMRAM validation not only builds trust among the international communities and the local ones but also underscores our dedication to providing high-quality care. This recognition solidifies our position as a leading healthcare provider in the region," he added.

Besides helping enhance patient safety, operational efficiency, and reputation, a HIMSS EMRAM validation, according to Duarsa, also positions an organisation to adopt new health technologies. 

"This readiness for future technologies ensures that the hospital remains at the forefront of medical advancements and continues to offer cutting-edge care to its patients."