Deaconess Health System, which serves southwestern Indiana, western Kentucky and southeastern Illinois, has received HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 Award. The award represents attainment of the highest level on the EMR Adoption Model (EMRAM), which is used to track EMR progress at hospitals and health systems.

And as of November, 2011, Deaconess Health System joins 64 other hospitals recognized by HIMSS Analytics with its Stage 7 Award – just 1.1 percent of the more than 5,000 U.S. hospitals in the HIMSS Analytics Database.

[See also: HIMSS Video: Stage 7 hospital explains benefits of EHR]

“Having our organization recognized as a HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 recipient, and in the company of so many prestigious organizations around the country, is definitely something that we are proud of," said Todd F. Richardson, chief information officer at Deaconess Health System.

However, he said, "while it is a great achievement, it is not the finish line for us. Our focus from day-one, when we launched our EHR initiative, was centered on the quality of care for the patients we serve. While these types of recognition give us a sense that we are making great strides, they are not our focus. First and foremost, it is a tribute to our fantastic caregivers who use the tools that we provide them on a daily basis in the care of our patients. Without them, it would be just another tool."  

HIMSS Analytics developed the EMR Adoption Model in 2005 as a methodology for evaluating the progress and impact of electronic medical record systems for hospitals in the HIMSS Analytics Database. Tracking their progress in completing eight stages (0-7), hospitals can review the implementation and utilization of information technology applications with the intent of reaching Stage 7, which represents an advanced patient record environment.

The validation process that confirms a hospital has reached Stage 7 includes a site visit conducted by an executive from HIMSS Analytics and former or current chief information officers to ensure an unbiased evaluation of the Stage 7 environments.

Deaconess Health System is based in Evansville, Ind. and serves a population of approximately 850,000 residents in a 25-county region of the Tri-State area of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. Deaconess covers four hospitals and 19 ambulatory clinics with over 100 employed physicians and more than a dozen "affiliate physicians" in independent practices. 

In barely two years, Deaconess made the journey from a paper-based record to a paperless system, culminating with its Stage 7 recognition.

[See also: HIMSS Analytics gets mainstream play.]

As a "data-driven" organization, officials say, Deaconess, in addition to getting the systems in place, has been able to make marked improvements in quality outcomes by using the data from the EHR to change processes and monitor results.
 
“Earning the HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 award marks outstanding achievement, and congratulations to Deaconess Health System for receiving this honor," said John P. Hoyt, executive vice president of HIMSS Analytics. "The Deaconess system’s strategic governance approach and use of data to create a data-driven culture exemplify the benefits health IT offers to improve the delivery of patient care."

Deaconess Health System will be recognized at the 2012 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition Feb. 21-24, 2012, in Las Vegas.