The clinics of NorthShore University HealthSystem are the first to reach Stage 7 on the new HIMSS Analytics/directory/analytics" target="_blank" class="directory-item-link">Analytics Ambulatory EMR Adoption Model, patterned after HIMSS Analytics’ model for hospitals, which has been in use since 2005. Developed in 2011, the A-EMRAM provides a methodology for evaluating the progress and impact of electronic medical record systems for ambulatory facilities owned by hospitals in the HIMSS Analytics database.

The facilities include physician practices, clinics, outpatient centers and specialty clinics. Tracking their progress in completing eight stages (0-7), ambulatory facilities can review the implementation and use of IT applications with the intent of reaching Stage 7, which represents an advanced electronic patient record environment.

[See also: HIMSS Analytics launches EMRAM for ambulatory practices.]

Stage 7 ambulatory facilities:

• Deliver patient care without the use of paper charts;
• Use their EMR and patient portal to drive patient engagement, and thus, improved health status through better health maintenance;
• Use their vast database of clinical information and evidence based practice guidance to improve  outcomes using business intelligence solutions; and
• Are able to share patient information through private and public health information exchanges, which improves communications, speeds up appropriate care delivery, and ultimately, reduces unnecessary consumption.

The validation process confirms ambulatory facilities have reached Stage 7 with a site visit conducted by an executive from HIMSS Analytics and a chief medical information officer with ambulatory deployment experience to ensure an unbiased evaluation of the Stage 7 environments. Visiting a representative ambulatory clinic or clinics that deployed the same EMR applications and software, the validation team conducts both a comprehensive system overview and an analytics review to ensure improved health status indicators and understanding of the effectiveness of their patient engagement strategy.

[See also: HIMSS Analytics Europe to launch EMR Adoption Model in UK.]

“It is an honor to be recognized by HIMSS Analytics as the first organization to achieve Stage 7 with its ambulatory clinics,” Steven Smith, CIO at NorthShore, said in a news release. “It is a testament to our leadership team and the work done by our clinicians and medical group, as well as our operations, information technology, analytics and training personnel. Their dedication and commitment to working together and improving the safety and quality of care for our patients is what differentiates NorthShore.”

As the current data on the A-EMRAM indicates, as of March 30, 2013, HIMSS Analytics has recognized:

• 1.10 percent of 19,234 ambulatory facilities at Stage 6; and
• 0.9 percent of 19,234 ambulatory facilities at Stage 7.

”The ambulatory clinics at NorthShore University HealthSystem offer a fully deployed, multi-specialty EMR, which is utilized in a completely paperless environment with a comprehensive analytics program that combines demographics and disease occurrence for informing public health agencies,” said John Hoyt, vice president, HIMSS Analytics. “Combined with their acute care environment, these clinics represent a comprehensive view of the patient’s medical record to all caregivers in any clinic location. Their patient engagement strategy has proven to enhance market share and significantly reduce ‘patient leakage’ to other providers in the crowded Chicago market.”