Samsung Medical Center has achieved milestones in digital transformation as it has been validated for the highest stages of both the HIMSS Digital Imaging Adoption Model and the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model.

It is the first healthcare provider in the world to reach Stage 7 in the DIAM. 

DIAM assesses an organisation's capabilities in the delivery of medical imaging while EMRAM measures the adoption and maturity of their EMR. 

WHY IT MATTERS

During its DIAM Stage 7 validation, HIMSS acknowledged SMC as a "world leader" in digital pathology. "This is the most comprehensive use of integrated digital pathology we have seen," said Andrew Pearce, HIMSS VP Analytics and Global Advisory Lead. 

The organisation noted the "terrific" use of structured reporting in multiple different specialties and SMC's "unique" approach to CDS for radiology examinations. The hospital was also praised for its use of AI in determining patients who need urgent medical care during the height of the pandemic and its implementation of a text analyser to ensure regular colonoscopies. 

HIMSS expects SMC to continuously scale its imaging analytics project "to a larger sample size with robust measurement of outcomes using the technology and comparisons to prior cases where it was not applied."

Meanwhile, during its validation for Stage 7 EMRAM, HIMSS was impressed with the many innovations of SMC on top of some examples it already saw in the hospital's Stage 6 accreditation. These innovations include the use of chemotherapy dispensing robots to ensure accuracy and safety in dispensing mixed chemotherapy preparations and the use of supply robots around the clock to maintain stocks around the hospital.

SMC was also praised for its use of AI, such as the advanced rule engine MEWS and another one for pressure ulcer monitoring and management, which made "excellent" use of its extensive database to impact clinical practice. 

It was further commended for its "ground-breaking" use of predictive modelling through its Data-based Operation and Communication Center to optimise the allocation of medical resources and personnel. 

"All these and other use cases are cementing SMC’s status as an advanced smart hospital and a worldwide leader in the use of technology to improve care delivery and outcomes," Pearce shared. 

According to HIMSS, where SMC can improve its EMR system from this point forward includes proactively seeking patient feedback and participation to take its patient engagement strategy "to the next level"; applying user-centric design principles to enhance user experience; and introducing a secure messaging system for in-patients.

THE LARGER TREND

Following these validations, SMC has become a triple Stage 7 HIMSS Digital Maturity Model certified hospital, adding to its Stage 7 HIMSS Infrastructure Adoption Model accreditation last year. It immediately worked on achieving these accreditations some months after clearing both Stage 6 EMRAM and DIAM. 

SMC also recently underwent an assessment for the HIMSS Digital Health Indicator where it topped all global health systems in 2022 with a score of 365/400. 

ON THE RECORD

Jean-Hyoung Lee, manager of IT Infrastructure at SMC, shared his thoughts on the Stage 7 DIAM validation: "[Becoming] the world's first hospital to reach DIAM Stage 7 has great significance to us. It [shows] that our medical imaging information management system fully complies with international standards and is efficiently utilised with the patient's health as the top priority."

"[This achievement] will set the bar for other hospitals to follow and show SMC's leadership in adopting and integrating digital images."

"Overall, this certification process is a very positive development that raises digital innovation one step further showing SMC's dedication to using digital technology for business success and growth."

On reaching Stage 7 EMRAM, Sang-Seob Lee, SMC's head of IT Operation, said: "Undergoing the EMRAM validation was crucial for SMC as it demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality patient care and utilising technology to enhance our healthcare services." 

"The certification process involves a rigorous evaluation of our EMR system DARWIN, and achieving Stage 7 is strong evidence of the excellence of our system and the hard work of our entire team."

Following these latest digital maturity validations, Seungho Lim, manager of IT Planning at SMC, shared some of their future plans: "Our goal is to realise a global advanced intelligent hospital through digital health innovation. To achieve this, we will build upon the solid foundation established by HIMSS certifications and offer super-gap digital services that prioritise non-contact communication and cutting-edge technology for core patient care activities to maximise the quality of care and patient safety. Furthermore, we aim to expand our hospital services to include proactive health management for patients before and after treatment."

"To further enhance our capabilities, we plan to pursue additional certifications such as AMAM for [our] data analysis system to achieve Stage 7 level."

"As we strive to be at the forefront of digital health innovation, we are continually designing new digital services and building information systems that meet the global standards set by HIMSS."