Cambridge trust leads way in electronic medical records adoption
HIMSS awards CUH Stage 6 status of the international Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) has awarded Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) with Stage 6 of the international Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM).
HIMSS is an international organisation dedicated to improving healthcare quality, safety, cost-effectiveness and access through the best use of IT. It developed an Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) in 2005 to measure progress and the cumulative capabilities of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems within hospitals all over the world.
Hospitals that reach Stage 6 - Stage 7 being the highest - have established clear goals for improving safety, minimising errors, and recognising the importance of healthcare IT.
This accreditation, which is the only international standard that recognises the effective use of technology in delivering high-quality patient care, was validated following an onsite visit by HIMSS.
Inspectors visited CUH to assess the use and adoption of its new Epic electronic patient record (EPR) system, which went live on 26 October 2014 across both of its hospitals - Addenbrooke’s and The Rosie. As part of the day-long assessment, inspectors spent time with clinical and administrative staff working in paediatrics, pharmacy, radiology, ICU, the emergency department and medical records, observing the delivery of high-quality patient care with the use of a fully-integrated EPR.
Effective use of the EPR system was showcased, including the delivery of closed-loop medication to automtically identify the nurse, the patient and the medication; increased patient safety and medication error awareness; and many processes now being paperless due to the implementation of the system.
John Rayner, director of professional development at HIMSS Europe, said: “The distance that the trust has travelled in such a short period of time really stood out during the site visit. To be awarded a Stage 6 validation in less than 12 months of being live with the new system is quite commendable and a real credit to all concerned. We look forward to working with the trust in the future and will observe their progress with considerable interest.”