Novant Health is the first health system worldwide to be revalidated for the prestigious HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 Ambulatory Award for its adoption and use of an EHR. All Novant Health medical group clinics – approximately 440 locations – were revalidated as part of the award.
In July 2013, the organization finalized the implementation of the EHR in all physician clinics across the Novant Health system. The implementation was completed three years early and under budget. Novant Health initially received the HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 Ambulatory Award in October 2013.
“We are honored to be the first organization to receive this prestigious recognition from HIMSS Analytics,” said Dr. Keith Griffin, chief medical information officer for Novant Health medical group. “At Novant Health, we are committed to making health care more convenient and easier to access. This award speaks to our continued partnership with our physician clinics in using technology to provide remarkable patient care across our organization’s footprint. We join our clinic teams in celebrating this significant accomplishment.”
As a Stage 7 organization, Novant Health uses a variety of EHR features and tools to elevate the quality of care provided to patients and increase affordability. Some of these features include advanced decision support, which allows providers to identify patients who are in need of or who are overdue for care; integrated medical devices that automatically send test results into a patient’s medical record; the ability to share medical records across health systems and MyChart, a secure online health management tool that connects patients to their personalized health record – from anywhere, at any time.
Stage 7 Ambulatory Award: Developed in 2011, the EMR Ambulatory Adoption Model 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. These 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.
“Revalidation of the HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 EMRAM is a testament to the focus Novant Health has on the remarkable patient experience,” said Dave Garrett, chief information officer for Novant Health. “This revalidation ensures we are using best practices and shows we are committed to our patients, our providers and our team members.”
