Chicago-based HIMSS Analytics has announced its recognition of 11 of Rockford Health System’s sites with its Stage 7 Ambulatory Award. The HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 Ambulatory Award honors ambulatory facilities operating in a paperless environment and representing best practices in implementing Electronic Health Records (EHR). The award represents Rockford Health’s attainment in 2014 of the highest level on the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM), which is used to track EMR progress at hospitals and health systems. 

Developed in 2011, the EMR Ambulatory Adoption Model reportedly 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. According to the announcement from HIMSS Analytics, during the third quarter of 2014, only 4.37% of the more than 27,000 US ambulatory clinics in the HIMSS Analytics Database received the Stage 7 Ambulatory Award.

In the same announcement, Rockford Health System, based in Rockford, Ill, reported that it is proud to be recognized as a “best” for leveraging its EHR, and representatives said the organization has now moved beyond implementation to exploit the many features and benefits of clinical automation and process redesign.

“Our interdisciplinary teams continue to work together to meet the many challenges for preparing our organization to meet triple-aim objectives, and the transition from fee for service to fee for value,” said Dennis L’ Heureux, MS, CPHIMS, LFHIMSS, senior vice president for IT Planning and CIO, Rockford Health System. “HIMSS Analytics  Stage 7 criteria provided us a road map along our journey. Like a series of stretch goals, these criteria served to remind us what should be done to help enhance our organization as a data-driven, quality-focused, service-oriented health care provider whose mission is to offer superior care every day for all of our patients.” 

For more information about the Stage 7 Ambulatory Award and the EMR Ambulatory Adoption Model, visit the HIMSS Analytics website.

Rockford Health will reportedly be recognized at the 2015 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition on April 12-16, 2015, in Chicago.