CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four Novant Health facilities have achieved Stage 6 on the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) with HIMSS Analytics. The facilities are Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center, Novant Health Matthews Medical Center and Novant Health Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital. Of the hospitals participating in the EMR Adoption Model, only 16.5 percent have achieved Stage 6.

"We have been able to reach HIMSS Stage 6 because our leaders are so committed and invested in the process," said Dave Garrett, senior vice president and chief information officer, Novant Health. "We are proud to say we are in the top percent of medical centers participating in the EMR Adoption Model. This achievement is important to Novant Health because we are dedicated to patient safety and patient-centric care, and the electronic medical record improves our ability to deliver that care."

HIMSS Analytics developed the EMR Adoption Model in 2005 as a methodology to evaluate the progress and impact of electronic medical record systems for hospitals in the HIMSS Analytics database. There are eight stages (0-7) in the process and hospitals can review how they implement and utilize IT applications with the intent of reaching Stage 7. Novant Health Medical Group has already reached HIMSS Stage 7. Presbyterian Medical Center, Huntersville Medical Center, Matthews Medical Center and Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital are on track to reach HIMSS Stage 7 by 2016. Only 3.4 percent of hospitals in the EMR Adoption Model have achieved Stage 7.

In reaching Stage 6, these Novant Health facilities have demonstrated focus, good direction and a steadfast commitment from leadership. Stage 6 institutions have established clear goals for improving safety, minimizing errors and prioritizing IT implementations. Novant Health is already evaluating the data for care delivery processes and is implementing its findings to significantly improve the care delivery process model.

These four Novant Health facilities have almost fully automated paperless medical records after implementing IT applications across most inpatient care settings. These facilities have also started to create strategic alignments with medical staff to effectively utilize information technology to improve the patient safety environment.

"We recognize patient safety is paramount," said A.J. Patefield, MD, chief medical information officer, Novant Health. "In reaching Stage 6 in the HIMSS model, we are strategically improving patient care and safety each day. With this technology, our patients have access to their electronic medical record, and our physicians are able to improve the patient safety environment."

With HIMSS Stage 6, Novant Health has significant advancements in IT capabilities, positioning the facilities to successfully address many current industry transformations, like meaningful use criteria, pay for performance and government quality reporting programs.

About Novant Health

Novant Health is a four-state integrated network of physician clinics, outpatient centers and hospitals that delivers a seamless and convenient healthcare experience to our communities. The Novant Health network consists of more than 1,200 physicians and 26,000 employees who make healthcare remarkable at nearly 500 locations, including 14 medical centers and hundreds of outpatient facilities and physician clinics. Headquartered in Winston–Salem, N.C., Novant Health is committed to making healthcare remarkable for patients and communities, serving more than four million patients annually. In 2013, Novant Health provided more than $566 million in community benefit including charity care and services. Novant Health is one of the top 25 integrated health systems in the United States and was named a top 50 "Best Places for Diverse & Women Managers to Work" by Diversity MBA Magazine.

For more information, please visit our website at NovantHealth.org. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

About HIMSS Analytics

HIMSS Analytics is a wholly owned not-for-profit subsidiary of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). The company collects and analyzes healthcare data related to IT processes and environments, products, IS department composition and costs, IS department management metrics, healthcare trends and purchase-related decisions. HIMSS Analytics delivers high quality data and analytical expertise to healthcare delivery organizations, healthcare IT companies, state governments, financial companies, pharmaceutical companies, and consulting firms.  Visit www.himssanalytics.org/ for more information.

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SOURCE Novant Health

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