Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (LHCH) is honoured to join an elite group of hospitals around the world who have successfully validated against the HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) international EMRAM Stage 7 standards.
EMRAM – the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model – assesses a health facility’s adoption and maturity of its digital capabilities. Being validated at Level 7 confirms that LHCH has achieved the highest international quality standard for excellence in digital and data to support outstanding patient care and services.
A rigorous on-site assessment took place this week, with LHCH being the first trust in Europe to be assessed against the new and more extensive Stage 7 HIMSS standards.
HMSS inspectors observed clinical staff using the Trust’s electronic patient record system and electronic data and analytics functions, to demonstrate how digital use is embedded throughout clinical practice to improve patient care and to drive service improvement.
Liz Bishop, LHCH Chief Executive, said: “We’re thrilled that LHCH has achieved such a prestigious rating, at Stage 7, with HIMSS. This is testament to the incredible digital vision here at LHCH and the professionalism of all our teams who have embraced new digital ways of working and adopted new technology to enable us to deliver outstanding care for our patients.”
John Rayner, who led the international assessment team, said: “This is a fantastic hospital which has thoroughly embraced the power of technology and innovation to absolutely transform everything that they do. The enthusiasm for this was palpable the minute we walked through the door. Managerial and clinical teams alike are so passionate and proud of the journey that has finally taken them to this point. It is amazing to see such commitment and how this energy has improved patient safety and the overall quality of clinical care.”
Kate Warriner, LHCH Chief Digital and Information Officer, said: “I’m so proud of our digital, operational and clinical teams, and all the incredible work they have done across the Trust to achieve this accreditation. We’ve been on a remarkable digital journey in recent years, and since achieving HIMSS Stage 6 in the middle of the pandemic in 2021, this progress has continued at pace.
“Through the integration of clinical systems, embedding information sharing across care services, and investing in digital infrastructure, cyber security and intelligence-led care, staff have been enabled to deliver even better, safer and more efficient patient care.”
Kate added: “While it is clearly a tremendous achievement to have received EMRAM Stage 7 accreditation, we know there’s even more we can do. As such, we will continue to look for ways to harness digital technologies to further optimise patient care, safety and effectiveness of our services.”
LHCH Medical Director and Chief Clinical Information Officer, Mr Manoj Kuduvalli, said: “A tremendous amount of work has taken place over the last 10-11 years since we first implemented our Trust-wide electronic patient record system.
“In 2013 we successfully moved away from using paper patient records and introduced fully digital ways of documenting patient care and accessing clinical information.
“Therefore, we are absolutely delighted to be formally recognised in such a select group of healthcare centres as a Stage 7 trust.”
