NorthShore University HealthSystem gained Stage 7 revalidation from HIMSS Analytics for its hospitals and associated clinics, again attaining the highest level on both the acute care Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model and outpatient EMRAM.
The four-hospital system based near Chicago, manages patients using real-time, actionable analytics, monitoring 16 evidence-based quality measures for preventive care and chronic conditions. Using a custom dashboard within NorthShore's integrated EHR, care providers can more quickly assess individual patients with care gaps such as missed follow-up appointments, diabetes exams and preventative services such as screenings and immunizations.
Patients at high risk for hospital readmission can then be flagged prior to discharge and referred to the appropriate provider for follow up in the physician office, HIMSS officials said. An automated outreach system is triggered that contacts the patient using their preferred method of communication.
"NorthShore University HealthSystem's use of analytics exceeds expectations by not only using the data to improve clinical care and operational efficiency, but to also learn how to improve the workflow of the physician, saving time and improving documentation," said Philip Bradley, regional director, North America, HIMSS Analytics.
"At the same time, they continue to innovate, with implementing closed-loop blood product administration and recently began smart pump integration throughout the inpatient environment," he said.
NorthShore's digital health initiatives have expanded functionality and usability to simplify the healthcare experience for patients, and enabled the potential for 80 percent of physician and hospital appointments to be booked online.
Mary Keegan, RN, NorthShore's chief nursing officer, said the health system has harnessed IT to improve patient care and increase efficiency in several ways, "from enhancing timely access via online appointment scheduling, to getting lab and test results to the patient — oftentimes before they have arrived home from the lab.
"We live in an on-demand world, and the EHR enables the team to communicate in a standardized and efficient manner," she added. "The complexity of the inpatient world is cemented with readily available information shared amongst multiple team members, enabling modification of treatment plans in real time. Most importantly, patient safety is enhanced with clinical guidelines and recommendations to the caregivers."
NorthShore University HealthSystem will be recognized for its Stage 7 award at HIMSS17.
HIMSS17 runs from Feb. 19-23, 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center.
This article is part of our ongoing coverage of HIMSS17. Visit Destination HIMSS17 for previews, reporting live from the show floor and after the conference.