The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s (HIMSS) analytics division, HIMSS Analytics, has recognized North Pinellas, an Adventist Health System facility based in Tarpon Spring, Florida, with its Stage 7 Award. The award represents attainment of the highest level on the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM), which is used to track electronic medical record (EMR) progress at hospitals and health systems.

EMRAM was developed as a methodology for evaluating the progress and impact of EMRs for hospitals in the HIMSS Analytics Database. There are eight stages (0-7) that measure a hospital’s implementation and use of information technology applications. The final stage, Stage 7, represents an advanced patient record environment. The validation process to confirm a hospital has reached Stage 7 includes a site visit by an executive from HIMSS Analytics and former or current chief information officers to ensure an unbiased evaluation of the Stage 7 environments.       

“Adventist Health System, through Florida Hospital North Pinellas, is leading the way in electronic medical records adoption thanks to our skilled physicians and staff,” Bruce Bergherm, Florida Hospital North Pinellas CEO, said in a statement. “Locally, it takes a significant amount of time and manpower to ensure we are using the systems appropriately, something that would have been even more challenging without the support and leadership from Adventist Health System. Becoming only the second hospital in Florida to accomplish this high level of technological integration and advancement demonstrates our dedication to offering the highest quality and safest care to our patients.”

All hospitals designated Stage 7 over the past year will be honored at the 2013 HIMSS conference, held in New Orleans.