CHICAGO (January 26, 2015) - HIMSS Analytics awarded Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, N.D, with a  Stage 7 Award, and 21 Altru Health System clinics located throughout North Dakota and Minnesota with Stage 7 Ambulatory Awards.

Stage 7 Award: HIMSS Analytics developed the EMR Adoption Model in 2005 as a methodology for evaluating the progress and impact of electronic medical record systems for hospitals in the HIMSS Analytics™ Database. There are eight stages (0-7) that measure a hospital’s implementation and utilization 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.

Stage 7 Ambulatory Award: Developed in 2011, the EMR Ambulatory Adoption Model 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.  These facilities include physician practices, clinics, outpatient centers and specialty clinics. Tracking their progress in completing eight stages (0-7), ambulatory facilities can review the implementation and use of IT applications with the intent of reaching Stage 7, which represents an advanced electronic patient record environment.

During the third quarter of 2014, only 3.4 percent of the more than 5,400 U.S. hospitals in the HIMSS Analytics® Database received the Stage 7 Award, and only 4.37 percent of the more than 27,000 ambulatory clinics in the HIMSS Analytics® Database received the Stage 7 Ambulatory Award.

 “We think advanced electronic medical records are helping us provide the best care possible. The HIMSS Stage 7 designation is a very big milestone on that journey," said Dave Molmen, CEO, Altru Health System.

Altru Health System is a community-owned, integrated system with an acute care hospital, a specialty hospital, more than a dozen clinics in Grand Forks and the region, a large home care network, and a congregate living facility. It employs more than 200 physicians and 4,000 staff. As the first member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Altru’s providers have access to clinically integrated tools extending Mayo Clinic’s knowledge and expertise to patients.

“We have been working towards this designation since our implementation of our electronic medical record system in 2010.  We are proud to say that all of Altru Health System’s facilities are now Stage 7 certified, “said Mark Waind CHCIO, administrative director of information services, Altru Health System.  

“Altru Health System demonstrated improved patient care through its innovative use of the EMR. Collaborating with two large health systems, Altru Health has integrated two different decision support tools with its EHR to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol for patients. These and other collaborative efforts demonstrate Altru’s commitment toward achieving its vision of delivering world-class healthcare to the community they serve,” said John H. Daniels, CNM, FACHE, FHIMSS, CPHIMS, vice president, strategic relations, HIMSS Analytics.

The Altru Health System will be recognized at the 2015 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition on April 12-16, 2015, in Chicago, Ill. 

Visit the HIMSS Analytics web site for more information on the Stage 7 award and Stage 7 Ambulatory Award. 

About HIMSS Analytics

HIMSS Analytics collects, analyzes and distributes essential health IT data related to products, costs, metrics, trends and purchase decisions.  It delivers quality data and analytical expertise to healthcare delivery organizations, IT companies, governmental entities, financial, pharmaceutical and consulting companies. Visit www.himssanalytics.org.

HIMSS Analytics is a part of HIMSS, a cause-based, global enterprise that produces health IT thought leadership, education, events, market research and media services around the world. Founded in 1961, HIMSS encompasses more than 52,000 individuals, of which more than two-thirds work in healthcare provider, governmental and not-for-profit organizations across the globe, plus over 600 corporations and 250 not-for-profit partner organizations, that share the cause of transforming health and healthcare through the best use of IT.  HIMSS, headquartered in Chicago, serves the global health IT community with additional offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia. 

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