HIMSS Stage 7 explained: Only six organizations worldwide have achieved this status on three different maturity models

NorthShore University Health System's digital transformation focused on robust predictive analytics capabilities and artificial intelligence technology. It was facilitated in part by HIMSS, the parent company of Healthcare Finance News. HIMSS recognized NorthShore for its efforts by granting it Stage 7 status in its Analytics Adoption Model for Analytics Maturity, or AMAM.

Stage 7 status is the highest level an organization can achieve, and it's rare. In fact, only 11 organizations worldwide have achieved Stage 7 status on HIMSS' maturity model for AMAM, and only six have been validated on three different maturity models. 

Parsed into eight stages from 0 to 7, the model is designed to measure and advance an organization's analytics capabilities. Stage 7 means the organization has not only established strong analytics capabilities, but is also demonstrating that it's using the technology in a useful and meaningful way.

Stage 7 represents the apex of leveraging data-driven platforms, such as the Clinical Analytics Prediction Engine and the Electronic Cardiac Arrest Risk Triage to provide better care and operational performance.

"They've been able to deliver the technology, but what's also important is showing they've implemented it and are using it," said Reid Oakes, executive vice president, HIMSS Analytics. "That's the key."

NorthShore has also revalidated its Stage 7 status on another HIMSS maturity model, the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model, or EMRAM. EMRAM, said Oakes, has been around for about 15 years and has played a role in meaningful use, the digitization of healthcare and other developments in the industry. 

"That maturity model was really put in place to help measure how folks progressed along their EMR adoption journey," said Oakes. "Over time, what folks have said is, 'We have other technologies that are critical to our delivery of healthcare. How do we fit these pieces together? We need to understand and plot our position.' That's where things like AMAM, and some of the other maturity models all kinds of play together."

Case studies have shown that both models improve patient care while reducing costs. NorthShore is one of only five organizations worldwide that has achieved Stage 7 status on all three of HIMSS' maturity models.

Each maturity model stands on its own and plays a significant role, said Oakes. While a lot of the same issues exist across healthcare as a whole, each organization has different approaches and priorities, depending on resources and the types of communities they serve. The HIMSS models help them to plot a course.

"The ultimate goal from an analytics perspective is to utilize it more actively," said Oakes. "Developing insights is really critical."
 

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com