HIMSS Analytics established a new set of criteria for its EMR Adoption Model, set to take effect Jan. 18, 2018.
The eight-stage EMR Adoption Model measures the degree to which a hospital or health system utilizes its EMR functions. The last time HIMSS Analytics updated its EMR Adoption Model criteria was in 2014, HIMSS Analytics Global Vice President John Daniels told Becker's Hospital Review in an interview.
The new model contains a major focus on cybersecurity, with privacy and security standards integrated into Stage 2 through Stage 7. To meet Stage 2 criteria, organizations must now establish policies regarding device encryption, mobile security and antivirus software, among other standards.
Another update involves moving digital imaging criteria into Stage 1, since "pretty much every organization has a digital [picture archiving and communication system] capability for radiology and cardiology," says Mr. Daniels. In the current EMR Adoption Model, digital imaging for radiology is a requirement to reach Stage 5 and digital imaging for cardiology is a requirement to reach Stage 7.
In 2018, HIMSS Analytics will also ask hospitals and health systems vying for Stage 7 designation about two more benchmarks: anesthesia information systems and smart infusion pumps. However, healthcare organizations will not be scored on these two additions.
"We're looking at these capabilities, but we're not scoring them," Mr. Daniels says. "We're letting the industry know, at some point in the future, these will become Stage 7 requirements. We want to make sure we give the industry plenty of time to begin to plan for and implement these capabilities."