As the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act seeks to transform healthcare, only 42 U.S. hospitals recognized as a Stage 6 by HIMSS Analytics serve as models in healthcare IT adoption for other healthcare systems beginning the process. Achieving EMR sophistication, these hospitals have achieved advancement in their IT capabilities as measured by the EMR Adoption Model (EMRAM). 

HIMSS Analytics developed the EMRAM in 2005 as a methodology for evaluating the progress and impact of EMR systems for acute-care delivery environments. With an almost paperless environment, the 42 U.S. hospitals, designated by HIMSS as Stage 6 hospitals, are positioned to address many of the expected industry transformations, such as HIPAA Claims Attachment, pay-for-performance and government quality reporting programs.

There are a total of 8 stages (0-7) on the EMRAM with the goal of reaching Stage 7 - operating in an environment where paper charts are not used to manage the delivery of patient care, and clinical data is used for performance improvement and analytics of care delivery, according to the society.

"Only 0.5 percent of hospitals (tracked through the HIMSS Analytics Database) have achieved Stage 6 capabilities," said Mike Davis, executive vice president, HIMSS Analytics.  "The hospitals we rank as Stage 6 have implemented advanced clinical applications that improve patient safety and care delivery outcomes."

The Stage 6 Hospitals include:

1. Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland, Texas: 320 beds;
2. Clarian Health in Indianapolis: 1,688 beds;
3. Newport Hospital in Newport, R.I.: 148 beds
4. NorthShore University HealthSystem in Evanston, Ill.: 858 beds;
5. Citizens Memorial Healthcare in Bolivar, Mo.: 74 beds;
6. Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Ga.: 580 beds;
7. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Route, La.: 763 beds;
8. St. Clair Memorial Hospital in Pittsburgh: 329 beds;
9. St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore: 322 beds;
10. University Health System in San Antonio, Texas: 597 beds;
11. Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Ill.: 535 beds;
12. HCA - Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem, Va.: 521 beds;
13. University of California San Diego Medical Center: 386 beds;
14. Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.: 705 beds;
15. SSM Health Care in St. Louis: 5,000 beds;
16. Watertown Memorial Hospital in Watertown, Wis.: 95 beds;
17. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: 3,762 beds;
18. Parkview Adventist Medical Center in Brunswick, Maine: 55 beds;
19. Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago: 334 beds;
20. Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash.: 623 beds;
21. Stellaris Health Network in Armonk, N.Y.:1,056 beds;
22. Mercy Hospital & Medical Center in Chicago: 473 beds;
23. Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass.: 746 beds; and
24. Kaiser Permanente Health Foundation in Oakland, Calif.: 7,654 beds.

The hospitals will be honored at HIMSS09 at the first ever Stage 7 Awards reception on Monday, April 6 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The awards ceremony will celebrate both Stage 6 and 7 hospitals in their efforts for leading the way in EMR implementation.