Ijn Redefines Healthcare Excellence With Its Sights Set On Emram Stage 7

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RECENTLY, Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) achieved a major milestone by being the first hospital in Malaysia to achieve Stage 6 EMRAM (Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model) validation from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
This is vital as it reflects the increasing maturity of the hospital in adopting digital systems to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and improve decision-making processes.
Yet this is just the beginning for IJN, as the prestigious institute is setting its sights on stage 7 EMRAM validation in 2025.
To better appreciate the significance of these stages, it is vital to understand the holistic benefits of EMRAM.
Unlocking the power of real-time data
As hospitals progress through the stages of EMRAM, they integrate more sophisticated technologies and strategies that lead to better patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare delivery, said IJN Director of Health Informatics & Senior Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, Professor Dato Sri Dr Alwi Yunus, a key figure in the implementation of EMRAM at IJN.
The core benefit of EMRAM is its ability to collect continuous real-time data from integrated medical devices like vital signs and patient monitors.
These devices provide constant updates on a patient’s cardiovascular status, enabling clinicians to make timely adjustments to care plans based on real-time information.
Data integration on such a level powers early warning systems that detect critical changes in a patient’s condition, such as an abnormal heart rate, blood pressure, or oxygen levels.
Early detection of these changes allows healthcare providers to intervene sooner, reducing the risk of severe complications and improving survival rates, particularly in high-risk situations.
“By identifying risk factors early, predictive analytics can help healthcare teams take preventative measures, such as adjusting medications or modifying care plans before the patient’s condition worsens,” said Dr Alwi.
This proactive approach not only enhances patient safety but also optimises treatment and reduces adverse events.
Real-time data further supports tailored care by giving clinicians dynamic, up-to-date information about a patient’s health.
For example, clinicians can adjust fluid management, medication dosages, or blood sugar control based on immediate feedback from vital signs monitoring.
In complex medical procedures, such as cardiothoracic surgeries, real-time data proves invaluable. Devices like pressure monitors, flow sensors, and imaging systems provide crucial information, enabling surgeons to make precise decisions during surgery.
For instance, after coronary artery bypass surgery, monitoring real-time data gives surgeons access to the patient’s physiological status, ensuring optimal recovery from surgery.
Continuous monitoring of metrics like oxygenation levels and cardiac output further helps the surgical team identify issues quickly, reducing the risk of post-operative complications like stroke or heart attack.
After surgery, real-time monitoring continues to be critical for patient care.
Ongoing monitoring of vital signs allows healthcare providers to detect complications such as arrhythmias or infections early, enabling timely interventions and ensuring a smoother recovery.
“Real-time data integration facilitates communication between different care teams, such as cardiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and intensivists. This leads to better coordination and more holistic care for the patient,” said Alwi.
Surmounting the difficulties of EMRAM implementation
The transition through the many stages of EMRAM, however, does not come without its challenges.
According to Dr Alwi, many existing devices, such as patient monitors and diagnostic tools, needed to be updated for seamless integration.
IJN also invested in essential tools for closed-loop medication management, including barcode scanners and medication carts, to improve patient safety and workflow.
Along with upgrading equipment, IJN recognises the need for enhanced IT infrastructure.
New desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices were purchased for clinicians and administrative staff, ensuring that everyone had the tools to access and update patient information efficiently.
This investment was crucial in streamlining hospital operations and improving communication.
Additionally, to support the system integration, IJN expanded its workforce by hiring more IT professionals to manage the EMR implementation and pharmacy staff to handle unit dose packaging.
Dr Alwi said training was essential for clinicians to adapt to new systems like Computerized Physician Order Entry, which required staff to enter medication orders electronically.
The hospital’s senior management played a key role in leading the change process, ensuring that sufficient resources were allocated and fostering a culture of collaboration across departments.
Their commitment and leadership helped minimise resistance and ensured a smooth transition.
Continuous commitment towards excellence
Even at the pinnacle of healthcare excellence, IJN never rests on its laurels. Stage 7 EMRAM looms on the horizon, a target that all the staff at IJN are working together and are committed to achieving.
“We were not short of critics who told us it was an impossible task, particularly in the timeframe we had set for it,” said Dr. Alwi.
To reach this level, IJN is focusing on four key areas: continuous innovation, data-driven insights, agile methodologies, and scalable solutions.
To stay ahead of the curve, IJN is committed to regularly evaluating new technologies and industry trends.
By integrating cutting-edge solutions, the hospital can continuously improve its patient care capabilities.
Another critical aspect of IJN’s strategy is the use of advanced data analytics to track progress and measure success.
By leveraging data, the hospital gains valuable insights that will help refine workflows, improve clinical decision-making, and align digital strategies with long-term goals.
Data-driven insights will also enable IJN to monitor performance metrics in real-time, making it easier to identify areas for improvement and ensure that the digital transformation is on track.
This approach fosters informed decision-making, allowing the hospital to optimise resources and enhance patient care.
To stay flexible and responsive to market and technological changes, IJN further adopts agile methodologies across its operations.
This approach allows the hospital to quickly pivot and adapt as new challenges or opportunities arise.
By embracing an adaptable culture, IJN can ensure that it remains efficient and resilient in the face of rapid changes in the healthcare sector.
As IJN continues to grow, scalability becomes a key consideration in its digital transformation. The hospital is focused on ensuring its digital solutions are not only cutting-edge but also scalable and sustainable.
This forward-thinking approach means that the systems and tools implemented today will continue to serve IJN as it expands and evolves.
Whether it’s managing increased patient volumes, incorporating new technologies, or adapting to future challenges, scalable solutions will allow the hospital to sustain its growth.
“What we have learnt about digital transformation is it is less about the system you choose but it is more about the coming together of the organisation as one cohesive team with a shared goal. Hence our EMRAM motto #togetherwecan. And together too, we will take this forward,” said Dr. Alwi. —Focus Malaysia

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