Grady Health System Earns Prestigious HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 Designation

ATLANTA, Feb. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Grady Health System has earned the prestigious Stage 7 on the HIMSS Analytics Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) ^SM.  Grady is Georgia's only adult acute care hospital to earn the highest rating for improving patient care and safety through health information technology.

"We demonstrated that our advanced use of technology and data is making a real difference in how we care for patients and in patient outcomes.  The effective combination of our people and technology has driven clinical quality and financial improvements throughout the organization," said Ben McKeeby, senior vice president and chief information officer, Grady Health System.

Grady leverages an integrated EMR and many innovative technologies to provide high quality care.  Through actionable analytics and guided pathways, Grady patients are benefitting.  One example involves Grady's infectious disease program.  Grady implemented alerting for clinicians in the EMR and recommended ordering pathways to screen patients for HIV and link those patients to treatment.  The result has been a 96% reduction in transmission of HIV, when the patient is in treatment. Grady has identified and linked hundreds of patients to treatment through this program.

"Grady implemented a Meds to Beds program focused on reducing 30-day readmissions and improving patient experience. In this program, when a physician places a discharge order, the pharmacist receives an automatic alert to visit the patient.  The pharmacist then ensures the patient (or family member) has the medications needed before discharge, and they understand the instructions.  Of the patients entered into the program, Grady is seeing an increase in revenue and decrease in 30-day readmissions," said Philip W Bradley regional director, North America, healthcare advisory services, operations, HIMSS Analytics.

Grady will be recognized at the 2017 HIMSS Conference & Exhibition, Feb. 19-23, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

About Grady Health System

Grady Health System is one of the largest safety net health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, six neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate.

With its nationally acclaimed emergency medical services, Grady has the premier level I trauma center in the Metro Atlanta region and serves as the 911 ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. Grady's American Burn Association/American College of Surgeons verified Burn Center is one of only two in the state. And the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center is a Joint Commission designated Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Other key services include Grady's Regional Perinatal Center with its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Georgia's first Cancer Center for Excellence, The Avon Comprehensive Breast Center, the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, and the Ponce de Leon Center - one of the top three HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country.

SOURCE Grady Health System