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Honored for EMR Sophistication, HIMSS Analytics Announces Kanabec Hospital as a Stage 6 Designation

Only 57 out of the more than 5,000 US hospitals tracked by HIMSS Analytics and only one Critical Access Hospital- Kanabec Hospital, has achieved this recognition for implementation of the electronic medical record.

Mora, MN (September 14, 2009) - Kanabec Hospital in partnership with SISU Medical Solutions has achieved a stage 6 designation for excellence in electronic medical record adoption. As the country moves to transform healthcare, 57 US hospitals recognized as a Stage 6 by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Analytics serve as role models in healthcare IT adoption for other healthcare systems just beginning this process. Kanabec Hospital is the first Critical Access Hospital in the country to receive this award. Achieving electronic medical record sophistication, these hospitals have achieved significant advancement in their information technology capabilities as measured by the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM).

Kanabec Hospital has worked hard to ensure the highest quality of care and is committed to providing the community with technically advanced services in a convenient location. "The stage 6 designation is a testament to the commitment and hard work of the Kanabec Hospital and SISU Medical Solutions staff." says CEO Randy Ulseth. "Their dedication to improved patient care is what sets Kanabec Hospital apart."

HIMSS Analytics developed the EMRAM in 2005 as a methodology for evaluating the progress and impact of electronic medical record (EMR) systems for acute care delivery environments. With an almost paperless environment, Stage 6 hospitals are positioned to successfully address many of the expected industry transformations, such as HIPAA (protecting patient privacy), ensuring patient safety, 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.

SISU Medical Solutions, based in Duluth, Minn., provides information technology support staff to Kanabec Hospital, and works collaboratively with Kanabec Hospital staff on IT projects. "We're very proud of Kanabec Hospital's commitment to healthcare information technology and honored that SISU has been able to support the staff in their goals," says SISU CEO Dianne Mandernach.

"Kanabec Hospital staff have worked diligently and collaboratively with SISU on health IT projects," says SISU CIO Mark Schmidt. "That they have become the first Critical Access Hospital in the nation to reach stage 6 speaks highly of their dedication and on-going commitment to implementing technology that will lead to improved patient care."

"Only 0.8 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."