Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou in Taoyuan City, Taiwan was recently validated for Phase 7 of the new HIMSS Infrastructure adoption model (INFRAM) and phase 6 of the Adoption model for digital imaging (DIAM).
The INFRAM model, updated in March, now assesses the maturity of an organization’s infrastructure based on cybersecurity, adoption, sustainability, performance and results. The DIAM evaluates an organization’s capabilities in the field of medical imaging.
Excellence in IT governance
Within a yearCGMH, Linkou was able to upgrade his INFRAM validation to the highest level. Behind this lies “major collaboration” between the hospital’s departments, working on technological upgrades, process improvements and staff training.
The largest IT project is the transformation of the Medical Data Center. CGMH Linkou embarked on this important project in 2021 as demand for IT-enabled services increased, necessitating the adoption of AI, big data and precision medicine. “We faced challenges in rapid system expansion, so we rethought the management, data transmission and cybersecurity of our data center,” said Hui-Yuan Shih, head of CGMH, Linkou’s medical information management division.
During the INFRAM validation, HIMSS validators praised CGMH, Linkou’s advanced cybersecurity capability, rooted in a “robust, multi-layered security strategy.” CGMH, Linkou has adopted a service-oriented architecture and flexible network design according to the HIMSS INFRAM framework. This includes implementing software-defined networking, upgrading to a high-speed 10-gigabyte fiber optic network, and adopting TIA-942 standards for data centers. The hospital also implemented its own secure messaging platform Team+ as part of internal communications improvements.
A highlight of the validation was the implementation of integrated information monitoring panels at the Security Operations Center (SOC), which enable real-time surveillance and rapid threat detection. The SOC is part of the hospital’s integrated security measure – along with Managed Detection and Response and two-factor authentication – following a Zero-Trust cybersecurity approach.
Since the establishment of an SDN, the hospital can now set up new equipment 40% faster, according to CGMH Linkou; It used to take about four hours from device setup to online, and now it can be done in 2-3 hours via VM and SDN. When combined with AI analytics, the SDN also increased monitoring efficiency by 30%.
Upgrading to a high-speed wireless network also increased data transfer speeds by “more than five times,” CGMH claimed, compared to traditional lines. This improved remote data synchronization and big data transfer, including large digital pathology files.
“This journey has not only been about upgrading technology, but also improving our management practices and organizational culture. It has helped us build a strong foundation for delivering high-quality care in a modern, technology-driven healthcare environment,” Kun-Ju emphasizes Lin. , professor and deputy head of CGMH, Linkou’s Information Security Committee.
Refinement of digital imaging
CGMH, Linkou also became the first hospital in Taiwan to be validated for the DIAM. It underwent HIMSS validation to evaluate and refine the use of digital imaging technologies. The Information Management department worked closely with the specialist medical teams and held “numerous interdisciplinary meetings to integrate clinical expertise with IT proficiency.”
“Our specialist medical teams played a key role in ensuring that the application of digital imaging technology effectively supported clinical decision-making and patient care. They worked with the Information Management department to further optimize the system based on practical experience, ensuring that the digital imaging system remained stable and that the integration with clinical systems met the needs of our healthcare professionals, enabling seamless connectivity through the hospital’s information systems,” said Dr. Li-Jen Wang, professor and chairman of CGMH, Linkou’s Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention.
“This collaborative approach has not only enhanced our digital imaging capabilities, but also demonstrated the high level of integration between medical technology and clinical practice during the HIMSS DIAM certification process,” she added.
Evaluators cited CGMH, Linkou’s clear vision, strategy, roles and responsibilities as key strengths in image management. The hospital was also commended for its imaging quality management processes within its clinical services and the maintenance of both long- and short-term image storage capacity.
At the heart of CGMH is the AVIEW LCS Plus system, delivered by Linkou’s digital image processing Coreline Soft. The AI-based software for low-dose chest CT scan screens for small lung nodules was implemented in September 2023, allowing early detection of lung cancer, COPD and coronary artery calcification. The AI software, which also integrates with the hospital’s PACS and EMR systems, has helped reduce radiologists’ workload by as much as 87%.
Emphasis on AI, big data
Following both INFRAM and DIAM validations, CGMH, Linkou said they plan to increase investments in two key areas: data analytics and medical imaging management. The hospital plans to build a big data analytics platform to expand AI applications and develop AI-assisted diagnostic solutions to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.
The hospital, which is eyeing Stage 7 DIAM, also plans to implement a comprehensive radiation dose monitoring system and upgrade its digital imaging applications to increase patient engagement.
Moreover, it aims to further increase the speed and improve the stability of data access and transmission; improve the long-term storage capacity and scalability of image data; optimizing risk management measures to strengthen digital resilience amid escalating cyber threats; and adopt FHIR standards to facilitate telemedicine interoperability.
“These investments will support clinical decision making, predictive modeling and personalized care, helping us build a smarter, more connected data ecosystem. This will ultimately lead to more accurate and proactive healthcare services,” said Prof. Lin.
THE BIG TREND
CGMH, Linkou has become the first hospital in Asia Pacific to achieve Phase 7 of the updated INFRAM, which the hospital says underlines its commitment to advancing digital infrastructure and setting a new benchmark in healthcare technology.
In September, Asan Medical Center, the largest hospital in South Korea, became the first hospital in the region to be validated for this updated model in Phase 6. Samsung Medical Center (SMC), also from South Korea, and China Medical University Hospital (CMUH), another Taiwanese hospital, have both been validated for the previous INFRAM.
Meanwhile, CGMH Linkou is one of three hospitals in the region – together with CMUH and Apollo Hospitals in India – currently validated for Phase 6 of the DIAM. SMC is currently the only APAC hospital validated for the highest phase of this model.
After achieving the highest validations for both INFRAM and the Model for adoption of electronic health records this year, CGHM, Linkou is now focusing on obtaining validation for phase 7 of the DIAM and the Analytics model for maturity assessment.
ON THE RECORD
“Achieving Phase 7 of the HIMSS INFRAM demonstrates that our organization has achieved a high level of digital maturity and infrastructure security. This recognition increases our operational efficiency and helps us provide safer and better quality patient care. It means we have met global standards for healthcare IT infrastructure, including areas such as wireless networking, mobile devices, cybersecurity, team collaboration and data centers. With this strong digital foundation, we can effectively use AI and big data analytics to improve clinical workflows, further strengthening our digital transformation efforts. Performance also helps us attract and retain top healthcare professionals, as they can work in a modern, efficient environment focused on innovation and quality improvement,” said CGMH Linkou superintendent and professor Dr. Chien-Tzung Chen in a statement to Healthcare IT news.
“We believe that the development of digital health is a crucial cornerstone for improving future medical services. HIMSS (DIAM) certification allows us to evaluate and refine our hospital’s use of digital imaging technologies to ensure our systems and processes meet the highest standards. international standards. Our goal goes beyond improving internal efficiency; it’s about providing patients with accurate and timely diagnoses and treatments. We are confident that (this) international certification will not only allow us to measure the level of digitalization within our institution, but also our continued efforts to improve the quality of healthcare and build a strong foundation for future investments in digital healthcare ” said CGMH Linkou professor Dr. Ming-Shien Wen, who is also vice-chairman of the hospital’s smart healthcare committee.