Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi from Thailand has been validated for phase 7 of the HIMSS Model for adoption of electronic health records.
The EMRAM measures clinical outcomes, patient engagement, and physician use of EMR technology in a hospital or healthcare facility.
WHO ARE THEY
Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi is part of the Principle Healthcare Group, a local operator of private hospitals. The 200-bed hospital in metropolitan Bangkok offers outpatient and inpatient services and specialty care. Recognized as a digital hospital, it is also one of Thailand’s favorite medical tourism facilities, equipped with modern technologies (such as a digital telephone/vocal ordering program for ordering medicines without the use of a computer and robots that act as patient attendants and caregivers) , a full-time Burmese interpreter and a medical assistant.
WHY IT MATTERS
Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi is currently the only hospital in Thailand validated in Phase 7 EMRAM. The sister hospital, Princ Paknampo Hospital was the first hospital in the country to reach this level in 2019. Validations expire after three years; a hospital may choose to undergo rehabilitation to maintain performance.
During the validation, evaluators praised Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi’s “exceptional” use of patient engagement technologies, particularly its mobile chronic disease management program, Simple Med Dialog. This program allows patients to enter their health data, which is then analyzed to develop health management recommendations. The hospital also uses telehealth and social media such as Facebook and TikTok.
Additionally, HIMSS noted the user-friendly design of their EHR and how medical devices for collecting vital signs – such as blood pressure, temperature, heart rate and oxygen saturation – all connect directly to it.
Following EMRAM validation, Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi plans to invest in clinical diagnostic support and leverage AI to improve diagnostic accuracy. The company is also expected to explore digital systems that protect hospital and health data, as well as the integration of real-time information inside and outside the buildings.
THE BIG TREND
Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi joins the growing list of Stage 7 EMRAM validated hospitals in the Asia Pacific. China Medical University Hospital in Taichung, Taiwan and Samsung Medical Center were both validated in Phase 7 last year. Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, another hospital from Taiwan, was validated in Phase 6 of the EMRAM.
ON THE RECORD
Dr. Tawan Chitchulanon, director of Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi, said Healthcare IT news: “Principle Healthcare Group founder Dr. Pongsak Viddayakorn once said that ‘one of the most important success factors in improving clinical outcomes and being the employer of choice is how one uses innovative medical technologies in the hospital.’
“Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi was established as the hub of Principle Healthcare Group for medical technology. We have embraced innovation and technology and integrated them into our DNA with the aim of improving hospital performance and ensuring patient safety.
“We first underwent HIMSS EMRAM Stage 6 validation in 2020 before applying for other quality accreditations such as Thai Healthcare Accreditation and Joint Commission International. By 2024, we aimed to reach the highest HIMSS EMRAM stage, based on our belief that well-managed healthcare information is the key to quality and performance improvements.
“Our HIMSS EMRAM Stage 7 performance has confirmed that the hospital has truly transformed as a digital hospital and ensures how well the hospital uses data and information to improve clinical and non-clinical performance, as well as patient safety and satisfaction. “