HIMSS EMRAM 7: Examining the Impact of an Agile IT Strategy on Healthcare System Accreditation Growth

Health achieves HIMSS Stage 7 recognition by prioritizing clinician input, agile workflows, and robust digital governance. Learn how their IT strategy is reshaping patient care.">

October 2, 2025

Salt Lake City, UT – University of Utah Health has been awarded the prestigious HIMSS EMRAM Stage 7 certification, a testament to its advanced implementation of electronic medical records and its commitment to digital innovation.The achievement is largely attributed to a strategic overhaul led by Chief facts Officer Donna Roach, focusing on a more adaptable, clinician-focused Information technology approach. This transformation demonstrates a crucial alignment of technology with patient care and operational efficiency.

A New Era of Digital Governance

Roach arrived at the expansive University of Utah Health system – encompassing five hospitals, 20 clinics, and a important telehealth network serving a five-state region – during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Recognizing the need for a resilient and forward-thinking IT framework, she spearheaded the creation of a Digital enablement commitee. this committee established a roadmap with six core areas: enhancing access to care, fostering innovation, personalizing patient experiences, strengthening the technological architecture, expanding virtual services, and streamlining operations.

Initiatives are strategically categorized as “immediate,” “intermediate,” or “long-term,” allowing for dynamic prioritization without sacrificing the association’s overarching objectives. According to Roach, this approach ensures a balanced allocation of resources and maintains IT’s capacity to respond to evolving needs. A recent instance involved re-prioritizing tasks while concurrently adjusting others, demonstrating the system’s versatility.

Agile Transformation: Responding to Rapid Change

University of Utah Health has moved away from customary, lengthy project lifecycles to embrace scaled agile practices. This shift acknowledges the rapidly changing landscape of healthcare technology. Vendors frequently enough operate on longer timelines, but the internal IT team now prioritizes work in shorter, more frequent increments – typically six to nine months. This allows for quicker adaptation and continuous improvement.

“We’ve shifted away from pure waterfall,” Roach explained, “because too much changes in an 18-month cycle. Agile gives us the discipline to focus on 80% of the work, deliver it, and then move into optimization.” This agile approach also improves openness, with clear expectations set during iteration planning sessions, enabling better collaboration with vendor partners.

Did You Know? According to a 2024 report by Gartner, organizations adopting agile methodologies experience a 30% faster time-to-market for new digital services.

Clinician Alignment: The Heart of Innovation

A crucial element of the transformation has been a profound focus on clinician input. The health system’s early adoption of Epic’s Gallery content management system serves as a prime example. Doctors reported that previously unavailable information was now readily accessible in patient records, directly impacting care quality. This feedback-driven approach underscores the importance of technology serving the needs of medical professionals.

Pro Tip: Prioritize regular feedback loops with clinicians when implementing new IT systems. their insights are invaluable for ensuring optimal usability and effectiveness.

Balancing Innovation with Operational Realities

While encouraging innovation and open dialog, University of Utah Health maintains structured intake processes for project requests. Proposals are submitted via ServiceNow and evaluated against the broader enterprise goals. This ensures that initiatives align with the organization’s strategic direction and optimize resource allocation. The system recognizes the value of informal conversations between IT and end-users, while maintaining necessary oversight.

Key Metrics: University of Utah Health’s Digital transformation

Metric	Pre-Transformation (2016)	Post-transformation (2025)
Project Delivery Cycle Time	18+ months	6-9 months
Clinician Satisfaction (IT Services)	65%	88%
HIMSS EMRAM Stage	Stage 5	Stage 7

Cultivating a Culture of Meaningful Work

Roach emphasizes the importance of connecting IT projects to the broader hospital goals and patient outcomes. She believes that employees are more engaged when they understand the purpose and impact of their work. This emphasis extends to prioritizing work-life balance and expressing gratitude for team efforts, particularly during challenging times.

“Your words mean something-so choose them carefully, and show gratitude for every effort,” Roach said. “That’s how you build a team that’s invested, not just in the work, but in the mission.” The positive impact of this culture was evident during the HIMSS Stage 7 validation process,where evaluators noted the strong engagement from clinicians and staff.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Healthcare IT

The success of University of utah Health exemplifies a growing trend in healthcare: the shift toward agile, patient-centered IT strategies. As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, healthcare organizations must prioritize flexibility, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Investing in robust digital governance,fostering strong relationships with technology vendors,and empowering clinical staff will be crucial for navigating the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare IT & Agile Transformation

1. What is HIMSS EMRAM Stage 7? It’s a prestigious certification recognizing a hospital’s advanced use of electronic medical records and its commitment to digital innovation.
2. What is agile methodology in healthcare IT? It’s an iterative approach to project management that allows for faster adaptation to changing requirements and improved collaboration.
3. How does digital governance impact healthcare organizations? it ensures that IT projects align with strategic goals and optimize resource allocation.
4. Why is clinician involvement crucial for accomplished IT implementation? Clinicians provide valuable insights into the practical needs of patient care, leading to more effective and user-friendly technology.
5. What are the benefits of adopting an agile approach to IT projects? faster delivery times, increased transparency, and improved collaboration with vendors are key advantages.
6. How can healthcare organizations foster a positive IT team culture? Prioritizing meaningful work, recognizing achievements, and promoting work-life balance are essential.
7. What role does vendor collaboration play in healthcare IT success? Strong partnerships with vendors enable organizations to leverage cutting-edge technologies and optimize existing systems.

What are your thoughts on the role of agile methodologies within the healthcare sector? Share your insights in the comments below!

How does the iterative nature of agile development specifically support meeting the progressive requirements of the HIMSS EMRAM stages?

Understanding the EMRAM Framework & Stage 7 Accreditation

The HIMSS Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) is a widely recognized framework used to assess a healthcare organization’s implementation and utilization of electronic medical records. Achieving Stage 7, the highest level of EMRAM accreditation, signifies a sophisticated and integrated digital health habitat. This isn’t just about having technology; it’s about how effectively that technology is leveraged to improve patient care, enhance operational efficiency, and drive innovation.Increasingly, a key enabler of reaching and sustaining EMRAM 7 is the adoption of an agile IT strategy within the healthcare system. This article explores that critical connection, focusing on how agile methodologies directly impact accreditation growth and overall healthcare performance.

The Shift Towards agile in Healthcare IT

Traditionally, healthcare IT projects followed a waterfall methodology – a linear, sequential approach. This often resulted in lengthy implementation times, rigid systems unable to adapt to changing needs, and ultimately, frustrated stakeholders. Agile, however, embraces iterative development, continuous feedback, and rapid response to change.

Here’s how the principles of agile align with the demands of EMRAM 7:

* Iterative Development: Agile allows for phased implementation of EMR functionalities, aligning with the progressive requirements of EMRAM stages.

* Collaboration: Agile emphasizes close collaboration between IT teams, clinicians, and administrators – crucial for ensuring the EMR truly supports clinical workflows.

* Flexibility: The ability to quickly adapt to new regulations,emerging technologies (like AI in healthcare),and evolving patient needs is paramount.

* Continuous Betterment: Agile promotes a culture of ongoing evaluation and refinement,essential for maintaining EMRAM 7 status.

Key Agile Practices Supporting EMRAM 7 Accreditation

Several specific agile practices are notably impactful when pursuing and maintaining EMRAM 7 accreditation. These include:

1. Scrum: Utilizing short “sprints” (typically 2-4 weeks) to deliver incremental improvements to the EMR system. This allows for frequent testing and feedback.
2. Kanban: Visualizing workflow and limiting work in progress to optimize efficiency and identify bottlenecks in EMR processes.
3. DevOps: Integrating development and operations teams to streamline deployment and ensure system stability – a critical component of EMRAM 7’s infrastructure requirements.
4. User Stories: Framing EMR enhancements from the perspective of the end-user (e.g., a nurse, physician, or patient) to ensure relevance and usability.

How Agile Impacts Specific EMRAM 7 Criteria

EMRAM 7 isn’t simply a checklist; it’s a holistic assessment.Here’s how an agile approach directly addresses key criteria:

* Data Analytics & Reporting: Agile facilitates the rapid development and deployment of dashboards and reports, enabling data-driven decision-making – a core requirement of Stage 7. Healthcare data analytics become more responsive and insightful.

* Clinical Decision Support (CDS): Agile allows for continuous refinement of CDS rules based on real-world clinical data and feedback,improving accuracy and effectiveness.

* Patient engagement: Agile supports the iterative development of patient portals and mobile apps, enhancing patient access to details and promoting active participation in their care. This ties into telehealth integration and remote patient monitoring.

* Interoperability: Agile methodologies are well-suited for managing the complexities of integrating various healthcare systems and exchanging data seamlessly – a cornerstone of EMRAM 7. HL7 integration and FHIR standards are key areas.

* Security & Privacy: Agile incorporates security considerations throughout the development lifecycle, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and other regulations. Healthcare cybersecurity is paramount.

Benefits of an Agile IT Strategy for EMRAM Accreditation

Beyond achieving accreditation, an agile IT strategy delivers important benefits:

* Faster Time to Value: Incremental improvements deliver tangible benefits sooner, rather than waiting for a large-scale, years-long implementation.

* Reduced Risk: Smaller, iterative changes are less disruptive and easier to manage than large-scale overhauls.

* Increased User Satisfaction: Continuous feedback and collaboration ensure the EMR meets the needs of its users.

* Improved innovation: Agile fosters a culture of experimentation and learning,driving innovation in healthcare delivery.

* Enhanced Regulatory Compliance: Agile’s focus on continuous improvement helps organizations stay ahead of evolving regulations.

Practical Tips for Implementing Agile in Healthcare IT

Transitioning to an agile IT strategy requires careful planning and execution. Here are some practical tips:

* Start Small: Begin with a pilot project to demonstrate the benefits of agile.

* Invest in Training: Provide training for IT staff and clinicians on agile principles and practices.

* Secure Executive Sponsorship: Gain buy-in from leadership to ensure the necessary resources and support.

* Establish Clear Dialog Channels: Foster open communication between IT teams, clinicians, and administrators.

* Embrace a Culture of Continuous Learning: Encourage experimentation and feedback.

* Utilize Agile project Management Tools: Jira, Asana, and Trello can help manage sprints, track progress