HIMSS has unveiled a revamped Infrastructure Adoption Model (INFRAM) designed to revolutionize healthcare IT. Focused on cybersecurity, adoption, sustainability, performance, and outcomes, the updated model empowers health systems to align their IT infrastructure with clinical and business objectives. Developed in collaboration with global healthcare IT experts, INFRAM provides a comprehensive maturity framework. It aids organizations in assessing gaps, mitigating risks, and planning future IT improvements. With only two health systems achieving INFRAM Stage 7, including Seoul’s Samsung Medical Center, the model’s impact on driving high-tech, intelligent hospitals is evident. Utilizing INFRAM promises to reduce costs, mitigate risks, and improve outcomes for patients and clinicians alike, making it a crucial tool for healthcare system leaders.
The modernized INFRAM from HIMSS marks a significant leap forward in aligning healthcare IT infrastructure with overarching organizational objectives. The model’s refined focus on cybersecurity, adoption, sustainability, performance, and outcomes addresses contemporary challenges. Collaboration with global healthcare IT experts ensures its relevance across diverse healthcare settings. INFRAM serves as a strategic roadmap for organizations to navigate the complexities of IT infrastructure, reduce costs, mitigate risks, and ultimately enhance outcomes for patients and clinicians. The success story of Samsung Medical Center achieving INFRAM Stage 7 underscores the model’s effectiveness in driving high-tech and intelligent healthcare facilities. As healthcare evolves, INFRAM stands as a beacon, guiding health systems toward technological excellence and improved patient care.
The revamped INFRAM now revolves around five crucial imperatives for healthcare organizations: cybersecurity, adoption, sustainability, performance, and outcomes. By focusing on these key areas, the model aims to ensure that providers’ IT infrastructure contributes measurably to their overall goals. HIMSS collaborated with a global board of healthcare IT experts to redesign the existing model, aiming to provide health system leaders with better tools to analyze and optimize their technical infrastructure.
One of the primary functions of the INFRAM is to facilitate a comprehensive assessment of hospitals and health systems. This assessment helps identify critical gaps and potential risks in the infrastructure architecture of a given facility. Moreover, it serves as a tool to pinpoint new IT investment opportunities and provides a toolkit and roadmap for future improvements.
Similar to other HIMSS adoption models, INFRAM is structured around a ladder of eight maturity stages, ranging from zero to seven. This ladder assists health systems in making informed technology investments for sustained success in both hardware and software. The model offers an evidence-based framework to help organizations realize the full value and potential of their IT infrastructure.
Currently, only two health systems worldwide have achieved INFRAM Stage 7, with the Seoul-based Samsung Medical Center being the first. Dr. Seung Woo Park, Chairman of SMC, explained the center’s decision to pursue INFRAM Stage 7, stating, “We decided to work towards INFRAM Stage 7 because we wanted to find ways to improve our infrastructure to realize a high-tech, intelligent hospital.”
The INFRAM guidelines and focus domains have been refined to enable healthcare provider organizations to enhance care delivery, reduce cyber and infrastructure risks, and establish a pathway for infrastructure development aligned with business and clinical outcomes. Toni Laracuente, HIMSS Global Head of Analytics, emphasized the benefits of utilizing INFRAM, stating, “Utilizing INFRAM will help healthcare systems reduce costs, mitigate risk, and improve outcomes for patients and clinicians alike.”
The new INFRAM focuses on several critical areas that are integral to the success and resilience of healthcare IT infrastructure. Cybersecurity is a top priority, reflecting the increasing threat landscape in the digital age. Adoption and sustainability address the effective integration of new technologies and the long-term viability of IT solutions. Performance and outcomes highlight the importance of IT systems in contributing to the overall success of healthcare organizations.
The global collaboration with healthcare IT experts underscores the significance of a comprehensive and industry-driven approach in the development of the new INFRAM. By gathering input from professionals across the world, HIMSS ensures that the model is relevant and applicable to diverse healthcare settings. This approach is essential as healthcare systems continue to evolve, facing unique challenges and opportunities based on their geographical location and organizational structure.
HIMSS envisions INFRAM as a valuable tool for health system leaders to strategically plan and optimize their technical infrastructure. The model not only identifies existing gaps and risks but also provides a roadmap for future improvements. This forward-looking perspective is crucial in an era where healthcare is rapidly advancing, and technology plays a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s landscape.
The structured maturity stages of INFRAM provide health systems with a clear path toward achieving their technology goals. The evidence-based framework allows organizations to make informed decisions about their IT investments, ensuring that they align with both current needs and future aspirations. This structured approach also facilitates benchmarking, allowing healthcare providers to assess their progress and compare their maturity against industry standards.
The achievement of INFRAM Stage 7 by Samsung Medical Center serves as a testament to the model’s effectiveness in driving high-tech and intelligent healthcare facilities. By setting a precedent, SMC demonstrates the practical benefits of reaching the highest maturity stage, including improved infrastructure and operational excellence. This success story serves as inspiration for other health systems aiming to enhance their technological capabilities.
The modernized INFRAM from HIMSS marks a significant leap forward in aligning healthcare IT infrastructure with overarching organizational objectives. The model’s refined focus on cybersecurity, adoption, sustainability, performance, and outcomes addresses contemporary challenges. Collaboration with global healthcare IT experts ensures its relevance across diverse healthcare settings. INFRAM serves as a strategic roadmap for organizations to navigate the complexities of IT infrastructure, reduce costs, mitigate risks, and ultimately enhance outcomes for patients and clinicians. The success story of Samsung Medical Center achieving INFRAM Stage 7 underscores the model’s effectiveness in driving high-tech and intelligent healthcare facilities. As healthcare evolves, INFRAM stands as a beacon, guiding health systems toward technological excellence and improved patient care.
