Scarborough awarded HIMSS EMRAM Level 7

TORONTO – Scarborough Health Network (SHN) has achieved international recognition from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) for the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM). Following an onsite assessment earlier this month, SHN has been awarded Stage 7 designation – the highest level possible for excellence and leadership in the use of electronic medical records to support patient care and improve outcomes.

By achieving HIMSS EMRAM Stage 7, SHN not only joins a select group of leading Canadian healthcare organizations but also becomes among the first in Ontario to attain this designation across a large, multi-site hospital system.

“SHN has always been committed to advancing digital health and leveraging digital tools and platforms, such as our Epic clinical information system. So, this achievement reflects our many years of deliberate strategic planning and disciplined execution,” said David Graham, president and CEO.

He added, “We have progressed steadily, guided by a clear vision for the use of data and technology to improve quality care and patient safety. This has included not only investing in that technology, but also building the processes and culture needed to fully realize its value.”

This designation affirms SHN’s position as a leader in healthcare innovation provincially and globally and shows that world-class digital care can be delivered at scale for one of the country’s most diverse and complex communities. For Scarborough residents, this means their care is provided by a team of highly trained clinicians and professionals utilizing some of the most advanced digital capabilities in Canadian healthcare.

“In order to reach this level of maturity, we have embedded digital tools into the everyday clinical and operational practices of our people,” said Dr. Nihal Haque (pictured), chief medical information officer. “The expertise and dedication of staff and physicians across SHN goes far beyond just implementing digital systems. Our teams have demonstrated that they understand how to use these tools meaningfully to solve problems, improve workflows, and engage patients more actively in their care.”

Following their onsite visit, HIMSS validators highlighted several improvements and successes they observed since assessing SHN for Stage 6 in 2024. This includes a significant increase in the use of barcode scanning devices for medication administration, as well as a clear focus on patient engagement as part of implementing digital tools such as MyChart.

The validators were also impressed with SHN’s case studies that showed how Epic is being used to deliver more responsive sickle cell disease care, support remote monitoring for congestive heart failure (CHF), and power electronic patient flow boards.

In their summary presentation, the HIMSS validators identified four key strengths that set SHN apart from other organizations:

• A population-driven strategy connected to community needs, chronic disease burden, access, language, and diversity;
• Operationalized transformation, with digital workflows, dashboards, governance, and adoption metrics embedded into day-to-day performance management.
• Evidence-informed decision-making, with data supporting strategy, quality, operations and patient safety; and
• Strong leadership in digital transformation that is demonstrated at all levels of the organization and regionally.

“This designation is about who SHN has become through our digital transformation journey, including the pivotal roles we have stepped into beyond our own network,” said Dion Maxwell, director, clinical information systems. “As the lead organization for the Central East Local Delivery Group (LDG), we are proud to work with our regional partners to advance provincial digital initiatives, strengthen cybersecurity, and build more connected digital pathways – making it easier for patients to navigate care across the region.”

Achieving Stage 7 reflects the dedication of staff, physicians, and teams across SHN—helping turn ideas into action and drive meaningful improvements for patients and families.

Even while celebrating this milestone, SHN continues to look ahead at the next steps in advancing digital health further to strengthen quality and safety, enhance the patient experience, and meet the healthcare needs of the future.