Samsung Medical Center’s achievements have been well documented. From world-first Phase 7 achievements for HIMSS To achieve the top score for the HIMSS Digital Health Index in 2022, the hospital achieved one milestone after another in the field of digital health.
Its latest achievement may be its most impressive to date – achieving a maximum score of 400 this year for the DHI, a tool that measures progress towards a digital health ecosystem.
Healthcare IT news recently spoke with Dr. Poong-Lyul Rhee, Chief Data and Digital Officer (CDO) at SMC and the hospital’s digital transformation guide. He shed light on his career in health IT, the hospital’s philosophy and the role of HIMSS DHI and the Maturity Model in enhancing the delivery of SMC’s healthcare services.
From medical doctor to health IT evangelist
Receiving his doctorate in medicine from Seoul National University Graduate School in 1992, Dr. Rhee began his career as a gastroenterologist at Samsung Medical Center. About eight years later, he found himself involved in the work of the hospital’s EMR committee and became familiar with how technology could impact care delivery.
From 2008 to 2011, he served as Chief Medical Information Officer before taking over as CIO from 2013 to 2017. The latest feather in his cap was his appointment as CDO of SMC from 2013 to 2017. 2021.
“In this day and age, technological advances are moving at an incredible rate, with new developments emerging every day,” he said. Effectively incorporating these ever-changing technological changes into our digital transformation journey is critical to improving the experience of both patients and healthcare professionals.”
“Ultimately, the goal is to achieve the Triple Aim: improve the care experience (including quality and satisfaction), improve population health, and reduce per capita health care costs. As a medical professional, this is my way of contributing to providing patient care.”
Journey to DHI Score 400
“Summing up the countless experiences that have brought us to this point in just a few words has its limitations,” Dr. Rhee explains. “There need to be more stories.”
He shared that the most important aspect of the hospital’s journey is its focus on results, which requires clear strategic planning and steadfast leadership from the executive team.
At the employee level, sharing a vision to drive digital transformation is essential.
“It involves forming a cohesive team, moving in a unified direction and fostering team spirit. Step by step, celebrating small successes together, we gain new momentum and keep moving forward.”
As hospitals move forward on this path, it is natural to leverage HIMSS models, with SMC’s digital transformation efforts over the past 30 years closely aligned with the concepts of HIMSS DHI and Model adult form.
In addition to achieving a DHI score of 400, the hospital was also the first globally to achieve Stage 7 for the four HIMSS Maturity Models.
“[Medicine today] requires the use of IT for the advancement of humanity. Specifically, it will facilitate the effective treatment of patients and contribute to improving their health and well-being,” he emphasized.
“Samsung Medical Center has been committed to these goals since its inception, and I believe that the HIMSS DHI is the most appropriate assessment framework to follow.
“I believe that the common corporate color between Samsung Medical Center and HIMSS is not a coincidence. Instead, it reflects a fundamental connection at the DNA level. Hence, the efforts Our collective has consistently delivered positive results within the HIMSS DHI and Maturity Model framework.
“I personally feel fortunate to be able to dedicate my life to such endeavors. Samsung Medical Center achieving a perfect DHI score makes me extremely proud and honored.”
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Samsung Medical Center is featured in How technology is helping South Korea provide excellent healthcarea HIMSS documentary about Korea’s digital health journey, now available on YouTube. Watch a movie below.
