In a strategic move aimed at catalyzing digital innovation within South Korea’s healthcare domain, HIMSS and the Korean Hospital Association have joined forces. The two entities formalized this collaboration through the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
Under this partnership, member hospitals affiliated with the Korean Hospital Association will tap into the expertise offered by HIMSS in terms of maturity models and advisory services. A pivotal component of this venture involves the adoption of the HIMSS Digital Health Indicator (DHI) by KHA hospitals, followed by the implementation of HIMSS Maturity Model assessments. The overarching objective is to elevate the digital healthcare capabilities of these institutions. Notably, as per the accord, five KHA member hospitals are set to undergo the DHI assessment within the current year.
Beyond these core elements, the collaboration will encompass additional dimensions. This encompasses mutual promotion of conferences and events such as the HIMSS APAC Conference and the K-Hospital Fair, which is orchestrated by KHA. Moreover, there will be a concerted effort to engage South Korea’s healthcare community in participation within the HIMSS Certified Professional in Digital Health Transformation Strategy (CPDHTS) program.
Founded back in 1959 with the mission of enhancing healthcare and contributing to human welfare, the Korean Hospital Association engages in diverse activities. These encompass research into domestic medical policies and hospital operations, provision of educational support to hospitals and their staff, and the overarching goal of refining the quality of medical treatment and healthcare institutions.
This partnership arrives against the backdrop of a broader trend characterized by notable digital healthcare achievements in South Korea. A notable instance includes Samsung Medical Center’s exceptional performance in the HIMSS 2022 DHI ranking, along with validations at Stage 7 for both the HIMSS Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) and the Digital Imaging Adoption Model (DIAM). A parallel success was observed at Korea University Anam Hospital, which garnered acclaim for its commendable DHI score in the previous year.
In alignment with these advancements, the South Korean government is actively advocating for the institutionalization of telehealth. Additionally, efforts are being directed toward revising regulations pertaining to the approval and integration of innovative medical devices. This aims to facilitate the immediate utilization of AI-powered and digital technologies within clinical settings.
Voicing the sentiment of this strategic partnership, Simon Lin, HIMSS Vice President and Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific region, expressed, “Today’s partnership signals our intent to collaborate with one of the most important stakeholders in the South Korean healthcare community to advance to the next level. HIMSS is committed to support KHA members in their digital transformation to rank among the best healthcare organizations in the world.”
Echoing this perspective, Dr. Dong-Sup Yoon, President of the Korean Hospital Association, affirmed, “This agreement gives me confidence. Confidence that we can prepare for the future of digital transformation, by exploring various areas of medical information in cooperation with HIMSS. I believe that this close-knit collaboration will not only strengthen the global health capabilities of the Korean medical sector but also help shape the vision for global medical IT.”
