Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou, Taoyuan City, Taiwan recently achieved the top spot in the country with Stage 6 validation for HIMSS Digital image use model (DIAMETER).
It has also been approved for HIMSS Stage 7 Infrastructure deployment model (INFRAME).
DIAM assesses an organization’s medical imaging capabilities. Modernized INFRAM model in March assesses an organization’s infrastructure maturity based on cybersecurity, adoption, sustainability, performance and results.
Improving digital imaging
CGMH Linkou has undergone HIMSS DIAM validation to evaluate and improve the employ of digital imaging technology. The Information Management Department worked closely with specialized medical teams, organizing “numerous interdisciplinary meetings to integrate clinical knowledge with IT proficiency.”
“Our dedicated medical teams have played a key role in ensuring that the use of digital imaging technology effectively supports clinical decision-making and patient care. They worked with the Information Management Department to further optimize the system based on practical experience, ensuring that the digital imaging system remained stable and integration with clinical systems met the needs of our healthcare workers, enabling seamless connectivity through hospital IT systems,” said Dr. Li-Jen Wang, professor and head of the Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention at CGMH Linkou.
“This collaborative approach not only enhanced our digital imaging capabilities, but also demonstrated the high level of integration of medical technology with clinical practice during the HIMSS DIAM certification process,” she added.
Evaluators identified CGMH Linkou’s clear vision, strategy, roles and responsibilities as key strengths in imaging management. The hospital was also recognized for its imaging quality management processes across its clinical services and maintaining both long-term and short-term image storage capacity.
The heart of CGMH Linkou’s digital imaging is the AVIEW LCS Plus system provided by Coreline Soft. Deployed in September 2023, AI-based software for low-dose chest computed tomography for diminutive lung nodules helps detect lung cancer, COPD and coronary artery calcification early. The AI software, which also integrates with hospital PACS and EMR systems, has helped reduce radiologist workload by up to 87%.
IT management excellence
Within a yearCGMH Linkou has managed to raise the INFRAM validation level to the highest level. Behind this there is a “major joint effort” of all departments of the hospital, working on modernizing technology, improving processes and training staff.
Its main IT project is the transformation of the Medical Data Center. CGMH Linkou began implementing this key project in 2021 as the demand for IT services increased, necessitating the adoption of artificial intelligence, large data and precision medicine. “We faced the challenges of rapid system expansion, so we rethought our data center management, data transmission and cybersecurity,” said Hui-Yuan Shih, head of health information management at CGMH Linkou.
During the INFRAM validation, HIMSS validators praised CGMH Linkou’s advanced cybersecurity capabilities, based on a “robust, multi-layered security strategy.” CGMH Linkou adopted a service-oriented architecture and pliant network design in line with the HIMSS INFRAM framework. This includes implementing software-defined networking, upgrading to a high-speed 10-gigabyte fiber network, and adopting TIA-942 standards for data centers. As part of improvements to internal communication, the hospital also implemented its own secure communication platform, Team+.
The highlight of the validation was the implementation of integrated information monitoring panels in the Security Operations Center (SOC), which enable real-time supervision and rapid threat detection. The SOC is part of the hospital’s integrated security measure – along with managed detection and response and two-factor authentication – in line with its Zero-Trust cybersecurity approach.
According to CGMH Linkou, the hospital can now install up-to-date equipment 40% faster since establishing SDN; It used to take about four hours from installing the device to coming online, but now it can be done in 2-3 hours via VM and SDN. When combined with AI analysis, SDN also increased monitoring efficiency by 30%.
Upgrading to a high-speed wireless network also increased data transfer speeds “by more than five times,” CGMH Linkou says, compared to customary lines. This has improved remote data synchronization and the transfer of vast volumes of data, including vast digital pathology files.
“This journey has not only been about upgrading technology, but also about improving our management practices and organizational culture. It has helped us build a solid foundation for providing high-quality care in a modern, technology-driven healthcare environment,” emphasized Kun-Ju Lin , professor and deputy head of the information security committee at CGMH Linkou.
Emphasis on artificial intelligence and large data
Following the approval of INFRAM and DIAM solutions, CGMH Linkou said it plans to escalate investments in two key areas: data analysis and medical imaging management. The hospital intends to build a large data analytics platform to expand AI applications and develop AI-powered diagnostic solutions to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.
Considering DIAM Stage 7, the hospital also plans to implement a comprehensive radiation dose tracking system and upgrade its digital imaging applications to escalate patient engagement.
Additionally, it is planned to further escalate the speed and improve the stability of access and data transmission; escalate long-term storage capacity and scalability of imaging data; optimize risk controls to escalate digital resilience in the face of growing cybersecurity threats; and adopt FHIR standards to facilitate telemedicine interoperability.
“These investments will support clinical decision-making, predictive modeling and personalized care, helping us build a smarter, more connected data ecosystem. Ultimately, this will lead to more accurate and proactive healthcare services,” Prof Lin said.
ON RECORDING
“Achieving stage 7 of the HIMSS INFRAM test shows that our organization has achieved a high level of digital maturity and infrastructure security. This distinction increases our operational efficiency and helps us provide safer and higher quality patient care. This means we have met global standards in healthcare IT infrastructure, including areas such as wireless networks, mobile devices, cybersecurity, team collaboration and data centers. With this solid digital foundation, we can effectively use artificial intelligence and big data analytics to improving clinical workflow, which will further enhance our digital transformation efforts, the achievement also helps us attract and retain the best healthcare professionals because they can work in a modern, efficient environment focused on innovation and quality improvement,” said CGMH Superintendent Linkou and Professor Dr. Chien-Tzung Chen in a statement to .
“We believe that the development of digital health is a key cornerstone for improving future healthcare services. Via HIMSS [DIAM] certification, we can assess and improve our hospital’s employ of digital imaging technology, ensuring that our systems and processes comply with the highest international standards. Our goal goes beyond improving internal efficiency; it’s about providing patients with correct and timely diagnoses and treatments. We are sure of it [this] international certification not only allows us to assess the level of digitalization in our institution, but also supports our continuous efforts to improve the quality of healthcare and build a solid foundation for future investments in digital healthcare,” said CGMH Linkou Professor Dr. Ming-Shien Wen, who he is also vice-chairman of the hospital’s committee for knowledgeable healthcare.