Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) is setting a new standard in healthcare digital transformation, demonstrating how technology-driven strategies can revolutionize patient care and hospital operations. At the HIMSS (Healthcare Information Management Systems Society) CXO Philippine Summit 2025, Prof Dato’ Sri Dr. Alwi Mohamed Yunus, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon and Director of Health Informatics, shared IJN’s journey toward becoming a tech-driven healthcare leader.
A Commitment to Digital Innovation
IJN, Malaysia’s leading heart institute, has consistently advanced its healthcare technology infrastructure to improve patient care. Their Electronic Medical Records (EMR) journey began in 1998 with the implementation of MedTrak (a healthcare technology company for medical practice management, patient tracking, and electronic health records), progressing through several phases of clinical documentation and system integrations until their latest Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) Level 6 achievement.
Key Milestones in IJN’s EMR Journey
- 1998 – Implementation of MedTrak HIS (Healthcare Information System)
- 2009-2015 – Integration of TrakCare, LabTrak, and Cardiothoracic Registry
- 2022-2023 – Launch of IJNCare and missing EMR modules
- 2024-2025 – Ongoing EMRAM Level 7 assessment and system enhancements
Strategic Digital Transformation Approach
Dr. Yunus emphasized that successful digital transformation requires a clinician-led approach with strong IT governance. IJN’s strategy incorporated:
✔ Clinician & CIO-led digital strategy with strong IT support
✔ Integration of in-house developed systems into core HIS
✔ A structured EMRAM roadmap with clear milestones
✔ Collaboration with healthcare IT consultants for implementation guidance
Why IJN Partnered with HIMSS
Recognizing the need for accelerated EMR maturity, IJN initially considered hiring consultancy firms ranked among the world’s top 5 in digital transformation. However, they realized the mistake they almost committed and instead partnered with HIMSS—a decision that proved critical to their success.
In contrast to broad-spectrum consulting firms, which often apply standardized solutions across diverse industries, HIMSS offered unparalleled expertise in healthcare-specific digital transformation. This specialization provided a decisive advantage: a well-defined and structured roadmap meticulously tailored to healthcare institutions. This eliminated the need for frequent strategic reassessments and adjustments, common with generalist consultants. Through their partnership with HIMSS, IJN was able to follow a proven and efficient path toward EMR maturity, ensuring a streamlined and focused progression free from disruptive changes or unproductive deviations.
Within just 12 months, IJN successfully achieved Stage 6 EMRAM certification, leveraging:
✔ Strategic planning and leadership alignment to ensure long-term success
✔ Investment in cutting-edge health IT solutions tailored for patient care
✔ Collaboration between clinicians and IT experts to optimize system adoption
This healthcare-focused approach allowed IJN to fast-track its digital transformation while maintaining alignment with global best practices in EMR implementation.
Overcoming Challenges in Digital Transformation
Like any digital transformation initiative, IJN faced challenges, including change management, rigid deadlines, and infrastructure limitations.
However, through strong leadership and governance, dedicated IT teams and informaticians, and with well-defined EMRAM project phases, IJN successfully navigated these obstacles and maintained continuous improvements.
Developing Future Healthcare Leaders
A key element of IJN’s success is its commitment to internal talent development. Dr. Alwi Yunus emphasized the need for continuous learning and leadership succession to ensure sustainable progress in digital healthcare.
A Blueprint for Future Healthcare Digitalization
Dr. Yunus’s presentation served as a roadmap for other healthcare institutions striving to achieve higher EMRAM levels. He underscored that digital transformation is not a destination but an ongoing journey, requiring constant adaptation to new technologies and evolving patient needs.
With its visionary leadership, structured strategy, and commitment to patient-centric digitalization, IJN stands as a benchmark for hospitals worldwide, proving that healthcare technology can drive better outcomes and improved efficiency.
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Prof Dato’ Sri Dr. Alwi Mohamed Yunus is the Consultant Cardiac Surgeon and Director of Health Informatics at Institut Jantung Negara (IJN)
