Cerner celebrates 25 years in the Middle East

Global health care information technology leader Cerner took on its first Middle East client, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 25 years ago.

Today, more than 200 clients in five Middle Eastern countries use Cerner's services. Cerner Millenium is used by more than 48,000 physicians, nurses and caregivers across the Middle East who are able to access and share information on more than 10,000 stored electronic health records.

“We understand that health care is personal and believe that advancing technology will significantly help providers to proactively manage the health of their populations,” Michael Pomerance, vice president and managing director of Cerner Middle East and Africa, said. “We are honored to work with our clients to help them with their goal of ensuring the highest standard of care for patients and further connecting them into their respective health communities.”

Cerner's Middle East clients have achieved inpatient Stage 6 on the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model by HIMSS Analytics Middle East -- one of the highest award levels for clinical IT systems and advanced safety features.

In 2012, KFSH&RC was the first facility in the Middle East to reach Stage 6 recognition. Three years later, KFSH&RC received HIMSS Stage 6 for ambulatory -- the first facility from the Middle East, Europe and Africa to do so.

“This recognition is the result of a joint effort by KFSH&RC and Cerner to develop best-practice health care solutions in the region, while building on our joint missions to deliver the highest quality of patient care and being at the forefront of electronic health record adoption,” Osama Alswailem, chief information officer at KFSH&RC, said.

Cerner Middle East hosted a 25th anniversary gala dinner for more than 200 staff and their families on May 7 in Dubai. Additional plans are to celebrate clients at the 2015 Middle East Regional User Group, which will take place in Dubai June 1-2.