Tell Me Where IT Hurts goes global for this episode as Jay Anders, MD, travels (virtually) over 9,000 miles to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a conversation with Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Alwi Yunus, Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Clinical Director of Health Informatics at the National Heart Institute (Institut Jantung Negara, IJN). Dr. Alwi brings a global perspective, with credentials including MBBS (Malaysia), a Fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons (UK), and an Advanced Fellowship in Cardiac Surgery (Mayo Clinic). Known for his pioneering leadership in cardiac care and digital transformation, Dr. Alwi offers a compelling perspective on how a major public-private healthcare institution can modernize from paper-based workflows to a fully electronic, data-driven ecosystem.
National Heart Institute of Malaysia (Institute Jantung Negara or IJN) is a 433-bed quaternary hospital specializing in cardiology and cardiothoracic care, and recognized as the largest integrated cardiovascular and thoracic care center in Asia.
Dr. Alwi recounts IJN’s decade-long journey to transform its health information systems, guided by the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) developed by HIMSS. Starting from a baseline of zero, IJN systematically advanced its digital maturity to achieve EMRAM Stage 6 certification by empowering clinicians and staff to shape solutions for their own specialties. The hospital developed much of its documentation and workflow tools in-house, supported by carefully chosen technology partners, including podcast sponsor Medicomp Systems, to ensure clinical relevance and flexibility.
The result has been nothing short of remarkable. In just one year, IJN achieved near-complete digitization and built a collaborative foundation for quality improvement, research, and patient engagement. Dr. Alwi describes how the hospital’s new patient-facing mobile app now gives patients and their families direct access to medical records, surgical notes, prescriptions, and test results, an innovation that has quickly become indispensable.
“Our patient care app was downloaded not only by patients but by all their kids as well… and that was an eye opener. It showed us how families want to be part of the care journey.”
Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Alwi Yunus
Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Clinical Director of Health Informatics,
Institut Jantung Negara
Beyond digitalization, IJN is also developing AI-driven tools to advance precision medicine. A new AI-powered risk stratification model now evaluates over 100 clinical risk factors, far more than traditional scoring systems, to help predict surgical outcomes and prioritize care for high-risk cardiac patients. While optimistic about AI’s potential, Dr. Alwi emphasizes the importance of strong guardrails, data governance, and ethical oversight before deploying advanced tools at scale.
Dr. Alwi also reflects on the global nature of healthcare innovation. He believes collaboration, affordability, and accessibility are key to ensuring that digital transformation benefits patients everywhere, not just in wealthy health systems.
Show Notes
Among the topics covered:
- IJN’s journey from a paper-based hospital to nearly 100% electronic records within months
- EMRAM framework guided IJN’s digital transformation strategy and priorities
- Developed documentation systems in-house, supplemented by strategic partnerships
- Selection of Medicomp Systems and Apuk Co., Ltd. as a technology partner for clinical documentation and decision support
- EMR implementation improved compliance with Joint Commission International accreditation standards
- IJN Care app empowers patients and families with access to records, labs, and prescriptions
- Adoption of multidisciplinary care planning to align specialists across the patient journey
- AI-driven risk stratification tool analyzing more than 100 variables for better outcome prediction
- Measured approach to AI adoption, emphasizing safety, governance, and cost control
- “If you could change one thing…” — Make healthcare IT affordable and accessible to all
- And more…
Show Links
- Dr. Alwi Yunus on LinkedIn
- Institut Jantung Negara (National Heart Institute)
- Dr. Jay Anders on LinkedIn
- Medicomp Systems on LinkedIn
- Tell Me Where IT Hurts on Healthcare NOW Radio