Most Wired Hospitals Wield Tools of Technology
8/21/2008 - For the fifth consecutive year, ENH has been named one of the Most Wired hospitals in the country based on the results of the 2008 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study announced in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine.
“By centralizing and integrating clinical systems and data under a single umbrella, higher levels of quality and safety can be realized,” said Steve Foley, Assistant Vice President for Technical Services at ENH. “Patient information is available thru online computerized systems for quicker reference and the latest updated information.”
The 100 Most Wired hospitals show better outcomes in patient satisfaction, risk-adjusted mortality rates and other key quality measures through the use of information technology (IT), according to a new analysis. Marking its 10th year, the Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study continues to lead the field in analyses and benchmarking of healthcare IT.
“Medical device integration into the electronic medical record was initially a pilot program, but is now being rolled out to the organization with one hospital being completed.” Foley said. “The use of bar coding technology has risen significantly since the last award.”
“Health IT has shown incredible promise in helping us improve the quality and safety of the care hospitals deliver every day,” said Rich Umbdenstock, President and CEO of the American Hospital Association. “The results of the Most Wired survey confirm that today’s patient also understands the benefits of IT in improving care and improving the overall hospital experience.”
“Today’s results add to the growing evidence that the appropriate use of IT can enhance both quality and patient satisfaction,” said Alden Solovy, Executive Editor of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. “Most Wired hospitals are proving the fundamental value of information technology.”
When it comes to keeping patients connected, Foley says, “We have run a pilot program over the last two years and are currently upgrading our wireless network to include public access with Evanston Hospital set to go live in September and our other hospitals soon.”
The analysis shows that better outcomes occur among high tech hospitals, but it does not establish a direct causal relationship between technology and outcomes. The satisfaction analysis was conducted jointly with Press Ganey Associates and the quality analysis was conducted jointly with Thomson Healthcare.
The Most Wired Survey is conducted annually by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine, the journal of the American Hospital Association, which uses the results to name the 100 Most Wired hospitals and health systems. It focuses on how the nation’s hospitals use information technologies for quality, customer service, public health and safety, business processes and workforce issues.
Hospitals & Health Networks conducted the 2008 survey in cooperation with Accenture, McKesson Corp. and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. The July H&HN cover story detailing results is available at www.hhnmag.com.