Most Wired Hospitals Wield Tools of Technology
7/17/2007 - NorthShore University HealthSystem has been named for the fourth consecutive year as one of the nation’s Most Wired hospital systems according to the results of the 2007 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study released today in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine which has named the 100 Most Wired hospitals and health systems since 1999.
“We are very proud to once again be the recipient of this award, “ said Tom Smith, Chief Information Officer at NorthShore University HealthSystem.” “The Most Wired award is the broadest measurement of using information technology in a hospital. It measures usage in clinical areas as well as administrative and billing areas. We have been able to apply information technology to meet the needs of both staff and patients. The end result of all these systems is to assist our staff in providing the best in patient care.”
The nation’s 100 Most Wired hospitals show better outcomes in four key areas: mortality rates, patient safety measures from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), core measures from Hospital Compare and average length of stay. Based on analysis of the ninth annual Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study results, hospitals are embracing technology as a key tool for health care quality improvements.
“Many hospitals have made strong commitments to using information technology to improve the quality of care,” says Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). “They are combining technology with clinical knowledge and creativity with a focus on improving outcomes, and making care safer and more streamlined for both patients and clinicians.”
Hospitals investing in quality are also investing in IT. “The Most Wired hospitals are focused on quality,” says Alden Solovy, executive editor of Hospital & Health Networks. The analysis does not establish a direct causal relationship between technology and outcomes, however, health care organizations are looking to measure trends documenting better outcomes.
"The continued adoption of technology for clinical systems in health care is driving rapid change and great outcomes,” said Lewis Redd, managing partner, Accenture Health & Life Sciences North American Provider Practice and one of the 2007 Survey sponsors. “The leaders in the field are already showing us how technology can help connect hospitals with their patients and enhance clinical outcomes. This survey is a call to action.”
The Most Wired Survey is conducted annually by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine, 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 2007 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.