Berkshire Health Systems Named 2008 Most Wired Hospital System
Patient Satisfaction Higher at Most Wired HospitalsCHICAGO - Berkshire Health Systems has been named one of the nation's 100 Most Wired, according to the results of the 2008 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. BHS was one of only three Massachusetts hospitals or health systems to be awarded Most Wired, joining Children's Hospital and Partners HealthCare System, both in Boston.
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.
"Through its comprehensive electronic physician order entry system and its electronic medical record, Berkshire Health Systems continues to improve patient care and safety," said Joe Diver, Chief Information Officer for BHS. "Many of the systems implemented today require significant realignment of process to achieve the expected outcomes. New technology will only be 20 percent of the requirement to reach the goal. The 80 percent needed will come from change in the way we think, manage and operate."
"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."
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.
