by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine
Woman’s Hospital has been named a “Most Wired” hospital by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. The annual Most Wired survey examines the ways in which U.S. hospitals are adopting information technology, and the survey data is used to develop industry-standard IT benchmarks for operational, financial and clinical performance. Nearly 40 percent of all U.S. hospitals participated in the survey.
“Information technology is at the forefront of the patient experience at Woman’s,” said Paul Kirk, Vice President/Chief Information Officer. “We’re using emerging technologies to improve patient engagement, experience and safety.”
At Woman’s, nurses are able to round on patients daily using an iPad app to ask about the quality of their stay, pain management, noise level, room cleanliness, meal service and safety concerns. In Woman’s Adult Intensive Care Unit, patient care is supported by the use of telehealth connected to remote intensivist physicians. These physicians can monitor vital signs, ventilators and electronic medical records (EMR) in real-time through the telehealth platform as well as communicate with the hospital staff and the patient. Coordinated virtual care allows for better outcomes for the patient, and also allows the patient’s family to be involved in the delivery of care.
The hospital has continued developing the use of integrated software into EMRs as well the ability to data mine EMRs of non-hospital providers to create a total care plan for an obstetrical patient. With this information, the hospital is positioned to begin developing a risk-based arrangement and value-based care models with providers and payers. Woman’s is also working to improve clinical outcomes and processes through analyzing patient information.
For more information about the Most Wired awards, visit www.hhnmag.com/mostwired.