ANN ARBOR – The University of Michigan Health System has been named to the list of the nation�??s 100 Most Wired and Most Wireless hospitals, says a new survey released this week.
The study, in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine, focuses on how the nation’s hospitals use information technology for quality, customer service, public health and safety, business processes and workforce issues.
“Our team has worked tirelessly to create and maintain an exceptional wired and wireless environment at the University of Michigan Health System,” says Jocelyn DeWitt, chief information officer, U-M Hospitals and Health Centers, “and we are pleased that our successes in both areas are being recognized by Hospitals & Health Networks this year. These technologies are essential for our electronic patient care environment and for supporting clinicians – both on location at our hospitals and health centers and when they are away from campus and need immediate access to patient applications.”
According to this latest analysis, 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. The Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study is in its tenth year of analyzing and benchmarking of healthcare information technology. The study included 556 completed surveys, which represented 1,327 hospitals.
“We have been pursuing a strategic direction for several years to improve how we use information technology to enhance delivery of patient care, research and education,” says Doug Strong, chief executive officer, UMHHC.
Strong said examples of U-M�??s wireless tools include an online order entry system, U-M CareLink, which improves the quality and safety of inpatient care in the Health System by moving from what was once a cumbersome paper process to one handled electronically in a faster, safer and more standardized fashion.
A new data center to house the primary information and communication technology that supports the current and anticipated future patient care activities for the Health System.
Providing free access to wireless connectivity in public areas of the University Hospital, C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital, and the Cardiovascular Center.
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.
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