Hospital Among "Most Wired" for Use of Information Technology
Exeter Health Resources' IS Staff
For the second year a row, Exeter Health Resources has been named one of the nation’s most wired small and rural hospitals for their use of information technology.
The local health care organization was named Most Wired in the Small and Rural category, according to the 2009 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine.
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.
“It’s extremely gratifying to be recognized as a Most Wired Hospital for a second year and signals that we are successfully using information technology in our comprehensive approach to provide the best possible care for all of our patients,” said David Briden, Exeter Health Resources’ Chief Information Officer. “The award recognizes the emphasis our organization has placed on the advanced use of electronic medical records software throughout Exeter Hospital, Core Physicians, Exeter Healthcare and Rockingham VNA and Hospice.”
Of the organizations completing the survey this year, 38 hospitals and health systems—6.8 percent of the sample—have effectively deployed information technology at both ends of the medication administration process. This compares with 23 hospitals and health systems in 2008, or 4.1 percent of the sample.
At the typical hospital responding to the survey, 26 percent of medications are entered electronically by physicians, compared with 19 percent in 2008. The typical respondent has 40 percent of medications matched at the bedside, compared with 30 percent in 2008.
Exeter Health Resources electronic medical records systems were put to the test during the December 2008 ice storm and extended power outage. The systems, which are powered by Exeter Hospital’s backup generator when commercial power is out, stayed on during the power outage. As a result, staff was able to continue seeing patients by directing patients to locations that had electricity.The patient’s electronic medical record was available for the providers so that they could continue to provide the safest possible patient care.
Recent advances with the bar coding of Exeter Hospital’s blood supply have improved the tracking, storage and administration of blood products. Other advances include the implementation of an automated documentation system in the hospital’s Emergency Department.
Core Physicians are in the process of introducing electronic prescribing, or “e-prescribing,” which will streamline communication between retail pharmacy and Core provider offices.
The Most Wired Survey is conducted annually by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine, the journal of the AHA, 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 2009 survey in cooperation with McKesson Corp. and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. The July H&HN cover story detailing results is available at www.hhnmag.com.
Read Article:
Hospital Among Most Wired for Use of Information Technology (Portsmouth Herald, August 12, 2009)
