Beaumont Health System has been named among the nation’s “Most Wired” hospitals, according to Health Care’s “Most Wired” 2012 survey released Wednesday in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks, a publication of the American Hospital Association.

The “Most Wired” survey gauges hospitals’ progress in the adoption, implementation and use of information technology. Hospitals on the list also focus on expanding use of on information technology to protect patient data and improve patient flow and communication.

Participating hospitals and health systems are assessed based on four areas of focus: infrastructure, business and administrative management, clinical quality and safety (inpatient/outpatient hospital), and clinical integration (ambulatory/physician/patient/community). Specific requirements are set in each of the four focus areas and organizations must meet all of them to achieve the “Most Wired” designation.

“Beaumont views information technology as a strategic asset that is a key enabler of our delivery of high quality, high-value health care,” said Subra Sripada, executive vice president and chief administrative and information officer for Beaumont Health System. “Being included on this list affirms the hard work of our team and demonstrates Beaumont’s commitment to being a technology leader in the health care industry.”

Among the key “Most Wired” survey findings this year: 

• 93 percent of “Most Wired” hospitals use intrusion detection systems to protect patient privacy and security of patient data.
• 90 percent use performance improvement scorecards to help improve efficiency.
• 100 percent check drug interactions and drug allergies when medications are ordered as a major step in reducing medication errors

“As shown by these survey results, hospitals continue to demonstrate how information technology not only can be used to improve patient care and safety, but is also a means to improve efficiency,” said Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the AHA.

The “Most Wired” survey was conducted online from Jan. 15 to March 15. Hospitals and health systems answered questions regarding their information technology initiatives. A total of 662 surveys were completed representing 1,570 hospitals, or roughly 27 percent of all U.S. hospitals.

The “Most Wired” cover story in the July issue of HHN is available at http://www.hhnmostwired.com/hhnmostwired/html/previouswinners.html.

The 2012 “Most Wired” Survey is conducted in cooperation with McKesson Corporation, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and the American Hospital Association.

About the AHA

The American Hospital Association is the national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, and their patients and communities. Close to 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 40,000 individual members come together to form the AHA.  Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends.  For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org.

About Beaumont

Beaumont Health System is a three-hospital regional health system with a total of 1,726 licensed beds, more than 14,000 full-time equivalent employees and 3,700 physicians. In addition to its hospitals, Beaumont operates numerous community-based medical centers in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, family practice and internal medicine practices, five nursing centers, a research institute, home care services and hospice.  Beaumont is the exclusive clinical teaching site for the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.