Fifteen Ascension health ministries rated among the 2016 Most Wired hospitals and health systems based on an industry-standard benchmarking study sponsored by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. Included among the honorees in the various categories of the list were:
Most Wired
- Birmingham Ministry Market
- St. Vincent's Birmingham in Birmingham, Alabama
- St. Vincent's Blount in Onenota
- St. Vincent's East in Birmingham
- St. Vincent's St. Clair in Pell City
- Gulf Coast Ministry Market
- Providence Health System in Mobile, Alabama
- Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola, Florida
- Kansas Ministry Market
- Via Christi Health in Wichita
- Michigan Ministry Market
- St. John Providence Health System in Warren
- St. Mary's Healthcare in Amsterdam, New York
- Tennessee Ministry Market
- Saint Thomas Health in Nashville
- Wisconsin Ministry Market
- Calumet Medical Center in Chilton
- Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh
- Ministry Saint Clare's Hospital in Weston
- St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton
Most Improved
- Alexian Brothers Health System in Arlington Heights, Illinois
The survey used to develop the list measures the level of information technology (IT) adoption in U.S. hospitals and health systems. Health Forum — an American Hospital Association (AHA) information company — distributes, collects and analyzes the Most Wired data, looking at operational, financial and clinical performance.
"Hospitals are breaking out of their traditional four walls and providing care where and when patients need it," said Rick Pollack, President and CEO of the AHA. "These Most Wired hospitals exemplify this transformation by harnessing technology, engaging patients and offering services remotely. And, removing policy and other barriers to telehealth will allow even faster adoption of these amazing technologies."
Organizations that participated in the survey were identified as foundational, core, advanced, expert or leader in each of four focus areas for use of IT:
- Infrastructure
- Business and administrative management
- Clinical quality and safety for the hospital inpatient and outpatient setting
- Clinical integration, including ambulatory, physician and community
Organizations with responses that reflected core development across all four of these focus areas earned the Most Wired designation. To view the complete list and additional information uncovered as part of the survey, visit the Most Wired section of the Hospitals & Health Networks website.