DETROIT — For the 10th straight year, the Detroit Medical Center has been recognized as one of the nation’s “Most Wired” hospital systems according to the 18th annual Health Care’s Most Wired survey, released by the American Hospital Association’s Health Forum.
The DMC was one of 21 Michigan hospitals included on the list.
The Most Wired study is an industry barometer measuring information technology use and adoption among hospitals nationwide. The survey, conducted Jan. 15 – March 15, captured data from 2,146 hospitals – more than 34 percent of all hospitals in the United States — and revealed technology is improving care delivery and creating a new dynamic in patient interaction.
The survey gathered information on how health care organizations use IT infrastructure to safeguard patient information and access capabilities, conduct business, and promote clinical quality.
Said DMC CIO Joe Francis: “As one of the first health systems to integrate information technology into our system of hospitals, we are diligently focused on protecting the security of our patients’ information while simultaneously sharing appropriate information to create a better overall patient experience and reduce costs.”
The survey shows Most Wired hospitals are using technology to build patient engagement with the individual’s lifestyle in mind, including electronic access to their care team through patient portals, mobile applications, and social media.
“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.”
According to the survey, Most Wired hospitals are using population health management tools and partnering with other health care providers to share clinical information used in interventions aimed at key patient groups, such as those with diabetes. To get patients the right care, hospitals, including DMC, use predictive modeling to eliminate preventable problems.
Hospitals are also taking action to ensure cybersecurity. More than 90 percent use intrusion detection systems, privacy audit systems and security incident event management to detect patient privacy breaches, monitor for malicious activities and produce real-time analysis of security alerts. In addition, 84 percent conduct a third-party security audit annually to ensure that guidelines are followed.
For a full list of winners visit www.hhnmag.com. A feature story on DMC may be found at http://www.hhnmag.com/articles/7352-detroit-medical-center-keeps-the-it-pedal-on-the-gas.
Another story on the IT security efforts of Henry Ford Health System in Detroit may be found at http://www.hhnmag.com/articles/7399-securing-patient-data-a-top-priority.
Other Michigan hospitals on the list include the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw, the Battle Creek VA Medical Center, Beaumont Health System in Royal Oak, Bronson Battle Creek, Bronson LakeView Hospital in Paw Paw, Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Lakeland Health in St. Joseph, Mercy Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Metro Health in Wyoming, Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital, Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital, Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord, Sparrow Health System in Lansing, St. John Providence in Warren, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, and West Shore Medical Center in Manistee.
Winning Most Wired Small and Rural Hospital awards were Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort, and Sparrow Carson Hospital in Carson City.
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland was also a finalist for special Innovator Awards for two programs. One instituted an Integrated Medication Board to reduce missing medications and medication waste and improve staff efficiency. The other used technological innovation for population health management and outreach to improve the transition of care to the patient’s home, reducing readmissions.