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NGHS named one of nation's Most Wired hospitals, health systems

By Staff
Posted 1:59PM on Friday 20th July 2012 ( 11 years ago )
GAINESVILLE - Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) has been recognized as one of the Most Wired Hospitals and Health Systems of 2012, according to the results of the 2012 Most Wired Survey released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. The survey was conducted in cooperation with McKesson Corporation, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives, and the American Hospital Association (AHA).

The nation's Most Wired hospitals and health systems are leveraging the adoption and use of health information technology (IT) to improve performance in a number of areas, according to Health Care's Most Wired 2012 Survey. As a field, hospitals and health systems are focused on expanding and adopting IT that protects patient data and optimizes patient flow and communications.

"Northeast Georgia Health System is very proud to be recognized as one of the Most Wired health systems in the U.S.," says Carol Burrell, President and CEO of NGHS. "We have made significant investments in our information technology infrastructure with the key goals of improving patient care, safety and satisfaction. We are honored that this investment has been recognized on a national level."

Health Care's Most Wired Survey, conducted between Jan. 15 and March 15, asked hospitals and health systems nationwide to answer questions regarding their IT initiatives. Respondents completed 662 surveys, representing 1,570 hospitals, or roughly 27 percent of all U.S. hospitals. Of those, 154 met the criteria to be named Most Wired; NGHS is one of five in Georgia to make the list.

Among the key findings this year's Most Wired survey:

*93 percent of Most Wired hospitals employ intrusion detection systems to protect patient privacy and security of patient data, in comparison to 77 percent of the total responders. 
 
*74 percent of Most Wired hospitals and 57 percent of all surveyed hospitals use automated patient flow systems.

*90 percent of Most Wired hospitals and 73 percent of all surveyed use performance improvement scorecards to help reduce inefficiencies.

*100 percent of Most Wired hospitals 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 IT not only can be used to improve patient care and safety but it is also a means to improve efficiency," says Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the AHA.

"NGHS is leveraging healthcare information technology to enhance patient safety in our Quest for Excellence to deliver the highest quality of care for our community in the most efficient way," adds Allana Cummings, NGHS' Chief Information Officer.

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