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Aug. 11, 2004
Marquette General
Health System named 2004 Most Wired Hospital
For MGHS, the prestigious honor occurs for the fifth time in six years
Building on
its reputation for investing in innovative information technology,
Marquette General Health System
has again been named one of the nation’s 100 most wired (computerized
health systems). The results were listed in the 2004 Most Wired
Survey and Benchmarking Study, conducted by Hospitals & Health
Networks, the journal of the American Hospital Association.
Marquette General, one of three Michigan healthcare systems cited in the survey,
has gained the honor for the fifth time in the six years it has been presented.
MGHS is one of just 19 healthcare organizations across the country that holds
that prestigious honor.
“We are very pleased and honored to earn this recognition,” MGHS
Chief Executive Officer Bill Nemacheck said. “We recognize the importance
of investing in cutting-edge information technology to enhance the abilities
of our physicians and hospital staff to take care of our patients.
“Marquette General understands the advantages of using the Internet to
move healthcare information. Our Information Technology department is to be commended
for their creative ideas and problem-solving abilities that are recognized on
a national level.”
The 100 Most Wired list represents organizations that scored highest on the
survey. Results from the survey were used to name the 100 Most Wired, the 25
Most Improved, the 25 Most Wireless and the 25 Most Wired — Small and
Rural. The survey also found that Most Wired hospitals have made considerable
investments in other key technologies, such as radiology systems and picture
archiving communications systems (PACS).
This year, due to a tie, 101 organizations were recognized as the nation’s
Most Wired hospitals and health networks.
Survey results found that Marquette General is in a group of hospitals and
health systems that are making significant progress automating four core components
of an electronic medical records (EMR) — current medical records, medical
history, patient demographics and nurses’ notes. The survey measures
the nation’s hospitals on their use of Internet technologies for quality,
customer service, public health and safety, business processes and workforce
issues.
“These hospitals are emphasizing clinical quality and patient services
in their efforts to remain technology leaders,” said Alden Solovy, executive
editor of Hospitals & Health Networks, the journal of the American Hospital
Association (AHA) that has named the 100 Most Wired hospitals and health systems
the past six years.
Nemacheck said connectivity is very important for health care in the Upper
Peninsula.
“We collaborate with a number of other U.P. hospitals and healthcare providers,” he
said. “Sharing this technology with our partners in the Upper Peninsula
Health Care Network keeps costs down.”
At MGHS, physicians use secure connections to transmit medical images and confer
with colleagues in a password-protected environment to enhance care for patients
across the region. On patient care units, hospital employees are able to enter
lab orders and schedule patient tests and procedures.
Marquette General’s expertise in information technology is reflected
on its constantly updated website at www.mgh.org. In addition to information
for patients, family and friends can click on an icon to send email or flowers
to their loved ones. Photos of newborn
babies can also be viewed.
"Marquette General’s administration and Board of Trustees continue
to provide the necessary resources needed to develop information technology and
connectivity U.P. wide. This achievement is certainly reflected by that commitment,” said
Jim Sundberg, Director of Information Technology at MGHS. “We have many
talented, dedicated IT professionals … among the most talented in the nation.
“We continue to look for opportunities to build on our technology to provide
easier access to clinical information, particularly for patients and providers
of care throughout our health system and UPHCN partners.”
Besides Marquette General, Memorial Healthcare in Owosso and St. Joseph Health
System in Tawas City represent Michigan on the 100 Most Wired list.
The entire report is available at www.hhnmag.com.
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