SDI releases 2011 rating of top 100 integrated healthcare networks

SDI announced today the release of the SDI 2011 Top 100 IHNs, the 14th edition of its annual assessment of the 100 most integrated healthcare networks (IHNs). SDI's report, regarded as the nation's premier rating system, evaluates IHNs on their performance and degree of integration.

“In anticipation of Medicare payment reform, many hospitals, physician groups, and health systems are looking into the formation of accountable care organizations (ACOs)”

With a score of 93.17 out of a possible 100, 2 points higher than last year, Sentara Healthcare (Norfolk, VA) finished No. 1 for the second year in a row. Sentara is the only IHN to rank in the top 10 of the SDI IHN 100 for all 14 years.

Wellstar Health System (Marietta, GA), a newcomer to the top 10, was ranked No. 9 with a score of 89.11. Wellstar improved its ranking significantly from last year, when it placed 13th.

Overall, IHNs in 2011 showed improvement in total scores across both the top 10 (up an average of 2.1 points) and top 100 (up an average of 3.8 points) compared to last year. All IHNs improved in the eight benchmark categories that are assessed, and the top 100 IHNs saw significant increases in the categories of services and access, integration, and integrated technology.

IHNs that made both the top 10 and top 100 continued to improve their integrated technology scores, particularly in the area of information services (IS) integration, which measures integration of IS programs across the IHN. Additionally, IHNs in the top 100 saw increases in scores for having real-time central medical records. These scores may further grow in the coming year in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' initiatives to have providers adopt and achieve meaningful use of electronic health record technology.

"In anticipation of Medicare payment reform, many hospitals, physician groups, and health systems are looking into the formation of accountable care organizations (ACOs)," said Pat Witman, Associate Product Director, Healthcare Profiling Solutions for SDI. "IHNs, with their network of providers already in place, are well-positioned to enter this arena. Six of the IHNs in SDI's Top 100 and Best of the Rest have already entered partnerships with other healthcare organizations to form ACOs."