University of Missouri Health Care has been named a "Most Connected Hospital" by U.S. News and World Report for using health information innovations to improve patient care. MU Health Care is one of two health systems in Missouri to make the 2015-2016 list released today, Friday, Oct. 16.
To determine the Most Connected Hospitals, U.S. News analyzed dozens of variables from the most recent information technology survey conducted by the American Hospital Association. In the survey, hospitals across the nation were evaluated in three areas of health care where electronic connectedness can improve patient care: clinical connectedness, patient engagement and patient safety.
In addition to MU Health Care, Mosaic Life Care of St. Joseph and Kansas City was named a "Most Connected Hospital."
"Improving patient-centered care through technology is one of our guiding priorities at MU Health Care," said Mitch Wasden, chief executive officer and chief operating officer of MU Health Care. "We're proud to be named a 'Most Connected Hospital,' and we will continue to advance the health of our patients through technology."
The "Most Connected Hospital" recognition comes 11 days after MU Health Care received a global HIMSS Enterprise Nicholas E. Davies Award of Excellence for health care technology innovations. Davies Awards represent the highest level of achievement for electronic medical records excellence offered by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.
"Receiving a HIMSS Davies Award followed by a 'Most Connected' designation from U.S. News and World Report emphasizes our commitment to digital health care," said Bryan Bliven, chief information officer at MU Health Care and executive director of the Tiger Institute for Health Innovation. "Our patients are at the heart of these efforts, and we are honored to be able to make a positive difference in their lives through technology."
In addition to being named a Most Connected Hospital, MU Health Care also is one of the nation's "Most Wired" health systems — a designation MU Health Care has held for five consecutive years — according to the American Hospital Association's 2015 Most Wired Survey.
In February, MU Health Care gave patients the ability to view physician notes online after a visit. The notes include clinical observations, diagnostic test results and other details of a patient's care, which are automatically synced with the MU Healthe patient portal. The portal is an online secure tool that allows patients to manage appointments, securely message providers, request prescription refills, access immunization history and more. In August 2014, MU Health Care became the first academic medical center and the ninth health system in the country to meet federal Stage 2 "meaningful use" standards for its adoption of medical information technology to improve patient care.
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