UT Southwestern named one of nation's 'Most Connected Hospitals' for 2015-2016

UT Southwestern Medical Center has been ranked one of the "Most Connected Hospitals" for 2015-2016 by U.S. News & World Report based on its commitment to the use of digital technology in health care.

The honor recognizes U.S. hospitals that demonstrated an ability to share data with providers, improved patient safety through computerization, and engaged patients by providing them with electronic access to their medical information.

UT Southwestern is one of just 10 hospitals in Texas to make the list, and nationally, among 159 medical centers in 37 states. Other Texas hospitals on the list included UT Medical Branch hospitals in Galveston, Children's Medical Center Dallas, six Texas Health Resources hospitals, and Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler.

"Our technology is seamlessly integrated into each component of our three-part mission," said Dr. Bruce Meyer, Executive Vice President for Health System Affairs at UT Southwestern. "It is essential to use technology to continually improve patient care, to remain at the forefront of innovative research, and to ensure the next generation of physicians is well-prepared for the challenges awaiting them," added Dr. Meyer, who holds the T.C. Lupton Family Professorship in Patient Care, in Honor of Dr. John Dowling McConnell and Dr. David Andrew Pistenmaa.

To identify the "Most Connected Hospitals," U.S. News and World Report analyzed three areas of medicine where electronic connectedness can make a difference to patients: clinical connectedness, patient safety, and patient engagement.

"UT Southwestern's commitment to technology integration is aimed at improving the overall patient experience. As a testament to this commitment, UT Southwestern's hospitals have been recognized by Hospital & Health Networks magazine as one of the 'Most Wired' campuses in the country for five consecutive years," said Dr. John Warner, Vice President and CEO of UT Southwestern University Hospitals and holder of the Jim and Norma Smith Distinguished Chair for Interventional Cardiology, and the Audre and Bernard Rapoport Chair in Cardiovascular Research.

The inclusion of state-of-the-art videoconferencing technology inside William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, which opened in 2014, and Zale Lipshy University Hospital allows physicians on campus to connect with UT Southwestern doctors at other locations, as well as colleagues around the world. For example, surgeons now have videoconferencing capabilities inside the operating rooms, allowing real-time discussions with colleagues during surgery.

At both hospitals, interactive flat-screen monitors equipped with high-definition cameras enable patients to connect with family and friends at home, as well as physicians during their stay. In many cases, physicians use the technology to provide one-on-one consultation with the patient, or with other members of the patient's care team, to discuss images such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.

Across campus, UT Southwestern faculty members use interactive white boards to improve learning opportunities for medical students. This technology, called SMART Boards, is integrated throughout the hospital teaching areas, which allows X-rays and other images to be accessed for medical conferences and case discussions among multidisciplinary teams, while allowing students instant access to the notations being made.

UT Southwestern's technology integration extends beyond the campus. The expanded use of programs like MyChart - a digital health records and communications tool - allows patients to make and track appointments, see test results, communicate with physicians and nurses, and securely access medical records from their smartphones. While MyChart has been available to UT Southwestern patients since 2005 on computers, enhanced mobile capabilities have made it even more engaging and convenient for users. Now, more than 50,000 UT Southwestern patients use MyChart.

Recent mobile advances also have boosted the access, appearance, and search capabilities of the UT Southwestern Patient Care website at utswmedicine.org, making it easier than ever for current and potential patients to use their smartphones to access information about UT Southwestern's clinical specialties, as well as details about physicians' interests, backgrounds, and expertise. Together, these features make the overall patient experience easy and more manageable.

Source: Southwestern Medical Center