Twenty-one regional hospitals that utilize health information technology solutions from Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS) earned the distinction of being among the most technologically-advanced hospitals in the country, according to results of the 2009 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. Hospitals and Health Networks surveyed more than 1,300 hospitals to name the “100 Most Wired” hospitals in the annual survey, measuring the hospitals’ use of information technologies for quality, customer service, public health and safety, business processes and workforce issues.

Two hospitals, Kootenai Medical Center (KMC) in Coeur d’Alene, ID and Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital in Spokane, WA, received specific “most wired” recognition. KMC also received “most wireless” designation. The additional 19 hospitals were grouped into regions under INHS for purposes of the 2009 Most Wired recognition.

“It is an honor to see our region’s hospitals being consistently recognized as select hospitals in the nation for implementing health care information technology solutions that achieve high levels of automated patient care and safety,” stated Brian Seppi, M.D., Physicians Clinic of Spokane, and chairman of INHS Board of Directors. “The region’s technology investment through INHS ensures the delivery of accessible and cost-effective health care for the communities we serve.”

INHS connects hospitals, health care facilities and physician offices through a health information technology network that allows health care providers to securely access patient information utilizing wired and wireless technologies. The INHS health information technology network includes more than 45,000 users in three states.

“Through the creative application of information technology and the strategic use of shared services, our region continues to adopt and embrace health information technology. Through this we are transforming the way health care is delivered,” said Tom Fritz, chief executive officer of INHS. “These hospitals and staff are being recognized for their continuing efforts to invest in additional systems that improve hospital processes and lead to better patient care.”

Most Wired Hospitals include:
Bonner General Hospital – Sandpoint, ID
Coulee Community Hospital – Grand Coulee, WA
Deaconess Medical Center – Spokane, WA
Enumclaw Regional Hospital – Enumclaw, WA
Kootenai Medical Center – Coeur d’Alene, ID
Mason General Hospital – Shelton, WA
Mid-Valley Hospital – Omak, WA
Newport Hospital and Health Services – Newport, WA
Othello Community Hospital – Othello, WA
Pullman Regional Hospital – Pullman, WA
Providence Holy Family Hospital – Spokane, WA
Providence Mount Carmel Hospital – Colville, WA
Providence St. Joseph’s Hospital – Chewelah, WA
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital – Spokane, WA
Samaritan Healthcare – Moses Lake, WA
St. Luke’s Magic Valley Regional Medical Center – Twin Falls, ID
St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute – Spokane, WA
Sunnyside Community Hospital – Sunnyside, WA
Whitman Hospital & Medical Center – Colfax, WA
Tri-State Memorial Hospital – Clarkston, WA
Valley Hospital & Medical Center – Spokane Valley, WA