Geisinger Named a Most-Wired Hospital & Health System for the Second Time

2004, CHICAGO, IL —The Geisinger Health System has again been named one of the nation’s 100 Most Wired hospitals and health systems. The fourth annual survey and benchmarking study is awarded to technically savvy hospitals by Hospitals & Health Networks, the journal of the American Hospital Association, in cooperation with McKesson Information Solutions, Qwest Communications International, and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. The survey and benchmarking study measures the nation’s health care systems on their use of Internet technologies to connect with patients, physicians and nurses, payors, health plans and employees. This is the second time Geisinger has been named to the list.

"The challenges associated with connecting a system as large and complex as the Geisinger Health System have been considerable. The recognition as one of the country's most wired healthcare organizations is an honor. Providing timely and accurate information to our providers, patients and partners will continue to be our major focus, said Frank Richards, Chief Information Officer, Geisinger Health System.

This is the second time in recent months that Geisinger has been recognized nationally for its use of technology to enhance the delivery of quality care. Geisinger was given a finalist award for the Wharton Infosys Business Transformation Award for transforming the healthcare industry through the use of technology. The Wharton Infosys Business Transformation Award is a joint initiative from Infosys, a global leader in consulting and information technology services, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Geisinger’s use of technology includes an electronic medical record for each of the system’s approximately 2 million patients. Patients are allowed access via a secure Internet connection and many are finding the service helpful in managing their healthcare. Several patients accessing the service and Geisinger’s use of the technology were the subjects of a story in The Wall Street Journal in June. According to the newspaper, only about 5% of doctors and hospitals in the U.S. maintain personal electronic medical records at this point. The Institute of Medicine, an influential policymaking body in Washington, and other groups promoting ways to reduce medical errors and improve quality have endorsed the practice.

Hospitals & Health Networks worked with two leading firms—McKesson Information Solutions and Qwest Communications International—to develop an in-depth eight-page survey available online to every hospital in the United States. Results from the survey were used to name the 100 Most Wired, the 10 Most Improved and the 10 Most Wireless. More than 300 health systems responded to the survey, representing about 800 hospitals.

Independent analysis of this year’s winners shows that Most Wired organizations dedicate more staff and capital budget to information technology projects than less wired organizations. The Most Wired organizations are also succeeding at communicating with patients by scheduling appointments and filling prescriptions online. Large gaps between Most Wired and less wired organizations are evident in services offered to doctors and nurses. In 2001, the gap for Web-based lab order entry was 19.1 percentage points. In 2002, it jumped to 48.4 percentage points.

"This year’s survey shows that Most Wired organizations continue to commit employees and money to their info tech investments," says Alden Solovy, executive editor of Hospitals & Health Networks.

Founded in 1915, Geisinger Health System provides more than two million people in 31 counties in Pennsylvania a complete continuum of quality healthcare. The Geisinger Health System has received national recognition as a model for quality health services delivery and has been listed in Best Hospitals in America, and their physicians have been listed in The Best Doctors in America. Geisinger is a physician-led health care system, dedicated to health care, education, research and service.

Hospitals & Health Networks, the journal of the American Hospital Association, conducts the Most Wired survey annually. McKesson Information Solutions serves the supply management and information technology needs of health care organizations. Qwest Communications International is a leader in reliable, scalable and secure broadband data, voice and image communications for businesses and consumers. The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society provides leadership for the management of technology, information and change.

Winners and further analysis can be found in the July Hospitals & Health Networks, www.hhnmag.com.