INHS information technology network streamlines physician access to information SPOKANE, Wash., July 17
SPOKANE, Wash., July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Connecting physicians and patients
through wired and wireless networks earned 18 hospitals the distinction of
being among the most technologically advanced hospitals in the country,
according to Hospitals and Health Networks magazine. Hospitals and Health
Networks surveyed more than 1,327 hospitals to name the "100 Most Wired"
hospitals in the 2008 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study.
Three hospitals received separate Most Wired recognition including
Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho for Most Wired and Most
Wireless, Mason General Hospital in Shelton, Washington for Most Wired --
Small and Rural, and Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington for
Most Wired. The additional 15 hospitals were grouped into regions under Inland
Northwest Health Services for purposes of the 2008 Most Wired recognition.
Most Wired hospitals are connected by Inland Northwest Health Services
(INHS). INHS connects 38 hospitals through a health information technology
network, which allows physicians and healthcare staff to securely access
patient information utilizing wired and wireless technology. The INHS health
information technology network includes more than 4,000 physicians, 450
clinics and physician offices and 2.8 million electronic medical records.
"INHS continues to transform regional health care systems through the
creative application of information technology and the strategic use of shared
services," said Tom Fritz, Chief Executive Officer of Inland Northwest Health
Services. "Our success is due to hospitals and physicians' willingness to
adopt and embrace health information technology. Those hospitals and staff
are now being recognized for their continuing efforts in adopting these
applications and technology."
Information is stored in an integrated database managed by INHS. It
currently stores more than 2.8 million patient records and includes all data
associated with hospital inpatient and emergency room visits including
physician orders, medication information, laboratory data, and radiological
images. Physicians can access patient information from any location at any
time, allowing more time to spend with patients, and less time filling out
paperwork.
Inland Northwest Health Services, non-profit corporation sponsored by
Deaconess Medical Center, Holy Family Hospital, Sacred Heart Medical Center
and Valley Hospital and Medical Center in Spokane, Washington for providing
collaboration in health care services. INHS companies and services include
Information Resource Management, St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute,
Northwest MedStar, Northwest TeleHealth, and additional services. For more
information, visit http://www.inhs.org.
SOURCE Inland Northwest Health Services
