Mission Hospital named one of the ‘most wired’ hospitals in the nation

Press release

From Mission Health:

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (July 18, 2013) – Mission Hospital is one of the nation’s “Most Wired” hospitals, according to a survey published by the American Hospital Association in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks (H&HN) magazine. Mission Hospital, flagship hospital of Mission Health, is one of only six North Carolina hospitals to achieve this recognition this year.

The hospital was also named among the Most Wired in 2008, 2009 and 2012.

“Information technology plays an increasingly crucial role in the advancement of healthcare and improving patient outcomes,” said Sulaiman H. Sulaiman, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Mission Health. “Mission Hospital is at the forefront of the IT movement, helping providers coordinate care, which not only improves patient health, but also saves money for both the patient and the hospital. Being named among the Most Wired hospitals in the nation is a testament to our advancement and leadership in healthcare and efficiency.”

The 2013 Most Wired survey recognizes hospitals that are making significant progress in the use of information technology (IT). Earlier this year, the American Hospital Association asked hospitals and health systems to provide information about their IT platforms and initiatives. This year, 659 surveys were completed, representing 1,713 hospitals, or roughly 30 percent of all U.S. hospitals. The Most Wired recognition is based on technology advancements made by healthcare organizations to enhance patient safety, healthcare quality and customer satisfaction.

“This year’s Most Wired organizations exemplify progress through innovation,” said Rich Umbdenstock, President and CEO of the American Hospital Association. “The hospital field can learn from these outstanding organizations ways that IT can help to improve efficiency.”

To achieve the Most Wired designation, Mission Hospital demonstrated better IT outcomes in four key areas: infrastructure, business and administrative management, clinical quality and safety, and clinical integration.

“Advances in healthcare IT are fundamentally changing the way we deliver care,” said Ronald A. Paulus, MD, President and CEO of Mission Health. “I believe that effective, patient-centered and workflow- synergistic IT systems are the best path to improving safety, reducing waste, enhancing communication among caregivers and achieving our BIG(GER) Aim: to get each patient to the desired outcome, first without harm, also without waste and with an exceptional experience for the patient and family. While we have a long way to go, I want to thank Sulaiman and the entire IT team for their dedication and hard work. It is an honor to be named a Most Wired hospital again this year.”

For more information about H&HN’s 2013 Most Wired hospitals, please visit http://www.hhnmostwired.com.

About Mission Hospital
Mission Hospital, based in Asheville, N.C., is a not-for-profit hospital that serves as the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care in western North Carolina and the adjoining region. Mission Hospital houses the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Mission Hospital has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health.
Mission Hospital is the flagship hospital of Mission Health, recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems in 2012 and 2013 by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively. Mission Health is one of only two medium-sized health systems to receive this recognition in 2012 and 2013 and is the only health system in North Carolina to achieve that distinction. This year, Mission Hospital was also ranked as one of the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics for a record fifth consecutive year, and named as one of the “100 Great Hospitals in America” by Becker’s Hospital Review. Mission Hospital was further recognized nationally by The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems as one of North Carolina’s “Patient Picks” hospitals, was named a “Standout Hospital” by U.S. News & World Report and tied for second as one of “Business North Carolina’s Best Hospitals.” Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina also named Mission Hospital a “Cutting-Edge Hospital” for quality and expertise in the delivery of specific surgical procedures. Mission Hospital is licensed for 795 beds and employs more than 6,500 people, including over 1,800
RNs. Mission Hospital is committed to serving its community and improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission-health.org.

About Mission Health
Mission Health, based in Asheville, N.C., is the state’s sixth-largest health system and the region’s only not-for-profit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in western North Carolina. Mission Health was recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems in 2012 and 2013 by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively. Mission Health is one of only two medium-sized health systems to receive this recognition in 2012 and 2013, and the only health system in North Carolina to achieve that distinction.

Mission Health, which traces its roots in the region back to 1885, operates five hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certified in more than 50 medical specialties and sub- specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health. Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, is the system’s flagship hospital and is licensed for 795 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 8,800 employees and 700 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission- health.org.