MemorialCare Medical Centers Named Most Wired Hospitals in US

MemorialCare Medical Centers have been named among the nation’s Most Wired Hospitals, according to the results of the 2005 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study. MemorialCare Medical Centers are the only Los Angeles/Orange County hospitals to receive this award six consecutive years.

The nation’s 100 Most Wired hospitals and health systems – those that have invested significantly in health information technology – have lower mortality rates than other hospitals, according to results of a new analysis released today in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. While the new survey does not establish a “cause and effect” relationship between information technology use and improved outcomes, it demonstrates that technology can play an important role in quality.

“We are extremely proud that MemorialCare consistently achieves national honors for innovation and technology,” says MemorialCare President and CEO Barry Arbuckle, PhD. “This award – received year after year – signals our expertise in using leading edge technology for the benefit of patients.”

Hospitals & Health Networks has surveyed the nation’s hospitals on their use of information technology to accomplish key goals, including safety and quality objectives. Hospitals & Health Networks conducted the 2005 survey in cooperation with Accenture and IDX Systems Corporation. This year, 502 surveys were submitted, representing 1,255 hospitals.

“Thoughtful institutions that pay attention to quality are also interested in clinical information technology,” says Graham Hughes, M.D., vice president of product strategy for IDX Systems Corp. “This adds increasing weight to the notion that careful implementation of clinical IT contributes to better care.”

MemorialCare physicians and staff members have introduced many key technologies, such as digital radiology systems employing picture archiving communications systems (PACS). Additionally, the organization is transitioning to a leading-edge clinical information system that will revolutionize communication among physicians, staff members and patients.

Contact: Liz Bear, 949-452-3635 (tel)