Memorial Hermann Health System once again earned a spot on the list of the country’s “Most Wired” hospitals and health systems, achieving the recognition for the 13th consecutive year based on a survey of hospitals across the nation.
The list, compiled from a survey conducted by Health & Hospitals Network (H&HN) in partnership with the American Hospital Association, annually recognizes hospitals and other healthcare facilities that are successfully using technology to improve patient care, better manage population health and become more efficient. The review of hundreds of hospitals serves as an industry benchmark to measure the use and adoption of information technology (IT) across the health sector.
“Memorial Hermann has long been at the forefront of embracing technology as a critical component in our drive to provide safe, high-quality patient care at an affordable cost,” said David Bradshaw, Memorial Hermann’s Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. “As patient care continues to shift beyond the traditional hospital and clinic settings, we are increasingly growing our toolkit of technological solutions to improve our processes and strengthen our ability to meet our patients’ needs in ways that are most convenient for them.”
As hospitals redefine the ways they deliver care, the Most Wired hospitals are deploying digital tools aimed at helping them expand access to the care network, boost engagement and improve patient satisfaction, according to the survey. Many of the Most Wired health systems are addressing these demands by offering telehealth options, secure messaging, accessible patient portals and mobile applications, among other options.
As part of its journey to become a high-reliability organization across all areas of the System, Memorial Hermann has been an early and aggressive champion for using IT tools to improve patient care and safety, improve operational efficiency, provide for better data collection, and to reduce healthcare costs. Over the years, Memorial Hermann has earned recognition for using technology to manage population health, plan anesthesia care before and after surgery, enable physicians to document patient information in real-time using a speech recognition tool, and simplify the medication ordering process by allowing doctors to prescribe medications electronically that get sent directly to the pharmacy, expediting the order and improving patient safety.
Most recently, the health system has focused its technological efforts on developing a more consumer-driven experience for members and patients. Earlier this year, Memorial Hermann unveiled www.everydaywell.com, an innovative suite of online tools and services that help patients manage their health and wellness beyond the walls of the Health System. Through this initiative, patients can connect with their physicians via video consultation, make appointments through an online scheduling tool, and complete certain forms online before ever arriving at the doctor’s office. Under a pilot program that has been launched in The Woodlands, nurse practitioners are available to connect with pediatric patients via a mobile app, where families can also schedule a home visit if necessary.
“We are always looking for opportunities to use technology in a smart and strategic way that benefits our patients and their needs,” said Chuck Stokes, President & CEO, Memorial Hermann. “We are consistently striving to introduce industry-leading technological advances and resources that strengthen the patient-provider relationship and underscore our commitment to provide safe and innovative medical care.”
Learn more about Memorial Hermann’s virtual care innovations and the use of digital tools to improve patient health.