Exeter Health Resources Named ‘Most Wired’ for Third Year in a Row

Aug. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- EXETER, NH - For the third year consecutive year, Exeter Health Resources has been named one of the nation’s most wired small and rural hospitals for its use of information technology.

The local health care organization was named ‘Most Wired’ in the Small and Rural category, according to the 2010 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. Exeter Health Resources was the only health care organization in New Hampshire to receive the Most Wired recognition in 2010.

The 100 Most Wired hospitals show better outcomes in patient satisfaction, risk-adjusted mortality rates and other key quality measures through the use of information technology (IT), according to a new analysis. The Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study continues to lead the field in analyses and benchmarking of healthcare IT.   
“This award recognizes the collective efforts of hundreds of people throughout the organization who have made the commitment to embrace the power of information technology, especially electronic medical records, to improve delivery of patient care, patient safety and the patient experience,” said David Briden, Chief Information Officer for Exeter Health Resources.

Exeter Health Resources has already adopted a number of new technologies such as an electronic medical records system, bar coding of the hospital’s blood supply, an automated documental system in the Emergency Department and e-prescribing services at Core Physicians. The organization is developing a plan to add additional technologies such as computerized physician order entry and patient portals.

Hospitals around the country are eligible for federal stimulus funds to help implement new technologies into their organizations such as electronic medical records.

“Hospitals embrace health information technology and recognize the benefits it can provide to patients, but even Most Wired hospitals face barriers,” said Rich Umbdenstock, President and CEO of the American Hospital Association. “We have asked that the federal government stimulate greater adoption by making Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments more widely available so more hospitals can move in this direction.”

“Hospitals & Health Networks” magazine conducted the 2010 survey in cooperation with McKesson Corporation and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives.  The July H&HN cover story detailing results is available at www.hhnmag.com.  

About Exeter Health Resources:
Exeter Health Resources is made up of five operating affiliates including: Exeter Hospital, Core Physicians, Exeter Healthcare, Rockingham Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice and Synergy Health & Fitness Center.  Each of the operating affiliates are committed to providing health care services that are innovative, progressive and focused on quality and the well-being of the communities in the greater New Hampshire Seacoast.
For more information, visit www.exeterhospital.com, www.corephysicians.org, www.synergyfit.com or call (603) 580-6668.