Altru Health System Named 2012 Most Wired

Altru Health System, Grand Forks, ND -  Altru Health System has been recognized as one of the nation’s Most Wired according to the results of the 2012 Most Wired Survey released today in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine.

The nation’s Most Wired hospitals are leveraging the adoption and use of health information technology (IT) to improve performance in a number of areas, according to Health Care’s Most Wired 2012 Survey released today. As a field, hospitals are focused on expanding and adopting IT that protects patient data, and optimizes patient flow and communications.

Among the key findings this year:  

• Ninety-three percent of Most Wired hospitals employ intrusion detection systems to protect patient privacy and security of patient data.
• Ninety percent of Most Wired hospitals use performance improvement scorecards to reduce inefficiencies.
• One hundred percent of Most Wired hospitals check drug interactions and drug allergies when medications are ordered as a major step in reducing medication errors.

“Our goal has always been to give our providers the best tools possible so they can give the best possible care to our patients. Over the past few years, we have replaced and improved the technology at Altru. Receiving the Most Wired award, at this time, means a lot,” said Mark Waind, administrative director of Altru’s Information Services. “Health Systems that receive this award have 2 common traits; a very good Information System and excellent providers and staff that use the capabilities of the system.”

About the Most Wired Survey

The 2012 Most Wired Survey is conducted in cooperation with McKesson Corporation, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), and the American Hospital Association.

The survey asked hospitals and health systems nationwide to answer questions regarding their IT initiatives.