Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) in Arlington Heights is among an elite group of tech-savvy hospitals and healthcare systems to be recognized as forward thinkers within the health information technology field. In a national survey, the results of which were published in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine, NCH has been listed as one of the nation’s Most Wired hospitals and healthcare systems in the country for 2012.
According to Health Care’s Most Wired 2012 Survey, the nation’s Most Wired hospitals are leveraging the adoption and use of health information technology to improve performance in a number of areas. At NCH, new and innovative health IT solutions have automated and integrated clinical, patient safety and administrative functions not only within the Arlington Heights-based hospital, but also at NCH’s outpatient facilities and the NCH Medical Group offices located throughout Chicago’s northwest suburbs.
“It’s an accomplishment and an honor to be recognized nationally because we’ve been working diligently to establish a clinical technology architecture that incorporates population health and wellness management tools,” said George Morris, Vice President of Information Technology at NCH, who recognizes there is a shift in healthcare that holds organizations like NCH accountable for both the immediate and long-term well-being of its patients.
NCH also remains focused on health information technologies that optimize patient care processes, streamline communication among providers and protect patient data. Key projects for NCH include computerized provider order entry that enables physicians to submit orders electronically; an electronic closed loop medication process that focuses on patient safety and quality of care, and a hospital-wide electronic “Bed Board” system that monitors bed availability and patient census, while assisting with the coordination of transporters and environmental services to optimize staff efficiencies and patient resources.
In addition, NCH recently launched a fully-customized mobile application (app) that allows individuals to better manage their urgent and day-to-day healthcare needs. Called MyNCH, this multi-functional free mobile app provides instant access to NCH’s network of medical group physicians, hospital services, emergency care, immediate care and specialty centers throughout Chicago’s northwest suburbs.
NCH is among the first healthcare providers in Illinois and one of only 13 comparable hospitals in the country to provide its patients with a robust mobile app. The mobile app is NCH’s first step to delivering personal and relevant health information to the community in a secure format that’s easy to use and convenient to access.
For more information about Northwest Community Healthcare and to learn more about NCH’s mobile app, visit www.nch.org/app. 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. For more information about the Most Wired list for 2012, visit www.hhnmag.com.
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