Health First named to Most Wired list third consecutive year

Most Wired hospitals lead the field in consumer-driven health care

Health First has been named for the third consecutive year as one of the nation's top 100 "Most Wired"  health systems according to results of the 2007 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study. 

Health First was the only Central Florida health system chosen, and was one of only three chosen in the entire state of Florida. 

At Health First we know that technology is an integral part in improving health care,” said Richard Rogers, Health First vice president and chief information officer.  “Technology works hand in hand with people and processes. Receiving recognition as a “Most Wired” award winner for the third consecutive year is a tribute to our associates, medical staff, and board of directors who are thoughtfully driving the clinical transformation of patient care delivery with information technology.”

Health First has been an innovator of a wide range of technology uses including:

• voice recognition for medical transcription,
• wireless technology for physician access to patient records,
• voice over Internet Protocol for communications,
• electronic health records for hospital and ambulatory patients, and the
• use of server virtualization for infrastructure efficiency.

The nation’s 100 “Most Wired” are using information technology to improve quality, satisfaction, and patient care by investing in technology to streamline business and clinical practices; to reduce medical errors; and to improve clinical outcomes.

According to the 2007 Survey and Benchmarking Study, hospitals listed among the 100 “Most Wired” have better outcomes than other hospitals on four key measures:

• mortality rates,
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s patient safety measures,
• The Hospital Compare’s Core Measures, and
• average length of stay

Technology initiatives

According to Rogers, Health First’s electronic ICU program ─ VitalWatch ─ is improving ICU morality by 35 percent. “We have also observed a 30 percent reduction in ICU cardiopulmonary arrests and significant reductions in time on the mechanical ventilator. Health First has implemented a variety of eICU evidence-based care initiatives, including a set of protocols that have led to a 35 percent reduction in sepsis mortality.”

The Most Wired Survey is conducted annually by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine, which uses the results to name the 100 Most Wired hospitals and health systems. It focuses on how the nation’s hospitals use information technologies for quality, customer service, public health and safety, business processes and workforce issues.

Results of the Most Wired Survey ranking were released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. 

Health First, a local not-for-profit health system, was formed in 1995 with the joining of three hospitals: Cape Canaveral Community Hospital, Holmes Regional Medical Center and Palm Bay Community Hospital. A fourth hospital, Viera Hospital, is planned for completion in 2010. Today, the Health First system includes Health First Health Plans, Health First Physicians, home health and hospice services, three Pro-Health & Fitness Centers, the Health First Aging Institute, outpatient clinics and diagnostic services.  Health First’s mission is to positively change the health and well-being of community members through excellent and compassionate health care.