Adventist Health System, which includes Shawnee Mission Health, Named a 2016 Most Wired Health System

Adventist Health System (AHS), which includes Shawnee Mission Health (SMH), has been named a 2016 Most Wired health system, based on the results of HealthCare's Most Wired survey. This is the fourth consecutive year AHS has received the honor. The survey was conducted by the American Hospital Association (AHA) between Jan. 15 and March 15, 2016. Respondents completed 680 surveys, representing 2,146 hospitals.

"Being part of a Most Wired health system is a tremendous honor," said Rosemary Tharp, Shawnee Mission Health's director of information services. "Our organization has committed the IT resources and support needed to ensure that our associates are able to carry out our mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ."

The survey shows that Most Wired hospitals are:

• using telehealth to improve care;
• using technology to build patient engagement with the individuals lifestyle in mind, which includes electronic access to their care team;
• and utilizing population health management tools and partnering with other health care providers to share critical clinical information used in analyzing interventions aimed at specific patient groups, such as those with diabetes.

"Hospitals are breaking out of their traditional four walls and providing care where and when patients need it," said Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the AHA. "These Most Wired hospitals exemplify this transformation by harnessing technology, engaging patients and offering services remotely. And, removing policy and other barriers to telehealth will allow even faster adoption of these amazing technologies."

Published annually by Health & Hospitals Networks (H&HN), the survey examines how organizations are leveraging IT to improve performance for value-based health care in the areas of infrastructure, business and administrative management, quality and safety and clinical integration.

More information about HealthCare's Most Wired survey can be found at HHNMag.com.

About Adventist Health System

Adventist Health System is a faith-based health care organization headquartered in Altamonte Springs, Florida. A national leader in quality, safety and patient satisfaction, Adventist Health System's more than 78,000 employees maintain a tradition of whole-person health by caring for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of every patient.

With 46 hospital campuses and nearly 8,300 licensed beds in ten states, Adventist Health System facilities incorporate the latest technological advancements and clinical research to serve more than 4.7 million patients annually. The full continuum of integrated care also includes urgent care centers, home health and hospice agencies, and skilled nursing facilities.

Each Adventist Health System facility operates independently in delivering care and services to best meet the needs of the local communities they serve. While each entity is unique, all remain united in one mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ.

About the American Hospital Association

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks and other providers of care. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit www.aha.org.