RWJBarnabas Health hospitals named 2016 ‘Most Wired’

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The 18th annual Health Care’s Most Wired survey, including the list of Most Wired Hospitals, was released by the American Hospital Association’s Health Forum; eight out of 11 of RWJBarnabas Health hospitals were named to the 2016 Most Wired list including: Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville; Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch; Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood; Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark; RWJUH-New Brunswick; RWJUH-Somerset; RWJUH-Hamilton; and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

Health Care’s Most Wired survey, conducted between Jan. 15 and March 15, is published annually by Health & Hospitals Networks. The 2016 Most Wired survey and benchmarking study is a leading industry barometer measuring information technology use and adoption among hospitals nationwide. The survey of 680 participants, representing an estimated 2,146 hospitals — more than 34 percent of all hospitals in the United States — 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.

“We are honored to again receive this prestigious designation for so many of our care facilities. RWJBarnabas Health is improving the efficiency of care delivery through advances in technology and IT systems across a multitude of platforms,” Robert G. Irwin, chief information officer for RWJBarnabas Health, said in the press release. “We are optimizing clinical workflows so that our clinicians receive timely alerts and are able to quickly respond to patient needs.”

According to the survey, Most Wired hospitals are using telehealth to fill gaps in care; provide services 24/7; and expand access to medical specialists.

“Hospitals are breaking out of their traditional four walls and providing care where and when patients need it,” Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the AHA, said in the release. “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.”

Detailed results of the survey and study can be found in the July issue of H&HN. For a full list of winners, visit www.hhnmag.com.