For the third year in a row, Inova Health System has been recognized as one of the nation's "Most Wired" health care organizations by Hospitals and Health Networks magazine.
"We are honored to be recognized again for our long-standing commitment of using Web-based technology for improving the care and safety of our patients," said Nancy Little-Gosnell, Inova's chief information officer.
"Whether we are providing the latest patient education tools, computerized clinical documentation, or remote access to medical records, investment in technology has always proven a win-win success for our patients and staff," she said.
This sixth annual survey was developed by the magazine in cooperation with IDX Systems Corporation and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. It encompassed 1,298 hospitals which represent about 20 percent of the nation's total.
Commencing this month, Inova will be the first health system in the Washington D.C. metropolitan region to begin using elCU for patients in its intensive care units. Developed by VISicu, Inc., it provides an added level of care for patients in ICU's.
"Using internet-based software, a remotely located care team complements the ICU patient's onsite, bedside care givers in providing around-the-clock care and monitoring," said Beth Visioli, Inova information officer.
"The elCU system enables the care team to view, monitor and speak to patients and their bedside caregivers in real time, allowing for faster, life-saving interventions. This technology has been proven to reduce patient mortality by as much as 25 percent and decrease patient days in ICU by 17 percent," she said.