Maine Medical Center Named a Most Wireless Hospital

Maine Medical Center has been named one of the nation's "Most Wireless Hospitals", according to the 2008 Most Wireless Survey and Benchmarking Study released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine . The award recognizes the breadth of MMC's use of information technology in support of clinical and business processes, customer service, safety and quality, workforce, and public health and safety.

This year's Most Wireless applicants were comprised of more than 1,300 hospitals throughout the United States. Maine Medical Center is the only hospital in Maine to achieve this award. This is the third year in a row that MMC has earned this distinction. The honor is awarded by judges who are drawn from the members of the American Hospital Association and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives.

The Most Wireless award is given to only 25 hospitals in the United States, and it commends MMC for its use of wireless technology in support of patient care.  The 25 Most Wireless are named based on the scoring of select questions concerning wireless technology in the survey.  The survey questions measure effective use of information technology in achieving clinical and operational excellence. 

 "In Information Services, we take the institution's commitment to our patients and staff very seriously," says Julie Wooden, MMC's Interim Associate Vice President for Information Services.  "We are dedicated to implementing high performing technologies and infrastructures, and putting the most effective tools in the hands of our caregivers.  Teamwork and collaboration across the hospital have made all of this possible.  We are very proud of this award."

"Health IT has shown incredible promise in helping us improve the quality and safety of the care hospitals deliver every day," said Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association. "The results of the Most Wired survey confirm that today's patient also understands the benefits of IT in improving care and improving the overall hospital experience."

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 of information technologies for quality, customer service, public health and safety, business processes and workforce issues. More information on the award is available at: www.hhnmag.com.