BCHS listed among the top 100 in the nation again
 Battle Creek Health System's string of awards and recognitions has increased once again. The most recent award, given by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine, lists BCHS as one of the top 100 most 'wired' hospitals in the United States. That is the third year in a row of recognizing the hospital for its technology.
H & H N magazine selected BCHS because of the hospital's ongoing initiative called Genesis. In early 2005, BCHS took a giant technological leap by transitioning to a paperless, electronic health record. By switching all inpatient nursing and ancillary documentation from traditional, paper-intensive, medical charts to an electronic medical record system, BCHS became one of only a handful of hospitals in the United States to 'go-live' with comprehensive, new technology that increases patient safety and cuts costs by reducing the potential for human error.
The electronic health record initiative includes an adverse drug event (ADE) alert system, computerized physician order entry (CPOE), and the timely incorporation of equipment that health care providers use for bedside patient care. It has been estimated that new advances in electronic medical protocols could take up to 10 years to make their way into the daily practice of physicians. This electronic medical record system is available now at BCHS.
"We are certainly honored with this repeat recognition," says Jeffrey Mitchell, M.D., vice president of medical affairs at Battle Creek Health System and executive lead on the Genesis project. "To be singled out again as a leader in health care is extremely gratifying. Awards like this speak volumes about the kinds of commitments our organization has for providing our patients with the very latest in technology and health care practices."
"We continue our dedication toward providing complete medical data at the fingertips of our clinicians whenever and wherever they have secured access to the Internet," adds Pat Garrett, BCHS president and CEO. "We are also committed to an ordering process that combines patient data with evidence-based rules to reduce the risk of adverse drug events. Awards are very nice, but the safety of our patients is what is paramount."
"Consumers are doing just about everything electronically from their home and office from managing their finances to booking travel," says Jim Keller, information services director at BCHS. "The 'most wired or wireless' hospitals provide the same opportunities with health care professionals. It has been our experience that connected care often leads to better care. Our technology is making the patient experience much more convenient."
Already considered one of the nation's safest hospitals, Battle Creek Health System was a recipient of HealthGrades Distinguished Hospital Awards for Patient SafetyTM.
The Commission on Cancer (CoC) has recognized BCHS with its Outstanding Achievement Award for clinical cancer services. It is also designated as one of 'Michigan's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For' by the Michigan Business & Professional Association for the fifth year in a row.
For the past ten years, H &HN has conducted surveys and benchmarking studies asking hospitals to report their uses of information technology in five areas: safety and quality, customer service, business process, workforce, and public health and safety. Every hospital in the U.S. is invited to participate.
The winners are profiled in the Summer 2008 edition of H & HN's Most Wired magazine.
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 12 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle Creek Health System as a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm). HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.
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