Among new rigor and expanded measurement for the rankings, Riverside remains poised for the future of health care IT.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – For the fourteenth straight year, Riverside has been recognized for its leadership in information technology. It is the only health system in Virginia to receive this elite recognition for 14 years in a row.
The ‘Most Wired’ 2018 rankings were managed for the first time by CHIME, with added criteria and transparency necessary to demonstrate quality in health care IT. Even with the added rigor, Riverside has remained among the top systems for fourteen of the twenty years the ranking has been in place.
The Most Wired ranking has long reinforced the role that technology plays to enhance patient care and quality. According to CHIME, the 2018 rankings go even further to emphasize the critical role of technology in delivering evidence-based care that is cost effective and demonstrates a system’s commitment to the very best care.
There was a time when simply having an electronic health record was as wired as a health system could be. Today, health systems need to demonstrate that they are using the technology and data in concert with clinical leaders to positively impact patient care. “It is no longer acceptable to operate in silos; all of our disciplines need to work together,” said Bill Downey, President & CEO of Riverside Health System. “We need to demonstrate that we can apply the technology and the information strategically to improve outcomes and enhance patient safety.”
Riverside continues to be a leader in providing the best tools to physicians, advanced practice providers and clinical staff by investing early in proven, worthwhile technologies. Riverside launched a new electronic health record platform in 2017 – a move that consolidated patient information under one system so that patients receiving care in any Riverside setting (outpatient, inpatient, emergency, etc.) share one complete medical record. Achieving that milestone allowed Riverside to do even more with the integration of technology into every patient encounter. Patients have access to even more online functionality through Riverside MyChart, where they can schedule appointments, order prescription refills, communicate with their provider, view test results and manage a loved one’s care with proxy access.
“We want our patients to be engaged in their care, and we know that giving them access to their medical information is an important part of that process,” adds Dr. Charles Frazier, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Information and Innovation Officer.
“As health care moves toward managing populations, increasing value in health care and creating patient-centered experiences, technology is a critical piece of the puzzle,” adds Dennis Loftus, Riverside’s Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President. “However, technology alone will not get you there. We need to use technology to make information accessible and make a patient’s experience more intuitive. We are moving in the right direction.”
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