FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Chris Berra
Sisters of Mercy Health System
v: 314.364.2105
f: 314.364.3512
e: berrcc@mercy.net
http://www.mercy.net

Health Forum contact:
Sarah B. Brown
(312) 893-6894
mostwired@healthforum.com

Sisters of Mercy Health System Named One of Nation's Most Wired Hospitals and Health Systems

Chicago (July 17, 2006) — The Sisters of Mercy Health System (Mercy) has been named on the nation’s Most Wired list, according to the results of the 2007 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study released yesterday. The results appear in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine which has named the 100 Most Wired hospitals and health systems since 1999. Mercy has received the award six times and is only one of 11 organizations to do so.

“Mercy is proud to be named among the 100 Most Wired hospitals and health systems,” said Mike McCurry, chief information officer. “We have made some profound changes in technology that improve the way we serve our communities and further Mercy’s ministry of healing. A reliable and integrated technology infrastructure helps to provide the foundation that supports our goals of quality, safety and service.”

The nation’s 100 Most Wired hospitals demonstrate better outcomes in four key areas: mortality rates, patient safety measures from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), core measures from Hospital Compare and average length of stay. Based on analysis of the ninth annual Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study results, hospitals are embracing technology as a key tool for healthcare quality improvements.

“Many hospitals have made strong commitments to using information technology to improve the quality of care,” says Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). “They are combining technology with clinical knowledge and creativity with a focus on improving outcomes, and making care safer and more streamlined for both patients and clinicians.”

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 information technologies for quality, customer service, public health and safety, business processes and workforce issues.

Hospitals & Health Networks conducted the 2007 survey in cooperation with Accenture, McKesson Corp. and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. The July H&HN cover story detailing results is available at www.hhnmag.com.

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About Mercy
The Sisters of Mercy Health System (Mercy) operates hospitals, physician practices, outpatient clinics, health plans and related health and human services in a seven state area including Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Its members include 18 acute care hospitals providing more than 4,000 licensed beds, a heart hospital, a managed care subsidiary (Mercy Health Plans), physician practices, outpatient care facilities, home health programs, skilled nursing services and long-term care facilities. Services are provided by approximately 28,000 co-workers and 4,450 medical staff members who are employed or practice at Mercy facilities. Mercy is the 9th largest Catholic health care system in the U.S. based on net patient service revenue and is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy–St. Louis Regional Community.

 

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