PAINESVILLE, Ohio, September 16, 2009 - Lake Health, formerly Lake Hospital System, has been named one of the nation's most improved health systems in the use of technology by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. This is the first time that Lake Health has received the designation, which is based on the magazine's 2009 Most Wired Survey.

This is the 11th year that Hospitals & Health Networks—the journal of the American Hospital Association—conducted the annual survey, which focuses on how the nation's hospitals use information technology to enhance quality, customer service, public health and safety, business processes and workforce issues. In total, 1,314 hospitals and health systems completed this year's survey. Results were used to determine winners in the categories of 100 Most Wired, 25 Most Improved, 25 Most Wireless and the 25 Most Wired: Small and Rural.

Hospitals & Health Networks conducted the 2009 survey in cooperation with McKesson Corp. and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. The July cover story detailing results is available at www.hhnmag.com.

"It's an honor to be recognized for our commitment to using the latest technology to improve patient safety and quality of care," said Cynthia Moore-Hardy, president and CEO of Lake Health. "Despite the economic crisis that has forced many hospitals to delay or scale back information technology projects, Lake Health has remained committed to investing in technologies that promote improved patient outcomes."

Lake Health has been an early adopter of information technology systems to support emergency care management, pharmacy automation, expert documentation and clinical decision support. The health system recently implemented a new electronic medical record system at its physician offices. In addition to streamlining patient care, electronic medical records speed the flow of decision-making information to Lake Health's physicians and caregivers—whether they're in the hospital, in their office or at home. Having immediate access to patients' complete health records—including prescriptions and allergies—can help prevent medical errors and avoid duplicate tests and other procedures.

The health system was also the first hospital in Ohio to introduce a unique, comprehensive system for reducing medication-related errors. The system integrates a computerized medication order system with AcuDose-Rx medication dispensing cabinets, an automated storage and retrieval system, and a specialized process for managing controlled medications and narcotics. Lake Health recently launched a related technology that provides a digital check to prevent medication errors. The patient's bar coded bracelet, the practitioner's own ID and the drug to be administered are all scanned, and the information is wirelessly transmitted to the pharmacy system to be sure there is a correct match.

Technology's impact on patient safety and quality of care will be further enhanced when Lake Health opens TriPoint Medical Center on October 21, 2009. As one of Northeast Ohio's first digital hospitals, TriPoint Medical Center will set a new standard of care and redefine the health care experience for patients and their families. TriPoint will feature state-of-the-art digital and wireless technology to enhance healing and wellness, and improve patient safety.

Although much of the digital technology at TriPoint Medical Center will be available at other Lake Health facilities, the new hospital will employ some unique technology. For instance, TriPoint will use intravenous (I.V.) Smart Pumps, which aim to reduce medication errors during the administration of I.V. medications. The caregiver enters dosage and infusion rate information into the Smart Pump system, and the software will access Lake Health's drug library and compare the order against a preset standard for minimum and maximum doses. An alert will sound for any dosage above or below the pre-established limits.

"We're committed to implementing the most advanced technology at all of our facilities to ensure that our patients receive the safest and highest quality care," said Jerry Peters, vice president of information technologies and CIO of Lake Health.