Sarasota Memorial Among World’s ‘Most Wired’ Hospitals: CHIME

SARASOTA, FL — Sarasota Memorial Hospital has once again been named to the annual global list of “Most Wired” hospitals named by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME).

SMH said in a news release that “the last three years have been a period of marked disruption and challenge for health care organizations” because of COVID-19.

As they rebound from the pandemic, CHIME’s 2022 survey “spotlight(s) hospitals with digital health systems that promote safer care and more secure hospital systems,” according to SMH.

In recent years, the hospital system has introduced advanced technologies, including mobile apps and telehealth solutions, price-transparency and cost-analysis tools, secure digital access to data at the point of care, and security technology to protect systems and patients’ health information.

“This award is a testament to SMH’s ongoing commitment to invest in advanced and innovative technology that enhances patient care, communication and connectivity,” SMH Chief Information Officer Pam Ramhofer said.

CHIME conducts the annual survey to identify and recognize the adoption of best practices in information technology by healthcare provider organizations, with the goal of improving patient safety and outcomes by driving change in healthcare IT.

This year, the survey grew by 20 percent — despite the pandemic — and represents more than 38,000 facilities from 10 countries.

“Innovation in the health care industry is accelerating at a never-before-seen pace, kicked into an overdrive by the pandemic, forcing organizations to either adapt or be left behind,” Russ Branzell, CHIME president and CEO, said. “The survey covers multiple categories to assess how effectively and where healthcare organizations are advancing on their digital health journeys. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, 60 (percent) of our survey respondents this year report being right on schedule with their digital transformation efforts, which is nothing short of amazing considering the adversity they faced.”