CLEARLAKE, Calif. – St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake with its parent company, Adventist Health, has been named one of the most wired health systems in a national survey conducted by Hospitals & Health Networks and announced today.

Most Wired organizations use information technology to better connect care providers and patients.

They must meet a set of rigorous criteria across four operational categories, including infrastructure, business and administrative management, clinical quality and safety, and clinical integration (connecting inpatient and outpatient services, physicians and patients).

Using information technology reduces the likelihood of medical errors and allows clinicians and patients to have the information they need to promote health and make the most informed decisions about treatments, according to Rich Umbdenstock, president and chief executive officer of the American Hospital Association, which helped conduct the survey.

“Our hospital, physicians and patients have benefitted from being part of a system in which enhancing information technology has long been a strategic priority,” said David Santos, CEO of St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake. “In addition to reducing medical errors, it improves patient care and engagement plus increases operational efficiencies.”

Health Care’s Most Wired Survey, conducted between Jan. 15 and March 15, asked hospitals and health systems nationwide to answer questions regarding their IT initiatives.

Respondents completed 680 surveys, representing 1,900 hospitals, or more than 30 percent of all U.S. hospitals.

More information about the survey can be found in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine at www.hhnmag.com .

Adventist Health is a faith-based, not-for-profit integrated health care delivery system serving communities in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Visit www.AdventistHealth.org for more information.