Movers & Shakers July 9, 2010
Kootenai Health among 'Most Wired' hospitals nationwide
Kootenai Medical Center has earned recognition as one of the "Most Wired" hospitals in the country in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine released today. It is the 11th time in 12 years Kootenai has been so honored.
A total of 1,280 U.S. hospitals participated in the annual, voluntary review. It takes into consideration a hospital's information technology infrastructure, the extent to which a health-care facility uses technology to enhance clinical quality, patient safety, continuum of care and in business and management functions.
Kootenai CEO Joe Morris said: "While being Most Wired is about our level of computer technology, it's also about safer, more efficient patient care."
Tom Legel, Kootenai vice president of finance and information services, said the hospital consistently lands on the Most Wired list.
"Our track record demonstrates our continued investment in cutting-edge technology that speeds up physician decision making, enabling the delivery of quality patient care in the quickest, safest ways possible," Legel said.
At present, Kootenai is also leading a planned information systems upgrade that will serve it and hospitals in Kellogg, Sandpoint and St. Maries. "The new clinical information technology will further enhance staffs' abilities to diagnose, treat and protect patients," Legel said.
"We believe health-care reform will eventually reward hospitals that implement electronic medical records systems. Kootenai is ahead of the curve," Legel said.
Kootenai is one of only two Idaho hospitals to make the list. It joins St. Luke's Magic Valley Regional Medical Center in Twin Falls.
Ivy Court releases customer satisfaction survey results
Ivy Court, at 2200 Ironwood Place, recently conducted a satisfaction survey for its residents and family members, in conjunction with My InnerView, an independent survey, research and data management firm.
The results of the survey indicate that 98 percent of respondents were satisfied overall with the services offered at the center and 98 percent of respondents would recommend the center to others.
"These survey results are a true reflection of the quality care we give at Ivy Court and the people who provide that care to our residents," said Gary Liesner, administrator. "All of our team members are passionate about patient care and customer service and our survey results are taken very seriously," he added.
Current residents are surveyed each year to help both the center and the corporation gain feedback about the care and services residents receive. The information is then used to develop and implement quality improvement plans for both the center and the organization as a whole, which are designed to enhance the customers' experience.
"We would like to thank our residents and family members for taking time from their busy lives to complete these surveys. The results are vital in helping to celebrate and share our achievements with our peers, while providing opportunities for growth and improvement in each of our centers," stated Tim Lukenda, president and CEO, Extendicare, Inc.
Ivy Court's parent company is Extendicare Health Services, Inc. located in Milwaukee, Wis. Its U.S. operations include 176 health centers throughout 12 states with the capacity for more than 17,300 residents.
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