CIO magazine, an international publication for business executives in information technology (IT), has named Southcoast Health System as a recipient of the magazine's annual CIO 100 Award.  The 23rd annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT).

"This year's CIO 100 awards draws well-deserved attention to companies that are not only innovating with IT, but creating genuine business value as well," said Maryfran Johnson, Editor in Chief of CIO magazine & events. "These winning companies and their IT organizations are an inspiration to businesses everywhere."

Southcoast was recognized for innovations in technology for three key areas: the broad application of wireless technology across several continuums of care in a hospital setting; the implementation of a nursing documentation component streamlining charting and care planning which in turn allowed nurses to spend more time with patients, and the implementation of technology to allow access to patient-care and diagnostics applications from a single wireless device.

"There is little debate that effective use of information technology and the electronic medical record are essential to achieving high-quality outcomes and improving access to care," said Christopher Baldwin, Vice President of Information Services for Southcoast Health System. "Southcoast is honored to receive the top 100 CIO Award as recognition for all the progress we have made for the entire Southcoast Health System, which includes the three Southcoast Hospitals and more than 40 ancillary sites across the region."

Southcoast's Advanced Clinical Information Systems project is transitioning the organization from paper to electronic medical records. These systems improve information sharing among health care providers as well as provide decision support tools, such as drug/allergy interaction alerts and chemotherapy dosing protocols - all to provide the best possible care to our patients while improving overall facility efficiency.

The underpinning of the project was a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) infrastructure that was much more reliable than legacy wireless networks. The new LAN, a product of Bluesocket^TM, made reliable computerized documentation at the bedside possible, enabling staff to securely collect, store, share and access patient data using mobile devices such as laptops and tablets.

"Southcoast's use of the Bluesocket wireless solution was an exercise of incredible vision. Southcoast leveraging our wireless technology to increase the efficiency of hospital staff and to ultimately save lives is an invited use of our solution," said Mads Lillelund, Chief Executive Officer at Bluesocket.
The wireless LAN infrastructure is available across the entire health system, including the Emergency Departments, inpatient and outpatient care sites, Southcoast's Center for Cancer Care and some off-site physician offices. This same technology also allowed the added benefit of visitor access to free WiFi within the hospitals.

"Computer networks play an essential role in health care," Baldwin said. "Advancements such as this significantly streamline record keeping, enabling staff to dedicate more time to patient care. It also improves our clinicians' ability to provide care. The demand for advanced technology and communication tools in the health care setting continues to increase and play a key role in the success of any organization. Southcoast is committed to investing in a system that not only meets the current needs, but positions the entire health system for the future."

As an example, the Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care are using wireless technology to support a wide array of oncology software applications, from radiation treatment planning to nurse documentation and direct entry of chemotherapy orders by physicians.

"These are part of a comprehensive program to provide the best possible cancer care to our communities," Baldwin said.