Skaggs ranks among top most-wired small hospitals

Skaggs Community Health Center in Branson was ranked among the nation's top 25 "Most Wired Small and Rural Hospitals" and is one of the top 25 "Most Improved" in the realm of information technology, according to Hospitals and Health Networks magazine. Skaggs' ranking was part of the 2003 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study, which was released in July.

The survey measures the nation's hospitals on their use of Internet technologies for safety and quality, customer service, disaster readiness, business processes and work-force issues. The survey was conducted by Hospitals and Health Networks magazine, in cooperation with McKesson Corp. and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

Information technology advances at Skaggs include a state-of-the art information system in surgery, filmless imaging for remote access in radiology, Web-based electronic bedboard for better provider communication, pharmacy system upgrade and biometrics in automated medication dispensing systems for increased accuracy and security, wireless registration at the patient bedside, continued implementation of electronic medical records in Skaggs' physician clinics, major upgrades to scheduling systems and an overhaul to Skaggs' Web site, with online pre-registration to be available soon.

"Our focus has been, and will continue to be, designing information systems that allow us to improve patient care," said Crystal Stallings, director of Skaggs' information technology department. "Skaggs plans to continue its strategic plan to have the most efficient technology possible in efforts to provide quality patient care."

Skaggs Community Health Center includes a 132-bed hospital, an outpatient center and 16 satellite medical clinics in Stone and Taney counties.