St. John’s ranks as No. 1 integrated health network

St. John’s ranks No. 1 on the Verispan 2007 IHN 100, published in the newest issue of Modern Healthcare magazine. The Springfield health system debuted at No. 62 on the list in 1999 and rose to No. 15 in 2006 before taking the top spot this year.

The rankings are based on a network’s ability to operate as a unified organization in eight categories: integration, integrated technology, contractual capabilities, outpatient utilization, financial stability, services and access, hospital utilization and physicians.

The magazine points out St. John’s quality of service, revenue growth, adjusted admissions, capitated employer contracts and outpatient surgery ratings as reasons for its glowing review this year.

St. John’s became an integrated system in 1994, when Smith-Glynn-Callaway Clinic physicians approached St. John’s and Sisters of Mercy.

“We believed we could serve the health care needs better if the organizations were fully integrated,” said Walter J. Gaska, president of St. John’s Clinic, Springfield division, in a news release. “The integrated model has become a powerful tool in enhancing clinical quality and streamlining patient care.”

Verispan is a Yardley, Pa.-based research firm that has compiled an integrated health network list annually for 10 years.