The College of Healthcare and Information Management Executives (CHIME) recently recognized Licking Memorial Health Systems (LMHS) as one of the Digital Health Most Wired recipients of 2023, marking the tenth time that LMHS has received the award.  The CHIME Digital Health Most Wired program conducts an annual survey to identify organizations that exemplify best practices through their adoption, implementation, and use of information technology to improve the health of their communities. LMHS earned recognition as a Most Wired recipient for the acute care and ambulatory settings.  The survey recognizes LMHS for deploying technology and implementing strategies that achieve meaningful clinical and efficiency outcomes while exploring new technologies that expand care.
 
Among the more than 55,000 facilities represented, LMHS ranked above peers in categories such as administrative and supply chain, analytics and data management, and clinical quality safety.  The survey assessed the adoption, integration and impact of technologies in healthcare organizations at all stages of development, from early development to industry leading.  Amid escalating challenges posed by growing cybersecurity threats, evolving care models, staffing shortages, and budget constraints, the call for revolutionizing healthcare through technology is moving forward at a rapid pace. 
 
“Receiving national recognition for our dedication to digital health excellence highlights the LMHS mission to improve the health of the community,” said LMHS President & CEO Rob Montagnese.  “Investing in and adopting innovative technology is a priority that allows our healthcare providers to deliver top-tier treatments to our patients that may not be available in other community hospitals.”
 
Within the past few years, LMHS has acquired advanced clinical systems and digital applications to continue to improve the level of care for Licking County residents.  The added technology has assisted in streamlining processes and monitoring patients to improve care and safety. 
 
The Information Systems Department is charged with maintaining the technology systems that assist clinical staff in providing the best possible care to patients.  Using a privacy monitoring application and strong authentication protocols, LMHS protects the privacy of patient information, ensures health records are accurate, and that systems are operating at full capacity to provide clinical staff with the tools needed to treat patients effectively.
 
The Digital Health Most Wired survey and recognition program serves as a comprehensive “Digital Health Check-up” for healthcare organizations across the world.  As success in digital health increasingly determines the quality of patient care, the scope of the CHIME Digital Health Most Wired survey reflects the progress of leading healthcare providers as they reinvent healthcare for a new century.  This remarkable achievement stretches far beyond information technology and reflects an entire organization’s commitment to improve healthcare through the advancement of digital health strategies.
 
About CHIME
The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) is an executive organization dedicated to serving chief information officers (CIOs), chief medical information officers (CMIOs), chief nursing information officers (CNIOs), chief innovation officers (CIOs), chief digital officers (CDOs) and other senior healthcare IT leaders.  With more than 5,000 members in 58 countries plus two U.S. territories and over 190 healthcare IT business partners and professional services firms, CHIME and its three associations provide a highly interactive, trusted environment enabling senior professional and industry leaders to collaborate, exchange best practices, address professional development needs and advocate the effective use of information management to improve the health and care in the communities they serve.  For more information, please visit chimecentral.org.