SARASOTA – Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) has been recognized among the world’s “Most Wired” hospitals in 2021.
SMH ranked in the 98th percentile of healthcare facilities in the annual College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) Digital Health “Most Wired” program for advancing a broad range of digital health technologies promoting better and more secure patient interactions and care.
More than 36,500 acute, ambulatory, long-term care and international acute-care facilities were represented in the 2021 CHIME survey. Of 2,286 acute-care facilities participating nationwide, Sarasota Memorial was among the 5 Florida hospitals and fewer than 100 to achieve the highest certification (Level 9 & 10).
“Digital transformation in healthcare has accelerated to an unprecedented level since 2020, and the next few years will bring a wave of innovation that empowers healthcare consumers and will astound the industry,” said CHIME President and CEO Russell P. Branzell. “The Digital Health Most Wired program recognizes the outstanding digital leaders who have paved the way for this imminent revolution in healthcare. Their trailblazing commitment to rapid transformation has set an example for the entire industry in how to pursue a leadership vision with determination, brilliant planning and courage to overcome all challenges.”
This is the third year that CHIME has conducted the survey and the third time that SMH has received top honors. SMH Chief Information Officer Pam Ramhofer credits the ongoing support of the publicly elected hospital board and leadership team for investing in new technology and empowering staff to adapt and innovate.
“Our team is continually looking for ways to leverage technology to improve patient care, communication and connectivity,” Ramhofer said.
Some of the advanced technologies SMH has used to achieve these outcomes include telehealth programs, access to data at the point of care, and digital tools to engage patients and their families throughout the care process.
About Sarasota Memorial
Sarasota Memorial is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with more than 1 million patient visits a year. Sarasota Memorial’s 839-bed acute care hospital has been recognized consistently as one of the nation’s best, with superior patient outcomes and a complete continuum of outpatient services – from urgent care clinics and physician groups, laboratory and diagnostic imaging centers, to home health and skilled nursing and rehabilitation.
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 nearly 3,400 members in 55 countries and over 150 healthcare IT business partners and professional services firms, CHIME provides 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.