SCOPE August 2009
Where caring counts. Feel the difference.
MGH Named 2009 “Most Wired Rural” Hospital
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Vol. 25 No. 4
FANTASY FOREST 2009
A Most Wonderful Time...
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ason General Hospital was recently named to the nation’s “Most Wired – Rural” hospital, according to the results of the 2009 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. MGH also received this award in 2008. The 100 Most Wired hospitals show better outcomes in patient satisfaction, risk-adjusted mortality rates, and other key quality measures through the use of information technology (IT), according to a new analysis. Marking its 11th year, the Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study continues to lead the field in analyses and benchmarking of healthcare IT. “Once again, we are very excited to receive the prestigious ‘Most Wired’ hospital designation,” said Eric Moll, CAO at Mason General Hospital. “It reflects the on-going hard work of the staff to move our technology, to the cutting edge of our industry. We are very committed to making sure we have the most advanced tools for providing the best patient care.” Mason General Hospital continues to upgrade its technology, including electronic medical recordkeeping of patient information. “This designation doesn’t just focus on IT equipment, but rather on all areas of patient care” said Tom Hornburg, IT director at MGH. “Technology makes patient care more efficient as it focuses on immediate delivery of the patient’s needs, making for better outcomes.” “As the health reform debate continues, it’s clear that IT will play an even more important role in the health system of tomorrow,” says Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). “Most Wired hospitals help illustrate IT in action—improving efficiency, quality, and safety of care while helping to control costs.” The Most Wired Survey is conducted annually by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine, the journal of the AHA, which uses the results to name the 100 Most Wired hospitals and health systems. It focuses on how the nation’s hospitals use information technologies for quality, customer service, public health and safety, business processes, and workforce issues.
Save the dates − November 17 to 21, 2009 − for Fantasy Forest’s “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” event, brought to you by the MGH Foundation. All proceeds go towards the purchase of medical equipment for MGH and its clinics. (Sarah Stevens designed and created this “Casino Night” tree in 2008.)
Normal Activities Better than Bed Rest for Sore, Aching Back From 15 to 30 percent of American adults suffer back pain every year, but nearly all will get better within six weeks. Although many patients head directly to bed, studies indicate that may be the least effective option. In one study, back pain patients were randomly assigned to: 1) bed rest for two days, 2) back-mobilizing exercises, or 3) normal activities. Subjects who resumed normal activities recovered soonest; those who went to bed had the slowest recovery. [SOURCE: Guido R. Zinni and Jeannette Y.
Wick, “Low back pain: eliminating myths and elucidating realities,” Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, June 18, 2003]
Disc Replacement vs. Spinal Fusion For the rare occasions when surgery may be required to treat disc-related back pain, spinal fusion is still considered standard treatment. A newer option, disc replacement, approved in 2004, has theoretical advantages over spinal fusion, including: 1) better range of motion, 2) less risk of degeneration of adjacent discs because of reduced mobility, and 3) earlier return to function Short-term research has confirmed these advantages, but more long-term studies are needed. Whatever procedure is used, surgery is generally advised only after nonsurgical options have been tried for at least six months. [SOURCE: Karla Harby, “Artificial disc
preserves range of motion, restores disc height,” Medscape Medical News, February 25, 2005]