U.S. News & World Report names 159 Most Connected hospitals

U.S. News & World Report has named the nation's "Most Connected Hospitals," recognizing high-performing hospitals for their use of health IT to improve patient care.

To be considered for the list of "Most Connected Hospitals," facilities had to:

• Have a high score based on responses to questions to the American Hospital Association's 2013 and 2014 Annual Survey IT Supplement; and
• Be one of the 910 facilities that received a national ranking or "high-performing" recognition in U.S. News' 2015-2016 Best Hospitals for complex care, Best Hospitals for Common Care or Best Children's Hospitals lists.

Qualifying hospitals were then evaluated based on clinical connectedness, patient engagement and patient safety.

Nationally, 159 hospitals in 37 states met the criteria to be considered one of the "Most Connected Hospitals."

Ben Harder, chief of health analysis at U.S. News, said the hospitals on the list "have made significant advancements" in health IT. 

University of Missouri Health Care is one of the hospitals deemed Most Connected. 

“Improving patient-centered care through technology is one of our guiding priorities at MU Health Care,” said Mitch Wasden, chief executive officer and chief operating officer of MU Health Care. “We’re proud to be named a ‘Most Connected Hospital,’ and we will continue to advance the health of our patients through technology.”

In February, MU Health Care gave patients the ability to view physician notes online after a visit which include clinical observations, diagnostic test results and other details of a patient’s care. The information is automatically synced with the MU Healthe patient portal, an online secure tool that allows patients to manage appointments, securely message providers, request prescription refills, access immunization history and more.