Baystate Health Designated a Digital Health Most Wired Healthcare Organization

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health has again been recognized for embracing the use of the most advanced information technology necessary to deliver patient care.

One of the largest healthcare systems in New England, Baystate Health has earned the designation of a Digital Health Most Wired healthcare organization by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) for the ninth time.

The national outfit’s annual survey is designed to assess how effectively healthcare organizations apply core and advanced technologies into their clinical and business programs to improve health and care in their communities.

This year’s 2021 Most Wired designation honors Baystate for the successful adoption, implementation, and use of core and advanced information technology to improve the health and experiences of employees and consumers. The health system was also recognized for its efforts to employ technologies and strategies, such as population health and cost-of-care analytics, HIEs, integration engines, and a robust patient portal to achieve meaningful clinical and efficiency outcomes.

“I applaud our Informatics & Technology and clinical teams for their dedication to delivering high-value care,” said Joel Vengco, senior vice president and chief Information & Digital officer for Baystate Health. “Even amidst the pandemic, our teams continued to deploy and use technology to deliver care in new and better ways.”

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Informatics & Technology was steadfast in its support of managing thousands of employees as they began to work remotely, building virtual care experiences through BH Connect for safer care visits, as well as numerous innovations such as a vaccination-scheduling app, family video chat, and a chat bot to answer patient questions about COVID, he noted.

“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 Russell Branzell, CHIME president and CEO. “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.”