Banner Health is in Top 10 of Nation’s Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Networks
PHOENIX, (Jan. 27, 2010) – Banner Health is in the Top 10 of the Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Systems in the nation according to SDI and Modern Healthcare Magazine.
SDI is a healthcare analytics company that conducts an annual assessment of the 100 most highly integrated healthcare networks (IHNs). Banner has for the first time made it into the Top 10 (# 10), having placed No. 22 last year and No. 54 the previous year. SDI's report is regarded as the nation's premier rating system by evaluating IHNs on their performance and degree of integration.
The SDI survey recognizes the nation’s 100 most integrated networks out of more than 500 health systems graded annually on operations, quality, scope of services and efficiency. For 2010, one of the metrics that carried the greatest weight was financial stability, according to SDI. Directly underscoring the need for sound financial practices in healthcare, SDI's ranking reflects the economy's impact on healthcare systems across the country.
Each year Banner sets strategic goals focused on clinical quality, operational management, patient experience, employee engagement and financial performance. In 2009, which was a challenging period on many fronts for the entire nation, Banner met or exceeded nearly all of its goals and, in fact, experienced its best performance year ever.
“It shows that with an eye on even the smallest details, an organization as large and complex as Banner can be successful in the toughest economic times,” said President and CEO Peter S. Fine. “We took action in late 2008 with the implementation of a series of cost-saving measures that have proven successful due to strong leadership and our employees, who are dedicated and committed to providing excellent patient care, while also improving efficiencies and increasing productivity.
“Our board, our management team, our physician partners and our employees deserve credit and praise for keeping us on our path to industry leadership,” Fine added.
While managing expenses, Banner Health has continued its focus on innovation, implementing an integrated electronic medical record system that contains lab results, doctors’ and nurses’ notes and charting, and medical images. In addition, Banner Health was the first health care provider in Arizona to use eICU technology to continuously monitor ICU patients by intensive care nurses and physicians from a remote monitoring center.
Banner also is a leader in Medical Simulation Training, with the recent opening of its second medical simulation training center. The newest is a 55,000-square-foot facility, with more than 70 high-tech mannequins and full size Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric/Neonatal ICU, Medical Surgical Unit, an Operating Room and skills labs. The Banner Simulation Medical Center is the nation’s largest and will train nearly 2,000 newly hired nurses annually before they begin providing patient care in any of Banner’s hospitals.
ABOUT BANNER HEALTH
Headquartered in Phoenix, Banner Health is one of the largest, nonprofit health care systems in the country. The system owns or leases 22 acute-care hospitals, long-term care centers, outpatient surgery centers and an array of other services including family clinics, home care and hospice services, and a nursing registry. Banner Health is in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. To learn more about Banner Health, go to http://www.bannerhealth.com.
