ST. JOHN’S NAMED nation’s TOP
INTEGRATED HEALTH SYSTEM

 

St. John's Health System in Springfield, Mo., topped the list of integrated health networks in the United States in the 2009 SDI assessment of integrated healthcare networks (IHN).

As an integrated system, St. John's is comprised of  St. John's Hospital in Springfield, a 866-bed referral center; five regional hospitals in Lebanon, Aurora, Cassville, Mountain View, and Berryville, Ark.; St. John's Clinic, a 460-physician clinic with 70 locations throughout the region; and St. John's Health Plans, the largest managed care provider in the region.

The SDI 2009 IHN 100 (formerly known as the Verispan IHN 100) recognizes healthcare systems that operate as a unified organization, building a strong base of services to provide the highest level of care. St. John's topped the list of the first time in 2007 and ranked third in 2008. This year marks the 11^th year in a row St. John’s has made the list, moving from No. 62 in 1999.

The list is available in the January 26 issue of Modern Healthcare magazine or by clicking here.

“We believe the integrated model is the best way to deliver care,” says Kim Day, St. John’s Health System President / CEO. “For the patients we serve in the 35 counties in southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas, being an integrated system, assists us in enhancing clinical quality, service to our patients and creating a safer environment for patients.”

Integrated networks, like St. John’s are able to provide patient care in a coordinated manner. Individual hospitals, physicians and other medical facilities form a network to share quality standards, information, expertise and technology that is difficult to provide alone. This not only helps to reduce the cost of care, but also helps to save lives. A successfully integrated health system has all aspects of health care working together and creates processes that fill in the gaps between care.

“The high level of integration at St. John’s Health System between physicians, hospitals and health plans has resulted in marked improvement in clinical outcomes especially for patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma and congestive heart failure,” Dominic Meldi, MD, St. John’s Health System Board Chairman.

For more information on the top 100 networks, visit Modernhealthcare.com.

For media information, contact cora.scott@mercy.net or 820-2426.