Sparrow renews and expands reputation as global healthcare information technology leader

LANSING, MI – Sparrow has been revalidated as a global information technology leader, earning a place among a select few health systems in the U.S. and around the world in its commitment to use its IT know-how to improve patient care.

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) has revalidated Sparrow Health System’s Stage 7 status for our adoption and use of Electronic Medical Records. Besides Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, the designation includes Sparrow Clinton and Sparrow Ionia hospitals and, for the first time, Sparrow Carson, Sparrow Eaton and Sparrow Specialty Hospital. It also covers all ambulatory care sites. Stage 7 status is the highest level of EMR adoption and use recognized by HIMSS. Sparrow now has six of the 11 Michigan hospitals who are Stage 7.

HIMSS surveyors praised Sparrow’s Information Technology systems and those who use them,  calling the health system “a huge community asset.” The surveyors also cited Sparrow’s work on Advance Care Planning in the EMR system and said organizations like Sparrow are great examples to others not yet at Stage 7.

“Receiving this recognition from HIMSS is exciting validation of Sparrow’s investment and the work put in by our highly skilled Sparrow caregivers to give our patients some of the best technology in the country,” said Tom Bres, Sparrow chief information officer, senior vice president and chief administrative officer.

Sparrow’s EMR system enables patient-centered care that improves documentation, reduces errors, improves care coordination among clinicians, and provides for MySparrow, a secure, confidential patient medical record and portal.

To learn more about MySparrow, go to Sparrow.org/MySparrow.

Sparrow is Mid-Michigan’s premier healthcare organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Charlotte, St. Johns, Ionia, and Carson City as well as Physicians Health Plan, Sparrow Care Network, Sparrow Medical Group, the Michigan Athletic Club, and AL!VE. Sparrow is affiliated with Michigan Medicine through the Sparrow Children’s Center and with Michigan State University’s three human health colleges. Through these partnerships and the dedication of our 10,000 Caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and Patient experience. For more information, visit Sparrow.org.; and Paul Entler, D.O., vice president of quality and performance improvement.