Portland International Engineering and Technology Management Center

Source: Inland Northwest Health Services

SPOKANE, Wash, Dec. 20/PRNewswire -- Inland Northwest Health Services has been awarded first prize for most innovative use of technology to improve patient safety by judges at the Emerging Technologies and Healthcare Innovations Congress (TETHIC) that concluded December 1, 2004, in Washington, D.C. The TETHIC innovation prize recognizes the leadership role INHS has taken in building the technology framework for a TelePharmacy system that provides 24-hour pharmacy services at a reasonable cost to multiple rural hospitals and health care facilities.

"The TETHIC innovation prize is an honor to the women and men who have worked so hard to integrate electronic medical records, videoconferencing and automated drug dispensing systems in a way that expands an umbrella of world-class care to underserved communities," INHS Chief Operating Officer Nancy Vorhees said. "This program recognizes there is a significant shortage of pharmacists in small rural communities and presents a cost effective solution that reduces errors and increases use of existing resources."

The annual TETHIC award recognizes health care providers that have shown creativity in the development and implementation of technologies that improve patient outcomes while reducing costs. More than 130 organizations were nominated in 10 categories this year. Judging was carried out by leading health care executives and administrators from across the United States.

INHS is a non-profit corporation sponsored by Deaconess Medical Center, Holy Family Hospital, Sacred Heart Medical Center and Valley Hospital and Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, to provide collaborative health care services for Spokane and the surrounding region. INHS companies include St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute, Community Health Education and Resources (CHER), Children's Miracle Network, Northwest Telehealth, Information Resource Management and Northwest MedStar. [More]