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Prisma Health Earns 2025 Health Technology Excellence Award

In a significant achievement for the healthcare community, ECRI, a renowned independent nonprofit organization focusing on healthcare safety, has honored Prisma Health with the 2025 Health Technology Excellence Award. This accolade recognizes innovative approaches to improving patient safety, reducing costs, and enhancing health technology management.

About ECRI’s Award

ECRI's annual awards program showcases healthcare facilities that have made exceptional strides in leveraging technology to advance patient care. Award-winning initiatives are evaluated for their capacity to lead organizational change and bolster strategic management of health technologies. For 2025, Prisma Health's commitment to integrating advanced technology and disaster preparedness has set a precedent in the healthcare landscape.

Prisma Health's Mission and Services

Prisma Health stands as the largest healthcare system in South Carolina, comprised of an extensive network that includes 19 hospitals across 12 campuses. The organization specializes in various areas, including pediatrics, behavioral health, rehabilitation, and cardiology. As it has progressed through rapid growth—merging several health systems and increasing urgent care services—Prisma Health has continually embraced technological advancements to meet the rising demands of patient care.

A Multi-Layered Approach to Technology

The award recognizes Prisma Health’s comprehensive strategy to reinforce technological infrastructure and resilience against disasters. Several key initiatives contributed to their accolade:

1. Network Infrastructure Optimization: Prisma Health has invested in a regional redundant network architecture, designed for modular connectivity that promises 100% uptime, even during extensive outages. Additionally, a multi-carrier distributed antenna system was established to ensure seamless cellular communication across facilities.

2. Emergency Department Workflow Improvement: The fast-paced environment of the Emergency Department (ED) often faces challenges related to user log-in processes for various devices. Prisma Health's technology team collaborated with frontline staff to design a more efficient “tap-in/tap-out” system. This streamlined approach enhances both security and access to electronic medical records.

3. Business Continuity and Disaster Preparedness: Reassessing existing disaster recovery capabilities, Prisma Health implemented superior protocols and tools aimed at maintaining continuous care during crises. This extensive focus on disaster readiness proved essential when tested by an unforeseen event.

Testing the System During Hurricane Helene

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene posed a significant challenge to the operational capabilities of healthcare systems across the region. Despite widespread outages, Prisma Health's proactive steps in building a robust infrastructure allowed its hospitals to sustain access to electronic medical records, deliver uninterrupted patient care, and restore operations faster than many of its peers.

Daniel Leonard, Vice President of Technical Services at Prisma Health, expressed immense pride in the technology team’s dedication. He noted, "Their innovation, creativity, and collaboration with clinical and management personnel have fortified our systems over the years. This prestigious recognition by ECRI highlights both their technical acumen and our collective commitment to safety and operational continuity."

Industry Impact

The Chief Medical Officer at ECRI, Dr. Dheerendra Kommala, emphasized Prisma Health’s system-wide dedication to prudent technology deployment. His statement acknowledged the importance of their intricate planning in ensuring uninterrupted care, particularly during natural disasters. He remarked, “Prisma Health not only safeguarded its patients and clinicians but has established a model of resilience that the entirety of the healthcare sector should aspire to replicate.”

Conclusion

Prisma Health's recognition by ECRI reflects its ongoing dedication to advancing healthcare technology and ensuring patient safety through innovative solutions. Their methods serve as a blueprint for healthcare systems aspiring to strengthen their capabilities and readiness in an increasingly complex environment. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, Prisma Health stands ready to embrace new opportunities for growth and improvement, setting a benchmark for excellence in the industry.