MASSENA -- Massena Memorial Hospital has again been named a “Most Wired Hospital” by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine.

“It’s the fourth consecutive year the hospital has received the designation, and the fifth time in six years,” said Chief Executive Officer Charles F. Fahd II.

Only 20 New York hospitals were designated as “Most Wired,” “Most Improved,” “Innovator Award-Finalist” or “Wired-Small and Rural.” Massena Memorial Hospital was one of only two North Country hospitals to earn the recognition. The other was Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone.

“It shows our commitment to Information Technology and patient safety,” Fahd said.

“Through the use of Information Technology, Massena Memorial Hospital is constantly working on new and innovative ways to ensure the same tradition is upheld with excellence in today’s challenging and fast paced health care environment,” said Jana Grose, chief information officer.

MMH technology accomplishments include developing a patient portal for the website to be launched later this year and the launch of a new electronic medical record for all outreach clinics and physician offices, according to Grose.

“This year’s ‘Most Wired’ organizations exemplify progress through innovation” said Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association. “The hospital field can learn from these outstanding organizations ways that IT can help to improve efficiency.”

Health Care’s “Most Wired” survey, conducted between Jan. 15 and March 15, asked hospitals and health systems nationwide to answer questions regarding IT initiatives. Respondents completed 659 surveys, representing 1,713 hospitals, or roughly 30 percent of all U.S. hospitals.