21 Regional Hospitals Recognized as Nation's Most Wired

INHS health information solutions promote cost-efficient information
technology adoption

SPOKANE, Wash., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-one regional hospitals that
utilize health information technology solutions from Inland Northwest Health
Services (INHS) earned the distinction of being among the most
technologically-advanced hospitals in the country, according to results of the
2009 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study released in the July issue of
Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. Hospitals and Health Networks surveyed
more than 1,300 hospitals to name the "100 Most Wired" hospitals in the annual
survey, measuring the hospitals' use of information technologies for quality,
customer service, public health and safety, business processes and workforce
issues.

Two hospitals, Kootenai Medical Center (KMC) in Coeur d'Alene, ID and
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children's Hospital in Spokane, WA,
received specific "most wired" recognition. KMC also received "most wireless"
designation. The additional 19 hospitals were grouped into regions under INHS
for purposes of the 2009 Most Wired recognition.

"It is an honor to see our region's hospitals being consistently recognized as
select hospitals in the nation for implementing health care information
technology solutions that achieve high levels of automated patient care and
safety," stated Brian Seppi, M.D., Physicians Clinic of Spokane, and chairman
of INHS Board of Directors. "The region's technology investment through INHS
ensures the delivery of accessible and cost-effective health care for the
communities we serve."

INHS connects hospitals, health care facilities and physician offices through
a health information technology network that allows health care providers to
securely access patient information utilizing wired and wireless technologies.
The INHS health information technology network includes more than 45,000 users
in three states.

"Through the creative application of information technology and the strategic
use of shared services, our region continues to adopt and embrace health
information technology. Through this we are transforming the way health care
is delivered," said Tom Fritz, chief executive officer of INHS. "These
hospitals and staff are being recognized for their continuing efforts to
invest in additional systems that improve hospital processes and lead to
better patient care."

Most Wired Hospitals include:
Bonner General Hospital - Sandpoint, ID
Coulee Community Hospital - Grand Coulee, WA
Deaconess Medical Center - Spokane, WA
Enumclaw Regional Hospital - Enumclaw, WA
Kootenai Health - Coeur d'Alene, ID
Mason General Hospital - Shelton, WA
Mid-Valley Hospital - Omak, WA
Newport Hospital and Health Services - Newport, WA
Othello Community Hospital - Othello, WA
Pullman Regional Hospital - Pullman, WAProvidence Holy Family Hospital -
Spokane, WA
Providence Mount Carmel Hospital - Colville, WA
Providence St. Joseph's Hospital - Chewelah, WA
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children's Hospital - Spokane, WA
Samaritan Healthcare - Moses Lake, WA
St. Luke's Magic Valley Regional Medical Center - Twin Falls, ID
St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute - Spokane, WA
Sunnyside Community Hospital - Sunnyside, WA
Whitman Hospital & Medical Center - Colfax, WA
Tri-State Memorial Hospital - Clarkston, WA
Valley Hospital & Medical Center - Spokane Valley, WA

Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS), a non-profit corporation based in
Spokane, Washington, provides collaboration in health care services on behalf
of its member hospitals Deaconess Medical Center, Providence Holy Family
Hospital, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children's Hospital, and
Valley Hospital & Medical Center, and the community. Other INHS companies
include St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute, Northwest TeleHealth, Northwest
MedStar, Community Health Education & Resources (CHER) and others. For more
information, visit www.inhs.org.

SOURCE Inland Northwest Health Services

Nicole Stewart of Inland Northwest Health Services, +1-509-232-8131, cell,
+1-509-768-6665, stewarn@inhs.org