St. Elizabeth Hospital in Enumclaw is included on the 2011 list of the 25 “Most Wired” small and rural hospitals in the nation for its use of information technology to support quality patient care and achieve operational efficiencies.

The list, announced July 15, is compiled by Hospitals and Health Networks magazine.

“We are proud to be recognized for meaningful use of information technology that makes our hospital the best place to heal, the best place to work and the best community health resource,” St. Elizabeth President Dennis Popp said.

St. Elizabeth, which opened in February 2011, is part of the Franciscan Health System. It replaced Enumclaw Regional Hospital, which also made the Most Wired list for four straight years, beginning in 2006.

Innovative technologies at St. Elizabeth Hospital include electronic medical records and data management protocols; a computerized provider order entry system; bedside barcode scanning that ensures hospitalized patients receive correct medications; and wireless technology that enables physicians, nurses and other caregivers to quickly and quietly communicate regardless where they are in the state-of-the-art hospital.

“The technology we use supports our commitment to providing our patients with the best care possible,” Popp said.

He acknowledged Shelly Pricco, director of patient care services at St. Elizabeth, and Danielle Rogers, the hospital’s clinical systems specialist, for their leadership in implementing new clinical and information technology systems. He also praised the hospital’s medical staff and employees for embracing new software and programs.

“The successful implementation and use of information technology at St. Elizabeth reflects the can-do spirit of our entire team,” Popp said.

The hospital’s IT infrastructure is largely supported by Inland Northwest Health Services, which is a network of rural hospitals in Washington and Idaho.