VA Veterans In Partnership Healthcare Network , which operates the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor, was recently named one of the country's most wired hospitals and health systems.

That's according to Hospitals and Health Networks magazine, a publication of the American Hospital Association, which states that hospitals that embrace technology demonstrate better patient satisfaction.

VI VISN 11 Healthcare Network, as it's known, is a regional organization for VA healthcare facilities and serves veterans who receive care at VA medical centers in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Saginaw, Battle Creek, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois.

"Connected care leads to better care," VISN 11 Network director Michael Finegan said in a statement. "Technology helps us improve decision making, enhance safety, coordinate care, and provide more tailored, more convenient care for the veterans who served our nation."

The publication's findings include that 67 percent of the "most wired" hospitals ordered medications electronically and that 22 percent of the hospitals provide patients the opportunity to visit a physician virtually.

"We are using it (technology in health care) to improve clinical outcomes, reduce medical errors, and streamline our business and clinical processes," said VISN 11 Network Chief Information Officer General Kearney Jr.

The "most wired" survey is conducted annually by Hospitals and Health Networks magazine and focuses on how the nation's hospitals use information technology for customer service, public health and safety and workforce issues.