New Sparrow, Arialink high-speed medical information network

LANSING, Mich. - Sparrow and internet provider Arialink will launch a new high-speed broadband fiber optic network to enhance transfer of high-definition images and real-time electronic medical records (EMR) while ensuring Patient privacy and security.

The $3.2 million, state-of-the-art network will span about 100 miles connecting to Sparrow Clinton Hospital in St. Johns, Sparrow Ionia Hospital and physician practices.

"Having the right information available instantaneously in all our locations enables our clinicians to provide the best care possible for our Patients," said Thomas Bres, Sparrow Vice President and Chief Information Officer. "With this new high-speed network we'll have industry-leading network capabilities so we can deliver that information to our caregivers every time all the time."

"Our high-speed fiber Healthcare ONE network is an ideal partner with Sparrow Health System, a nationally known technology innovator," said Jason Schreiber, Arialink President and CEO. "Arialink is proud to provide the safest, most secure information system to our community's health care anchor."

The ongoing iSparrow Electronic Medical Record initiative will add a fully electronic clinical documentation solution to replace most paper medical charts. More than 8,500 Patients have accessed their own record via the MySparrow Patient system and 23 of Sparrow's physician practices are now connected to iSparrow EMR.

The network built by Arialink will also connect to Sparrow's St. Lawrence Campus, Sparrow affiliate Carson City Hospital, Sparrow Thoracic and Cardiovascular Institute (TCI), Sparrow Medical Group Okemos OB/GYN, Mason Urgent Care, Lansing Medical Dental Building, and the Health Science Pavilion. The project will begin this Spring and be complete by Fall 2013.

Contact: Kyla King at kyla.king@sparrow.org or 517.364.2934.