Financial stability impacts integrated healthcare networks

Sentara Healthcare in Norfolk, Va., is the No. 1 most integrated healthcare network (IHN), according to the 13^th annual assessment of the 100 most integrated networks by Plymouth Meeting, Pa.-based healthcare analytics firm SDI. Sentara is the only IHN to make the top 10 in all 13 surveys.

"Our management team and all our physicians and employees have worked hard in recent years to maintain high quality patient care while managing those expenses we can control," said David Bernd, chief executive officer for Sentara Healthcare. "We feel very good about the work that we've done to manage through the recession, as it reflects a real team effort."

Previous No. 1 St. John's Health System in Springfield, Mo., fell to third place. Financial stability impacted the rankings, with many IHNs suffering lower revenue and greater liabilities.

To learn more about the rankings:
- read the SDI press release
- read this Sentara press release