Sutter Health, a not-for-profit health system serving 3.5 million patients in Northern California, has received three Most Wired certifications from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). The awards recognize Sutter’s progress in digital transformation and technology adoption.
The CHIME Most Wired certifications are considered unique in the healthcare industry. To achieve a top score—8, 9, or 10 out of 10—a health system must demonstrate adherence to information technology best practices and investment in innovative digital applications. According to CHIME, organizations at Level 8 or 9 are recognized for advanced capabilities in cybersecurity, data analytics, and data management. These organizations also use digital tools to engage patients and improve clinical quality and safety.
“Scoring survey responses this way is how CHIME recognizes the importance of both evolution and revolution, and that each fuels the other,” said Laura Wilt, chief digital officer at Sutter. “I couldn’t agree more. Our transformation at Sutter is equally focused on strengthening the behind-the-scenes infrastructure that powers our system and advancing the visible innovations that improve care delivery. We’re not just building the future, we’re also improving the foundation it stands on, so solutions perform, scale and last.”
This year, Sutter improved its rating from Level 8 to Level 9 in ambulatory or outpatient care and earned its first-ever certification (Level 8) in long-term post-acute care. The organization also maintained its Level 8 certification in acute or hospital-based care for a third consecutive year.
Sutter’s recent initiatives include remote patient monitoring through Sutter Sync—launched in March 2025—which allows patients to track their health remotely while clinicians receive real-time data to personalize care. The program supports management of conditions such as high blood pressure with help from dedicated providers and educational resources.
In artificial intelligence (AI), Sutter has implemented AI-enhanced cameras for diabetic retinopathy screening after pilot testing at several primary care offices led to broader adoption and a reported 10% improvement in annual screening rates for this condition. Other AI uses include cancer detection and diagnosis as well as Abridge, an ambient AI documentation tool designed to reduce physician charting time.
Predictive analytics have been applied through Sutter’s Targeted Condition Outreach program since May 2025. This initiative aims to prevent complications like pneumonia by using predictive models and proactive care management involving nurses, pharmacists, and coordinators who document activities within electronic health records.
Patient portal usage has increased by over 150% since 2018 with about 1.2 million active users monthly accessing features such as appointment booking, medication refills, lab results viewing, virtual visits, Fast Pass waitlists, text confirmations for appointments, and more streamlined services.
Virtual care options expanded with on-demand video visits starting July 2025; over 8,000 visits have occurred so far with plans for round-the-clock availability by year-end. Additional support includes a virtual chat assistant, two-way texting capabilities, and a centralized phone line offering continuous nurse advice.
Electronic health record enhancements contributed to saving more than one million work hours across Sutter’s system in 2024 through automation and improved workflows; another estimated 1.4 million hours were saved in early-to-mid-2025.
New care models are being piloted following ideas from Sutter’s Innovation Challenge: one involves smartphone-based cognitive decline screening at sites in Sacramento and San Francisco; another is an outreach program sending supportive text messages over a year to youth after psychiatric care set for pilot testing next year.
The CHIME Digital Health Most Wired survey included responses from over 48,000 facilities nationwide; fewer than 240 achieved top scores across any category this year. More details about CHIME can be found at https://chimecentral.org/
