September 30, 2026- Baxter International Inc. announced the release of its 2026 Connected Hospital Report, offering new insights into how hospitals across the United States are leveraging technology investments to drive clinical and operational outcomes.
Based on a survey of 150 information technology (IT) and nursing leaders, the report examines how hospitals are progressing along a “connected hospital” journey by identifying four distinct levels of technology maturity (early, developing, advancing and leading). This framework is designed to help hospitals benchmark progress, prioritize initiatives that reflect their current needs and opportunities, and identify practical focus areas to strengthen long-term impact. The report reflects Baxter’s broader focus on helping healthcare organizations create more connected, data-informed care environments.
Key insights from the report include:
- Technology is critical, but progress varies: While 89% of hospitals say technology investments are essential to future growth, only 53% believe they are maximizing the impact of those investments.
- Three health technology priorities rise above the rest: Hospitals across all maturity levels are focusing investments on operational efficiency, workflow automation and data integration as they work to strengthen operations and improve clinical outcomes.
- Automation is a key marker of progress: Adoption of workflow automation increases significantly with maturity, from 18% of early-stage hospitals to 72% of leading organizations.
- Security and change management remain key barriers: Across all maturity levels, security risks and workforce adoption challenges are among the top obstacles to successfully deploying new technologies.
As many healthcare organizations continue to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies, the report reinforces the importance of a connected foundation. Ninety-five percent of respondents agree that future innovation will require stronger integration among core IT systems, medical devices and software applications, underscoring the role of connected data and workflows in helping hospitals effectively adopt and scale new capabilities.
The 2026 Connected Hospital Report provides healthcare leaders with a structured view of the opportunities and challenges shaping digital transformation in hospitals. To read the full report and learn more about Baxter’s connected care solutions, visit Baxter.com.