Hospitals not up to speed with the Internet.(Brief Article)

Denver hospitals have not entered the electronic age, but they are starting to stick their toes in.

"There is a huge gap between what people want to do and what they can do today," said Jim McCoy, with Arthur Andersen LLP. "They are all clearly beginning to grapple with it."

Consider these preliminary findings from a recent Arthur Andersen survey of 29 hospital systems in the Southwest, including Colorado.

* One hospital offers patients the ability to communicate with physicians via e-mail.

* Two hospitals allow patients to schedule appointments with physicians and various hospital departments online.

* Four offer readmission/registration forms online.

The metro area's largest …