Banner Estrella Medical Center delivering additional discharge information and patient education through in-house television network Phoenix, Arizona (December 12, 2007) – Patients and family members at Banner Estrella Medical Center now have another tool to help them learn about options for post-hospital care with the addition of the Interactive Care Network to the Skylight ACCESS patient television system at the hospital. The new service allows patients and their loved ones to research and review post-hospital care facilities, such as skilled nursing facilities and hospice care, before they leave the hospital.

Often patients and caregivers aren’t prepared to make decisions that involve care after they leave the hospital. Various options and types of care settings can add to the confusion when considering the best environment for recovery. Patients must consider a service’s location, scope of care, environment and amenities.

Interactive Care Network (ICN) provides a searchable database of extended care providers. Hospital case managers use the database to help patients and their families choose the best post-hospital care setting for their loved ones. ICN boasts one of the most comprehensive databases available, showcasing more than 90,000 providers in nine categories of patient care services ranging from outpatient services to hospice care.

Multiple search methods and specialty service categories like Alzheimer’s and ventilator care allow patients and caregivers to easily research, navigate and view amenities of the closest providers meeting their particular needs. They can also find answers to “Frequently Asked Questions” which if not answered can add to the stress of an already unexpected and difficult situation.

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