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GetWellNetwork, Inc. Launches Patient Education Library Exclusive Service for GetWellNetwork Client Community
Offers Access to Multi-Media Education Materials from Leading Content Developers
BETHESDA, Md. – July 31, 2007 – GetWellNetwork, Inc., a leading provider of InteractivePatient Care (IPC) solutions, today announced the launch of the GetWellNetwork Patient Education LibrarySM, an innovative service for GetWellNetwork clients that streamlines the ability to review, select and license patient education multi-media materials from industry-leadingcontent developers. Hospitals will also have access to the GetWellNetwork IPC Outcomes Group to assess current and future content utilized throughout the organization’s care process.
Content Selectively Reviewed
Designed for health educators, nurses and other interdisciplinary teams, the Patient Education Library provides the GetWellNetwork community with a virtual “one-stop shop” to review quality, evidence-based content that can be made available to patients through the GetWellNetwork® PatientLife System®, including determining which offering is preferred for their organization, requesting licensing information, and receiving support with uploading the materials to the GetWellNetwork system.
To be included in the library, the content must meet six requirements, including: (1) evidence and behavior focused, (2) basic literacy need, (3) effective use of graphics, (4) stimulating and motivating to view, (5) positive cultural images, and (6) align with current caregiver practices.
“As a patient educator, I’m very excited by the direction GetWellNetwork is taking to provide our community with greater access and choice. Every hospital is different, with our own needs and preferences,” said Marsha Mekel, RN, Director of Education and Guest Relations of The Indiana Heart Hospital, part of Community Health Network. “The Patient Education Library ensures that we have visibility into all the content options that are available, understand how they meet various compliance requirements and then receive the support to make those materials available to our patients through our PatientLife System.”
Growing Pressures to Educate Patients
Healthcare providers are facing increasing pressure from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as well as the Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals to comply with requirements to educate patients throughout a hospital stay and at discharge. Similarly, initiatives set forth by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) underscore the importance of patient education as a means for improving the quality of care.
The GetWellNetwork PatientLife System enables hospitals to effectively deliver education materials to patients through the in-room television. Interfaces between the GetWellNetwork system and a hospital’s order entry system can automatically invite a patient via a message on the television monitor to view the education material that has been prescribed by a physician or nurse, as well as document the activity, including comprehension assessment, back into the patient record.
Ensuring that the GetWellNetwork PatientLife System includes the latest, most effective patient education materials (e.g. videos, text, data resources) remains a particular challenge for hospitals. The task can be overwhelming for hospitals to find appropriate education materials that help meet regulatory requirements, while also ensuring that the materials are up-to-date, culturally sensitive and effective for the broad range of patients that may need them.
“Access to relevant patient education material is a difficult maze for hospitals to navigate,” said Michael O’Neil, Jr., founder and CEO of GetWellNetwork, Inc. “We have observed that despite the tremendous importance of patient education in achieving optimal patient outcomes, the ability to find, review and compare content is very challenging and time consuming for patient educators. The GetWellNetwork Patient Education Library affords a powerful opportunity for us to bring together patient educators and offer valuable resources, community and access to quality content.”
Content Providers Accessible Through Library
At launch, the GetWellNetwork Patient Education Library includes more than 2,000 video titles plus valuable resource databases from leading producers of patient education materials, four of which are exclusive to the GetWellNetwork community:
Blausen Medical Communications (exclusive to GetWellNetwork) – From the international leader in medical and scientific animation and illustration, this library includes a comprehensive set of general education video titles.
GetWellNetwork Medication Education (exclusive to GetWellNetwork) – Created in partnership with a leading video producer, GetWellNetwork has underwritten the production of more than 30 medication education videos to help hospitals address the “IHI Five Million Lives” campaign to educate patients on high alert medications. In addition, the set includes education videos on the most highly prescribed medications. Healthology (exclusive to GetWellNetwork) – Owned by iVillage Inc., a division of NBC Universal and part of GE/GE Healthcare, Healthology is the leading producer and distributor of physician-generated health and medical information on the Internet.
Interactive Care Network – Offers an educational guide and search engine of post-acute care services that provide hospitals with a powerful tool to support the discharge process and empower patients and caregivers to take a more active role in their healthcare decisions.
MEDCALM – An innovative, audio/visual wellness solution provider that offers an integrative approach to patient care, addressing the needs of patients by reducing the fear, anxiety and overall stress associated with seeing a doctor, dentist or medical professional.
Milner-Fenwick – A full-service multimedia production house with an exclusive commitment to healthcare, Milner-Fenwick is a leading publisher of patient education videos and other products in use by more than 4,000 hospitals.
Newborn Channel (exclusive to GetWellNetwork) – Owned by iVillage Inc., a division of NBC Universal and part of GE/GE Healthcare, the Newborn Channel is the only satellitedelivered television network targeting new parents exclusively in hospitals.
Wired.MD – An eHealth company that uses innovative technology to develop patient and consumer health education for use at the point of care and beyond.
“Milner-Fenwick is pleased to be working with GetWellNetwork on this innovative service which ensures hospitals have easy access to the many patient education resources available today – particularly given the importance of ensuring that patients and care providers have the most relevant information,” said David Milner, President of Milner-Fenwick. “Coupling the GetWellNetwork Interactive Patient Care system with access to content from leading developers is a win-win opportunity that ultimately benefits patients, families and care providers.”
Enhanced Professional Services Expand Impact
In addition, clients have access to the GetWellNetwork IPC Outcomes Group to assess content currently utilized throughout an organization’s care process and evaluate how new content available in the Patient Education Library may support care providers and arm patients with the most effective education and instruction. The IPC Outcomes Group brings more than 50 years of collective experience in patient education as well as a proprietary methodology and process.
About the GetWellNetwork PatientLife System
GetWellNetwork empowers patients by placing them at the center of their own care experience. The PatientLife System turns the television in the patient room into a full interactive resource during a hospital stay. By using a wireless keyboard, touch screen or other handheld devices, patients interact with the system to access valuable education, communication and entertainment tools. This innovative technology enables healthcare organizations to deliver true patient-centered care and is proven to help improve the cost, quality and service of caredelivery.
About GetWellNetwork, Inc.
GetWellNetwork, Inc. is a leading provider of Interactive Patient Care (IPC) solutions. In partnership with more than 50 thought leading hospitals and healthcare systems, the company delivers innovative technology and services to drive optimal patient outcomes. Empowering patients as active participants in the healthcare process, IPC solutions are patient-centric applications delivered at the point-of-care to ensure the completion of service and quality requirements, while driving new revenue opportunities and operational efficiencies for healthcare providers. GetWellNetwork and its clients have been widely acknowledged by the healthcare community. In 2007, the GetWellNetwork solution received the exclusive endorsement of the American Hospital Association (AHA). GetWellNetwork, Inc. headquarters are in Bethesda, Maryland. For more information, please call 877.MEET.GWN or visit www.getwellnetwork.com.
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