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Posted December 20, 2007
Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare: Product News
GetWellNetwork Helps Hospitals Engage Patients in Response to Growing MRSA Super Bug Concerns
Interactive patient care system facilitates education of patients and families on safety and hand Hhgiene to prevent spread of infections.
Bethesda, MD, November 15, 2007 — GetWellNetwork, Inc., a leading provider of Interactive Patient Care (IPC) solutions, is leveraging its bedside communication system to help hospitals, patients and their families tackle the growing concerns of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) super bug. MRSA is an infection resistant to antibiotics, which according to a recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association, results in more than 94,000 cases and 18,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Of these occurrences, 85 percent are acquired during a hospital stay.
"Much more can be done to stop these occurrences. MRSA is a problem that is addressable, especially through proper hand hygiene," said Heather Townsend, director of patient education at GetWellNetwork, Inc. "It is crucial that hospitals directly engage their patients in this issue and help them understand the role they play to ensure their own safety. Effective and timely delivery of patient education at the bedside is a key to reducing the spread of infection."
Through the GetWellNetwork® PatientLife System®, patients are encouraged to watch informative multimedia videos on the topics of hand hygiene and safety. The patent-pending technology delivers a series of alerts to the patient's television monitor that request the patient to watch the videos and answer comprehension questions. The patient's activity can then be recorded in the hospital's documentation system to complete the patient's record. The videos are designed for the adult patient population as well as for pediatric patients.
"MRSA has become a serious concern in healthcare and patient safety. We believe patient education is a critical step in addressing this problem," said Kathy Wroten, RN CIC., manager, Infection Control at Christiana Care Health System, Wilmington, DE. "By leveraging the GetWellNetwork system to engage our patients right at the bedside, patients and their families are now more aware of the role they can play in preventing infections and improving their own health. Within the first two months of implementing the technology, nearly 70 percent of our patients have watched the videos, and the numbers continue to improve."
The GetWellNetwork system empowers patients and families by placing them at the center of their own care experience. The system turns the television in the patient room into an interactive resource during a hospital stay. By using a wireless keyboard, touch screen or handheld device, patients can interact with the system to access valuable education, communication and entertainment tools directly at the bedside.
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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