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GetWellNetwork Helps Hospitals Engage Patients in Response to Growing MRSA Super Bug Concerns

Thursday, November 15, 2007 General News
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BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 14 GetWellNetwork, Inc., a leadingprovider of Interactive Patient Care (IPC) solutions, is leveraging itsbedside communication system to help hospitals, patients and their familiestackle the growing concerns of the methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) super bug. MRSA is an infection resistant to antibiotics, whichaccording to a recent study from the Journal of the American MedicalAssociation, 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 hospitalstay.
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"Much more can be done to stop these occurrences. MRSA is a problem thatis addressable, especially through proper hand hygiene," said HeatherTownsend, director of patient education at GetWellNetwork, Inc. "It is crucialthat hospitals directly engage their patients in this issue and help themunderstand the role they play to ensure their own safety. Effective and timelydelivery of patient education at the bedside is a key to reducing the spreadof infection."
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Through the GetWellNetwork(R) PatientLife System(R), patients areencouraged to watch informative multimedia videos on the topics of handhygiene and safety. The patent-pending technology delivers a series of alertsto the patient's television monitor that request the patient to watch thevideos and answer comprehension questions. The patient's activity can then berecorded in the hospital's documentation system to complete the patient'srecord. The videos are designed for the adult patient population as well asfor pediatric patients.

"MRSA has become a serious concern in healthcare and patient safety. Webelieve patient education is a critical step in addressing this problem," saidKathy Wroten, RN CIC., manager, Infection Control at Christiana Care HealthSystem, Wilmington, DE. "By leveraging the GetWellNetwork system to engage ourpatients right at the bedside, patients and their families are now more awareof the role they can play in preventing infections and improving their ownhealth. Within the first two months of implementing the technology, nearly 70percent of our patients have watched the videos, and the numbers continue toimprove."

The GetWellNetwork system empowers patients and families by placing themat the center of their own care experience. The system turns the television inthe patient room into an interactive resource during a hospital stay. By usinga wireless keyboard, touch screen or handheld device, patients can interactwith the system to access valuable education, communication and entertainmenttools directly at the bedside.

About GetWellNetwork, Inc.

GetWellNetwork, Inc. is a leading provider of Interactive Patient Care(IPC) solutions. In partnership with more than 50 thought leading hospitalsand healthcare systems, the company delivers innovative technology andservices to drive optimal patient outcomes. Empowering patients as activeparticipants in the healthcare process, IPC solutions are patient-centricapplications delivered at the point-of-care to ensure the completion ofservice and quality requirements, while driving new revenue opportunities andoperational efficiencies for healthcare providers. GetWellNetwork and itsclients have been widely acknowledged by the healthcare community. In 2007,the GetWellNetwork solution received the exclusive endorsement of the AmericanHospital Association (AHA). GetWellNetwork, Inc. headquarters are in Bethesda,Maryland. For more information, please call 877.MEET.GWN or visitwww.getwellnetwork.com.Contact: John Plunkett 240.482.3134 [email protected] Pauline Louie 781.684.0770 [email protected]

SOURCE GetWellNetwork, Inc.
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