HIMSS Annual Conference, Booth #3413 -- GetWellNetwork, the leading provider of Interactive Patient Care technology, shared key hospital outcomes data to demonstrate that patient engagement is a core strategy for performance improvement.

With health reform high on the nation's agenda, there is an increasing focus on the role and importance of patient engagement in health care delivery. The National Quality Forum identified patient and family engagement as the #1 national health priority in 2008.

Interactive Patient Care technology has emerged as one of the most effective ways to proactively engage patients into their care process. This technology is being used today by leading hospitals and health systems to empower patients to take a more active role in their care while in the hospital. The result has been measured advances in both patient outcomes and hospital performance.

"GetWellNetwork supports patient care in some very new and innovative ways, providing resources to educate patients about medications, helping to ensure patient safety and supporting our staff as they work to provide an optimal service experience," says Holly Fedak, RN, MBA, FACHE, CNAA, chief nursing officer at Parker Adventist Hospital, Parker, Colo. "This is innovation at its finest, helping caregivers to care at the deepest level for their patients."

GetWellNetwork showcased outcomes data from several of its hospital partners, reflecting significant advances in quality, safety and service performance. Much of this data came from case studies presented at GetConnected2009, GetWellNetwork's annual user's conference which occurred early last week. Leaders from major academic medical centers, large health systems and community hospitals came together from across the country to share data and present best practices that lead to improvements in Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores, safety outcomes, core measures and operational performance. Some examples follow:

-- Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Del. - realized a 69 percent increase in HCAHPS Top Box Scores on communication about patients' medicines on their demonstration unit;

-- St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Oakland, Mich. - demonstrated a 30 percent increase in patient completion of stroke education comprehension surveys, to address key education requirements for Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center designation status;

-- Valley Medical Center, Renton, Wash. - saw a 20 percent increase in local market share capture for breast cancer services by using GetWellNetwork's PatientLife System to cross-market to patients;

-- King's Daughters Medical Center, Ashland, Ky. - in five months, noted 447 instances of patients/families initiating access to the hospital's rapid response team, in compliance with National Patient Safety Goal #16.

GetWellNetwork technology leverages Interactive Patient Care to actively engage patients and families by placing them at the center of their care experience. With this technology, in-room devices deliver personalized information, education and communications tools directly to patients, to engage them in essential aspects of their care. Patients can learn more about their condition, better understand their medications, participate in following their care plan and more easily collaborate with their caregivers.

Michael O'Neil, founder and chief executive officer of GetWellNetwork, notes, "There is growing pressure on hospitals to both inform and perform. Interactive Patient Care technology is making a difference in the lives of patients, demonstratively improving service, quality of care and cost performance for hospitals. Within our hospital community, there is a growing commitment to patient engagement as a core strategy for performance improvement. The impact is being both felt by patients and measured by the very service and quality outcomes that hospitals are seeking to improve. It is an important time to unleash the power of the patient to improve healthcare."

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 for their IPC innovations 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.

Source: GetWellNetwork, Inc.