BETHESDA, MD--(Marketwire - Dec 14, 2011) - GetWellNetwork, Inc., provider of the industry's leading interactive patient care (IPC) solution, announced today that the Birmingham VA Medical Center in Alabama has implemented GetWellNetwork throughout its acute tertiary care facility. The solution provides access to health education programs as well as information on hospital services, medication information and entertainment options including access to the internet, television programming, movies, video games and music, directly at the patient's bedside.
Additionally, GetWellNetwork is interfacing with VistA so educational content can be customized for each patient and to allow the facility to track and record patient information into its electronic medical record. Patients can also access My HealtheVet, a free, online personal health record allowing Veterans to see their wellness reminders, view appointments, participate in secure messaging with their health care team and access links to Federal and Veteran benefits.
"We are committed to leading the charge in advancing patient and family-centered care and modernizing the delivery of care for the Veterans of our community and surrounding areas," said Greg Eagerton, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, Patient Care Service, Birmingham VA Medical Center. "The GetWellNetwork solution allows our patients to not only have access to the most relevant health education, but it also improves their overall stay by enabling better communication with internal staff as well as with family and friends. By providing tools such as the GetWellNetwork, we are improving the quality of care delivered and helping our Veterans be better prepared to care for themselves beyond the walls of the hospital."
Through the Innovation Grant for the Advancement of Patient-Centered Care, the Birmingham VA Medical Center was able to implement the interactive patient care technology that will allow them to increase patient satisfaction, quality and safety as well as benefit from operational improvements and provide a more enjoyable experience.
"This partnership means so much to our team. The opportunity to play a critical role in delivering a new paradigm of care to our Veterans has raised the bar yet again at GetWellNetwork to do our very best work at such a critical time," said Michael O'Neil, founder and CEO, GetWellNetwork. "We're honored to be working with the staff at the Birmingham VA Medical Center to help improve the continuum of care for those that have served and those currently serving our country."
The GetWellNetwork solution provides specific educational resources for patients, allowing them to learn more about everything from their condition, treatment plan and care team, to services available at the hospital and discharge instructions. Patients are also able to contact facility staff members directly about various issues such as adjusting their room temperature and providing feedback on their care team. The enhanced communication features enable clinicians and team members to immediately respond to their patients' needs for an improved patient and family experience.
About GetWellNetwork
GetWellNetwork, Inc. entertains, educates, and empowers patients throughout the patient journey using the bedside TV in the hospital, mobile devices, Web or Cable TV at home. This patient-centered approach improves both satisfaction and outcomes for patients and hospitals. Additionally, the company extends the value of existing IT investments by integrating seamlessly to leading HIT systems including Cerner, McKesson, Epic, Meditech, GE and Siemens.
GetWellNetwork was also recognized by KLAS® as the leader in the new Interactive Patient Systems category and exclusively endorsed by the American Hospital Association. More information about GetWellNetwork can be found at www.GetWellNetwork.com.
About Birmingham VA Medical Center
The Birmingham VA Medical Center is a 139-bed acute tertiary care facility located in the historic Southside district of the city. The facility provides acute tertiary medical and surgical care to Veterans of Alabama and surrounding states. We provide health care services to eligible Veterans in the VA Southeast Network Veterans Integrated Service Network [VISN 7].
The medical center serves as a referral center for this population area. Recent construction provides state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in all clinical programs. Care is provided in practically all medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties. Most staff physicians have joint appointments with VA and its primary affiliation, University of Alabama at Birmingham. The BVAMC operates nine Community Based Outpatient Clinics in North Alabama.
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