GetWellNetwork Adds Nursing Functions

GetWellNetwork Inc. has new functions to support nurse workflow processes in its television-based communications system for patient rooms, called the PatientLife System.

The system enables hospitals to use televisions in patient rooms to show educational videos. It also enables patients to access e-mail, the Internet and movies. The system offers a medications database, hospital stay and visitor information, and services such as menus and meal ordering. Patients use a wireless keyboard, touch screen or hand-held device to run the system.

New features of the PatientLife System include:

* A nursing dashboard enabling a nurse to search for patients, view profiles, send messages, order educational materials and use discharge planning tools;

* A redesigned medication-teaching tool to help patients and family members identify the correct drug and learn of side effects and generic alternatives;

* Integration of the pain management interface, which patients use to rate their degree of pain, to various information systems and the staff paging system to enable more rapid response; and

* The ability to select welcome/orientation videos to be the first content available for patients when they turn on the television.

More information is available at getwellnetwork.com.

--Joseph Goedert