Interactive Care Network Collaborates with Interactive Patient Communication Systems to Offer Hospitals Valuable Post Acute Care Content

Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) September 19, 2007 -- Interactive Care Network?s (ICN) educational guide and search engine of post hospital care services continues to expand its availability to hospital patients at the bedside through interactive patient communication systems. ICN?s web-based application is designed to support staff during the hospital discharge process and empowers patients and caregivers with a tool which allows them to take a more active role in their healthcare decisions.

ICN (www.icarenetwork.com) has compiled one of the most comprehensive databases of post hospital care available, showcasing nine categories of services from outpatient rehabilitation to hospice care as well as specialty categories for facilities offering Alzheimer?s or ventilator care. Primarily designed for interactive patient communication systems; multiple search methods provide patients and caregivers with the ability to easily research, navigate and view amenities of the closest providers meeting their particular post hospital needs while still in the inpatient setting. At the same time family members and healthcare professionals can access the same information over the internet including additional resources and other helpful links which have been compiled to provide support and direction throughout the discharge process.

The discharge planning process requires the effective coordination of resources and involves multiple levels of communication and education with patients and family members. Too often patients and caregivers are ill prepared and unfamiliar with post hospital care options and everything that must be considered to promote a proper environment for recovery. Metropolitan areas compound the challenges nurses, discharge planners, and patients face because of the large number of providers. The proper representation and depiction of a patient?s options becomes increasingly more unlikely as hospital staff are expected to maintain practical knowledge of a service?s location, scope of care, environment, and amenities.

?The positive impact of ICN?s content to the efficiency of a hospital?s discharge process intersects several key operational and compliance elements such as bed management, utilization and patient satisfaction,? said Andy Figallo, co-founder of Interactive Care Network. ICN CEO, Dr. Christopher Tobin added, ?It is always beneficial when you can partner with organizations that possess the same dedication to meeting hospital objectives and enhancing the patient experience as we do.?

ICN is partnered with the following leaders in the Interactive Patient Communication industry:

GetWellNetwork

GetWellNetwork, Inc. has partnered with more than 50 thought leading hospitals and healthcare systems; the GetWellNetwork Patient Life System? delivers innovative technology and services to drive optimal patient outcomes. Empowering patients as active participants in the healthcare process, GetWellNetwork?s 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.

Skylight Health Care Systems

San Diego-based Skylight Healthcare Systems focuses on products and services that create operational efficiencies, improve patient satisfaction and enhance productivity. Skylight's ACCESS? Interactive Patient System provides a bi-directional patient communication platform at the bedside. Hospital services include custom content and interactive communications, on-demand health education, patient survey technology, and in-room dining service capabilities. Digital entertainment services include feature film rentals, premium cable TV, music, high-speed Internet, e-mail access and interactive games.

TeleHealth Services

TigrNet? is a product of TeleHealth Services a provider of integrated display solutions for the healthcare market: point-of-care clinical access, bedside internet access, patient and staff video-on-demand education systems, hospital-grade televisions and accessories, education and entertainment content, and design, installation, maintenance and financing services. It is a division of Telerent Leasing Corporation, which has been headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, since its founding in 1957. Telerent itself is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITOCHU International, Inc., a U.S. company based in New York City.

About Interactive Care Network: Nostra Concepts, LLC d.b.a. Interactive Care Network (ICN) is comprised of health care professionals with more than 75 years of combined experience in the nursing and rehabilitation industry. Our Mission is to ease the decision making process for hospital patients and families during their transition toward recovery. This is achieved by providing a web based resource tool and search engine of 90,000+ post acute care providers designed specifically for interactive patient communication systems. Available on the web and customized for viewing through a television the content provided is designed to efficiently and effectively assist hospital personnel and patients throughout the discharge process. Interactive Care Network is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, please call 866.682.9103 or visit www.icarenetwork.com.

CONTACT:

Interactive Care Network

Andrea Rockhold, Director of Business Development

(614) 942-0240

arockhold @ icarenetwork.com

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