GetWellNetwork unveils iPad capabilities for IPC solution

February 17, 2012 Eric Wicklund, Editor, mHIMSS

For years GetWellNetwork has marketed its interactive patient care solution as an ideal means of linking the patient to hospital-based educational and entertainment resources through a laptop or computer setup. Now they’re going mobile.

The Bethesda, Md.-based company has announced that its IPC solution is available on the Apple iPad, and will be demonstrating the new offering at next week’s HIMSS12 Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas.

“Our growing hospital community is encouraging us to take bold steps to further patient engagement as a core strategy for performance improvement and health transformation,” said Michael O’Neil, the company’s president, in a Feb. 16 press release. “We are committed to helping hospitals support their patient populations in managing their health across the continuum of care through the use of multiple devices that enable patients to access the information they need, regardless of where they are.”

“The availability of our solution on the iPad is an exciting component of our larger strategy to engage patients at critical care points and to encourage their participation in their own health by providing ubiquitous access to patient engagement tools,” he added. “The best is ahead.”

The announcement continues the company’s recent trend of moving its products out of the traditional hospital room setting and giving patients and providers the opportunity to communicate while on the move. Late last year, the company unveiled GetWell@Home, a solution designed to link the patients with caregivers and physicians post-discharge to continue the care plan at home.

Company officials say the iPad version of GetWellNetwork’s IPC solution is the first application of its kind in the interactive patient care environment, and is designed not only for the patient but also for the provider. While patients and their families can access patient-facing information, clinicians using an iPad can access clinical and communication tools, allowing them to maintain contact in such settings as the emergency department, neo-natal intensive care units and outpatient areas.

“Children's of Alabama is pleased to partner with GetWellNetwork using iPads to provide access to the comprehensive library of KidsHealth education videos previously available only to hospitalized patients,” said Marilyn Prier, MPH, RN, director of Comprehensive Health Education for Kids at Birmingham, Ala.-based Children’s of Alabama, in the press release. “This innovative strategy will allow us to provide the educational videos to patients in all areas of our hospital, including the specialty clinics and emergency room.”

“Patients and providers are always on the run so using iPads will allow these interventions to occur at the bedside, in clinics, waiting rooms, anywhere,” added Meghan Kelly, MSEd, CCLS, of the New York City-based Montefiore Medical Center.

Company officials say administrators can also use the iPad version to access the GetWellNetwork Management Console and Executive Dashboard.