Spectrum Health announced today its strategic relationship with Cerner and Microsoft. in developing the Cerner Care Console solution, which empowers patients to take an active role in their care.
The Care Console system keeps patients informed about their condition, medical care and provider team during their hospital stay. In addition, Cerner also has incorporated separately the use of Xbox 360 retail consoles into this system to offer patients gaming and entertainment experiences. Spectrum Health is piloting implementation of the Care Console system in one of its units at its 750-bed Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.
"Our goal is to engage patients in a full partnership with us so we can provide the highest quality care and best experience possible," said Matt VanVranken, executive vice president, Spectrum Health System/president, Spectrum Health Grand Rapids. "Informed and involved patients are essential to providing exceptional experiences in our hospitals."
With input from patients, nurses and physicians, Cerner worked with Spectrum Health to develop a consumer-oriented system that allows patients to actively participate in their care. Cerner and Spectrum Health found that patients could benefit from communication tools easily accessible at the bedside that range from access to their daily care plan to reviewing radiology images to diversional activities such as e-mail, movies and video games.
"We are thrilled to work with Cerner and Spectrum Health to provide this innovative healthcare solution to patients," said Chris Sullivan, U.S. health provider industry solutions director, Health and Life Sciences Group, Microsoft. "With the integration of Vista Ultimate, which includes Windows Media Center, to this solution, the patient's experience is enhanced by making it easy and convenient to actively participate in care, communicate with healthcare providers through e-mail, and stay entertained by watching movies, listening to music or playing video games."
The Care Console system provides a wealth of information to patients at the bedside, helping them to be more involved in the care experience. By utilizing the Care Console system's various educational features, caregivers and patients can engage in dialogue about the patient's condition, needs and experiences during the hospital stay. The entertainment component of the system, powered by Microsoft Windows Media Center and Xbox 360, provides a positive diversion for patients, allowing them to listen to music, play video games and watch movies or watch live TV.
"The Cerner Care Console system takes the patient and family healthcare experience to a new level - truly creating patient-centered care," said Kris White, vice president, patient affairs Spectrum Health. "This healthcare solution will allow patients to not only have access to their health information but also to discuss it with their physician at the bedside and participate in their care in a meaningful way."
"We support Cerner's efforts to provide hospitalized patients some of the best games and entertainment offerings available from Microsoft," said Gunn Robison, Microsoft's director of U.S. marketing for entertainment and devices. "We hope the Cerner Care Console will not only offer patients' better care, but also a more enjoyable hospital stay."
Features of the Care Console system include:
- My Health Notes - Facilitates patient/provider communication by allowing patients to write electronic notes to their physicians with questions about their care.
- My Education - Provides patients with access to health education prescribed by their care team. Access to reliable health information encourages patients to become informed about their condition and medical decisions.
- My Care Team - Provides patients a pictorial introduction to the individuals responsible for their care and explains their roles.
- My Schedule - Presents patients with an itinerary of their specific events for the day as well as a patient-specific task list.
- My Hospital - Presents patients with information about their hospital, including lists of services and maps.
- My Opinion - Invites patients to provide real-time feedback regarding their hospital stay. This enables point-of-service adjustments to care to address patient concerns and supports rapid cycle improvement.
- My Entertainment - Enables patients to watch live TV, select movies, listen to music, and play Xbox games or play online games.
