MediaCare Software to Transform Communication Between Hospital Staff & Patients

CINCINNATI, Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthcare Information Systems (HCI) has announced the release of their MediaCare 2 software solution for hospitals, designed to increase staff efficiency and improve patient communication and education. HCI will demonstrate this latest technology solution publicly for the first time at the 2011 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition, February 20-24, in Orlando, FL.

A services-based solution that networks hospital IPTVs, MediaCare 2 provides staff with the ability to push content to a patient's television from a centralized location.  Staff can assign educational videos to a specific patient for viewing on their in-room TV, 24/7, with information on treatment, medications, and discharge instructions. A log of all content assigned and viewed is recorded and can be included with the patient's file.

MediaCare 2 greatly reduces hospital staff's non-clinical tasks while increasing overall efficiency and patient communication. Staff can monitor and control all TV functions remotely from a centralized location, including powering a TV on and off, setting parameters for quiet time, adjusting the volume and loading accessible channels. Messages can be sent to a single patient, to an entire floor or to all TVs on the network with hospital announcements, such as upcoming chaplain visits, fire drills or even the lunch menu.

For patients and visitors, MediaCare 2 provides access to a library of educational videos regarding treatment and care which can be viewed on their own schedule. In addition, patients can access entertainment videos and music on demand by simply using their bedside pillow speaker. Providing better patient education and enhancing the overall experience, results in decreased readmissions and improved HCAHPS scores for hospitals.

"Delivery of patient education historically has been difficult to administer as it has been primarily on a per-patient basis and educational material is not available around the clock," says Mike Wlotzko, VP Sales & Marketing for HCI. "MediaCare 2 enhances staff communication with the patient as education is delivered when and where it is needed."

Designed to be a standalone network, MediaCare 2 can be operational in days and has proven to be the most cost-effective educational delivery system for many hospitals. All IPTV and server configuration is performed by HCI prior to shipment, and installation onsite is as easy as connecting power and network connections to the IPTVs and server. The system allows for an unlimited number of users with different permission and security levels as assigned by hospital IT.

HCI is based in Cincinnati, Ohio and has been a provider of education and entertainment solutions for healthcare for over 40 years. With installations throughout the U.S. and Canada, their products couple the latest technologies with cost-effective software solutions, hospital grade televisions and accessories. HCI's solutions are designed to increase patient satisfaction and promote consistent patient care. Visit www.HCI-TV.com to learn more about HCI's complete line of hospital grade products and solutions.

SOURCE HCI