Web Sites Connect Patients, Families
By Karen Shideler, The Wichita Eagle, Kan.
Oct. 13–For three years, Diana Waddell has watched, worried and rejoiced as the son of her best friend fought medical problems.
Three times, he went to Michigan for surgery that couldn’t be done in Wichita. Waddell followed his successful treatment through CarePages, one of several Web companies that allow patients and families to stay in contact through serious illnesses.
Having seen CarePages in action, Waddell now is happy that Via Christi Health Network, where she is director of patient access, will be offering the blog service to its patients.
The official launch is today, but some patients already are using it.
Wichita hospitals have been putting the Internet to use for patients for several years, through e-mail service and by posting newborns’ pictures, for example.
CarePages takes the concept further, allowing patients and family members to post updates and photos on secure sites for viewing by those who have been granted access. An e-mail alert goes out when new information is posted.
Because the information is released by the patient, no medical privacy laws are broken.
The service allows patients and their families to maintain close contacts during a stressful time, said Claudio Ferraro, Via Christi’s vice president for strategic planning and marketing.
He already has heard from families who appreciate being able to share information at their convenience and from friends who appreciate being updated without worrying about disturbing the patient.
CarePages is free, and anyone — even those who aren’t Via Christi patients — can set up a page at www.carepages.com [http://www.carepages.com]. Similar services are available at other sites, such as CaringBridge (www.caringbridge.org [http://www.caringbridge.org]) and the Status (www.thestatus.com [http://www.thestatus.com]).
Via Christi patients who set up pages through the sponsored link have access to information about the health system, medical conditions and other information. In addition, they can acknowledge those who care for them during hospitalizations — an important form of feedback for Via Christi.
Via Christi also benefits in that such services are designed to reduce the number of telephone calls that staff members must take, to market services and to increase customer satisfaction.
For more information
To find out how the CarePages work, visit www.via-christi.org [http://www.via-christi.org], www.getgreatcare.com [http://www.getgreatcare.com] or www.carepages.com [http://www.carepages.com].
Reach Karen Shideler at 316-268-6674 or kshideler@wichitaeagle.com [mailto:kshideler@wichitaeagle.com].
—–
Copyright (c) 2006, The Wichita Eagle, Kan.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.