|
June 6, 2007
MGHS launches CarePages, a free Web-based program to keep friends and families connected with patients during and after hospitalization
Family members and friends of patients at Marquette General Health System are now able to share private health updates, photographs and supportive messages through a free, Web-based service called CarePages.
CarePages allows users to create a private, personal Web page to communicate with family and friends before, during and after their stay at Marquette General Hospital.
The free service can minimize the need for repeated phone calls while allowing family members to control how they communicate about health events. |
|
"CarePages is a tremendous resource for our patients and families,” said Dr. Richard Rovin, a neurosurgeon at Marquette General Hospital. “It is so important for patients, families and friends to stay connected during hospitalization, on-going treatment and recovery. Our CarePages team is pleased to provide this opportunity to MGHS.”
Users can access the Marquette General Web site at www.mgh.org and click on the CarePages icon to begin creating their CarePage. Users can update their CarePages to post pictures, invite visitors and post updates. Family and friends can post messages of support and encouragement using their CarePage’s message board. If users have a laptop they can access their CarePage using the wireless access provided throughout MGHS.
“The Web site is very secure and is password protected,” said Laurie Neldberg-Weesen, RN, and program director of the Marquette General Neuroscience Center. “Only patients who choose to put their information on the Web site participate in the program and they can control access by inviting the people they’d like to view and add to it.”
The CarePages system includes an automatic e-mail update system through which family and friends can be notified on the latest information. When users activate a CarePage, the site stays active for as long as a family deems necessary.
CarePages also provides hospital contact and visiting hour information, customized links to facility resources and assistance with medical terminology. The service can be customized to fit the needs of the patient with such features as Spanish language.
CarePages can also make it possible for families to express appreciation to hospital staff or make a gift to the hospital. Through CarePages, patients and families can give a “Care Compliment” or access the Marquette General Foundation “Grateful Patients and Families Program.”
“We created CarePages from our personal experience when our first child was born with a congenital heart defect, requiring multiple surgeries at a very young age,” said Eric Langshur, TLContact, Inc. CEO. “Since that first ‘CarePage’, our site has grown to provide tremendous emotional support for thousands of patients and their families and friends.”
Marquette General Hospital provides computers throughout its facility for family and friends to access CarePages. Computers can be found at Grounds Abound Coffee Shop, the Health Information Center, the surgical waiting family lounge, the ICU waiting room, NICU, the brain tumor resource room, the medical unit family lounge, hospitality guest rooms and the Beacon House.
Any Marquette General Health System patient and family can utilize CarePages. To access the CarePages service, visit the Marquette General Health System Web site at mgh.org and click on the CarePages icon. For more information call MGHS Support at (906) 225-4730.
|
