Healthwise Featured in HEALTHvision and LaurusHealth Web Products
Health/Medical Writers
BOISE, Idaho--(BW HealthWire)--March 28, 2000-- Healthwise, Incorporated, has been named the consumer health information provider for <%=company%>, a leading healthcare Internet company focused exclusively on providing customized, branded, Web-based solutions to local healthcare delivery systems. Healthwise was selected based on its in-depth, decision-focused and easy-to-understand content. This contract will enable Healthwise information to reach physicians, patients, consumers and employees through healthcare organization Web sites enabled by HEALTHvision. The depth and breadth of the health information provided by Healthwise will give HEALTHvision content appropriate for use across all of its healthcare Internet solutions. In turn, this partnership allows the local healthcare organization to bring evidence-based, award-winning and peer-reviewed health information to its key audiences from a single, trusted source. The Healthwise resource, in combination with other components of HEALTHvision's solutions, can help reduce medical errors by providing clinicians and medical staff pertinent healthcare information and diagnostic aids at the point of care. "Consumer demand for trustworthy and comprehensive health information is growing rapidly, and HEALTHvision is committed to enabling the local healthcare organization to be that trusted resource," said Scott Decker, CEO of HEALTHvision. "Incorporating the comprehensive healthcare content of Healthwise into our Internet-based solutions will allow HEALTHvision to deliver quality health information that has been published for all constituents of healthcare organizations -- clinicians, patients and consumers." The HEALTHvision contract expands the relationship that Healthwise has maintained for the past two years with VHA Inc. through LaurusHealth.com, VHA's comprehensive consumer and physician Internet resource. LaurusHealth.com features Healthwise information on its Web site as well as on co-branded and integrated Web sites it develops for VHA's nationwide network of more than 1,900 leading community-owned health care organizations. HEALTHvision provides the technology platform for the LaurusHealth.com Web site. More than 100 health systems representing over 240 hospitals and their affiliated physicians are part of the LaurusHealth.com network. "Today's patients want to be active participants in decisions about the care they receive," said Dr. Peter Plantes, LaurusHealth medical director. "With Healthwise information, we are helping patients and their families learn more about diagnoses, symptoms, treatment options and medications. And they have the confidence of knowing their doctor endorses the information." More than 1,900 major topics, including medications, diagnosed conditions, medical tests and treatments, are covered in the Healthwise Knowledgebase. Top medical writers and editors from Healthwise bring the best medical research to the fingertips of the average consumer. Every topic is referenced to medical literature and reviewed by one or more of the 65 experts on the Healthwise medical review board. Healthwise differs from other consumer health information sources in three important ways:
-- Healthwise information is credible and reliable. It is created from and referenced to evidence-based medical literature.
-- Healthwise covers more health problems, more thoroughly. The logical, understandable decision points make the information easy to use.
-- Healthwise follows a 25-year tradition of consumer advocacy. "Healthwise creates prescription-strength information," said Don Kemper, CEO of Healthwise. "The Healthwise Knowledgebase is a safe and reliable Internet tool that consumers can trust for making better decisions with their doctors."
Consumers Can Help Prevent Medical Errors
Healthwise has long s upported the notion that an informed patient gets the best healthcare. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) encourages patients to be informed, active participants in their healthcare. According to their site, "The single most important way you can help to prevent errors is to be an active member of your healthcare team. That means taking part in every decision about your healthcare. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results." "Information is the great equalizer in healthcare," said Kemper. "But not all information is created equal. Evidence-based health information helps the consumer speak the same language as their doctors and hospital providers. That means better decisions and better care."