Watching TV Can Improve Patient Health

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – September 21, 2010) –  The Patient Channel and the Newborn Channel, part of the nation’s largest hospital-based health television network, currently available in over 2,700 hospitals nationwide, today announced the addition of twelve exciting new programs designed to promote patient wellness and parenting success.

A survey* commissioned by the Patient Channel shows that 43% of Americans felt that they didn’t receive enough information regarding their own or a loved one’s condition during their last hospital stay, and hospitalized patients often have difficulty getting health information at the very time they want it most — at the point of care.

The new programs, which range in content from helping dads become more involved in infant care to how patients can finally quit smoking, deliver important health information and advice in an entertaining and engaging format that positively affects patient lifestyle decisions upon discharge.

All programs are developed by the Patient Channel and the Newborn Channel, with the clinical guidance and expertise of its distinguished medical advisors and review board. Videos are shot on location and feature national health experts and patient stories told by the patients and their physicians. This unique storytelling helps patients better understand and cope with what is required to manage their care.

“With the increases in fiscal restrictions and regulations, it is more difficult than ever for doctors and nurses to give each patient the personal care and attention they would like and as a result, the patient may miss out on important information,” said Dave Ross, Chief Operating Officer, Interactivation Health Networks. “We’ve added programs designed to help hospitals not only meet requirements for regulatory compliance and reimbursement but also supply patients with a source of poignant and credible advice.”

“The Patient Channel and Newborn Channel provide our nurses with the resources they need to supplement their patient and family education. It also gives us valuable tools to help us meet some of our regulatory requirements to provide mandated education to our patients,” said Beth Quinn-O’Neill, Director of Clinical and Community Education at Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, NJ, which has been participating in the network since 2002.

The following programs have been recently added and are now available in all participating hospitals:

NEWBORN CHANNEL

• Mommy Calls — Information on when new moms should call the doctor
• Mommy Don’t Smoke — A practical guide to quitting
• Shaken Baby Syndrome — Information on how to avoid a preventable tragedy
• Special Care for Preemies — A look at the special needs of premature newborns
• Baby’s Clean Home — Information about creating a safe and clean home for babies
• Keeping Baby Safe — Important safety information for new parents
• Dad’s Role with Baby — Pointers for Dads new to parenting

PATIENT CHANNEL

• Men’s Health: Advice to Baby Boomers — Health issues unique to male boomers
• Women’s Health: Advice to Baby Boomers — Health issues unique to female boomers
• Stop Smoking Today — A practical guide to quitting
• Living With Heart Disease — How to resume life after a heart attack and avoid readmission
• Preventing Flu and Pneumonia — The latest information, just in time for the cold and flu season

For a full listing of the Patient Channel’s programming please click here and for the Newborn Channel’s programming click here, or visit thepatientchannel.com and thenewbornchannel.com for more information.

*The Patient Channel Hospital Patient Education Survey was commissioned through ORC International. The survey was conducted among 1,025 American adults [509 men and 516 women] living in private households, age 18 years and older. The overall margin of error for the survey was +/- 3%.

About Interactivation Health Networks
The Patient Channel and the Newborn Channel are the most comprehensive in-hospital TV networks. Delivered directly to patient rooms and waiting areas, the Channels provide viewers with original, award-winning health programs and advertisers with the unique ability to integrate brand messaging with content that is compelling and endorsed by healthcare professionals. The Newborn Channel broadcasts baby care and postpartum programming for new parents, reaching 60% of new moms. The Patient Channel features both condition-specific and preventative health programming to empower and inform patients. The channels are currently available in over 2,700 hospitals nationwide. For more information, visit www.thenewbornchannel.com and www.thepatientchannel.com