Meriter Launches Interactive Experience for JointCare Program

Online, March 31, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Meriter Health Services announced today a new experience for their JointCare program, allowing total joint replacement surgery patients to access and interact with their care plans online.

The online Guided CarePath, designed by Madison-based Wellbe, is fully integrated with all aspects Meriter's existing patient program -- pre-admissions testing, JointCare class, and physical therapy -- to create a single, streamlined experience. The new program is offered to all hip or knee replacement patients at no extra charge.

"The program helps us engage with patients in a new, innovative way, empowering them to be educated and involved in their care," said Phil Swain, Director of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at Meriter. "From pre-operative preparation to post-operative rehabilitation, the program will provide patients with the information they need to achieve the best possible outcome."

A patient's Guided CarePath is accessible 24 hours a day via the web on any device. Meriter Hospital staff enroll patients when they are scheduled for surgery, and the program guides patients step-by-step through preparation, hospital stay and recovery from surgery. Everything patients need to know, do, and keep track of is conveniently provided to them at just the right time.

Enrolled patients get convenient online access to all the information they need right when they need it along the journey of care, including:

- Checklists and reminders to make the surgical journey less stressful

- Convenient access to important educational materials regarding total joint replacement

- Informative videos, including follow-along exercises

- Ability to do planning and complete forms online to simplify paperwork

- Surveys to provide the surgeon and orthopedic team with important feedback

- Updates delivered to family members as patients progress through the program

"Guided patient engagement throughout the care cycle can help improve outcomes, reduce risks of setbacks, and speed up recovery," said James Dias, CEO of Wellbe. "We are excited that our friends, families and neighbors in Dane County will be able to benefit from the use of this new tool."

About Meriter Health Services (http://www.meriter.com)
Meriter Health Services, an affiliate of UnityPoint Health, is a nationally recognized health system comprised of Meriter Medical Group, offering primary and specialty care; Meriter Hospital, a nonprofit 448 bed community hospital; and Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation. Meriter is a 2013 recipient of the National Research Corporations' coveted Innovative Best Practice award, Top Rated Adult Doctors award and Top Rated Pediatric Doctors award. Meriter provides a comprehensive array of patient-focused inpatient and outpatient services to meet the health needs of Dane County.