TeleHealth Services and Reading Hospital and Medical Center Partner to Reach Technology-Driven Patient Education Goals

Online, September 14, 2010 (Newswire.com) - TeleHealth Services, the nation's leading provider of healthcare grade televisions and interactive patient education solutions, today announced a new partnership with The Reading Hospital and Medical Center (TRHMC). The 671-bed hospital chose TeleHealth Services as their interactive patient education and entertainment partner as an extension of the hospital's Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP).

The Reading Hospital is highly regarded for their clinical excellence across an expanse of healthcare services. The TIGR interactive patient education system is an addition to The Reading Hospital's use of evidence-based treatment guidelines to promote consistency of care and positive patient outcomes. The combination of consistent patient education materials delivered at the optimal teaching moment bolsters Reading's commitment to community health education and will aid in maintaining their Joint Commission full accreditation and increasing reimbursements.

"As a medical group we are committed to providing excellent service to our community and we maintain a highly involved quality management team to help coordinate all aspects of clinical care," said Greg Racow, manager of media services for The Reading Hospital and Medical Center. "TeleHealth Services' beliefs and approach mirrored our values and commitment to providing the highest levels of quality healthcare. TIGR's use of the television as a multi-sensory teaching medium and interactivity provides patients with a clear understanding of their condition and after-hospital care instructions, therefore reducing readmissions and empowering the patient in their recovery process."

TIGR enables hospitals to improve the patient experience while increasing the value, quality and service of healthcare delivery. This interactive system features video-on-demand access to a hospital's entire library of educational videos at the patient bedside. TIGR simplifies education delivery for the hospital staff and improves retention of information for the patients. TeleHealth Services recently signed a partnership to provide the new Samsung 458 series healthcare television. The new line of healthcare televisions integrates hospital-specific features to provide education and entertainment solutions that optimize operational efficiency, promote patient satisfaction and improve sustainability.

"Creating informed and engaged patients is a proven strategy for improving quality and lowering healthcare costs" stated Richard Bootes, vice president of development for TeleHealth Services. "The TIGR interactive patient education system is fundamentally changing the way the hospitals engage patients in their recovery process. Through this partnership, The Reading Hospital is making effective communication with patients the standard of optimal care. Our shared commitment to improving the safety and quality of care provided to patients allows a strong base for our relationship both now and in the future."

About The Reading Hospital and Medical Center:
Located in West Reading, Penn., The Reading Hospital and Medical Center is a 671-bed, not-for-profit healthcare center providing comprehensive acute care, post-acute rehabilitation, behavioral, and occupational health services to the people of Berks and adjoining counties.

In addition to the 36-acre West Reading campus, the Hospital also has a 112-bed Post-Acute Rehabilitation Hospital in Spring Township, a SurgiCenter in Spring Township, and more than 20 laboratory and imaging centers county-wide.

Designated as a Level II Trauma Center, TRHMC also specializes in cancer, heart, orthopaedic, and women's health services.

About TeleHealth Services:
With more than 2,500 healthcare clients across the country, TeleHealth Services is the nation's leading provider of integrated technology and communications solutions for the healthcare market. Combining 50+ years of healthcare expertise and partnerships with industry leading manufacturers, TeleHealth Services is uniquely positioned to offer a full suite of hospital technology solutions that includes:

• Interactive patient and staff education platforms
• Healthcare-grade televisions and accessories
• Patient protection and security systems
• Bedside patient entertainment solutions
• The latest educational and entertainment content
• Custom designed communication systems
• Comprehensive design, implementation, and service packages
• Flexible financing solutions

Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., TeleHealth Services is a division of Telerent Leasing Corporation. Telerent, founded in 1957, operates as a subsidiary of ITOCHU International, Inc. For more information on TeleHealth, call 800-733-8610, or visit at http://www.telehealth.com/.

Contact:
Matt Barker
Director of Marketing
TeleHealth Services
919-772-8604
[email protected]