Cancer Treatment Centers of America(R) Connects Patients and Loved Ones Around the World Through Skylight's iCareChat(TM)


SAN DIEGO, Jan. 26, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skylight Healthcare Systems, the leading provider of Interactive Patient Care systems in hospitals announced today that Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Western Regional Medical Center in Goodyear, Arizona has introduced iCareChat, a new in-room video conferencing service from Skylight. Integrated with Skylight's in-room interactive patient system called ACCESS — a platform that engages the patient with valuable services, information and support — iCareChat provides a live, high-quality video connection enabling their patients to connect with family and loved ones around the world. Through a secure and private connection, patients are free to stay in contact with family and loved ones from the comfort of their room.

iCareChat is an extension of Skylight's robust technology infrastructure that brings an unprecedented range of interactive services, connections, and education directly to patients. Hospitals using iCareChat have documented benefits relating to increased patient satisfaction, improved perception of the hospital experience, and a significant increase in their willingness to recommend the hospital to others.

iCareChat is different than any other video conference capability because it allows patients to enjoy high quality video connection over the in-room television while providing a HIPAA compliant solution giving the patient a secure voice connection that ensures first and foremost patient consent and privacy. iCareChat provides the capability for family members who were not able to be there in person to be "present" with loved ones at vital stages of their life.  By being able to see and talk to a remote loved one, caregivers and patients at CTCA can experience additional support from their family and friends.

"As the nation's first and only all-digital cancer hospital, we are committed to the efficient use of technology, such as iCareChat, to enhance the experience of our patients and caregivers during their visit to our facility," commented David Veillette, President and CEO of Cancer Treatment Centers of America® at Western Regional Medical Center. "We are very pleased to partner with Skylight as they support our unyielding efforts to transform and improve the entire patient experience."

"We support CTCA's Patient Empowerment Medicine principles in which patients and caregivers are positioned at the center of their care and are encouraged to get involved and participate in their own treatment decisions. By making iCareChat available to their patients, CTCA is once again showing the innovative and technical leadership in providing everything their patients need to receive a higher level of care," said David Schofield, President and CEO of Skylight Healthcare Systems.

About Cancer Treatment Centers of America®

Founded in 1988, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) provides a comprehensive, patient-centered treatment model that fully integrates traditional, state-of-the-art medical treatments with scientifically supported complementary therapies such as nutrition, naturopathic medicine, psychological counseling, physical therapy and spiritual support to meet the special, whole-person needs of advanced stage cancer patients. With a network of cancer treatment hospitals and community oncology programs in Arizona, Illinois, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Washington, CTCA encourages patients and their families to participate in treatment decisions with its Patient Empowerment MedicineSM model. For more information about Cancer Treatment Centers of America, go to cancercenter.com.

About iCareChat

iCareChat enhances the overall patient experience by engaging patients and families through a secure and private connection. It is simple to use and allows the hospital to exceed patient expectations by delivering connections and services from locations inside and outside the medical center. It also can be used for communication sessions with friends and family members from home at any time.

iCareChat enables patients to communicate to members of their family care team, in addition to select members of the clinical staff — via a system of strategically located Web cameras linked to televisions in the patient room. With the push of a button and within seconds, patients are able to enjoy video chat from their hospital beds connecting with friends and family around the globe.

About Skylight Healthcare Systems

Founded in 1999, and headquartered in San Diego, CA, Skylight® Healthcare Systems is the industry pioneer in interactive patient care technology. With patient communication and connection as the cornerstone of a safe, comfortable and clinically optimal hospital experience, the Skylight ACCESS® Interactive Patient Care System encourages patients and family to actively participate in their health care, improves communication between staff and patient/family members, and can provide a smoother and faster recovery and discharge plan. With their new products — iCarePassport™ and iCareRounds™ — Skylight is delivering on its strategic vision of providing hospitals with a robust product set which will allow them to greatly enhance connection and communication along the entire patient care continuum from pre-admission through post-discharge. Hospitals implement Skylight to support their ongoing endeavors in improving HCAHPS scores, patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, enhancing operational & service excellence, meeting evolving clinical demands, and delivering on commitments to making a positive difference in the lives of the people they serve.

The Skylight Healthcare Systems logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4652


            

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