National Jewish and PDHI add 'MyAsthma' online Self-Care Resource to National Jewish Web Site
National Jewish Medical and Research Center today announced a strategic relationaship with Potocol Driven Healthcare, inc. (PDHI) to deploy a new, interactive, online resource to help people with asthma track and manage PDHI's my asthma online resource to the center's web site (www.nationaljewish.org) allowing consumers to better understand and monitor interactively their chronic respiratory disease.
MyAsthma offers a full menu of self-care services allowing those living with asthma to track and record their condition online, communicate online with National Jewish registered nurses, as well as read and review clinical research and peer-reviewed articles on the treatment of asthma.
"This program helps consumers better understand their disease and take steps to stay healthy," says David Tinkelman, MD, vice president, Health Initiatives, National Jewish.
In addition, National Jewish will use MyAsthma to help monitor patients enrolled in this hospital’s disease management program. National Jewish monitors asthma symptoms for more than 5,000 consumers for a variety of U.S. health plans.
"We believe the Internet offers an unprecedented means for consumers to proactively manage chronic diseases, while allowing health-care providers to improve their quality of care by offering a highly efficient means of delivering credible support to any population, regardless of where they live or work," says Steve Jolley, chairman and CEO of PDHI. "National Jewish is at the forefront of employing online technologies to serve a patient population that is increasingly turning to the Internet for credible information on better managing their health."
Users of the interactive service will have unlimited online access to LUNG LINE,Ò National Jewish’s health answer service staffed by registered nurses.
"MyAsthma will enable our disease management caregivers to detect symptom changes and guide patients through a course of treatment before an asthma attack occurs," Dr. Tinkelman says.
All patient information submitted to MyAsthma will be stored on a secure server to assure privacy and confidentiality.
PDHI’s MyAsthma follows the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. The MyAsthma Diary includes a quality of life questionnaire that records over time the impact of asthma on a person’s day-to-day life and activities.
Currently, more than 17 million Americans suffer from asthma. Many of these consumers can better manage the disease through increased education and self-care. A leader in the emerging field of online disease management, PDHI owns and manages a number of interactive, self-care Web sites for such diseases as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and other chronic conditions. The company employs a team of more than 30 healthcare professionals who work with online consumers to track their condition and provide personalized education so they can better manage a chronic disease.
The National Jewish MyAsthma Web site carries the National Jewish branding and reflects the institution’s active participation in and support of patient treatment. To view the site, go to www.nationaljewish.org, and click on the "Interactive Diary" icon in the lower navigation bar.
About PDHI
Founded in 1997, Protocol Driven Healthcare, Inc. provides corporate clients with branded, medically credible, interactive Web sites for chronic conditions. PDHI’s behavior-changing tools help to reduce the cost of care by minimizing emergency episodes and long-term complications, and by reducing the number of days missed from work due to sickness or care-giving.
About National Jewish Medical and Research Center
National Jewish is the only medical and research center in the United States devoted entirely to respiratory, allergic and immune system diseases, including asthma, tuberculosis, emphysema, severe allergies, AIDS, cancer and autoimmune diseases, such as lupus. Founded in 1899 as a hospital for tuberculosis (TB) patients, National Jewish enters the 21st century dedicated to enhancing prevention, treatment and cures through research, and to developing and providing innovative clinical programs. For two years in a row, U.S. News and World Report has named National Jewish Medical and Research Center the #1 Respiratory Hospital in the United States.
