The Patient Channel®

Frequently Asked Questions About The Patient Channel®

Questions

  1. Your materials say "at no charge" but if I upgrade now will I be charged down the road for this service?
  2. Can we record the programs that you play on The Patient Channel?
  3. Can we share the programming with our other facilities that do not have an installation?
  4. Is there additional information to go with the programs on The Patient Channel?
  5. Our site does not have TiP-TV currently, what is the cost for The Patient Channel?
  6. I am currently negotiating a service contract that will include TiP-TV. Will I be entitled to the Patient Channel "at no additional cost" upgrade?
  7. I work at an imaging center and would like to receive The Patient Channel. Can I get it at no additional cost?
  8. I work at a hospital in Canada and would like to receive The Patient Channel. Is it available at no cost?
  9. When we upgrade to The Patient Channel will TiP-TV programming also be routed to patient rooms?
  10. Can we receive a TV guide or calendar of The Patient Channel programming?
  11. What type of products will be advertised on The Patient Channel?
  12. I do not have Internet access. Can I get a printed version of The Patient Channel materials?
  13. Why is there advertising on The Patient Channel?
  14. Why do we need this? We have a source for patient education already.
  15. What type of content do you broadcast on The Patient Channel?
  16. Can we get and/or buy copies of the videotapes for distribution on our own internal tape distribution system?
  17. How do you make sure that the content played on the channel is valuable?
  18. Can you tell us how the programs will be scheduled?
  19. How often does the broadcast schedule change? Will the web site be updated with these changes?
  20. Will you be adding new programming to the Patient Channel schedule?
  21. We are concerned about the confidentiality of our patients. What type of data will GE Healthcare collect?
  22. Is the Patient Channel available in Spanish? Are any of your programs available in any other languages?
  23. I am able to receive English closed captioning. How do I receive Spanish closed captioning too?
  24. Does your committee ensure compliance with national guidelines put forth by the National Institutes of Health? Our physicians are concerned that our patients may be receiving information that is not consistent with our current programs.
  25. Are physicians supportive of The Patient Channel? What are the benefits of The Patient Channel for physicians?

Answers

  1. Your materials say "at no charge" but if I upgrade now will I be charged at a later time for this service?
    GE Healthcare offers TiP-TV subscribers an upgrade to The Patient Channel at no additional charge and does not currently plan to charge fees to access patient channel programming. Even if our policy changes in the future, we would not begin charging for the channel without giving you the option of declining it. It would be your option to discontinue the subscription; GE would retrieve the equipment and discontinue service.


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  2. Can we record the programs that you play on The Patient Channel?
    Yes, you can make your own reference videotape copies of our programs to use with staff and patients. Please note the following restrictions:
    1. You must continue to provide the live channel via satellite 24/7 to all patient rooms 2. You may not edit or change the programs in any way.
    3. Programming can be used only within the facility that is licensed to receive The Patient Channel.
    4. You are responsible for making your own copies to use on site; GE cannot supply videotapes of the programs.
    5. GE updates programming continuously and therefore is not responsible for the accuracy of videotape copies.


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  3. Can we share the programming with our other facilities that do not have an installation?
    You may make The Patient Channel available anywhere that your cable TV system reaches. Taping programs for use off site is not allowed. For a small subscription fee, GE will install additional facilities to receive The Patient Channel. We are happy to install at our expense any facility eligible for the TiP-TV upgrade, even if they have never installed previously.


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  4. Is there additional information to go with the programs on The Patient Channel?
    Our programming schedule will always be available at www.thepatientchannel.com. In addition, the web site will have a transcript or content summary of all programs currently airing, as well as a printable version of any recommended actions contained within the program. The intent is to make available any relevant content, which the patient, or their family and friends, can use to manage their health once they leave the hospital.


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  5. Our site does not have TiP-TV currently, what is the cost for The Patient Channel?
    GE Healthcare currently has several specials available for those who would like to purchase The Patient Channel. Please contact our offices and a representative will explain the current options. Contact Us.


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  6. I am currently negotiating a service contract that will include TiP-TV. Will I be entitled to the Patient Channel "at no additional cost" upgrade?
    This promotional offer is valid for a limited time. You will be eligible for the upgrade with no additional cost to your facility as long as you have a signed agreement before this offer runs out.


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  7. I work at an imaging center or clinic and would like to receive The Patient Channel. Is it available at no additional cost? If not, can I get it if I pay for the satellite installation?
    The educational content is primarily targeted to hospitalized patients but we recognize that some of the programming will be of interest to various other health care consumers. The majority of the programs are 25-30 minutes long. The no cost upgrade is only available to acute care facilities but you may purchase the channel at any time. Contact Us


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  8. I work at a hospital in Canada and would like to receive The Patient Channel. Is it available at no cost?
    Canadian sites are not eligible for the "no cost" upgrade. You may purchase the Channel for your facility, but the US centered advertising may not be relevant to your patients. Contact Us.


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  9. When we upgrade to The Patient Channel will TiP-TV programming also be routed to patient rooms?
    Channel access is determined by your distribution system. Another way to control viewing locations is through the individual televisions. Most hospitals limit TiP-TV access by adding or removing the specific channel from the televisions menu, normally via the remote control.


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  10. Can we receive a TV guide or calendar of The Patient Channel programming?
    Our programming schedule will always be available on www.thepatientchannel.com. We provide two types of schedules online for printing and distribution.


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  11. What type of companies will advertise on The Patient Channel?
    Healthcare related companies such as pharmaceutical companies, drugstores, medical device manufacturers and consumer or retail product companies with an interest in reaching healthcare consumers.


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  12. I do not have Internet access. Can I get a printed version of the Patient Channel materials?
    The frequency of updates, number of viewing facilities and total hospital beds in the network make it impractical to print and distribute most of the materials. Posting materials on the web helps keep overall costs to a minimum which is one reason why this upgrade is available at no cost. Facilities with Internet connections are able to access the materials from their Patient libraries or through administrators with web access.


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  13. Why is there advertising on The Patient Channel?
    In order to provide the network free of charge to our current customers, we are supporting the cost through advertising on the channel. There will be fewer ads than on network television, and the types of ads are the same as what patients see on any other cable television station playing in the room.


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  14. Do we need this? We have a source for patient education already.
    Regulations for patient education are increasing, and the BEST education source- the nursing staff and the physicians- are stretched and are being asked to spend more time on procedures and less time educating. What we're trying to do is help provide the basics, engage patients in their treatment and recovery to improve their compliance, and give them a better experience.


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  15. What type of content will you be playing on The Patient Channel?
    Programming will cover the most common conditions and diseases including heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary disease and cancer. We're also addressing common problems in patients such as arthritis, smoking cessation, nutrition, stress management and anxiety. Click here to view our programming schedule and learn about our content.


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  16. Can we get and/or buy copies of the videotapes for distribution on our own internal tape distribution system?
    You can make your own reference videotape copies of our programs to use with staff and patients. Please note the following restrictions:

    > You must continue to provide the live channel via satellite 24/7 to all patient rooms

    >     You may not edit or change the programs in any way

    >     Programming can be used only within the facility that is licensed to receive The Patient Channel

    >     You are responsible for making your own copies to use on site; GE cannot supply videotapes of the programs

    >     GE updates programming continuously and therefore is not responsible for the accuracy of videotape copies


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  17. How do you make sure that the content played on the channel is valuable?
    We conduct surveys of all hospitals in the network, as part of our formal needs assessment process, in developing the channel programming. All content is reviewed by an advisory board made up of board certified physicians and healthcare education experts with expertise in the areas that we cover on the network. In addition, an ethical, legal and regulatory review board will review all programming and ads to ensure that it meets the appropriate standards.


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  18. Can you tell us how the programs are scheduled?
    Patient Channel programs air 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Programs are scheduled in rotating blocks so that the same program repeats during a 24 hour period - giving your patients more than one opportunity to tune in to a broadcast. To view the full schedule, go to http://www.thepatientchannel.com.


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  19. How often will the broadcast schedule change? Will the web site be updated with these changes?
    The broadcast schedule will only change once per quarter (every 3 months) and the web site will be updated at the same time. For the entire quarter, the same programs will air on the same days and times and will not change until the following quarter. Patient Channel coordinators are notified by email and fax about 1 month before the change, so they can relay the new information to staff and patients.


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  20. Will you be adding new programming to the Patient Channel schedule?
    Yes, The Patient Channel programs are continuously refreshed with new and updated content. To minimize the frequency of scheduling changes, however, new programs are only added to the broadcast schedule once per quarter. Patient Channel coordinators are notified by email and fax so they can communicate changes to staff and patients. Contact Us.


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  21. We are concerned about the confidentiality of our patients. What type of data will GE Healthcare collect?
    Our intent is to periodically collect information, to quantify that The Patient Channel is being made available to patient rooms, and to improve the effectiveness of the channel. In all cases, such requests will be coordinated through your assigned representative. Under no circumstances will GE Healthcare collect information in a way that violates HIPAA or other patient privacy and confidentiality standards.


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  22. Is the Patient Channel available in Spanish? Are any of your programs available in any other languages?
    The Patient Channel is closed captioned in Spanish and English. Currently, there are no programs available in other languages.


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  23. I am able to receive English closed captioning. How do I receive Spanish closed captioning too?
    The Patient Channel supports two channels of closed captioning, English is on CC1 and Spanish is on CC2 (note: only one closed caption channel can be viewed at a time). Most newer television sets will allow you to choose four closed captioning channels (CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4) along with other text messaging options. Older sets with closed captioning capability may allow you to choose only two closed captioning channels (CC1 and CC2). The menu structure on some models also includes an ON/OFF captioning feature that is separate from the closed caption channel selection mentioned above. Consult the user's manual for your particular make and model for specific instructions on the closed captioning features.


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  24. Does your committee ensure compliance with national guidelines put forth by the National Institutes of Health? Our physicians are concerned that our patients may be receiving information that is not consistent with our current programs.
    All of our programs are intended to provide the most current and accurate information on the topics covered. We interview and consult with nationally known experts to guide the content. In addition, each of our programs is reviewed by our Programming Review Board. In that vein, we rely heavily on nationally accepted guidelines. For example, In the field of cardio-pulmonary medicine, we specifically consult the guidelines developed by NHLBI, the ACC, AHA, AAAAI, and ACCP.


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  25. Are physicians and nurses supportive of The Patient Channel? What are the benefits of The Patient Channel for healthcare professionals?
    Hospitals have provided feedback on how The Patient Channel benefits nurses and physicians and say they are supportive of the channel. The information provided on the channel will help them to streamline basic education and information that is provided to multiple caregivers associated with each patient.


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