Care New England uses Web 2.0 technology

PROVIDENCE – Aiming to better meet the needs of patients, physicians and local residents who use or have an interest in its services, the Care New England health system has launched a set of Web sites for its members that promote interactivity with Web 2.0 technology.
More than 8 million people nationwide search the Web for health care information every day, and more than 1 million have visited the six Care New England sites in the last two years.
The new sites, all developed in-house, are designed to enhance visitors’ experiences by making it easier to obtain up-to-date information quickly, with smarter search functionality and more streaming audio and video.
“Health care consumers are increasingly using the Web to find out what may be wrong, learn what their treatment options are, and identify where to get the appropriate clinical care,” said May Kernan, senior vice president of marketing communications. “Our new Web sites are designed to help patients, physicians and the community at large navigate through a wealth of information to more easily find what they need.”
The sites are Care New England’s main site, www.carenewengland.org; Butler Hospital, www.butler.org; Women & Infants Hospital, www.womenandinfants.org; Kent Hospital, www.kenthospital.org; the VNA of Care New England, www.cnehomehealth.org; and the Care New England Wellness Center, www.wellnessctr.org.
Based in Providence, Care New England is a nonprofit health care system offering a continuum of care, with two teaching hospitals affiliated with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, a community hospital, a visiting nurse and home care/hospice agency, and a wellness center.