SAN DIEGO and CELEBRATION, Fla., Oct. 17, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Skylight Healthcare Systems, the pioneer in hospital patient communication technology, has formed an exclusive partnership with The Paquin Group, the nation's leading specialist in healthcare-based retail, to promote consumer retail strategies within hospitals. The new partnership will help hospitals offer complex retail solutions to their patients and expand on the patient satisfaction components provided by Skylight.
"Hospitals are actively embarking on a strategy of viewing their patients as consumers. That means a new focus on the experience and resources provided for patients. Healthcare retail can provide critical new revenue sources. At the same time, it gives patients something they want -- products and services at their convenience," said Tony Paquin, CEO, The Paquin Group. "With an integrated retail solution, hospitals can offer logical extensions of existing services that add convenience and value, complement established clinical services, and enhance clinical performance -- all while creating additional sources of revenue to support the mission of a healing institution."
The recent introduction of interactive patient TV systems into hospitals has created new retail opportunities. The partnership between Skylight and Paquin will provide the infrastructure for hospitals to pursue meaningful retail strategies, such as offering direct sales or direct access to hospital retail and service partners -- for example, for medically relevant convenience products and services that are non-reimbursable.
"Skylight's ACCESS Interactive Patient System enables better interaction with patients for retail options by enabling a more efficient method of encouraging new products and solutions. In addition to providing retail and educational resources, Skylight can improve utilization and administrative outcomes, including more efficient and effective discharge planning and patient/physicians communications," said David Schofield, President and CEO, Skylight Healthcare Systems. "By combining retail strategies with in-room patient communication technology, hospitals can enhance customer service, create additional sources of revenue, and become more competitive."
About Skylight Healthcare Systems
San Diego-based Skylight Healthcare Systems is the proven choice for interactive patient system technology. The company focuses on products and services that create operational efficiencies, improve patient satisfaction and enhance productivity. Skylight's ACCESS Interactive Patient System provides a bi-directional patient communication platform at the bedside. Hospital services include custom content and interactive communications, on-demand health education, patient survey technology, and in-room dining service capabilities. Digital entertainment services include feature film rentals, premium cable TV, music, high-speed Internet, e-mail access and interactive games. For more information, visit: www.skylight.com.
About The Paquin Group
The Paquin Group is an alliance of industry-leading experts and resources created to assist hospitals in the implementation of healthcare retail strategies. The company's core mission is to increase revenue opportunities and minimize risks for healthcare organizations. As Medicare reimbursement rates continue to be pressured downward and expenses rise, new sources for non-reimbursed revenues are becoming essential to the financial viability of hospitals. The Paquin Group helps hospitals identify and implement these new retail revenue strategies. For more information, visit: www.thepaquingroup.com.