[October 28, 2014]

Skylight Healthcare Systems Announces Annual Achievement Award Winners

Healthcare professionals from leading acute care, specialty, academic, and pediatric hospitals gathered at the Hotel Del Coronado Oct. 13 - 15 for Skylight's Eighth Annual Client Conference. The conference recognized 24 hospitals for excellence in quality, safety, satisfaction and engagement. Thirty-two awards were given across three categories: Outstanding Achievement in Patient and Staff Engagement, Innovations in Quality and Patient Experience and Excellence in Patient Safety and Clinical Care. The full list of award recipients can be found here.

Emerging from this year's conference, which has grown to become one of the industry's foremost gatherings of patient experience and patient engagement advocates, is a community of engaged leaders transforming healthcare. This community is comprised of hospital leaders and healthcare professionals from around the nation working to implement programs and strategies that enhance the patient experience and improve the quality of health care.

The conference featured three keynote presentations and more than 36 speakers. Client speakers shared best practices and successful programs to improve patient satisfaction, patient engagement, and the quality and safety of care. Sessions also demonstrated effective cost reduction programs and new, innovative ways to use interactive patient technology to help hospitals better manage patient populations.

The three keynote speakers provided perspective and encouragement to hospital leaders as they navigate the consistently fluctuating and fragmented health care system. Charles Kunkle, MSN, CEN, BC-NA, director of emergency/critical care services at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Penn. pened the conference with his lively presentation. Kunkle shared with attendees various ways to communicate compassionate care without taking up more time.

Director of Digital Medicine at Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) and cardiologist for the Scripps Clinic, Dr. Steven Steinhubl walked attendees through some of the emerging technologies that will change the way patients manage their health and the way health care is delivered.

Finally, Joan M. Meadows, RN, MN, senior director of educational services for The Advisory Board Company, opened the second day of the conference. In her presentation, Joan provided valuable operational insights gleaned from extensive industry research pertaining to the implications of health care transformation on clinical practice.

"The Skylight Client Conference brings together like-minded people to share ideas, brainstorm solutions, and inspire each other," said Darrell Atkin, director of marketing for Skylight Healthcare Systems. "This year was no different. We continue to see phenomenal growth and are continuously impressed by the quality conversations and brilliant ideas that develop as a result of the conference."

"I am amazed and inspired by the focus and progress that Skylight and its partner hospitals throughout the country have made to improve the patient experience," Kunkle said. "It is truly a committed and patient-centered crew at its best and I am honored to be a part of this innovative and inspiring community."

About the Skylight Healthcare Systems Client Conference

The first Skylight Client Conference took place in 2007. Every year since, the Conference has shown annual growth of 40 percent. As the first and largest conference focusing on improving the patient experience through the use of interactive patient care systems, the Client Conference has evolved into an essential healthcare event. The conference features top healthcare industry presenters including many of Skylight's innovative hospital partners who share their knowledge and experience addressing many of healthcare's challenges. Attendees represent hospitals from large, teaching institutions to community hospitals. No matter what the size, each is working on important initiatives to improve the quality of care, increase patient satisfaction, better manage the health of their populations, and reduce the overall costs of care.

About Skylight® Healthcare Systems

For more than a decade, San Diego-based Skylight® Healthcare Systems has been transforming the patient experience throughout the continuum of care. From pre-admission through post-discharge, Skylight CareNavigator™, the company's innovative interactive patient care system, uses common communication devices including televisions, computers, and mobile devices to address patient and family needs in health education, services and communication with physicians and care teams. Hospitals subsequently experience improved HCAHPS, reduced readmissions, greater clinical efficiencies and increased reimbursements. Together with Skylight's account management and clinical consulting teams, hospitals, health systems and Accountable Care Organizations deploy CareNavigator™ to manage populations, increase patient satisfaction and achieve meaningful use. CareNavigator also integrates with existing hospital systems to streamline clinical workflow, improve operational efficiencies, and enhance revenue through additional service offerings including pharmacy and retail. For more information about Skylight's tools and impact on the patient experience, visit www.skylight.com.

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