Partnering with an Area Hospital to Provide Senior Consumer Health Information

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to provide better consumer health information and services to a patient population of a hospital-based nursing home. Nintendo Wii® devices were purchased to improve physical activity of patients in the nursing home. All nurses were trained to use MedlinePlus®. MedlinePlus materials were added to the consumer health library in the hospital, and DVD players were purchased for watching consumer health videos. The capacity of the nursing home and hospital to deliver consumer health information to patients and their families has been improved. This project was a great way to introduce a health care system to the services and products of the National Library of Medicine and empower the staff to better provide consumer health information.

KEYWORDS:

• Consumer health
• MedlinePlus®
• Nintendo Wii®
• seniors

Acknowledgments

This article is based on a poster presentation at the Medical Library Association Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, MN, May 2011.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard L. Wallace

Richard L. Wallace, MA, MDiv, MAOM, MSLS, EdD ([email protected]), is Assistant Director, East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine Library, Box 70693, Johnson City, TN 37614.

Nakia J. Woodward

Nakia J. Woodward, MSIS ([email protected]), is Clinical Reference Librarian, East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine Library, Box 70693, Johnson City, TN 37614.

Judy Willett

Judy Willett ([email protected]) is Nursing Computer Coordinator, Laughlin Memorial Hospital, 1420 Tusculum Boulevard, Greeneville, TN 37745.