New initiative a first for Canadian patients
Toronto (March 9, 2003) - Today, University Health Network announced the launch of a new initiative to help its patients stay in touch with family and friends during their stay in hospital as well as update them on their progress once they are released. TLContact is a web site that allows patients and their families to create their own "CarePage" – a web page that allows them to post updates on their progress for family and friends.
"This is another example of the ways in which University Health Network is making life better not only for our patients, but also for their family and friends," said Dr. Mary Ferguson- Paré, Vice President, Professional Affairs and Chief Nurse Executive, University Health Network. "Our patients will be able to stay in touch with family and friends located anywhere in the world."
In order to create their own CarePage, all a patient (or designated family member or friend) has to do is visit UHN's website at and click on "Communicate with loved ones online". This will direct the patient to www.TLContact.com where patients will choose their desired level of security and be taken through the steps to create their own CarePage. Once the design is complete, the patient can email invitations to family and friends so they can access the site for updated news about their loved one's progress.
For families, this can be a great help as keeping everyone informed before, during and after hospitalization can be time consuming and emotionally draining.
Mary Ferguson-Paré also knows firsthand how valuable this tool will be. "Personally speaking, my husband was recently in hospital and if we had been able to access a service like this, it would have made a huge difference in providing our family and friends with updates on his progress. It can be a huge strain on a family when a loved one is in hospital. A CarePage would have certainly have taken some of the pressure off of us in terms ensuring we had provided everyone with updates on his progress."
This patient-centered initiative is fully funded jointly by Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation and The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, with no cost to the patient or their loved ones. These foundations raise funds for research, education and the enhancement of patient care at University Health Network. TLContact also provides people with an opportunity to make a donation to the hospital should they choose to do so.
About University Health Network
University Health Network draws on the combined expertise of our three leading hospitals to make success stories happen every day. Over 10,000 healthcare staff work at Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital. We attract some of the most brilliant professionals in the world. We invest more than $100 million annually in research. We train over 3,500 future healthcare professionals each year. Together, we make life better.
