Krames StayWell and Pro-Change to Collaborate on ACO Patient Engagement Solution

YARDLEY, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Krames StayWell (KSW) and Pro-Change Behavior Systems, Inc. have reached an agreement to incorporate a special version of the Pro-Change LifeStyle Management Suite into Krames StayWell’s comprehensive communication and engagement package created for accountable care organizations, ACO 360^o. ACO 360^o meets the outreach, acute patient education, and health management needs of an accountable care organization and is designed to foster patient engagement in the care coordination activities of an ACO by promoting health self-management.

“We are excited to be partnering with Krames StayWell”

“ACO 360^o is a powerful program that includes print and digital newsletters, a patient resource guidebook, multimedia website libraries, and a comprehensive database of over 5,500 patient education articles in English and Spanish that can be integrated into virtually any Health IT system and delivered through the EHR and Patient Portal via the Infobutton Standard,” explained John George, Executive Vice President Krames StayWell. “However, we felt there was a gap in providing solutions to enable ACOs to better manage the overall health of their patient population. The Lifestyle Management Suite, created by the Pro-Change team using a leading behavior change methodology, is uniquely designed to serve the needs of an ACO model.”

Pro-Change was founded by James O. Prochaska, PhD who developed the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM) more commonly referred to as the Stages of Change Model. The LifeStyle Management Suite incorporates the TTM into a Health Risk Intervention that not only assesses risk but also addresses a person’s readiness to make a behavior change and guides the user with stage matched strategies. The Suite includes nine online coaching programs such as smoking cessation, weight management, exercise, nutrition, and stress management that dynamically reassess where a person is on the continuum of making a behavior change and provides tailored guidance strategies to best help the user reduce their health risks. The version of the Lifestyle Management Suite incorporated into ACO 360^o also includes an innovative provider dashboard designed to better coordinate and encourage health management interventions and promote communication between the patient and the care team.

“We are excited to be partnering with Krames StayWell,” added Janice M. Prochaska, PhD, President and CEO, Pro-Change. “The combination of our scientifically validated behavior change programs and KSW’s proven patient and consumer engagement tools coming together in ACO 360^o creates a powerful lever for any accountable care organization looking to drive success of their efforts via effective patient engagement and accountability in personal health management.”

To find out more about this new program for accountable care organizations visit www.kramesstaywell.com/aco-360.

About Krames StayWell

Krames StayWell is the largest provider of patient education, consumer health information, and population health management communications in the country. Combining extensive technology and content assets with vast consumer insights and a strategic approach, Krames StayWell is uniquely qualified to engage consumers across the entire spectrum of their health care experience. Our best-in-class health communication solutions integrate print, interactive, and mobile formats at multiple touch points to attract and retain consumers, improve health outcomes, and lower costs. We deliver measurable results for hospitals, health care professionals, health plans, employers, retail pharmacies, government agencies, and association clients with world-class design, commitment to health literacy principles, and a focus on custom development. For more information, please visit www.kramesstaywell.com.

About Pro-Change

Pro-Change Behavior Systems, Inc., a certified Women's Business Enterprise, is a research and development company providing wellness partners with computer- and coaching-based programs for changing health risk behaviors. Based on the Transtheoretical Model developed by founder Dr. James O. Prochaska, Pro-Change programs are for entire populations and are uniquely tailored to each individual. Pro-Change programs have produced unprecedented impacts on multiple behaviors to enhance health and reduce health care costs. In 2009, Pro-Change LifeStyle Management Programs for Stress Management, Depression Prevention, Weight Management, Exercising Regularly, Smoking Cessation, and Medication Adherence won the URAC Gold Award for Best Practices in Health Management. In 2012, the LifeStyle programs were featured on AHRQ's Innovation Exchange website. For more information about Pro-Change, please visit www.prochange.com.