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Jackie Quintanilla

Jill Hoffman
Fischer Health
(310) 577-7870

Simple Pre-Surgical Technique Eases Patient Anxiety, Saves Money in Recovery

SAN FRANCISCO, June 18, 2002 — Citing strong evidence of the therapeutic and economic value of its new Guided Imagery Program for pre-surgical patients, Blue Shield of California announced the findings of a comprehensive year-long study at the recent National Managed Care Congress. The study shows that guided imagery, a simple, but powerful, mind-body technique that features the use of relaxation tapes and other imagery exercises, provides documented benefits to patients preparing for surgery, while decreasing hospital charges.

According to the study, which ran from June 2000 to 2001, 57 percent of patients who listened to the audio-recordings said they experienced less pain than expected from their surgery. Members also reported a significant reduction in anxiety after listening to the tapes prior to surgery. Forty-five percent of patients experienced high anxiety before listening to the tapes, but less than 5 percent experienced similar anxiety from listening to tapes before surgery. Not surprisingly, the more anxious patients felt, the more frequently they listened to the recordings and the greater improvement they documented. These findings were compiled from the review of 900 completed patient surveys.

In addition, the study compared claims from 166 hysterectomy patients who reported using the guided imagery tapes and completed surveys against a control group of 183 hysterectomy patients who did not listen to the tapes. The comparison showed a 4.5 percent decrease in average total hospital charges billed for surgery among patients who used guided imagery prior to surgery, and an 8.4 percent decrease in the average hospital pharmacy charges. Acceptance and usage of the program was high, with 85 percent of patients who used it would recommend it to a friend, and 84 percent would use it again when having surgery.

Blue Shield launched the Guided Imagery Program to improve the personal experience and outcomes of members facing surgery. The company is committed to offering therapies that encourage members to take an active role in their health care.

“Our research shows that Blue Shield members define health broadly to include the mind and the body,” said Deborah Schwab, R.N., M.S., director of New Product Development. “They want tools like guided imagery that help ease the anxiety they feel during vulnerable moments such as surgery. The fact that guided imagery actually saves money is a wonderful bonus.”

Launched in June 2000, Blue Shield’s Guided Imagery Program features a complimentary guided imagery toolkit for patients, along with phone support from a registered nurse. Audio recordings are provided by Health Journeys, an organization founded by therapist and author Belleruth Naparstek. Guided imagery practice sessions are short, simple to use and do not require special knowledge or equipment, enabling members to achieve meaningful results in a short period of time. Schwab believes “ease of adoption” is a major reason why 75 percent of members invited to participate in the program decided to use the materials.

From the health plan’s perspective, the program has proved to be extraordinarily cost-effective. The retail cost of $18 per recording nets an average hospital claim savings for billed charges of $654 per participating member.

According to patients, the option of guided imagery made a difference. “I listened to [the audio recordings] four times,” said Blue Shield member K.B. “Each time I listened to it my fears and worries were put at ease. The night before my surgery I slept peacefully. In contrast, the surgery prior to that I had to be given Valium and it was a horrible experience.”

As a result of the encouraging findings, Blue Shield has decided to expand Guided Imagery to patients in its asthma and cardiac disease management programs.

Founded in 1939, Blue Shield of California is one of the state’s leading healthcare companies. Headquartered in San Francisco, the not-for-profit corporation has about 2.3 million members, 4,000 employees and more than 20 office locations throughout California. For more information on Blue Shield, visit the company's Web site at www.mylifepath.com. 
 

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"I am home almost three days after the surgery and so am still dealing with a lot of pain and tiredness. But the operation was a success. They wound up having to replace my heart valve because the repairs wouldn't hold. I needed three transfusions overall. The "preparation for Successful Surgery" CD was great. I listened to it nearly every other day before the surgery. By the time I arrived at the surgery, I was not in a panic, nervous, or hysterical in any way.

So I had achieved what I wanted (with your help) and that was very heartening and very soothing. The importance for me of that reassurance and positive energy was really critical. combating emotional fear was so difficult for me to do on my own, and the sources of strength that I tapped into really did me a great benefit.

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