For Immediate Release

For more information, contact:
Debra Brase, 507-444-6070

Owatonna Hospital launches online pre-registration

OWATONNA, Minn. 08/11/2008--Owatonna Hospital announces the launch of it's online pre-registration process beginning Monday, August 18, allowing patients to complete their registration prior to coming into the hospital for their scheduled appointments.

Individuals will benefit from this new system by registering in the comfort of their own home, avoiding the hospital registration line the day of their visit and allowing them to proceed more directly to the hospital department where they will receive their treatment.

As Becky Christensen, health information management manager, said, "This new, secure online service offer greater convenience to our patient's and streamlines the registration process." The online form includes information fields such as date of procedure, patient information, insurance provider and emergency contact information. All the information submitted via the online form is treated as a confidential part of the patient’s medical record. Christensen added, "Our website uses a secure server to encrypt all personal information to protect patient confidentiality and privacy."

Currently, services eligible for online pre-registration include radiology, laboratory and outpatient surgeries. To view the hospital web site and pre-registration process starting August 18, log on to www.owatonnahospital.com.

About Owatonna Hospital

The new Owatonna Hospital will be connected to the current Owatonna Clinic-Mayo Health System 26th Street location, off Interstate 35, creating a health care campus. The facility will be designed to create an environment for providing high quality, safe, patient-centered care for residents in the region.

Owatonna Hospital and Allina Hospitals & Clinics are taking a leadership role to promote healthy eating and physical activity through their heart healthy living and obesity initiatives with an emphasis on childhood obesity. Over the next five years, Allina and Owatonna Hospital will be working with community organizations to improve nutrition and increase physical activity to decrease obesity and improve heart health.