Laura Mitchell - GrandCare Systems

grandCARE Unveils New “betterCARE” Brandmark, Announces Significant Shift Towards True Patient-Centered Care

December 11, 2014

December 15, 2014 – WI – grandCARE, a pioneer in digital health and remote monitoring technology, today announced its new Brand Mark called betterCARE, symbolic of grandCARE’s significant focus on better outcomes and cost-savings.

The new betterCARE logo will be showcased in the Sands Expo, level 2 in Booth 73240, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Digital Health Summit in Las Vegas, January 6-9th, 2015. grandCARE will also be featuring a new “hospital-to-home” transition program, which helps professional care providers, healthcare providers, and patients to effectively coordinate care and safely remain at home.

The branding change coincides with grandCARE’s focus on better outcomes for individuals and professional care providers who want clients to remain healthier and connected at home, while reducing or avoiding unnecessary and costly doctor visits and hospitalizations. The grandCARE betterCARE Brand Mark represents true patient centered care, using grandCARE’s three “B’s”: Better experience; Better engagement; and Better patient outcomes.

“The new betterCARE Brand Mark signals a shift that is following an industry where avoidable hospitalizations will no longer be tolerated,” said grandCARE Chief Marketing Officer, Laura Mitchell. “We believe that in order to achieve better outcomes and healthier patients, one must engage the patient to participate in his/her own care and wellness. The patient experience is critical to ensuring full compliance. grandCARE focuses on better experience and better engagement, which are essential for better outcomes”.

grandCARE has a proven hospital-to-home transition program in which organizations use grandCARE to reduce hospital readmissions and successfully transition and keep the patient out of the hospital. A 2013 Hawaii study on discharged patients using grandCARE technology, showed significant outcomes in using grandCARE technology with high risk patients. grandCARE offers a large, intuitive interface for the patient at point-of-care, providing 24/7 patient support through discharge instructions, medication prompts, scheduling reminders, patient/provider HIPAA compliant video chat, health assessments, automated, wireless vital/biometric recordings, patient analytics, and more. In the spirit of true patient-centered care, grandCARE enables all remote caregivers and professionals to log in to a secure dashboard portal, communicate with the patient, view reports, coordinate care, and identify red flags that could mitigate a readmission.

“grandCARE is perfect for high risk patients who are being discharged from my emergency room,” said grandCARE’s Chief Medical Officer and Emergency Room doctor, Erick Eiting. “The system sends my staff alerts on medication non-compliance and red flag symptoms, such as an excessive weight gain, which can reduce unnecessary readmissions and increase patient self-care. This all leads towards better outcomes for my hospital.”

grandCARE will be exhibited and demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show January 6-9th within the Digital Health Summit in the Sands Expo Hall, level 2, Booth # 73240. To make press or demonstration appointments, contact media@grandcare.com or call 262-338-6147

About grandCARE:

grandCARE, founded in 2005, offers the most comprehensive and holistic professional caregiving and health coordination tool on the market. grandCARE is a large patient-centered touch platform which providers health instructions, secure video chat, wireless vital recordings and analytics, medication compliance, activity sensing, and family communications into one intuitive and expandable platform. grandCARE focuses on true patient center care, enabling better experience, better engagement, and better outcomes. For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com or call 262-338-6147.

Media Contact:

Laura Mitchell Chief Marketing Officer 262-707-6726 media@grandCARE.com

GrandCare WINS 1st place: Most pitches for post-discharge patient pilot

November 20, 2014

GrandCare recently participated in the 2nd Annual “Pitch for Pilots” (P4P) live pitch in partnership with Aging2.0 at AgeTech West in Seattle.

10 innovative companies were selected to pitch for a pilot in front of hundreds of long term care and aging service providers. The P4P gives aging service providers an opportunity to get a jump-start down the road of strategic innovation and technology adoption.

All audience members had an opportunity to vote with bids, vying to be the organization that the innovator chose to pilot with.

GrandCare launched a new risk management program, focused on reducing unnecessary hospital readmissions by encouraging patient engagement, enhancing patient experience, thereby achieving better outcomes.

GrandCare was delighted to receive the award (tied for first place with innovator, Gerijoy) for most pilot requests.

GrandCare to PITCH and showcase at AgeTech West in Seattle

November 10, 2014

GrandCare has been selected as a “PITCH FOR PILOT” Candidate at the upcoming AgeTech West conference in Seattle. GrandCare will be pitching a brand new product model designed for aging organizations to better manage patient chronic conditions, mitigate hospital readmission risks, successfully transition patients from hospital to home and adhere to true patient-centered care with GrandCare technology playing the centerpiece.

WHEN: Nov. 17-18, 2014 #syncinseattle

WHERE: Seattle, Washington Hyatt Olive 8 Downtown

IV. Live 2014 Pitch-for-Pilots, real-time voting by Holleran

Facilitator: Stephen Johnson, co-founder, Aging2.0 and partner, Generator Ventures

The 2nd Annual “Pitch for Pilots” (P4P) live pitch in partnership with Aging2.0 will provide the opportunity for 8-10 innovative companies to pitch in front of hundreds of long-term care providers. This year AgeTech is welcoming participation by start-ups as well as established companies with a new product launch. The P4P gives aging service providers an opportunity to get a jump-start down the road of strategic innovation and technology adoption.

More info on the conference:

This year’s conference will explore how technology can better synchronize aging services with consumer desires to transform the aging “user experience” for older adults and aging service providers alike.

Older adults will be directly involved in providing feedback and experiences on what they find appealing and empowering about various technologies – and what’s not – through interactive forums and “sync-ups.” Aging service providers will also give accounts of their experience in piloting new technologies to better meet older adult needs and desires.

Leaders in aging technology from the Seattle-based companies like Microsoft and A Place for Mom, as well as Google, Panasonic, Intel, Care Innovations, Caremerge, LivWell Health and several aging service providers will be addressing the bigger picture of how innovation and technology will continue to revolutionize services by better responding to consumer preferences and focusing on the aging experience.

The bottom line is that norms have changed; technology innovation offers real opportunities for better, more person-centered and efficient care and services for older adults. Service providers, payers and policy makers need to think differently about how care is provided, innovative work-processes and modify programs to take advantage of what technology has to offer in leveraging staff and improving service to sync with consumer needs and desires.

Leading Age Minnesota describes why they chose GrandCare for their members!

November 6, 2014

Aging Services Group Offers Solutions on a “Grand” Scale

On November 5, 2014 by Rick Lazzari

As an owner or operator of a senior care community or home care company, have you ever asked yourself any of these questions:

What can we do to positively impact hospital readmissions and capture data to demonstrate our positive outcomes?
How can we maximize our care team’s efforts?
What is my competitive advantage in our market?
What options exist for developing new revenue streams within our care model?

As we confront the challenges of Affordable Care Organizations (ACOs) and data management, workforce shortages, and market differentiation, these – and more questions – have probably crossed your mind. There is one common thread that consistently shows up in the solutions to these challenges – technology.

Aging Services Group is excited to announce a new partnership with GrandCare Systems that will change and enhance the way traditional caregiving services are deployed for older adults in the state.

GrandCare Systems utilizes digital health and socialization technology to reduce health care costs and improve outcomes by enabling designated family members, caregivers and healthcare professionals to remotely care for individuals in their home, regardless of location. A large, easy-to-read touchscreen placed into the client’s residence provides medication prompts, family communications, one touch HIPAA compliant video chat, messaging, patient assessments, discharge information, scheduling, care plans and more.

GrandCare Systems is designed to empower and engage the resident, while providing information to improve health and outcomes. A series of optional wireless telehealth sensors can be used to automatically report and graph vital readings, and even notify a staff member if readings are outside of designated thresholds. Click here to see the system in action.

Knute Nelson in Alexandria is using GrandCare Systems and received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services earlier this year to expand use of this system in its service area. See the July 9 article in Advantage for more details.

To learn more about the program features and discounts available through Aging Services Group’s GrandCare program, contact Rick Lazzari atrlazzari@leadingagemn.org or 651.659.1470 or Laura Mitchell atlaura@grandcare.com or 262.338.6147.

Minnesota-based Aging Services Group exclusively selects GrandCare for member organizations

October 28, 2014

Aging Services Group Chooses GrandCare to Help
Senior Living Providers Better Serve Older Adults at Home

Innovative Technology Empowers Consumers, Removes Distance as Barrier to Care

“GrandCare was a natural choice for us. We are seeing an exponential increase to our aging population, while the relative number of caregivers and physicians is in decline,” said Jared Schei, Executive V.P. of Aging Services Group.”

Aging Services Group, a subsidiary of Aging Services of Minnesota, the largest association of organizations serving Minnesota seniors, has partnered with GrandCare Systems, to change and enhance the way traditional caregiving services are deployed for older adults in the state.

GrandCare Systems utilizes digital health and socialization technology to reduce health care costs and improve outcomes by enabling designated family members, caregivers and healthcare professionals to remotely care for individuals in their home, regardless of location.

Aging Services of Minnesota is eager to equip their member organizations with a comprehensive, fully-featured and flexible platform, helping them to provide better, more efficient and more cost-effective care.

“GrandCare was a natural choice for us. We are seeing an exponential increase to our aging population, while the relative number of caregivers and physicians is in decline,” said Jared Schei, Executive V.P. of Aging Services Group. “We believe technology will greatly help amplify care giver efforts and promote patient empowerment and family participation. With its extensive capabilities, GrandCare fits the needs of our members across the long term care continuum, whether they are providing home-based, facility-based, short-term stay or hospice care services.”

Minnesota caregiving organizations like Knute Nelson and LB Homes already utilize GrandCare’s digital health and activity monitoring technologies.

“GrandCare has changed the way we offer care,” said Daphne Karpan, Palliative Care Manager, Knute Nelson in Alexandria, MN. “Knute uses it to remotely monitor our clients’ vitals and quickly identify if a physical nursing visit is needed. It’s been a valuable resource for our hospice clients who use it for end-of-life conversations and video chatting with family.”

The heart of GrandCare is a large, easy-to-read touchscreen placed into the client’s residence providing medication prompts, family communications, one touch HIPAA compliant video chat, messaging, patient assessments, discharge information, scheduling, care plans and more. It is designed to empower and engage the resident, while providing information to improve health and outcomes. A series of optional wireless telehealth sensors can be used to automatically report and graph vital readings, and even notify a staff member if readings are outside of designated thresholds.

“GrandCare is a holistic platform, customized to address all human needs from physical to emotional to spiritual,” said GrandCare co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Laura Mitchell. “With remote telehealth monitoring and virtual visits, distance is no longer a barrier to providing efficient, secure and professional care.”

About Aging Services of Minnesota
Aging Services of Minnesota is the state’s largest association of organizations serving Minnesota seniors. Together with more than 50,000 caregivers, Aging Services members serve 63,000 older adults every day in all of the places they call home, including home care and services, independent senior housing, assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities. Aging Services of Minnesota is the state partner of LeadingAge and state affiliate of Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA).

Aging Services of Minnesota Media Contact:
JODI BOYNE
Vice President of Public Relations
jboyne@agingservicesmn.org
651.659.1430 (direct)

About GrandCare
Since 2005, GrandCare Systems has provided the most comprehensive caregiving technology on the market, enabling care professionals to provide safer, faster and more affordable care. GrandCare’s simple, touch platform enables a Resident to self manage chronic conditions, follow health instructions, view family pictures, receive incoming messages, watch videos, and participate in secure video chat sessions. Using a series of wireless activity and telehealth devices, GrandCare can alert designated caregivers by phone, email or text if anything seems amiss (medications not accessed, glucose levels not taken, abnormal vitals, etc.)
GrandCare Media Contact:
media@grandcare.com 262-338-6147 @grandcare

Laura Mitchell of GrandCare to be Interview on Reaching For The Gold with Harriet Tramer

September 24, 2014

Reaching For The Gold with Harriet Tramer airs on ArtistFirst Radio Network, a Partner with CBS Radio News. The interview with Laura Mitchell will include discussions on how the GrandCare System works, how it can be utilized in nursing homes, and how need for the GrandCare System has expanded. Laura will also highlight success stories from GrandCare and its use. Laura will also talk about her role with GrandCare and how her involvement impacted upon the manner in which you view aging. The interview will continue with conversation about the acceptance of GrandCare by seniors.

Please tune using the provided link to hear this interview.

http://www.artistfirst.com/tramer.htm

Wednesday September 24, 2014 – 8pm Eastern Time

Maximus Announces Shared Pilot program with GrandCare

September 15, 2014

MAXIMUS to Share Pilot Program for Using Telecare Technology at the National Home & Community Based Services Conference

(RESTON, Va. – September, 2014) – MAXIMUS (NYSE: MMS), a leading provider of government services worldwide, announced today that Barbara Selter, Vice President, MAXIMUS Health Services, and an expert in long-term services and supports (LTSS), will be a featured presenter at the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) Conference.

The session, titled “Using Telecare/Telehealth Technology to Support Aging in Place,” will highlight a California pilot program that aims to reduce costs for the LTSS population by managing chronic conditions, while achieving an enhanced quality of life for the participants. The session will share the experiences of the pilot program and provide insights into addressing both the medical and social needs of the LTSS population and how to better target the use of scarce resources to provide care in their homes or communities. Ms. Selter will be presenting with Laura Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer, GrandCare Systems; Cindy Morton, Chief Operations Officer, California Telehealth Network; and Phil Nowak, Chief Executive Officer, Northeastern Rural Health Clinics.

“Shifting the care for older adults and those with disabilities from institutions to home and community-based settings helps them lead more satisfying and productive lives,” said Bruce Caswell, President and General Manager of MAXIMUS Health Services. “We are currently working with several states on their LTSS programs and are excited about this opportunity to share our experiences with other leaders focused on new strategies for improving the lives of this population.”

“Most people want to stay independent, safe and connected in their own homes, particularly when they want to manage chronic conditions or stay out of the hospital,” said Dan Maynard, CEO of GrandCare Systems. “We provide a solution that can enable an individual to be involved in his or her own wellness, keep health professionals involved, and notify a caregiver if a red flag event occurs.”

In addition to the presentation, MAXIMUS and GrandCare Systems will demonstrate GrandCare System’s telecare technology solution, which empowers patients to self-manage and share their statuses virtually through an intuitive, large screen touch-based appliance. The appliance reminds patients of upcoming appointments, prompts them to take medications, and connects to family and care providers through a one-touch, HIPAA-compliant video chat. It also connects to various telehealth and activity sensors throughout the patient’s residence, notifying family and care providers if a potential health event has occurred. The demonstration will take place during the exhibit booth portion of the conference, at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, and Wednesday, September 17.

The 30^th Annual NASUAD HCBS Conference is the premiere LTSS conference in the country, showcasing innovative national, federal, state and local delivery and policy developments that work to ensure individuals receive the highest quality community living supports, care and services. The conference takes place from September 15-18, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. To learn more, visit www.nasuad.org/hcbs-conference.

About MAXIMUS

MAXIMUS is a leading operator of government health and human services programs in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Saudi Arabia. The Company delivers business process services to improve the cost effectiveness, efficiency and quality of government-sponsored benefit programs, such as the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, Medicare, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Health Insurance BC (British Columbia), as well as welfare-to-work and child support programs around the globe. The Company’s primary customer base includes federal, provincial, state, county and municipal governments. Operating under its founding mission of Helping Government Serve the People^®, MAXIMUS has approximately 11,000 employees worldwide. For more information, visit www.maximus.com.

Maximus

GrandCare chosen to be showcased by Knute Nelson at MN State Fair

August 19, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Tuesday, August 19th, 2014, Alexandria, Minnesota –
Knute Nelson will be located on the “Front Porch” of the Older But Wiser Living exhibit on Friday, August 22, 2014. Knute Nelson was selected to showcase their use of GrandCare technology based on experiences incorporating into their approach to delivering health care.

“We are excited to be working with such an innovative and forward-thinking organization like Knute Nelson,” said GrandCare’s CEO, Dan Maynard. “Home care and long term care agencies across the nation should watch how Knute Nelson so seamlessly integrates the GrandCare technology into their service offerings.”

Knute Nelson has seen significant results using GrandCare, including increased direct patient care coordination and transitions for patients and their caregivers, reducing hospitalizations by establishing and monitoring vital sign parameters for daily living. By monitoring vital signs, earlier detection of changes in disease process and engagement of patients and their caregivers. Knute Nelson has developed our smart home programming using GrandCare technology with the assistance of several grants (the Blandin Foundation, Home and Community-based Services Performance-based Incentive Payment Program and CS/SD from the MN Department of Human Services).

A day of education and innovation is planned for Friday, August 22 at the Minnesota State Fair, with presentations on the “Front Porch” running hourly from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The presentation schedule is as follows:

10:00 “It Takes a Village!” Overview of Aging Services.
A broad overview of products and services with a focus on technology. This session will provide highlights of other sessions throughout the day.

11:00 “What Can Technology Do For Me?” –Our GrandCare Demo.
This will include a robust demonstration of GrandCare, highlighting features like telemonitoring, patient education, socialization, cognitive stimulation, and remote family caregiving.

12:00 “Who Pays for This?” Acknowledging Innovation in Older Adult Services.
We will demonstrate a variety of ways in which families can fund technology use in their home, with a focus on proposed legislation designed to enhance Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services.

1:00 “What Can Technology Do For Me?” –Our GrandCare Demo.
This will include a robust demonstration of GrandCare, highlighting features like telemonitoring, patient education, socialization, cognitive stimulation, and remote family caregiving.

2:00 “The New Bucket List.” Supporting Adults with Life-Limiting Illness.
This session will discuss the ways in which technology and home based services can support those living with life- limiting illness with focus on family communication, safety, audio content and life review process.

3:00 “I Want To Live At Home” Supporting Seniors at Home.
We will discuss the ways in which technology and services can support those wanting to live safely at home as long as possible, with a focus on vital signs monitoring, chronic disease management, patient education, socialization, cognitive stimulation, and remote family caregiving.

4:00 “How Can I Connect with my Family in California?” Utilizing Technology for Distance Caregiving.
During this session, we will provide an overview of how important remote connectivity is and the value in family communication, then focus on the need for telecommunication industry providers to provide affordable, unbundled telehealth packages for seniors.

5:00 “A Second Brain” Technology Enabling and Prompting Clients with Memory Loss
Laura Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer, and Scott Feldstein, Director of Product Management, both of GrandCare Systems will be presenting. Their focus will be on new technologies that support activities of daily living for today’s seniors.

About Knute Nelson
Knute Nelson, a 501c3 non-profit, faith-based corporation, is an innovative leader in senior housing and health care that offers a full family of services to the West Central Minnesota region. For information on Knute Nelson visit www.knutenelson.org or call 320-763-6653.

About GrandCare Systems
GrandCare Systems, founded in 2005, combines digital health assessment, biometric readings, activity of daily living sensing, medication management, smart home automation, video chat and virtual touch-based communications into the most comprehensive and fully featured technology in the private home market. GrandCare is designed for individuals seeking a caregiving solution for an aging loved one or for professional in-home, long term care or clinical caregiving providers. For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com or call 262-338-6147.

GrandCare Systems Announces Changes to Executive Management Team, expansion to a larger office

August 4, 2014

WEST BEND, WI

GrandCare Systems, a leader in professional caregiving technology, announced today changes to their executive management team, a staff expansion, and a move into a larger office space.

Wisconsin-based GrandCare Systems is on a growth trajectory and is slated to move into the Kreilkamp Building (formerly the Ziegler Building) on 215 N. Main Street in historic downtown West Bend. GrandCare was awarded a grant from the city to help keep the growing technology leader in West Bend. This January the company of 9 years brought on a new Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Maynard, to ramp up and scale the software company. Maynard has a history of entrepreneurship and business growth. In 1997, he started a health care software firm that through acquisition became Connecture Inc. Maynard held the Connecture CEO title until 2012. Charlie Hillman, previous CEO and founder of GrandCare Systems, will continue to drive the vision as Chief Technology Officer.

GrandCare welcomes a new Chief Operating Officer, Jerry Furness. Jerry previously served as Vice President responsible for Operations, Product Development, Emerging Markets, Strategic Solutions, Innovation and Corporate Development at a Milwaukee Health Care IT Firm, Connecture Inc. On the transition to high tech innovators, GrandCare Systems, Furness commented, “I wanted to work with a company that is innovative and growing. GrandCare Systems was attractive to me not only because of the mature technology, but also because of the social message GrandCare spreads”. Dan Maynard, CEO of GrandCare said, “We are rapidly building and we needed to add solid experience to this already outstanding leadership team. Jerry is someone I have worked with for over 15 years and he has continually proven his ability to successfully drive channel partnerships, operating efficiency and revenues”.

Original founding member and previous VP of Business Development, Laura Mitchell, has been recently promoted to Chief Marketing Officer. Maynard commented about Mitchell’s promotion, “Laura’s strategic positioning and marketing skill is one of the main reasons that GrandCare has such a strong brand presence and is understandably recognized as a clear leader in the industry.” GrandCare is balancing several large international contracts including Saga, the largest UK in-home care provider. In early 2014, GrandCare entered Canada with in-home care organization Proof of Care, and is working together with a large homecare franchisor in Australia. Multiple new US-based professional care clients have differentiated and secured a healthy return on investment using GrandCare including Lifetime Care at Home in Connecticut, At Home Independent Living in New York and Daybreak Services in South Carolina.

After almost 10 years, co-founder and former Chief Operating Officer, Gaytha Traynor Hillman, has announced her retirement from the organization. “It truly has been a remarkable journey. Charlie and I have started several businesses together, but our social mission for GrandCare really came from our hearts. I feel confident that our new leadership team will significantly grow the organization”. Lastly, Maynard said, “We thank Gaytha for all she has done and accomplished for GrandCare.”

About GrandCare Systems

GrandCare Systems, founded in 2005, combines digital health assessment, biometric readings, activity of daily living sensing, medication management, smart home automation, video chat and virtual touch-based communications into the most comprehensive and fully-featured technology in the private home market. GrandCare is designed for individuals seeking a caregiving solution for an aging loved one or for professional in-home caregiving providers. For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com or call 262-338-6147

Digital health is growing rapidly

July 29, 2014

While there are a number of growing markets in digital health, there are two that seem to be picking up speed with consumers and care providers: aging and wearables. With this growth comes more investor dollars and more companies wanting in.

As one of the most valuable market segments, boomers account for nearly $230 billion in sales for consumer goods and will control 70% of the nation’s disposable income in the next twenty years. And with the wearables market projected to cross $8 billion by 2018, companies are taking notice.

Gain invaluable insight into the digital health market when a silicon valley VC leads an enlightening discussion with the consumer electronics industry’s authority on market research and the chief marketing officer of the leading caregiving technology company.

Moderator:

Anne DeGheest, Founder & Managing Director, Healthtech Capital

Speakers:

Laura Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer, GrandCare Systems
Kevin Tillmann, Senior Research Analyst, CEA

Tune into this 25 minute segment

This panel took place at the 2014 Digital Health Summer Summit. The team from GrandCare was there, showcasing the latest and greatest GrandCare System, designed for patient socialization and engagement, enhancing the patient experience, while enabling professional caregivers to turn their “man on man” caregivers into “zone caregivers”, providing better, more efficient, more cost-effective care. Watch GrandCare’s chief medical officer, Laura Mitchell as she describes the shift in market traction and why our solutions should focus on the outcomes and not on the process.

The system is a vehicle behind a successful care delivery model, while putting the patient firmly in the center and emphasizing continuity and seamless transition throughout the whole care network (family, professional caregivers, healthcare providers, patient) and encouraging patient self care (chronic disease management), socialization with family and friends and virtual professional caregiving through HIPAA compliant video chat, medication prompting and check-in video visits.

GrandCare can better care delivery outcomes for:

– Professional In-home Care providers

– CCRCs without walls (Long Term Care Providers)

– HealthCare Providers (Hospital to Home Transitions)

– Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)

– Hospice/End of Life Care

To learn more about GrandCare Systems please visit: www.grandcare.com

To watch a short testimonial video click here.

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