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Despite the fact that Boston Scientific Neurovascular (Fremont, CA) is a leading manufacturer of minimally invasive medical devices used to treat brain aneurysms and other forms of neurovascular disease, many of the company's employees were unfamiliar with how the company's products are used and the benefits these products bring to physicians and their patients.

At Boston Scientific Neurovascular's headquarters in Fremont, there is a large base of employees whose jobs do not require interaction with physicians or patients. To perform their jobs, many of these employees do not need even a basic understanding of how the company's products are used.

Boston Scientific Neurovascular determined that it needed to develop a communication channel that would create a greater sense of connection between its employees and the physicians and patients who ultimately benefit from the employees' efforts. The channel would also help employees gain a better understanding of the company's products as well as a greater sense of community within the company.

With the help of Diablo Custom Publishing and Terry Lorant Photography, the company developed a conventional print newsletter. The company chose a print medium rather than an e-mail format because most of the company's manufacturing employees do not have e-mail access; the company's 500-plus assemblers work in clean room environments where the computers are dedicated to controlling production- related functions.

Each issue of Boston Scientific Neurovascular's Next newsletter is devoted to a detailed feature story about a patient and the patient's physician. Each feature story includes a description of the procedure performed on the patient and how the company's products were used during the procedure. The newsletter also provides a channel for showcasing new products, communicating site news, and employee recognition.

Employee surveys verified the effectiveness of the newsletter, and the value of the newsletter extends well beyond its original objectives. The feature stories have been repurposed to support online patient education efforts, and the company maintains relationships with the patients and physicians profiled in the newsletter. They have supported national and regional public relations efforts and have attended annual employee meetings as featured guests.

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