Healthcare looks into self-service

Self-service kiosks are challenging the traditional roles of administrative clerks, sign-in sheets, payment-collection lines and paperwork in medical offices, writes eWeek.

Check-in machines from companies such as Connected Technology Solutions (CTS) and Phreesia can be found in hospitals, clinics and doctor's offices, while kiosks from SoloHealth are appearing in supermarkets and pharmacies to allow patients to conduct basic self-exams.

TMC Net says Wisconsin-based CTS on Tuesday introduced a new adjustable version of its self-service healthcare kiosk. The company unveiled the interactive machine at this year's HIMSS Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.

The Patient Passport Express is designed to expedite the check-in process for patients who visit hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The kiosk also aims to enable patients to update their medical history, verify their insurance information, make payments and sign documents.

Check-in kiosks pull personal information such as names and addresses from electronic health records, ask patients questions about their medical histories, verify insurance information, schedule appointments, perform signature capture and take payments.

Similar to airline check-ins, hospitals and medical facilities are installing automated self-service kiosks to help facilitate the check-in process and increase patient satisfaction, writes PR Newswire. The easy-to-use kiosks save patients time, while increasing efficiencies and reducing overhead expenses for the facilities, the company says.

The movable touch-screen is as accessible to a person in a wheelchair as it is to a six-foot tall person standing, the company boasts, adding that can be used by vision-impaired, hearing-impaired, or blind individuals, as well as those with limited dexterity. The anti-glare screen allows for use near large windows and skylights.