AI Healthcare Kiosks Minus the Human Element
As we envision the future, where AI rapidly advances, technology gradually replaces the personal touch in parts or as a whole.
Kiosks, familiar from everyday tasks like using ATMs, have evolved to facilitate various services, notably in healthcare. Hospitals leverage this technology for their patients to schedule appointments, upload and access medical records and pharmacy with their patient ID. They are connected to their preferred department by booking available time slots.
How are healthcare kiosks useful?
Patient Check-in:
The computerized check-in streamlines the process, allowing patients to easily book appointments and upload related medical records for the doctor’s advice. AI enables faster facial recognition and scanning for transactions.
Navigate Location and Information
Patients can effortlessly locate network hospitals or clinics with addresses and geo-locations. Providers can efficiently access medical information, research material, and case studies to support their diagnoses and treatments.
Built in AI algorithms suggest better accessible locations and ways to reach there. With predictive analysis providers can track disease progression and analyse outcomes.
Billing
Enabling billing and payment procedures at the kiosk reduces queue times and travel. Information is readily available for checking prior to payment, ensuring quicker transactions and cutting down on processing time compared to human intervention. Multiple payment methods allow easy payments. AI algorithms can review medical records and assign appropriate billing codes, reducing the risk of human error.
Tele-medicine
Kiosks facilitate virtual consultations, particularly beneficial in rural areas, saving time, fuel, and unnecessary travel. Patients can also book lab tests and purchase medicine from online pharmacies, with administration and delivery at home.
With AI, diagnostic accuracy in virtual consults is improved by analyzing medical images and providing virtual assistance.
Health Screen/Check-up
Kiosks perform simple diagnostic tests, assess basic health parameters like heart rate, oxygen level, weight, height, and blood pressure. They can generate BMI(Body Mass Index) and other scores based on these, suggest diet and exercise plans, even issue warnings to contact emergency for critical parameter results.
Advanced AI promises automatic eye screening, scans for cancer, and other interventions at kiosks in future for self-check-ups.
Visible Benefits
Reduced Patient Wait-Time
Kiosks eliminate long waits and travel distances, addressing patient issues promptly at their reach or a designated location.
Empowered Providers and Medical Staff
Providers gain more time for diagnosis and planned appointment slots, reaching diverse patients compared to inpatients. Access to patient medical data at their fingertips enhances service. Medical staff are relieved from long queues, as routine processes become automated and centralized.
Efficiency
Easier medical care accessibility leads to better outcomes for patients.
Cost Cutting
Kiosks save patient travel costs, providing consultation at their convenient time, and during emergencies. Reduced labor due to task automation saves organizational costs. Less footfall helps cut down on energy and water bills.
Security
Kiosk software and systems comply with global health standards, ensuring data security and access to the best healthcare globally for virtual consultations.
Engagement and Satisfaction
Promptly meeting patient needs and providing access to multiple providers result in better experiences and increased satisfaction.
Zero Human Intervention
During pandemics or outbreaks, the absence of human intervention ensures a one-to-one consultation experience, similar to physical consultations, with easier access to providers.
Conclusion
Kiosks, strategically located in various healthcare settings, help manage workflow, patient influx, staff operations, and training. They find places at hospital entrances for admissions and self-check-ins, at pharmacies for drug selection and purchase, and at clinics for scheduling virtual or in-clinic appointments.
The utilization of kiosks in the healthcare industry is diversifying to cater to more aspects of management and care with the advent of AI. However, their goal remains consistent — to enhance patient outcomes and provide a personal touch virtually.
[1] Read on the challenges healthcare AI faces in a disruptive age.
