Patient kiosks open at Keesler Medical Center

Keesler Medical Center volunteer James Hobbs, a retired Navy senior chief petty officer, demonstrates use of one of two patient kiosks in the medical center’s Internal Medicine Clinic Sept. 10. The system is intended to reduce patient waiting times and lines and allows them to review and verify personal information while permitting clinic staff to effectively manage and prioritize their queue of patients based on a real-time list of kiosk users. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Pivnick)

Patient kiosks open at Keesler Medical Center

Published Sept. 17, 2013
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- A new system of "patient kiosks" intended to simplify the sign-in process for both patients and staff is being installed throughout Keesler Medical Center.

Vecna, the contractor that has provided the equipment, said the system is intended to reduce patient waiting times and lines and allows them to review and verify personal information while permitting clinic staff to effectively manage and prioritize their queue of patients based on a real-time list of kiosk users.

Capt. Edward Morris, 81st Medical Group chief group practice manager, explained, "Patients can either scan the barcodes on their common access card or Department of Defense identification card and follow the instructions provided. Most kiosks are set to ask a few patient-confirmation questions, such as date of birth, name, etc., to finalize the check-in. Each clinic will monitor the process via computers at the front desk and interact with patients if additional paperwork is needed or to answer questions."

Group practice manager Marsha Nelson added that the kiosks are expected to manage patient flow, oversee patient through-put and waiting area activity, provide patients with estimated wait times, receive alerts about abnormal wait times, improve forecasting for through-put, reduce bottlenecks and hopefully Increase patient satisfaction.

Kiosks are located in the pediatric, family health, internal medicine, orthopedic, physical therapy/occupational therapy/chiropractic, ENT, optometry/ophthalmology, public health, immunization, women's health and student health clinics and mammography department as well as TRICARE services and the medical center's System's Health Desk.