Profiled By Bill Klump – Daily Disruption
October 5th, 2011 – Founded in October 2007, SoloHealth has introduced its first product, EyeSite, a self-service vision screening kiosk, to approximately 100 locations numerous US markets, as well as overseas. In May of 2010, SoloHealth was awarded a $1.2M grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance EyeSite into a more comprehensive self-service health and wellness station, the SoloHealth Station. The SoloHealth Station will address highly problematic areas such as hypertension, obesity, eye health and vision, nutrition and pre?diabetes and entered test market in early 2011.
In the US, there are over 150 million people who suffer from some form of visual impairment. Additionally, there are 65 million people who suffer from hypertension, 24 million people who suffer from diabetes, and 122 million who suffer from being overweight or obese.
Healthcare costs are unsustainable, and in 2014, 30 million more Americans will be entering the managed care system in the US. However, the number of health care professionals is not growing at the same rate. As more consumers seek to take health care into their own hands, and the system shifts toward community-based health delivery systems, the introduction of free consumer tools that are located where the consumers are—in retail—will facilitate the reduction of costs and improve health outcomes for millions of people.
According to the team at SoloHealth, “wellness and prevention plans and programs will become the new normal, as the health care system transitions from episodic care, which is very expensive and many times too late, to that of a more managed care system where the emphasis is on keeping the well, well. Conducting multiple health screenings using the same foot print unlocks more value drivers by being both more efficient as well as more enticing to the consumer.”
THE SOLUTION:
In development, the SoloHealth Station will allow consumers to screen their vision, blood pressure, weight, and body mass index (BMI)–or any combination of the four–in 7 minutes or less. Furthermore, the kiosk will enable customers to identify, and contact, local physicians and will also provide them with specific, actionable health recommendations on how to improve their outcomes moving forward.
Overview
- The SoloHealth Station uses a simple touch screen method, with helpful interactive video to walk the consumer through the simple tests.
- Consumers will receive a customized report that shows an assessment of their near and distance vision, blood pressure, weight, and body mass index (BMI), as well as a listing of doctors, and valuable offers from healthcare partners.
- Consumers will be able to choose a doctor on the screen and then connect with his or her office and schedule a convenient appointment.
The SoloHealth Station will not replace an examination by a medical professional. It is being designed simply to provide an initial screening and encourage consumers to visit a healthcare provider for a follow-up exam when needed.
To learn more about SoloHealth and The SoloHealth Station, please watch this short video, and be sure to visit their website at www.solohealth.com
