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Mayo Clinic pilots HealthSpot telemedicine kiosks in Minnesota

Mayo Clinic is partnering up with telemedicine kiosk company HealthSpot.

October 10, 2014

Mayo Clinic is partnering up with telemedicine kiosk company HealthSpot, according to a company news release.

The collaboration, called the Mayo Clinic Health Connection, will pilot HealthSpot's cloud-based system and walk-in kiosk products with Mayo Clinic employees in Albert Lea and Austin, Minnesota. Patients of Mayo Clinic can access physicians, physician assistants and nurse practictioners inside the kiosk through videoconferencing and interactive digital media, the company said.

"Mayo Clinic is committed to reducing health care expenses for employees and employers by improving access to medical services through convenient and more affordable care through Mayo Clinic Health Connection," said Matt Bernard, M.D., Southeast Minnesota region Primary Care Service Line chair, in a press release. "We are excited to offer innovative health care technology locally and to leverage resources across our system to better serve our patients. You’ll avoid waiting and time away from work, and still get the continuity of care you need from people you trust. This should decrease absenteeism, lower costs and increase wellness, a win-win for employers and employees when fully deployed."

The kiosk-based health care providers will see patients for "minor, common health conditions, such as cold, earaches, sore throat, sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, rashes and skin conditions and eye conditions" and no appointment is required, the release said

"HealthSpot's innovative technology will help control costs for employers and employees," said Steve Cashman, HealthSpot founder and CEO, in the announcement. "The HealthSpot station will connect people to Mayo Clinic in a new and convenient way."