News

PharmaSmart enhances health kiosks

February 1, 2011

PharmaSmart International announced Monday advances in its blood-pressure diagnostic and health IT kiosks, including Internet connectivity, patient data tracking and patient health record integration.

"Several years ago we identified two primary R&D objectives," said Fred W. Sarkis II, PharmaSmart CEO, in a press release. "First, we set out to further advance our patented blood-pressure cuff technology to address the increasing obesity epidemic in the United States. Secondly, we committed to develop an advanced health IT platform that is easy to use, easy to implement, and offers definitive program validation. In 2010 we achieved these objectives."

Ashton Maaraba, PharmaSmart general manager and senior vice president, said the company now combines a clinically-validated diagnostic tool with an easy-to-use health IT platform to offer pharmacists meaningful tools for better patient care.

"We have added sophisticated patient management without complicating ease of use," he said. "We have advanced our health IT platform without confusing our patients or pharmacists. Enrolled patients simply insert their blood pressure management Smart Card into the kiosk and press 'start.' The patient consult is just as easy. With one click of a mouse, the pharmacist can initiate a meaningful consultation with a patient about his integrated diagnostic results."

The recently launched PharmaSmart connectivity network has collected and stored 4 million patient readings, including blood pressure, and the new additions of BMI and blood glucose. Retail pharmacies offering the program have enrolled tens of thousands of patients into PharmaSmart's integrated patient management platform.

Enrolled patients have access to a retail-branded personal health record that stores and organizes their diagnostic readings. Once enrolled, the pharmacist uses the integrated Personal Health Record (PHR) functionality to provide informed therapeutic counseling and interventions as required. PharmaSmart kiosks and web services are confidential and HIPAA compliant.