Computerized Screening Inc.
announced last week introduction of its
Personal Medical Record, which allows
users of the company's Health Station
system to collect and access their health
data.
CSI's Health Station is an ATM-like
machine with which users can measure
their blood pressure, weight and body
mass index. Users can also access from
the stations a drug encyclopedia, health
videos and information on local health
providers.
The Sparks-based company projects
that about 4,000 Health Stations will
soon be operational. Locally, the stations
are already installed in Scolari's grocery
stores and will soon be available in
Safeway, Long's Drugs and Raley's. In
addition to retailers, the station has corporate
customers, including Hewlett-
Packard, Mass Mutual and Maxwell
House.
The company has been making blood
pressure monitors that are available for
use in pharmacies since 1978. Because of
that, shoppers are accustomed to using
equipment like the Health Station in
public, said Bob Sullivan, executive vice
president at CSI.
"We've been doing that for years so
consumers are used to dealing with it,"
he said.
The Personal Medical Record lets
users maintain a history of their screenings
and access it at any Health Station
or via the Internet using an access card
and personal identification number.
Users can also grant access to the
information to their doctors or other
health professionals.
CSI is providing Personal Medical
Record free of charge.
The retailers lease the Health Station
for five years. If the store meets certain
usage and promotional requirements,
CSI may provide the Health Station for
free.
Revenue is primarily generated from
advertising on each unit. It takes two
minutes to take person's blood pressure,
guaranteeing a captive audience for the
advertiser, said Sullivan.
CSI holds four patents on the Health
Station technology.
