Visitors to the Flin Flon General Hospital clinic will find new hardware in the waiting room: two self check-in kiosks.
The touch-screen kiosks, similar in design to those found in major airports, were rolled out in Northern Health Region clinics in Thompson, Flin Flon and The Pas from August to late September.
The Manitoba Patient Access Network (MPAN) funded the six kiosks at a total cost of $62,800.
“We wanted to improve patient experience, and they [MPAN] were looking for innovative ideas,” said Candice Hyrhoruk, manager of the clinic. “The kiosk was one of the innovative ideas that we came up with.”
Patients seem to be adjusting to the new kiosks easily, Hyrhoruk says.
To facilitate the transition, hospital staff are directing visitors to the kiosks upon arrival, and providing assistance as needed.
While some users may find the technology a welcome alternative to waiting in line, those who prefer to use the registration desk are still free to do so, Hyrhoruk says.
She notes that the kiosks are just another option for patients with scheduled appointments (walk-in patients must register at the desk as usual) and no staffing changes are planned, though she does acknowledge the new machines may change the workload of reception staff.
Local patients have completed over 50 surveys on the kiosks, Hyrhoruk explains.
In response to patient comments, clinic staff members have expanded font size on the kiosks, and they are considering raising the height of one of the kiosks to ensure that both patients in wheelchairs, and those standing, can access the screen comfortably.
