Media contacts:  
Jeane’ Holley: (216) 698‐2544, or jholley@cuyahogacounty.us
Kristen Anderson (216) 778-2561 or kanderson@metrohealth.org

Technology connects Cuyahoga County employees to MetroHealth doctors with push of a button

 CLEVELAND - Beginning September 25, 2013, Cuyahoga County employees will be able to seek medical care in a fully-equipped kiosk within the Justice Center. The HealthSpot℠ station will bring employees face-to-face with MetroHealth doctors using two-way, high-definition videoconferencing and interactive digital media devices.  Cuyahoga County is the first public entity in the State of Ohio to utilize the HealthSpot station for employees.

The patient and physician can discuss symptoms and, depending on what’s needed, the provider will remotely open individual cabinets containing devices such as a blood pressure cuff, thermometer and stethoscope. The patient will then use a device according to the provider’s directions, and results will be gathered. 

MetroHealth providers will use the HealthSpot solution to create an electronic record of the patient’s visit.  The providers will review medical information with the patient, diagnose, treat and recommend follow-up care.  They can also share information with the patient’s primary care physician or specialist.

“One of my top priorities as County Executive is to embrace a health and wellness culture that mirrors the excellence of our major medical institutions. Health improvement is a critical component of our county-wide efforts, as well as our internal efforts, to increase productivity and performance.” said Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald. “Cuyahoga County is committed to promoting good health and, by partnering with MetroHealth to offer the HealthSpot station, county employees will have convenient, first of its kind access to top care right here within a county facility.”

The station is a first-of-its-kind private and fully-enclosed kiosk that is equipped with a suite of medical devices that stream biomedical information to the provider in real-time “I am very proud of the advances that we have made in this partnership with the county to offer convenient health care on-site to all Cuyahoga County employees,” said Akram Boutros, M.D., FACHE, President and CEO. “It’s another example of MetroHealth’s mission to lead the way to a healthier community.”

“This is a great way to provide easy access to MetroHealth’s vast network of providers for medical diagnoses and treatments,” said HealthSpot CEO and founder Steve Cashman.

HealthSpot will be open Monday – Friday from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Justice Center. Visits are free to all county employees regardless of individual insurance coverage. A medical technician assistant is on site to answer questions and clean equipment after each kiosk visit.

About The MetroHealth System

The MetroHealth System is a comprehensive academic healthcare system which has served as the safety- net public hospital for Northeast Ohio for 176 years. MetroHealth has a nationally-renowned Level I trauma and burn center and an acclaimed critical-care transport program – Metro Life Flight. MetroHealth’s network of 17 health centers incorporates a patient-centered medical home team care approach to optimize patient outcomes through chronic disease management. MetroHealth is in the top 4 percent of hospitals in the U.S. that have achieved Magnet® recognition for a second time. Magnet® is the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence. Founded in 1837, MetroHealth has been a major affiliate of Case Western Reserve University since 1914, and all MetroHealth active physician staff hold faculty appointments at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. In the past, MetroHealth provided one million inpatient and outpatient visits – with overall revenue of nearly $750 million. For more information on The MetroHealth System, visit www.MetroHealth.org. 

About Cuyahoga County’s Department of Human Resources

Cuyahoga County recognizes the value of a qualified workforce in order to provide the highest level of service to the public.  To meet this goal, the Department of Human Resources has made it our mission to recruit, train, support, and retain the most qualified and productive staff for Cuyahoga County, while ensuring fair employment and equal opportunity to all persons.  In addition to these goals, the county has implemented a wellness program that focuses on employees maintaining good health; Healthy Workplace, Healthy Community.  Wellness opportunities are offered to county employees, including:  employee recreation sports leagues; lunch and learn programs; fitness classes; influenza vaccinations at discounted prices; health screenings; annual wellness fair; health risk assessment; discounts on medications for asthma, cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); smoke-free campus; smoking cessation support including resources and medication discounts; healthier vending machine options; charity swim/bike/run/walk events; recognition of health observances and related activities; bike-to-work programs; quarterly insurance carrier information booths; and Weight Watchers at work.    

About HealthSpot℠

HealthSpot is pioneering patient and provider healthcare technology with a comprehensive, patent-pending system called the HealthSpot station which enables patients’ immediate access to medical diagnostics from board certified doctors via high definition video conferencing and interactive, digital telehealth tools. An innovative approach to the integration of telehealth and acute care, HealthSpot uses digital technology to empower doctors and specialists to provide care that is smarter, simpler and within anyone’s reach. For more information on HealthSpot, go to www.healthspot.net.

The HealthSpot℠ & HealthSpot station names and logo are trademarks of HealthSpot, Inc. All rights reserved. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.