New MDG check-in process streamlines patient care

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Hines
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Beginning July 9, the 31st Medical Group will introduce a new check-in system to help streamline patient care and medical readiness.

The new kiosks will be available at 15 locations throughout medical facilities such as flight medicine, family health, health and wellness center and mental health.

"It's similar to what patients may have used in the pharmacy," said Col. Guy Majkowski, former 31st Medical Operations Squadron commander. "This system, however, is a much more capable and robust version that has more tools, options and will also be great for us as medical group staff."

The new system will also help the MDG compile and observe time studies to determine and manage patient flow, oversee how quickly patients are receiving care and alert staff of abnormal wait times.

"This will give us a good opportunity to see how we are servicing our customers," said Capt. Neil Boots, 31st MDG information services deputy flight commander.

In addition to reducing the check-in time, the kiosks will also help ensure the most accurate patient information by allowing customers to verify their contact and insurance information during check-in.

"They will have the opportunity to look at the information our system has, and if it is wrong, they will have the chance to correct it at one of the customer desks," said Boots.

Additionally, the medical group worked to ensure various government ID cards could be scanned through the kiosk.

"We literally scanned every type of ID card we could find, from retired and active duty members to civilians and family," said Boots. "Anybody can use it."

The kiosks also have built-in privacy screens that can only be viewed from directly in front of the machine and it will clear the patient's information as soon as they step away from the kiosk.

"What it really comes down to is that it allows the patients to be more involved in their own treatment," said Boots, "which is what the Air Force has been turning to - getting the patient involved and confident in their care."