Scottsdale-Based Akos opens up second A.I. Medical Clinic

Grocery stores used to just have, well, groceries. Then they started planting Starbucks inside as well as clothing departments and sit-down restaurants. Now, grocery stores are adding artificial intelligence medical stations for customers. In fact, one of the first A.I. medical stations in the country–and the second in Arizona–is now open at the Safeway at Rural and Broadway in Tempe, near Arizona State University.

The new medical center is a partnership with Akos and AdviNOW, a Scottsdale-based health care automation company that specializes in A.I. The Akos Med Clinic, which was co-developed by ASU students and interns who helped spearhead the technology, is a leading agent in the telemedicine field. Safeway is currently slated to open up more of the A.I. tech clinics in their stores around the state. It already has one up and running in Glendale, which opened in October.

“The technology allows consumers to move more efficiently and effectively through a typical medical exam by automating the process,” CEO and founder James Bates said. “Consumers participate in the gathering of data and vitals about themselves, giving them more time to consult with the provider.”

Customers can head to a Safeway where the high-tech medical clinic is and see a specialist via artificial intelligence. Instead of waiting for hours within an urgent care or seeing a doctor, they can get care almost immediately.

Patients sit down in front of a computer screen that’s outfitted with multiple FDA-approved medical devices. They’re then guided to use the clinic through augmented reality by inputting some information of their own. The system monitors their blood pressure, weight, temperature and blood oxygen count before scanning images of things like ear, nose, throat and chest. The system may continue asking questions and posing prompts to better assess what’s wrong and what care the patient needs, usually wrapping things up in about 15 minutes.

Following a diagnostic, a patient’s workup is sent directly to an Akos provider, outlining a list of potential sickness issues and options for treatment. A provider will then video conference with the patient on the spot to go over collected data and verify diagnosis before okaying treatment.

The people over at Akos plan on bringing more of their A.I.-driven medical clinics to all Safeway stores in Arizona before possibly heading nationwide.

“Akos has plans to open another six Safeway-based clinics in early 2019 in the Phoenix metro area. A total of 50 in Arizona, with plans to expand into Nevada and Colorado,” adds Bates.

For patients, this streamlines basically every part of the diagnostic process. All details are automatically inputted in an electronic medical record and the technology sends prescription and test orders to health care partners such as pharmacies and imaging centers. The A.I. technology also follows up with the patient to check on health status and schedule a follow-up visit if needed.