Select Safeway Stores Offer First AI-Powered Medical Clinics

Two Safeway stores in the Phoenix area are now offering artificial intelligence-powered medical clinics through a partnership with Akos Med Clinic.

A leader in the urgent care and telemedicine arenas, Akos Med Clinic has a location in the Safeway at 926 E. Broadway Road, right near Arizona State University. A Glendale location, at 20205 N. 67th Avenue, is also now open. There are plans to expand the clinic to 50 additional Safeway locations throughout Arizona by mid-2019, as well as to the other states.

This first-of-its-kind clinic utilizes technology developed by AdviNOW Medical so that many common conditions, such as sinus infections, earaches, sore throats, rashes, UTIs, strains and sprains, can be quickly and effectively treated.

“In a time when digital health is rapidly evolving, we are excited to bring this unprecedented approach to virtual medical care,” Akos CEO and Co-founder Kishlay Anand, MD said in a press release. “At Akos, we’re committed to improving access to high-quality medical care, and this partnership will expand our telehealth offering beyond the capabilities of our telemedicine app by placing these clinics where consumers regularly shop.”

As patients sit in front of a computer screen and simple-to-use, FDA-approved medical devices, they are guided by AR on how to collect their own data, such as weight, temperature, blood pressure and blood oxygen content, as well as ear, nose and throat images and chest, lung and abdomen sounds. Follow-up questions are asked until a diagnosis can be made, with the total process typically taking less than 15 minutes.

The data collected is then sent electronically to an Akos healthcare provider, who will then video chat with the patient to confirm the AI-collected information, verify the diagnosis and confirm or change the treatment plan. A healthcare professional will also be on-site if assistance is needed.

The AI also sends the prescription and/or test orders to the appropriate healthcare partner, and will follow up with the patient to check health status and schedule a follow-up visit, if needed.

“We believe our technology will solve the persistent problem of access to healthcare by making the patient and provider visit more efficient, allowing more patients to be seen in a day,” said AdviNOW Medical Founder and CEO James Bates. “Thanks to the AI, the collection and accuracy of the patient-visit data is significantly improved, impacting the overall quality and safety of the visit and overall health outcomes.”