The self-service check-in is part of the myCommunity initiative launched by Community Health Network.

Press Release

(Indianapolis, IN)---Community Health Network is the first health care system in the nation to offer new technology that allows patients to check-in with a self-service kiosk and magnetic stripe membership card. Community is partnering with NCR Corporation, a leading, global provider of self-service solutions, to offer the myCommunity Express Check-in, an innovative solution that expedites the check-in process by allowing patients to verify their demographic and appointment information via a secure and private touch screen. The kiosk will be available first at Community Regional Cancer Center on the Community Hospital North campus.

The card and kiosk solution provides patients the ability to bypass the traditional check-in desk and electronically notify the clinician that they have arrived for their appointment. Historically, this type of data verification was only possible through the use of paper charts that were updated by manually entering information into a computer. The myCommunity Express Check-in allows patients complete control and privacy when verifying health, insurance and other personal information upon check-in.

The myCommunity magnetic stripe membership card, one of the most comprehensive and secure service cards in health care today, is swiped at the kiosk, identifying the patient or user. The card is part of Community’s myCommunity program, which incorporates Internet technology to provide convenient access to many health care needs, including personal health records; online appointments; medical transactions (such as prescription renewal) via mobile phones with Internet connectivity; medical text messages; onsite amenities; and retail discounts. The card is the passport to these multiple services.

“The myCommunity Express Check-in is a big step towards responding to consumer frustration with filling out duplicate forms about health and insurance information,” said Dan Rench, vice president of e-Business for Community Health Network. “This new model, which provides greater health care integration for myCommunity members, will be especially helpful to cancer patients, who often require multiple visits during the course of their care.”

The myCommunity Express Check-in is designed with the goal of reducing frequent, duplicate copies of insurance and personal information, decreasing manual handling of paper, and eliminating multiple signature forms on clip boards from the check-in process. Like the self-service models used successfully by airline, banking, housing and other industries, the membership card and kiosk allow patients to expedite their check-in and gives them time back by swiping their myCommunity card.

“Health care organizations are increasingly turning to self-service technology as a way to decrease wait times and improve the overall patient experience,” said Chakri Toleti, vice president of healthcare industry marketing at NCR. “By transitioning to a paperless check-in process, Community Health Network will offer patients a faster, more convenient way to interact with their organization, resulting in improved satisfaction and increased loyalty.”

Research shows consumers rank registering at a hospital or clinic the third most frustrating wait, behind registering a car or renewing a license at the DMV and checking out at a retail store. In addition, 37% of consumers say they would be extremely or very interested in using a self-service kiosk or other self-service device if one was available to help them check-in for medical appointments more quickly. More than 43% also say they have chosen one medical provider over another because it offered self-service. (Source: “The Wait We Hate the Most: NCR Queue Review Survey Looks at Consumer Frustration with Waiting for Service,” Opinion Research Corporation, 2006)

In addition to the self-service express check-in, patients at Community Regional Cancer Center who are myCommunity members will soon be able to take advantage of onsite prescription pick up and deliveries, hair loss and cosmetic consultations, massage therapy, manicures, pedicures and on site grocery deliveries.

Implementation of the myCommunity Express Check-in will start on the campus of Community Hospital North and then be implemented at select facilities network-wide during the next two years. For more information, visit http://eCommunity.com/card.

About Community Health Network

Ranked among the top 20 integrated health care networks in the nation, Community Health Network has more than 70 sites of care throughout central Indiana. This includes Community Hospitals East, North and South in Indianapolis and Community Hospital Anderson; The Indiana Heart Hospital, a dedicated heart hospital; Indiana Surgery Centers; Community Physicians of Indiana; Community Home Health Services; MedCheck urgent care centers and MEDPOINT express convenience clinics; employer health services; nursing homes; and other health care facilities. Community Health Network is committed to getting you well and back to your life. For more information about Community Health Network or to find a physician, call 800-777-7775 or visit www.eCommunity.com.

About NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is a global technology company leading how the world connects, interacts and transacts with business. NCR’s assisted and self-service solutions and comprehensive support services address the needs of retail, financial, travel, healthcare, hospitality, gaming and public sector organizations in more than 100 countries. NCR (www.ncr.com) is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio.