CSI gives users access to Health Station data

Computerized Screening Inc.

announced last week introduction of its

Personal Medical Record, which allows

users of the company's Health Station

system to collect and access their health

data.

CSI's Health Station is an ATM-like

machine with which users can measure

their blood pressure, weight and body

mass index. Users can also access from

the stations a drug encyclopedia, health

videos and information on local health

providers.

The Sparks-based company projects

that about 4,000 Health Stations will

soon be operational. Locally, the stations

are already installed in Scolari's grocery

stores and will soon be available in

Safeway, Long's Drugs and Raley's. In

addition to retailers, the station has corporate

customers, including Hewlett-

Packard, Mass Mutual and Maxwell

House.

The company has been making blood

pressure monitors that are available for

use in pharmacies since 1978. Because of

that, shoppers are accustomed to using

equipment like the Health Station in

public, said Bob Sullivan, executive vice

president at CSI.

"We've been doing that for years so

consumers are used to dealing with it,"

he said.

The Personal Medical Record lets

users maintain a history of their screenings

and access it at any Health Station

or via the Internet using an access card

and personal identification number.

Users can also grant access to the

information to their doctors or other

health professionals.

CSI is providing Personal Medical

Record free of charge.

The retailers lease the Health Station

for five years. If the store meets certain

usage and promotional requirements,

CSI may provide the Health Station for

free.

Revenue is primarily generated from

advertising on each unit. It takes two

minutes to take person's blood pressure,

guaranteeing a captive audience for the

advertiser, said Sullivan.

CSI holds four patents on the Health

Station technology.