Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare and hybrid care company OnMed have launched a virtual care station at Bradley International Airport, aiming to expand healthcare access for travelers.
The initiative, the first of its kind in the nation, places a self-contained OnMed station — a pod-like kiosk offering remote, on-demand medical services — in a high-traffic area of the airport. The effort is part of Hartford HealthCare’s broader plan to meet patients where they are, according to Karen Goyette, executive vice president and chief strategy and transformation officer at the health system.
“Our partnership with Bradley dates back a few years now, and it largely had been more brand focused,” Ms. Goyette told Becker’s. “In this case, we really thought there was an opportunity to differentiate not only Bradley International Airport, but Connecticut, as a destination for access to healthcare.”
The kiosk, which can provide virtual diagnosis, prescriptions and other routine care, integrates directly with Hartford HealthCare’s Epic EHR system. This integration allows patients’ medical information to be securely accessed by care teams across the system.
“We don’t want it to be transactional,” Ms. Goyette said. “One of the things that we make as a criteria is that they use our instance of Epic so patients and providers can see that information and use it in their decision-making going forward.”
Bringing the station online required about six months of coordination with airport authorities and the Transportation Security Administration, Ms. Goyette said.
The airport care pod marks the third OnMed deployment for Hartford HealthCare. Other stations are located in a Stop & Shop grocery store in a rural area and at a community health site in downtown Hartford. The locations are part of the system’s commitment to what it calls “on-demand care.”
“We’ve had a real laser focus on moving to retail access and meeting patients where they are,” Ms. Goyette said. “This opportunity really supports people who are on the go — people who maybe forgot medications and want to get a prescription or need some diagnostic tests.”
The new OnMed location complements Hartford HealthCare’s recent digital health investments, including its HHC 24/7 virtual primary care program, which launched in full in April and provides 24/7 remote access to primary care services.
Looking ahead, the health system is exploring further expansion of hybrid and virtual models — including in-home care — to reach patients who face transportation or mobility challenges.
“We’re big believers in care in the home,” Ms. Goyette said, pointing to Hartford HealthCare’s partnership with Pennant Healthcare to enhance traditional home care services through digital platforms. “This really helps open doors for people to have access to the care they need.”
Ms. Goyette described the OnMed station at Bradley as “just the beginning” of Hartford HealthCare’s digital transformation.
