First health care provider in Greater Houston to bring prescriptions
directly to patient homes via autonomous drones
HOUSTON, April 19,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Memorial Hermann Health
System will be the first health care provider in Houston to deploy Zipline's instant home
delivery service, making autonomous drone deliveries of specialty
prescriptions and medical supplies directly to patients' homes
beginning in 2026.
"As a system, we are continuously seeking ways to improve the
patient experience and bring greater health and value to the
communities we serve. Zipline provides an innovative solution
to helping our patients access the medications they need, quickly
and conveniently, at no added cost to them," said Alec King, executive vice president and chief
financial officer for Memorial Hermann.
Zipline is the world's largest drone delivery system and
recently completed its one millionth commercial delivery. Zipline's
next generation home delivery service, Platform 2 (P2), is expected
to deliver up to seven times faster than traditional automobile
delivery, completing deliveries in about a minute per mile.
Patients can schedule deliveries for precise times and can track
their order in real-time on their phone.
Memorial Hermann will use Zipline's P2 service, which uses
autonomous, electric drones ("Zips") to deliver to urban and
suburban areas quietly and conveniently. Once an order is loaded,
the Zip flies to its destination and hovers safely and quietly
high up in the sky, while its autonomous delivery droid descends on
a tether, steers to the correct location,
and precisely delivers to places as small as a patio table or
the front steps of a house. Over time, Memorial Hermann may also
use Zipline to transport medicine, supplies and lab samples between
its system facilities.
"Completing more than one million commercial deliveries has
shown us that when you improve health care logistics, you improve
every level of the patient experience. It means people get better,
faster, more convenient care, even from the comfort of their own
home," said Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, Co-Founder and CEO of Zipline.
"Innovators like Memorial Hermann are leading the way to bring
better care to the U.S., and it's going to happen much faster than
you might expect."
The Zips can quickly and quietly deliver in rain, wind, extreme
cold and other conditions that would normally slow down automotive
transport like rush-hour traffic, and with zero emissions. Memorial
Hermann and Zipline are working together on all necessary
approvals to serve the area and will share more information about
how to sign-up for the service before it launches.
Media Contact:
media.relations@memorialhermann.org
media@flyzipline.com
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SOURCE Memorial Hermann Health System