Dr. Alice Zhang of Penn State College of Medicine demonstrated the new “Health to Go” vending machine at UPMC Harrisburg.
A new device at UPMC Harrisburg brings healthcare to the community in a unique grab-and-go format.
UPMC and Penn State College of Medicine officially launched a “Health to Go” vending machine, one of the first of its kind in the state, outside its emergency department.
The vending machine, an interactive, touch-screen device, allows 24/7 access to free health items such as naloxone, fentanyl test strips, wound care kits, personal care items and pregnancy tests, among other items.
The machine is one of two smart devices of its kind in the commonwealth, which Penn State has deployed, according to officials. Another is located in Reading, and one will soon be stationed in Millersburg.
Penn State officials shared that the project has been in the works for years, but the need for he vending machine became even greater during COVID and as overdose deaths increased.
“There was a need for low-barrier access to naloxone and other life-saving items, and then it grew to include other health items because we really want to include other items to reduce the stigma of naloxone and substance use,” said Dr. Alice Zhang, co-lead investigator and assistant professor of Family and Community Medicine at Penn State. “The whole goal and point is to help the community and meet them where they’re at.”
“Health to Go” vending machine
Products in the vending machine are completely free and can be accessed by anyone, anonymously. All that is required is to create a username, using a birth year, a color and an animal.
Penn State and UPMC deployed the machine outside its emergency department over a month ago. In the first month, over 100 people accessed more than 500 items, including about 200 hygiene kits, 150 safer sex kits, 75 wound care kits and 60 naloxone kits.
“You are seeing a lot of issues with opiate misuse disorder,” said Dr. Anthony Guarracino, chair of emergency medicine at UPMC Harrisburg. “In addition, Harrisburg does have a prominent homeless population […] so meeting those needs this way, relatively simply, at no cost to the individual using it to meet some of those needs […] it was just a no brainer to partner with Penn State.”
Additionally, the vending machine includes a list of local service providers that offer food, housing and social services, with information on how to contact them.
UPMC and Penn State will also track information about what items are being taken and at what time of day, and when items need to be restocked.
Guarracino explained that, currently, if someone needs naloxone or a sexual health item, for example, they would have to go to a pharmacy, which may be difficult for those with financial or transportation barriers. This initiative removes those barriers and stigmas associated with accessing them, he said.
“This removes the stigma, and also I think it provides the individual with a sense of independence, they can come and obtain the resources they need at any time, in a private manner,” he said.
The vending machine is funded by Penn State, UPMC and Dauphin County.
UPMC Harrisburg is located at 111 S. Front St., Harrisburg. For more information about the “Health to Go” vending machine, click here.
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