Southern Nevada Health District Partners With VendNovation to Provide Vital Public Health Resources
The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) is one of the largest public health organizations in the United States. It provides public health resources to Clark County, Nevada and its surrounding cities. This region makes up 73% of Nevada’s total population, and it protects the public health of Las Vegas’s 38 million annual visitors.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the SNHD was faced with the challenge of distributing COVID-19 test kits to an expansive population of residents and tourists, including those in the district’s most rural communities. VendNovation’s inventory vending machines provided the solution organizers needed to better protect the health of those in the district. The vending machines are easy to place in a variety of locations, they make obtaining COVID-19 test kits frictionless, and they help the district better understand the demographics of those impacted by the virus.
According to Emily Fischer, Sales Director at VendNovation, “Our solution had the back end integration they needed for frictionless registration, was more economical, and had a quicker lead time than the other manufacturers.” This made VendNovation’s IIC Sightguard the perfect choice for the Southern Nevada Health District to address the complicated public health emergency that COVID-19 presented.
Improving Access Without Sacrificing Inventory Control
The SNHD strategically deployed six vending machines throughout the region. Locations include high traffic areas like bus terminals and community centers. They also ensure free access to this vital public health resource with vending machines placed in a regional hospital and the public health office. These locations target some of the most hard-to-reach populations. They promote increased visibility and awareness about the importance of COVID-19 testing to prevent the spread of the virus.
Anyone who needs a test kit can scan the QR code on the side of the machine and register. Upon answering a few demographic questions, registrants are supplied with a PIN that allows them to obtain up to 5 free tests.
While testing remains anonymous to protect privacy, the machines automate inventory tracking and limit the number of kits to prevent theft or misuse. This allows the SNHD to ensure machines are always stocked and helps officials understand where virus symptoms are most concentrated.
Though the pandemic has subsided, VendNovation’s vending machines remain distributed throughout the SNHD region, ensuring accessibility to free COVID-19 test kits. In 2023, these machines distributed over 21,300 kits.