Essentia Health unveiled a free tool that reads prescription labels aloud.
The tool is intended to better serve patients with low vision. Called ScripTalk, it uses text-to-speech technology to verbalize prescription labels for patients who cannot otherwise read them.
It relies on an electronic tag that Essentia pharmacists program and place on the container. When the tag is scanned by a smartphone app or set on the ScripTalk device, the prescription is read aloud.
The text-to-speech technology can speak in 25 languages, according to Essentia.
It is free and available through Essentia pharmacies by pick-up, mail or delivery where available. Patients can ask their pharmacy to use ScripTalk and those requests can be made by phone, email or in person.
When needed, the pharmacy team will connect the patient with a ScripTalk representative, who will make sure the patient understands the app, Essentia Health stated. If the patient needs the device, called a Station Reader, ScripTalk will mail it to them at no charge and will check in every six months to see if the patient wants to continue using it or if they want to begin using the app.
-
Contributed/iNaturalist user sidetrackerKAXE Staff Phenologist John Latimer provides his weekly assessment of nature in Northern Minnesota. This is the week of April 30, 2024. -
Contributed/Mahnomen Health CenterA designation change, pending approval from the Centers for Medicaid Services, would move Mahnomen Health Center from a critical access hospital to a rural emergency hospital — the first in Minnesota. -
Contributed/Lorie ShaullEvery spring, on select prairies in northwestern Minnesota, Greater Prairie-Chicken males gather to put on a showy and energetic courtship display to woo females. -
Contributed/MN House via YouTubeThe bill, sponsored by Sen. Robert Farnsworth and Rep. Dave Lislegard, heads to Gov. Tim Walz's desk. -
Lorie Shaull/Special to KAXEThe fourth annual Native Nations Fashion Night was a vibrant celebration of creativity and culture, showcasing the latest and most innovative works of Indigenous designers. -
Plus: Public hearing offers insight into Mahnomen Health Center changes; and Rep. Michelle Fischbach fails to garner the GOP endorsement in the 7th District. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEA court-appointed commission voted 4-1 on a new map that now splits the city of Bemidji between three districts instead of two. A judge previously ruled Beltrami County applied an incorrect legal assumption in its now-rejected map. -
Contributed/Itasca WatersItasca Waters hosts their next Practical Water Wisdom webinar at noon on Thursday, May 2, with fisheries biologist Don Schreiner. -
Maria Hileman/KAXEKAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Sam Miltich and Briand Morrison, Colleen "Boss Mama" Myhre and Aurora Baer, Caleigh and The International Treasures. -
Contributed/Lorie ShaullStudents and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders.
