The Standard (St. Catharines)

Now you can ask Alexa for first-aid help

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ROCHESTER, MINN. —Mayo Clinic has introduced a new skill for Amazon Alexa, giving a handsfree way to access first-aid informatio­n. A skill is a new capability a person can add to their Amazon Alexa-enabled devices that creates a more personaliz­ed user experience.

Once enabled by the user, the new Mayo Clinic First-Aid skill for Amazon Alexa can provide voice-driven, self-care instructio­ns for dozens of everyday mishaps and other situations while it offers quick answers from the most trusted sources in health care. Simply saying, “Alexa, open Mayo First-Aid” will enable a user to access common topics related to first aid and have health guidance delivered through Alexa-enabled devices, such as Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap and more.

Individual­s can interact with this free Mayo Clinic First-Aid skill for Amazon Alexa through prompting questions or statements. For example, just say, “Alexa, ask Mayo First Aid how do I treat my baby’s fever?” or “Alexa, tell Mayo First Aid I need help for a burn,” and content from Mayo Clinic is spoken as a response by Alexa. The Mayo Clinic First-Aid skill should not be used if a person is in a lifethreat­ening or emergency medical situation. In those situations, individual­s should seek immediate medical assistance.

“Mayo Clinic produces trusted, evidence-based health guidance to empower people to effectivel­y manage their health,” says Sandhya Pruthi, general internal medicine physician and associate medical director of Mayo Clinic Global Business Solutions, which develops products and services which extend Mayo Clinic expertise. “This is the first health guidance skill Mayo Clinic has developed and launched for Amazon Alexa. Voice-enabled experience is a new and growing channel for reaching people and delivering informatio­n they are seeking, whether or not they have an existing relationsh­ip with Mayo Clinic. Creating this first-aid skill is another way Mayo Clinic can provide relevant informatio­n to consumers where and when it’s needed.”

The new Mayo Clinic First-Aid skill for Amazon Alexa was developed with Mayo Clinic healthcare providers using industryle­ading, voice-first technology. This skill joins Mayo Clinic Flash Briefing for Amazon Alexa. This daily, 60-second audio news feed features the latest breaking medical news and insights from the Mayo Clinic News Network.

Visit mayoclinic.org/voice/ apps for informatio­n on how to get Mayo Clinic First-Aid skill.

 ?? GETTY ?? Mayo Clinic First-Aid let’s you ask Amazon Alexa for advice on how to, for example, treat a baby’s fever.
GETTY Mayo Clinic First-Aid let’s you ask Amazon Alexa for advice on how to, for example, treat a baby’s fever.

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