Isn't it time to stop waiting at the hospital?

"Waiting at reception, waiting in the inner waiting room, and waiting again for payment—". In Japanese medical institutions, "waiting" has become all too common. According to a Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare survey, the average waiting time for outpatients is approximately 30 minutes or more. For busy business people and parents raising children, this "waiting time" is the biggest hurdle to receiving medical care.

RED MAPLE CLINIC by Dr. Kurenai (hereinafter, Red Maple Clinic) in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, is a clinic that has directly challenged the conventional wisdom of "waiting time in healthcare." By introducing advance reservations and pre-payment via Digisma, and having doctors directly welcome patients into the examination room without going through reception staff, they have realized a completely new style of medical care.

Red Maple Clinic: Three Strengths

❶ Zero Waiting Time — "No Waiting" is the Ultimate Hospitality

At our clinic, we utilize Digisma (Digital Smart

medical system) to complete everything from reservation to payment in advance. Patients simply arrive at their reserved time and are guided directly to the examination room. The conventional multi-stage process of "reception → waiting → examination → waiting → payment" has been compressed into a single step: "reservation → examination/prescription → return home."

❷ Doctor-Direct Model — A New Medical Experience Where "The Doctor Welcomes You"

Without going through reception staff, the doctor himself confirms Digisma reservations and directly welcomes patients into the examination room. This "seemingly unconventional" style is not merely about reducing labor costs. It is a deliberate design to maximize the concentration of "pure consultation time facing the patient." The doctor directly listens to the patient's story without relying on referral letters or medical questionnaires. This is the form of "Patient First" that Director Takebayashi envisions.

❸ Overwhelming Speed — Completion "Within 30 Minutes" Even During Flu Season

From examination and diagnosis to medication dispensing, it takes just 30 minutes. This isn't just for normal times. Even during peak flu season when influenza is rampant, our clinic maintains this speed. With same-day influenza diagnosis using the AI-powered camera "nodoca," the utilization of online consultations, and a prevention-focused medical system, the risk of in-hospital infection is also minimized.

Background: Zero Waiting Time is a Testament to the Doctor's "Integrity"

In typical medical institutions, there are many "waits" and "procedures" before entering the examination room. However, we believe that "making patients wait is equivalent to taking away a part of their healthy lifespan."

Being unwell and having to wait for a long time. That itself raises the barrier to seeking medical care and is a factor in worsening one's condition—this is an unwavering conviction that Director Takebayashi gained from his experience on the front lines of public health as a health center director.

"Chasing after daily work and household chores, unable to even find time to go to the hospital. Hearing the voices of such people, I established this clinic." — Director Kurenai Takebayashi

Without going through administrative staff, the doctor directly confirms Digisma reservations and welcomes patients into the examination room. This seemingly unconventional style is not for the purpose of efficiency. Behind it lies the following firm belief:

■ Improving Healthcare Accessibility

The complacency of "I'm busy, so I'll put it off" can worsen a medical condition. Our clinic operates from 8 AM to 10 PM, including weekends and holidays, and also offers online consultations. We thoroughly eliminate psychological barriers to seeking medical care, leading to early diagnosis and early treatment.

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