U.S. patent application number 14/475712 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-19 for integrated electronic health care coordination system with touch screen tablets and smartphones.
The applicant listed for this patent is Southwest IP Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to JoAnne Belcher Klaus, Naeem Ahmed Malik, John Henry McKee, Frank Leon Yetter.
Application Number | 20150051923 14/475712 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45565459 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150051923 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McKee; John Henry ; et
al. |
February 19, 2015 |
Integrated Electronic Health Care Coordination System with Touch
Screen Tablets and Smartphones
Abstract
A patient care coordination system that includes a plurality of
hand-held computers in communication with a cloud computing network
or a remote server that has an accessible database of all patients
and the health care information of each. The cloud computing
network or remote server synchronizes, in real time, patient health
care information input in any one of the plurality of hand-held
computers with all the others of the plurality of hand-held
computers that are each able to download and view the patient
health care information in the database in a user friendly graphic
user interface.
Inventors: |
McKee; John Henry; (Dallas,
TX) ; Yetter; Frank Leon; (Plano, TX) ;
Belcher Klaus; JoAnne; (Cocoa, FL) ; Malik; Naeem
Ahmed; (Richardson, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Southwest IP Holdings, LLC |
Dallas |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
45565459 |
Appl. No.: |
14/475712 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14082726 |
Nov 18, 2013 |
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14475712 |
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13150627 |
Jun 1, 2011 |
8615413 |
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14082726 |
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61401446 |
Aug 13, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 40/67 20180101;
G06Q 40/08 20130101; G16H 20/13 20180101; G16H 40/20 20180101; G16H
10/60 20180101; H04M 1/72522 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/3 |
International
Class: |
G06F 19/00 20060101
G06F019/00 |
Claims
1. An integrated health care coordination system, the system
comprising: a plurality of tablets and smart phones, the tablets
and smart phones each having a user interface comprising a touch
screen, the touch screen user interface enabling activities
comprising: accessing health care information, inputting health
care information, and receiving in real-time health care
information; and a computer in wireless communication with the
plurality of tablets and smart phones, the computer having memory
comprising a database configured to store and update health care
information, the computer automatically and in real time receiving
health care information from any of the plurality of tablets and
smart phones and making the received health care information
accessible in real time to others of the plurality of tablets and
smart phones.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer comprises a remote
server.
3. The system of claim 2, further comprising accessibly stored
information about pharmaceutical drugs, and further comprising
software applications that cross check prescribed drugs for
appropriate administration to a person requiring treatment by
checking against allergy indications, sensitivity indications and
drug interactions for the person requiring treatment.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is configured to
communicate with a pharmaceutical dispensing entity.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the health care information
includes information about prescription drug administration, and
wherein the system is configured to provide a reminder to health
care providers via the plurality of tablets and smart phones about
upcoming scheduled treatment activity.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein the touch screen interface of
each of the plurality of tablets and smart phones comprises
graphics relating to a generic health care provider environment
such that the system provides access to health care information
suggested by the selected graphic when the selected graphic is
touched.
7. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is configured to
receive health care data input from health care monitoring devices
and store the received data in the database for a corresponding
person requiring treatment.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the health care data comprises
health vital signs and clinical information monitored automatically
by the health care monitoring devices.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the system is configured so that
the plurality of tablets and smart phones alert a care giver in
real time about health care data from a health care monitoring
device, when said health care data is indicative of an unacceptable
condition.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer comprises a cloud
computing network.
11. The system of claim 10, further comprising accessibly stored
information about pharmaceutical drugs, and further comprising
software applications that cross check prescribed drugs for
appropriate administration to a person requiring treatment by
checking against allergy indications, sensitivity indications and
drug interactions for the person requiring treatment.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein the system is configured to
communicate with a pharmaceutical dispensing entity.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the health care information
includes information about prescription drug administration, and
wherein the system is configured to provide a reminder to health
care providers via the plurality of tablets and smart phones about
upcoming scheduled treatment activity.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the touch screen interface of
each of the plurality of tablets and smart phones comprises
graphics relating to a generic health care provider environment
such that the system provides access to health care information
suggested by the selected graphic when the selected graphic is
touched.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein the system is configured to
receive health care data input about a person requiring treatment
from health care monitoring devices and store the received data in
the database for the person requiring treatment.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the health care data comprises
health vital signs and clinical information monitored automatically
by the health care monitoring devices.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the system is configured so
that the plurality of tablets and smart phones alert a care giver
in real time about health care data from a health care monitoring
device, when said health care data is indicative of an unacceptable
condition.
18. An integrated health care coordination system, the system
comprising: a plurality of tablets, the tablets each having a user
interface comprising a touch screen, the touch screen user
interface enabling activities comprising: accessing health care
information, inputting health care information, and receiving
health care information in real-time; and a computer in wireless
communication with the plurality of tablets, the computer having
memory comprising a database configured to store and update health
care information, the computer automatically and in real time
receiving health care information from one of the plurality of
tablets and making the received health care information accessible
in real time to others of the plurality of tablets.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the computer comprises a remote
server.
20. The system of claim 19, further comprising accessibly stored
information about pharmaceutical drugs, and further comprising
software applications that cross check prescribed drugs for
appropriate administration to a person requiring treatment by
checking against allergy indications, sensitivity indications and
drug interactions for the person requiring treatment.
21. The system of claim 19, wherein the system is configured to
communicate with a pharmaceutical dispensing entity.
22. The system of claim 19, wherein the health care information
includes information about prescription drug administration, and
wherein the system is configured to provide a reminder to health
care providers via the plurality of tablets about upcoming
scheduled treatment activity.
23. The system of claim 19, wherein the touch screen interface of
each of the plurality of tablets comprises graphics relating to a
generic health care provider environment such that the system
provides access to health care information suggested by the
selected graphic when the selected graphic is touched.
24. The system of claim 19, wherein the system is configured to
receive health care data input from health care monitoring devices
and store the received data in the database for a corresponding
person requiring treatment.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein the health care data comprises
health vital signs and clinical information monitored automatically
by the health care monitoring devices.
26. The system of claim 24, wherein the system is configured so
that the plurality of tablets alert a care giver in real time about
health care data from a health care monitoring device, when said
health care data is indicative of an unacceptable condition.
27. The system of claim 18, wherein the computer comprises a cloud
computing network.
28. The system of claim 27, further comprising accessibly stored
information about pharmaceutical drugs, and further comprising
software applications that cross check prescribed drugs for
appropriate administration to a person requiring treatment by
checking against allergy indications, sensitivity indications and
drug interactions for the person requiring treatment.
29. The system of claim 27, wherein the system is configured to
communicate with a pharmaceutical dispensing entity.
30. The system of claim 27, wherein the health care information
includes information about prescription drug administration, and
wherein the system is configured to provide a reminder to health
care providers via the plurality of tablets about upcoming
scheduled treatment activity.
31. The system of claim 27, wherein the touch screen interface of
each of the plurality of tablets comprises graphics relating to a
generic health care provider environment such that the system
provides access to health care information suggested by the
selected graphic when the selected graphic is touched.
32. The system of claim 27, wherein the system is configured to
receive health care data input about a person requiring treatment
from health care monitoring devices and store the received data in
the database for the person requiring treatment.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein the health care data comprises
health care vital signs and clinical information monitored
automatically by the health care monitoring devices.
34. The system of claim 32, wherein the system is configured so
that the plurality of tablets alert a care giver in real time about
health care data from a health care monitoring device, when said
health care data is indicative of an unacceptable condition.
35. An integrated health care coordination system, the system
comprising: a plurality of smart phones, the smart phones each
having a user interface comprising a touch screen, the touch screen
user interface enabling activities comprising: accessing health
care information, inputting health care information, and receiving
in real-time health care information; and a computer in wireless
communication with the plurality of smart phones, the computer
having memory comprising a database configured to store and update
health care information, the computer automatically and in real
time receiving health care information from any of the plurality of
smart phones and making the received health care information
accessible in real time to others of the plurality of smart
phones.
36. The system of claim 35, wherein the computer comprises a remote
server.
37. The system of claim 36, further comprising accessibly stored
information about pharmaceutical drugs, and further comprising
software applications that cross check prescribed drugs for
appropriate administration to a person requiring treatment by
checking against allergy indications, sensitivity indications and
drug interactions for the person requiring treatment.
38. The system of claim 36, wherein the system is configured to
communicate with a pharmaceutical dispensing entity.
39. The system of claim 36, wherein the health care information
includes information about prescription drug administration, and
wherein the system is configured to provide a reminder to health
care providers via the plurality of smart phones about upcoming
scheduled treatment activity.
40. The system of claim 36, wherein the touch screen interface of
each of the plurality of smart phones comprises graphics relating
to a generic health care provider environment such that the system
provides access to health care information suggested by the
selected graphic when the selected graphic is touched.
41. The system of claim 36, wherein the system is configured to
receive health care data input about a person requiring treatment
from health care monitoring devices and store the received data in
the database for the person requiring treatment.
42. The system of claim 41, wherein the health care data comprises
health vital signs and clinical information monitored automatically
by the health care monitoring devices.
43. The system of claim 42, wherein the system is configured so
that the plurality of tablets and smart phones alert a care giver
in real time about health care data from a health care monitoring
device, when said health care data is indicative of an unacceptable
condition.
44. The system of claim 35, wherein the computer comprises a cloud
computing network.
45. The system of claim 44, further comprising accessibly stored
information about pharmaceutical drugs, and further comprising
software applications that cross check prescribed drugs for
appropriate administration to a person requiring treatment by
checking against allergy indications, sensitivity indications and
drug interactions for the person requiring treatment.
46. The system of claim 44 wherein the system is configured to
communicate with a pharmaceutical dispensing entity.
47. The system of claim 44, wherein the health care information
includes information about prescription drug administration, and
wherein the system is configured to provide a reminder to health
care providers via the plurality of smart phones about upcoming
scheduled treatment activity.
48. The system of claim 44, wherein the touch screen interface of
each of the plurality of smart phones comprises graphics relating
to a generic health care provider environment such that the system
provides access to health care information suggested by the
selected graphic when the selected graphic is touched.
49. The system of claim 44, wherein the system is configured to
receive health care data input about a person requiring treatment
from health care monitoring devices and store the received data in
the database for the person requiring treatment.
50. The system of claim 49, wherein the health care data comprises
health vital signs and clinical information monitored automatically
by the health care monitoring devices.
51. The system of claim 50, wherein the system is configured so
that the plurality of tablets and smart phones alert a care giver
in real time about health care data from a health care monitoring
device, when said health care data is indicative of an unacceptable
condition.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a continuation application of,
and claims priority from, U.S. Ser. No. 14/082,726 filed Nov. 18,
2013, which in turn claims priority from U.S. Ser. No. 13/150,627,
filed Jun. 1, 2011, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,615,413 on Dec.
24, 2013, which in turn claims priority from US Provisional Patent
Application U.S. Ser. No. 61/401,446, filed Aug. 13, 2010.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Technology
[0003] The technology relates to the creation, management and
maintenance of electronic patient health care records, and more
particularly to a system including mobile hand-held devices for
inputting, coordinating and synchronizing patient health care
information, including billing information, in real time, and
assessing fees based on services.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In recent years there has been an increasing trend in almost
all fields of business and in the professions toward maintaining
records in electronic form. This form of record retention has
several advantages. These advantages include relative ease of
updating records, creation of electronic files, and management of
large numbers of records, while minimizing manual labor. In
addition, in many instances, the frequency of errors and "lost" or
misfiled records may be reduced significantly in a well-managed
electronic system. Moreover, access to electronic records is
facilitated. For example, the person seeking to access records may
do so remotely by Internet access to a database that often requires
a password authentication protocol that allows appropriate users
virtually instant access from any location in the world.
[0006] In general, there is a perception that the health care
sector has lagged, to some extent, in the adoption and use of
electronic records, as compared to the accounting sector, for
example. There are many reasons for this lag in the adoption of
electronic medical records, including, for example, the upfront
costs of conversion to electronic records, the need for care givers
(such as doctors and nurses) to be trained and willing to use a
system, the cost of conversion for smaller doctors' offices,
compatibility between health provider systems and the variety of
heath insurance provider systems, and the need to comply with
patient confidentiality criteria spelled out in the so-called HIPAA
Statute (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of
1996) and Regulations promulgated pursuant to the statute.
SUMMARY
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment of the integrated patient health
care and billing coordination system the system includes a
plurality of hand-held computers in communication with a cloud
computing network. The cloud computing network includes a memory
with a data base configured to store and update patient health care
information. Further, upon receiving data input from any one of the
hand-held computers, the cloud computing network synchronizes, in
real time, with all others of the plurality of hand-held computers
so that users of these may immediately see updated, current data.
In addition, the cloud computing network transmits encrypted
electronic digital patient health care information to an in-system
third party and receives acknowledgment of the in-system third
party receipt of the information. The cloud computing network
monitors fee-bearing information exchanged with the third party and
automatically assesses a predetermined fee based on fee-bearing
information exchanged.
[0008] In another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a
multi-user, automatically synchronized, the integrated patient
health care and billing system. The system includes a plurality of
wireless hand-held computers and at least one remote server. The
remote server, which may be part of a cloud computing system, is in
communication with the plurality of hand-held computers in real
time. In addition, the remote server has memory including a
database configured to store patient health care information. The
remote server is also in communication with patient care devices
that monitor a patient's condition, such as for example oxygen
sensors, blood pressure monitors, cardiac monitors, etc. Upon
receiving inputted data, the server synchronizes patient health
care information between the pluralities of portable hand-held
computers by making newly-input patient health care data received
from any one of the plurality of hand-held computers and/or patient
care devices substantially immediately available to all others of
the plurality of portable hand-held computers. Further, the remote
server may be in encrypted electronic digital communication with a
third party, transmitting encrypted patient health care information
to the third party and receiving acknowledgment of third party
receipt of the information. If the third party is an in-system
third party, it has capability to access patient health care
information from the database on the remote server. The remote
server may also automatically assess a fee based on patient health
care information communications with the third party.
[0009] In a further exemplary embodiment, there is provided a
multi-user, automatically synchronized, integrated patient heath
care and billing coordination system configured for simultaneous
use by a plurality of health care providers. The system includes a
plurality of hand-held computers configured with graphic interfaces
having graphics displayed thereon. The graphics facilitate health
care provider access to patient health care information. In
addition, each of the plurality of hand-held computers has wireless
communication capability and is in communication with a remote
server which may be part of a cloud computing network. The server
has memory that includes a database configured to store patient
health care information, including billing information. Thus, the
server uploads newly-input patient health care information from
each of the plurality of hand-held computers to the database in its
memory in real time and substantially immediately automatically
synchronizes patient health care information between the
pluralities of portable hand-held computers. As a result, each of
the plurality of hand-held computers accesses the most recent
updated patient health care information. Further, the server has
encrypted digital communications with a third party to transmit
patient health care information and to automatically assess a
fee.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages,
of the present technology will become more readily appreciated by
reference to the following Detailed Description, when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying simplified drawings of exemplary
embodiments. The drawings, briefly described here below, are not to
scale, are
[0011] presented for ease of explanation and do not limit the scope
of the inventions recited in the accompanying patent claims.
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic overview of an exemplary
integrated, synchronized patient health care and billing
coordination system;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates in schematic and simplified form an
example of the integrated, synchronized patient health care
coordination system;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates in schematic and simplified form an
example of an integrated, synchronized patient care coordination
system using a cloud computing system;
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a patient health care
coordination system that has a remote computer system in
communication with a plurality of hand-held computers located at a
facility, as well as a plurality of third parties;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a graphic
user interface home page on a touch screen of a hand-held
computer;
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a graphic
user interface on a touch screen of a hand-held computer graphic
user interface;
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a graphic
user interface on a touch screen of a hand-held computer;
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a graphic
user interface on a touch screen of a hand-held computer;
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a graphic
user interface on a touch screen of a hand-held computer;
[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a graphic
user interface on a touch screen of a hand-held computer;
[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a graphic
user interface on a touch screen of a hand-held computer; and
[0023] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a graphic
user interface on a touch screen of a hand-held computer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The following non-limiting detailed descriptions of examples
of embodiments of the invention may refer to appended Figure
drawings and are not limited to the drawings, which are merely
presented for enhancing explanations of features of the technology.
In addition, the detailed descriptions may refer to particular
terms of art, some of which are defined herein, as appropriate and
necessary for clarity.
[0025] The term "patient health care information" as used in the
description and the claims of the patent refers to information that
may include, but is not limited to, the information about a patient
normally kept in the course of his/her treatment by all his/her
health care providers, including nurses, physicians, therapist and
other care specialists, data received from patient care devices, as
well as insurance, billing and accounting information relating to
the patient's health care. Such information may include, but is not
limited to, prescriptions for pharmaceuticals and other prescribed
matter, such as prescribed devices, care giver notes and charts,
patient history, laboratory test results, patient care device data
(e.g. vital signs including heart rate, EKG, oxygen sensor, and the
like, which are monitored in real time) physician orders for
medication, and non medication orders to document medications given
(e.g. quantity, dose and time given as well as route of
administration (oral, inter-muscular)), and other documented
results. In short, the term covers everything that involves
documenting the care of the patient. In addition, "patient health
care information" includes accounting information, such as bills,
payments received, amounts outstanding, and insurance information,
such as health care insurance carrier, insurance policy coverage
details, and the like.
[0026] The term "hand-held computer" as used in the description and
patent claims refers to a device capable of receiving user input of
data, transmitting the data to a synchronizing computer, and
receiving data from the synchronizing computer. The device should
also be of a size, mass and shape that can be carried with ease by
a care giver going about his/her duties, either in the hand of a
care giver, or attached to clothing of the care giver, or by some
other convenient means that does not significantly impede the care
giver in carrying out his/her duties. Accordingly, the term
encompasses laptop computers, notebook computers, tablet computers
and tablet PCs. In exemplary embodiments, the convenience of a
tablet computer, exemplified by the iPad.TM. (product and trademark
of Apple Computer Corp of Cupertino, Calif.), provides some
advantages, but other tablet computers may also be useful. But,
other hand-held devices may also be included within the term
"hand-held computer." These include, but are not limited to,
cellular phones, to the extent that these are "smart phones"
equipped and configured for data entry, data retrieval, and
communication of data to a cloud computing network and/or a remote
server either wirelessly via WiFi or through a wireless cellular
protocol, such as the 3G and 4G protocols. Smart phones include,
for example, the iPhone (product and trademark of Apple Computer
Corp. of Cupertino, Calif.), or phones using the Android.TM.
operating system (product and trademark of Google, Mountainview,
Calif.), or smart phones offered by other parties with other
operating systems. In addition small-format, wireless-enabled
devices exemplified by the iTouch (product and trademark of Apple
Computer Corp of Cupertino, Calif.) are also included within the
term "hand-held computer."
[0027] "Cloud computing" refers to Internet-based computing that
permits resources to be shared among multiple users and across
multiple disciplines. Cloud computing offers an advantage in that
an electronic coordinated patient health care system using such
computing avoids the upfront costs of buying equipment, and avoids
a substantial amount of the ongoing costs of maintaining hardware
equipment, while reliability is enhanced due to shared resources
that provide backup in the event any one server fails. A
description of cloud computing networks may be found at
www.Wikipedia.com, for example. Because the technology is known,
further description is not deemed necessary here.
[0028] Cloud computing is not the only computing means useful in
the electronic coordinated patient health care system technology.
As an alternative, a remote dedicated server, preferably with
backup systems, may also be used, as described here below. The term
"remote" in this context may refer to a computer or server located
at the same facility where the hand-held computers are in use, or
at a different location. Of course, a "remote server" might equally
be a server that is part of a cloud computing network.
[0029] The term "patient" as used herein is merely for convenience.
The systems provided herein are applicable to a variety of
facilities such as, for example without limitation, hospitals,
assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and home health care
organizations. These facilities may apply different terminology to
their clients. For example, nursing homes use the term "residents"
not "patients." Herein, however, the two terms are used
interchangeably. The word "patient" should be read and understood
more broadly to include the recipient of health care related
services and goods, which includes nursing home "residents."
[0030] The term "in-system third party" refers to a third party
that has a contractual relationship complying with HIPAA with an
owner/operator of the systems according to the inventions, so as to
permit access to patient data, with the facility that operates a
hospital or nursing home (or assisted living facility, or home
health agency, or hospice or other facility providing health care
services), but that might not be owned by the hospital or nursing
home. An "out-of-system" third party may be a supplier with a
contract sufficient to permit receiving information from computer
system 400 but that does not have a contractual relationship
sufficient to input information to the computer system 400. The
out-of-system third party may receive information from computer
system 400 via fax or email. Accordingly, an out-of-system third
party has no access to patient health care data except as provided
by the system for performing a limited task, e.g. to fill, refill
or discontinue a prescription, or to provide another service or
product for a patient.
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically an overview of an exemplary
integrated patient health care and billing data coordination system
100. The particular example relates to a facility, such as a
nursing home that is part of a group of nursing homes that may have
multiple nursing home locations 120. At the locations 120, care
givers have access to hand-held computers and patients may be
monitored with patient care devices 122, as explained in more
detail here below. Care givers, via the hand-held computers 200
(not shown, but shown in FIG. 2), at locations 120 and patient care
devices 122, supply health care information as input data to the
patient files in a database 130 that resides either on a dedicated
remote server or a cloud computing network 135. As can be seen, the
remote server or cloud computing network 135 communicates with an
in-system third party 136, in this instance an in-system pharmacy,
that receives instructions from the remote server or cloud
computing network 135, for example, to fill a prescription for a
particular patient, and sends back an acknowledgement as well as
other information, such as billing information, which is stored in
the database 130, as appropriate for the particular patient. The
in-system pharmacy also manages and controls the delivery of the
instructed pharmaceutical or other product 137, and notifies the
database 130 of the delivery time and expected time of availability
of the product at the location 120 for patient use. The illustrated
exemplary system 100 may also have the capability to communicate
with an "out-of-system" third party 140. In this case, the
out-of-system third party 140 is a pharmacy and the information
transmitted to it from the remote server or cloud computing network
135 may be a prescription, for example. In the exemplified system
100, the out-of-system pharmacy 140 may not communicate directly
back with the database 130 in order to preserve database
information integrity and minimize risks of any breach of database
security. Instead, the out-of-system party 140 may communicate to a
care giver, or designated person, by fax, telephone, text message
or email. Thus, the appropriate care giver, at the appropriate
location 120, will receive notice of delivery and expected arrival
time of any ordered product and can update the database 130 as to
these parameters. Appropriate applications software of system 100
can be used to then automatically update the billing information
for the ordered product, or the care giver or other designated
person may do this manually. In addition, any billing of the third
party 140 may also be updated.
[0032] As can be seen from FIG. 1, care givers at locations 120 may
input data into hand-held computer devices through typing,
dictation (speech to text), voice recording (voice files) and video
files (photos and video recordings) via hand-held computers 200
(not shown) and upload these to the computer system 135. The care
givers may also use the hand-held computers to download data for
printing of selected information from the database 130, and to view
information for any selected patient. Patient care devices 122 at
locations 120 may automatically transmit patient health care data
that is uploaded to the computer system 135 for appropriate storing
in database 130.
[0033] In the example shown, for ease of system use, communications
are wireless as far as practicable. Thus, hand-held computers may
communicate with the computer system 135 via WiFi or telephony, for
example. Patient care devices may have low energy use transmitters
such as Bluetooth or RF transmission, for example, and may transmit
directly to the computer system 135, or indirectly via transmission
to a nearby hand-held computer, which in turn relays the data via
WiFi, for example, to the computer system 135 for appropriate
updating of the database 130.
[0034] In FIG. 2, an exemplary integrated patient health care and
billing data coordination system 100 has a plurality of hand-held
computers 200, which are in wireless communication with a
synchronizing computer system 400. In the illustrated example,
there are two facilities 10, 20 that are each equipped with
hand-held computers 200. Clearly, the system 100 is scalable for a
plurality of facilities and a plurality of hand-held computers at
each facility. The synchronizing computer system 400 may be a cloud
computer network, or it may be one or more dedicated remote
servers. The synchronizing computer system 400 includes memory 410.
Thus, patient health care information input at any of the hand-held
computers 200 is uploaded in real time to the memory 410 of the
synchronizing computer system 400. The synchronizing computer
system 400 then substantially immediately permits the other
hand-held computers access to the newly input patient health care
information stored in the memory 410. In addition, patient care
devices 205 transmit data 255 to the synchronizing computer system
400, or to nearby hand-held computers for transmission to computer
system 400. This patient care device data is then immediately
synchronized and available to a care giver that might make an
inquiry.
[0035] Further, the synchronizing computer system 400, when
prompted either by a care giver input signal or by pre-scheduled
prompt, will communicate through encrypted communications with
authenticated (also referred to as "in-system") third parties 300,
such as pharmacies, medical doctor offices, insurance companies,
and other health care service and product providers to the
patients. These authenticated third parties 300 in turn may respond
to any communications from the synchronizing computer system 400.
Thus, for example, the synchronizing computer system may contact a
pharmacy 300 to place a prescription order for a particular
patient. The pharmacy 300 may respond with an acknowledgment and a
confirmation that it will fill the prescription. Based on this
exchange of communications, a fee will be assessed based on the
prescription, and charged to the particular pharmacy 300 or medical
facility 300 for the service of prescription transmittal. In
addition, the system will automatically update both a patient's
billing records for all prescriptions, devices, treatments and
other billable services provided, as well as his/her insurer's
billing records so that a bill may be generated at any time, or at
predetermined intervals for payment.
[0036] In order to comply with all confidentiality requirements,
including the HIPAA Statute (Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996), exemplary embodiments provide that
communications 250 from the hand-held computers 200 to the
synchronizing computer system 400 and communications 450 from this
system 400 to the third parties 300 should be encrypted. In
exemplary embodiments, the communications 250 are wireless using a
Wi-Fi network (i.e. a class of wireless local area network based on
IEEE 802.11 standards). It is expected that Wi-Fi will be updated
from time to time, and the present coordinated health care system
anticipates adaptation of hand-held computers 200 and synchronizing
computer networks 400 to use the best available Wi-Fi platform.
[0037] In alternative exemplary embodiments, systems such as mobile
3G or the new 4G (an all IP packet-based system) may be used,
instead of Wi-Fi, for communications 250 between 3G or 4G enabled
hand-held devices and the synchronizing computer system 400. Such
systems are becoming available and may provide the requisite speed
of data transfer and data security.
[0038] In exemplary embodiments, the encrypted communications 450
between the synchronizing computer system 400 and the in-system
third parties 300 may be via the Internet (e.g. as email) to a
server at the third party recipient 300, or via facsimile
transmission, or by telephony. If the latter, then preferably using
an automated telephonic system. Likewise, any return communications
450 from the in-system third party 300 to the computer system 400
(and thence optionally to the hand-held computers 200) may also be
via Internet, or by facsimile transmission, or via telephone. In
the case of an out-of-system third party, this type of party may
respond to a care giver or designated party but may not directly
interact with the computer system, other than to receive an
instruction from it via the Internet or via telephony.
[0039] Technologies for transmission and storage in memory of
encrypted data are well known. Accordingly, these encryption
technologies will not be discussed in detail. Encryption software
may be obtained, for example, from Cisco Systems (San Jose Calif.)
and VeriSign (Mountainview, Calif.) as well as other companies.
[0040] To maintain system integrity and prevent unauthorized
access, the coordinated patient health care system 100 is protected
by requiring authentication of all users of hand-held computers 200
and all third parties 300. Authentication of hand-held computer 200
users may be through a password system, or through use of
biometrics, such as a finger print reader incorporated into the
hand-held device, or in communication with it. Authentication of
third parties 300 may be achieved through contractual arrangements
with the third parties. Thus, a contract may limit access to
transmitted communications 450 to only those authorized to have
access, for example, pharmacists. In addition, passwords may be
necessary to access email communications 450 that include patient
health care information. Responses should likewise be limited to
those representatives of the third parties 300 that are authorized
to respond.
[0041] As is apparent from the foregoing description, one of the
features of the coordinated patient health care system 100 is the
service of providing needed patient health care information to
third parties 300 in a secure manner. The system 100 is monetized
by assessing a fee for some services. Thus, for example, when a
prescription is transmitted from the synchronizing computer system
400 to a pharmacy 300, and a confirmation response is received,
then a fee is assessed for the communication.
[0042] In exemplary embodiments, fees may be collected in a variety
of ways. For example, a participating third party, such as a
pharmacy in the example above, may enter into a contract that
obligates it to maintain an account with a balance exceeding a
minimum balance. For each fee-bearing transaction, such as a
prescription transaction, an automatic deduction is made from the
account's balance and transferred to the account of the operator of
the coordinated health care system 100. Once the minimum balance is
reached, the third party automatically replenishes its account.
Other financial arrangements are also possible, of course, such as
billing a credit card of the third party pharmacy for each
fee-bearing transaction. Services such as PayPal.TM. (trademark of
PayPal Inc. of San Jose, Calif.).
[0043] An exemplary embodiment of the system accrues costs and
expenses for all billable goods, treatments and services provided
for the patient. The system maintains billing entries in a database
associated with each patient. Accordingly, bills may be generated
at any time, or at predetermined intervals, and provided to the
patient and his/her insurer as ebills or in hard copy.
[0044] Using the hand-held computers 200 of an exemplary system, a
user can make real time updates to a patient's file. Thus, for
example, new diagnoses may be recorded on the hand-held. These new
diagnoses are automatically uploaded to the synchronizing computer
system 400 and are available to other users looking at the
patient's file. Similarly, hand-held users may input information
regarding patient allergies, lab test results, medications,
medication administration protocols, treatments, photos of the
patient's condition, and any other care orders. The availability in
the system of this patient and pharmaceutical drug information
enables an automatic cross check of any new prescription against
known patient allergies and sensitivities, as well as a cross check
for drug interactions, if any with other patient medications. It
also permits checking of dosages against pharmaceutical drug
information to minimize risks of over/under dosage. Accordingly,
the system reduces a number of risks in patient care.
[0045] In exemplary embodiments, the hand-held computers may be
equipped with any of a variety of useful applications programs. For
example, these applications programs may prompt data input by using
interrogatories that the user answers to provide the input. In
other embodiments, user data input via the hand-held computer may
be carried out via handwriting or by scribing with a stylus on a
touch screen of a hand-held computer, by voice recording, by
typing, by selecting information from a drop down menu, or by
dictation. The latter technique may utilize speech recognition
products, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking.TM. (a trademark and
product of Nuance of Burlington, Mass.), and the like, to allow
verbal input to be converted to text. A medical dictionary
applications program may also be provided.
[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates schematically an exemplary embodiment of
a coordinated patient health care and billing data coordination
system 100 wherein the synchronizing computer system 400 is a cloud
computing network 400. In this exemplary embodiment a plurality of
hand-held computers 200 are located at each of a first location 10
(for example a first nursing home facility), at a second location
20 (for example a hospital facility) and a third location 30
(another nursing home or hospital, for example). The cloud
computing network is dynamically scalable so that a plurality of
locations and facilities may be added to the system, as long as the
capacity of the coordinated patient health care system 100 is
expanded sufficiently to maintain service levels.
[0047] In the illustrated coordinated patient health care system
100, the cloud computing network 400 includes several application
programming interfaces. Among these is an Internet interface module
410 to enable communications with hand-held computers 200 and with
third parties 300, a database 412 which constitutes structured
cloud "memory" for storage of all patient health care information,
and an accounting module 414 that tracks fee-bearing activities,
assesses appropriate fees and maintains accounting records of bills
and payments. Further applications programs 416 that are not each
separately depicted in FIG. 3, may include, but are not limited to,
a Speech Recognition applications program, a Calendar applications
program, a Clock applications program, a Credit Card applications
program, a Wi-Fi applications program, a Communications
applications program, a Lexicon applications program, a Camera
applications program, a Dialer applications program, a Fax
applications program, a Hand Writing Recognition applications
program, a Voice Recording Program, a Signature applications
program, a Calculator applications program, a Drug Interaction
applications program, an EMAR ("Electronic Medical Records")
applications program, a Photo applications program, a Printer
applications program, a Bar Code Reader applications program, a
Bluetooth applications program, a location-based GPS applications
program, an MDS program, a RFID applications program, a vascular
identification applications program, a retina recognition
applications program, a fingerprint recognition applications
program, a facial recognition applications program, a CAN
applications program, an Inventory applications program, a G/L
applications program, a Billing and Payables applications program,
an ADT applications program, and any required Interface software
that is necessary.
[0048] The cloud computing network communicates with a plurality of
third parties 300 through encrypted communications 450, as
explained above.
[0049] While cloud computing offers advantages, some facilities may
prefer to control the computing hardware in-house and may elect to
purchase or lease its own equipment. FIG. 4 illustrates an example
of a patient care coordination system 100 that has a remote
computer system 400 in communication with a plurality of hand-held
computers 200 located at a facility 10, as well as a plurality of
third parties 300. In this instance, the computer system 400 may be
located on the premises of the facility (e.g., at the nursing home
facility 10 that it services) or it may be at a remote location.
Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the computer system 400 has
appropriate backup of data to prevent data loss, and may also have
redundancy in hardware to avoid service interruptions due to
potential equipment failures and maintenance downtime.
[0050] While not depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, these exemplary systems
100 may also include patient care devices 205, depicted in the
example of FIG. 2, and operating as explained with reference to
FIG. 2, above.
[0051] FIG. 5-FIG. 12 each illustrates exemplary graphics that may
be included on a touch screen 210 of a hand-held computer 200 of
the integrated, synchronized, patient health care and billing data
coordination systems 100 for use in a nursing home facility. In the
illustrated example, FIG. 5 is a home page with graphics that
represent a "nurses' station" and each icon on the screen may be
"live." In this exemplary embodiment, the user "drills down" to
access information after selecting the appropriate icon initially.
The graphic for each icon is selected to readily suggest its
function and the data that may be accessed through it. Further,
once an icon is selected by "touching" (if a touch screen) or
"clicking" (a non-touch screen) on it, it opens a menu or form
relating to information suggested by the icon. Additionally,
"clicking" or "touching" information on the menu or form, may open
yet another screen with additional information based on the
selection from the menu.
[0052] In the example of FIGS. 5 through 12, a user will log in to
the exemplary system 100 using predetermined authentication, such
as a user-identification and a password, or biometrics, or some
other means of authentication. The hand-held device is then
activated and is programmed to provide information to that user,
allow that user to input data, and also to access data specific to
that user (e.g. health care data regarding a nursing home resident
under the care of that particular user). The user may then, for
example touch the Clock icon 212, which displays actual time of
day. This may also produce a pop-up menu that lists scheduled
activities specific to the user. For example, it may list the
upcoming "rounds" of the user, listing residents to whom
medications and/or treatment must be administered and the time for
such administration. The central "white board" icon 213 lists
alerts and messages appropriate for the particular care-giver user
of the system 100. Thus, once the care giver has logged into the
system, and has been authenticated, she can immediately see and
review the "white board" icon 213 to see alerts pertinent to
her.
[0053] To admit, re-admit or pre-admit a new patient or resident,
the care giver touches the admissions icon 240 of FIG. 5 and
selects from the drop down menu of choices that appears as shown in
FIG. 6. To admit a new resident, she types in required information
(name, medical record, etc.) as prompted by a form, as exemplified
in FIG. 7. Some data may be selected from menus, like gender, or
birth date, for example. The information is readily saved by
tapping a "save" button, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0054] To find a particular resident, the care giver touches the
exemplary "resident" button 214 on the tool bar 215 of FIG. 5 which
opens a menu of patient names, as shown in FIG. 9. The care giver
may then search for a patient by name (FIG. 9) and/or location and
room, as shown in FIG. 10. The listing of residents may be color
coded, as shown in FIG. 9, indicating resident status. For example,
those that are in urgent need of care may be shown in red and those
that are not urgently in need of scheduled medications and
treatments may appear in green. Similarly, colors may be used to
indicate other status, for example, occupancy status, such as
Active, LOA, in Hospital, deceased within a certain time frame, or
bed not occupied. Color coding may also indicate those residents
that missed getting their treatment or medications.
[0055] Upon selecting a particular resident, touching the "chart"
icon 216 of FIGS. 5 and 11, the hand-held computer 200 opens a new
screen, FIG. 12, that includes pertinent health care information
and that may include a photo of the resident to minimize any risk
of resident mis-identification. The screen, FIG. 12, lists
important resident information, such as pending or overdue
treatments, allergies, recent test results, diagnoses, physician
data, etc. The screen also has a series of side, color-coded `touch
tabs` as can be readily seen, that permit access to more specific
patient information, such as pharmaceutical treatments ("PO"),
medical records ("MAR"), therapeutic information ("TX"), Minimum
Data Set ("MDS") and any audit data. Along the bottom of the
screen, in this example, are arrayed additional touch tabs relating
to the resident's contacts, financials, demographics, and LOS
history. Importantly, there is also an "edit" touch button 202 that
permits the care giver to edit any of the resident's health care
information, as allowed by the system.
[0056] Referring back to FIG. 5, touching the printer icon 217
permits transmitting information to a printer wirelessly to print
out selected information, for example, a prescription for a
resident.
[0057] Touching the phone icon 218 pulls up a contact list and
permits placing a call, text a message or email by touching a
desired name or number or email address, as appropriate.
[0058] Touching the camera icon 220 activates the camera of the
hand-held computer 200 and permits the user to photograph
information, for example wounds of a resident.
[0059] Touching the "books" icon 222 permits access to reference
materials, such as the PDR or other reference selected from the
pop-up menu.
[0060] Touching the note pad 224 permits the user to input
information about a resident.
[0061] Touching the clip board 226 allows the user access to notes
that a care giver on a prior shift may have left for him/her
regarding a resident's condition, requests, or other
information.
[0062] Touching the calendar 228 pops up the current month or week
or day and scheduled activities for that period. Touching the
activity provides more information in a new screen or on the same
screen.
[0063] Touching the "alarm light" 230 when it is flashing provides
an urgent alert. That alert may relate to resident condition, fire,
or other emergency. It may provide a pop-up menu for the user to
select, for example, whether to call code blue, call 911 etc, as
necessary.
[0064] Touching the coffee cup icon 236 will indicate to all other
system users that the user is taking a break.
[0065] As personalization, in the exemplary graphic display 210,
the user may customize the window scene 238 to any of a number of
scenes that he/she finds pleasing.
[0066] The filing cabinet icon 233 is intended to be dedicated to
management functions.
[0067] The ID card icon 225 is intended to be used for user
functions.
[0068] The "sticky note pads" icons 223 may be used or may be an
optional item, for example, and may only appear as necessary or
appropriate as alerts to a user.
[0069] The "medication containers" icon 237 may be a "live link"
that directs to the MAR for the patient to shortcut having to go to
that information via the chart icon
[0070] Optionally, the screen may also include a photo display of
the user as icon 239, shown in FIG. 6 (but not FIG. 5), for
example.
[0071] Exemplary embodiments of the automatically synchronized,
patient care coordination system 100 may provide many advantages
over the current systems. For example, the coordinated patient
health care system substantially replaces paper forms with
electronic data that may be accessed in several different ways.
This has several resultant benefits including linking medication
administration with drug references, such as the PDR (Physicians
Desk Record), or similar, for immediate check of potential adverse
drug interactions, inappropriate dose, and contraindications. The
system provides alerts when drug interactions, inappropriate dose
and contraindications are determined. Treatment flow records may be
linked to patient care reference information. The system might also
reduce erroneous billing charges for medication and supplies, and
assure billing of only the utilized resources, including medication
and other care delivery products.
[0072] Further benefits of exemplary embodiments of the
automatically synchronized, patient care coordination system
include error reduction. The digital font format of information
display on the screens of the hand-held computers improves
legibility over handwriting and should reduce errors. Further, a
screen for the patient may include a photo of the patient thereby
reducing the potential for administering medications or treatment
to the wrong patient. Medication may also be depicted pictorially
in color, thereby reducing the potential for administration of the
wrong dose of a medication, since tablets and pills are often
color-coded and/or shape-configured to indicate the amount of
active ingredient. The system may also use the clock applications
program for example to provide an alert about an upcoming
administration of a medication to a patient, as well as a missed
scheduled medication. This should then allow appropriate remedial
action and proper documentation by requiring explanatory input into
the system.
[0073] Exemplary embodiments of the automatically synchronized,
patient care coordination system eliminate duplication and
attendant wasted resources. For example, once input, the patient's
primary record may populate all appropriate fields eliminating need
to rewrite information once entered. Thus, for example, resident
name, room number, primary physician, allergies, diagnoses, and
medication orders are all entered only once. Further, the entry of
doctor's orders simultaneously creates several required documents,
such as for example, the Physician's Order form, the Medication
Administration Record, Treatment Records, and appropriate
supplemental care records. The system may also transmit data to the
dispensing pharmacy for prescribed medications.
[0074] Exemplary embodiments of the automatically synchronized,
patient care coordination system support care decision-making For
example, the system may provide allergy checking with alerts, drug
interaction checking, drug utilization evaluation, access to
clinical references, graphic display of monitored data (such as
patient/resident weight, temperature, pulse, blood pressure),
reports interpreting compiled data for individual
patients/residents, facility population, or other specified data
elements. The system may also provide medication-related
assessments, including but not limited to need for pulse monitoring
or blood glucose results for determining an insulin dose to be
administered. For example, the system may also record the direct
care given by the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) which is
required in the MDS billing. The system may also facilitate a
guided narrative summary of care by including a capability to input
dictated notes, which are converted to text using voice recognition
technology.
[0075] Exemplary embodiments of the automatically synchronized,
patient care coordination system support prompt care delivery and
appropriate follow up. The system may provide these benefits
through alerts for pending care events, such as monitoring needs,
scheduled medications and treatments; Lists for specified data
elements, such as pending lab specimen collection needs or needed
vital signs monitoring; and Reports to monitor & evaluate care,
pre-defined and user-defined parameters. Further, exemplary systems
may provide lists to monitor and support care, using pre-defined
and user-defined parameters and provide Care Summaries and
change-of-shift reports, utilizing pre-defined and user-defined
parameters.
[0076] While examples of embodiments of the technology have been
presented and described in text and some examples also by way of
illustration, it will be appreciated that various changes and
modifications may be made in the described technology without
departing from the scope of the inventions, which are set forth in
and only limited by the scope of the appended patent claims, as
properly interpreted and construed.
* * * * *
References