11883 results about "Nursing care" patented technology

A system and method relates to the field of building and administrating a patient management and health care management database containing data relevant to the clinical care of patients, to the management of the practices to which the patients belong, and to outcomes of that health care and practice management. The disclosed system encompasses (i) designing and administering paper and pen and hand held computer survey instruments; (ii) administering and collecting completed surveys (iii) building and managing a database of information collected from the surveys; (iv) analyzing data collected from the surveys; (v) and providing clinical practices with summary information. Summary information may be used to improve patient care, health outcomes, and the management of physician practices.

The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications.

A method and system for managing mechanical ventilation of patients with respiratory disorders is described. The main objective of the system is to generate executable instructions for patient care which take into account a large number of parameters of patient condition and ventilation. Data regarding the state of the patient are stored in a database. Patient data are processed according to a set of protocols which contain rules for patient care decisions arranged in a logical sequence to generate detailed, executable instructions for patient care. Instructions are updated when new data are entered into the database. The data can be acquired in an automated fashion, or the clinician can be instructed to collect and enter new data into the clinical database. Likewise, patient care instructions can be carried out automatically or manually, but it is preferred that instructions are carried out manually as a safety check. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a computer system, software for processing patient data, and a display device for presenting patient care instructions to the clinician. The system maintains a record of patient data, patient care instructions, whether instructions were followed by the clinical staff, and if not, a reason why.

One aspect of the disclosure is to provide a patient monitoring system including a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The system comprises a patient monitor capable of communicating with the RFID tag. The RFID tag may advantageously store information useful in hospital environments, triage or disaster environments, home care environments, or the like. In some embodiments, the RFID tags may be provided as parts of wrist bands, dog tags, disposable sensor components, sensors or the like that are left with a patient.

An integrated medication management and compliance system for enabling a care provider to remotely manage and deliver individual doses of medications to a patient, in a non-sequential fashion. The system includes delivery apparatus remotely located from the care provider, wherein the apparatus stores a plurality of sealed unit dose packages that are delivered to a patient at a scheduled dosing time. The delivery apparatus is coupled to a control facility and to a computer terminal of the care provider by way of a secure communications network. The system enables the patient's medication regimen to be remotely tailored in real-time to accommodate fluid medical conditions.

Systems and methods for medical diagnosis or risk assessment for a patient are provided. These systems and methods are designed to be employed at the point of care, such as in emergency rooms and operating rooms, or in any situation in which a rapid and accurate result is desired. The systems and methods process patient data, particularly data from point of care diagnostic tests or assays, including immunoassays, electrocardiograms, X-rays and other such tests, and provide an indication of a medical condition or risk or absence thereof. The systems include an instrument for reading or evaluating the test data and software for converting the data into diagnostic or risk assessment information.

The invention provides a body-worn system that continuously measures pulse oximetry and blood pressure, along with motion, posture, and activity level, from an ambulatory patient. The system features an oximetry probe that comfortably clips to the base of the patient's thumb, thereby freeing up their fingers for conventional activities in a hospital, such as reading and eating. The probe secures to the thumb and measures time-dependent signals corresponding to LEDs operating near 660 and 905 nm. Analog versions of these signals pass through a low-profile cable to a wrist-worn transceiver that encloses a processing unit. Also within the wrist-worn transceiver is an accelerometer, a wireless system that sends information through a network to a remote receiver, e.g. a computer located in a central nursing station.

A Workflow Management System is integrated with a Healthcare Information System and uses location tracking of patients, providers and resources in addition to relevant patient data in managing tasks of clinicians associated with care of a patient. A personnel and device location sensitive system for managing healthcare worker tasks includes a tracking processor. The tracking processor monitors healthcare worker, patient and equipment location, to provide device and personnel location data by detection of wirelessly communicating tag devices attached to healthcare workers, patients and equipment. A display processor uses the location data for initiating generation of data representing at least one display image associating a work task, comprising providing a treatment related service to a patient, for performance by a healthcare worker, with a current location of a patient and equipment to be used in providing the treatment related service. A workflow engine uses the location data for updating a task list of a healthcare worker to indicate tasks ranked in response to a plurality of different factors including one or more of, (a) task urgency, (b) location of particular equipment used in a particular task and (c) worker skill level.

A user interface enables a critical care clinician (such as a respiratory therapist, nurse, resident, or attending physician) to quickly ascertain a patient condition as part of a patient care management procedure. A system according to invention principles comprises a user interface display providing a quick and convenient way to display key vital parameters and their acceptable ranges within the immediate eye-span of a clinician. A system provides a user interface presenting patient medical parameter data, and includes an acquisition processor for acquiring, from a patient monitoring device, data representing a patient parameter. The system includes a processor for initiating generation of data representing at least one display image including, (a) a current value of a patient parameter and (b) a sliding bar representation of the patient parameter current value together with a range indicator for graphically indicating whether the current value is outside of a user determined range.

A system and method for collecting and testing data at a patient point of care location via a first device, such as a sample cartridge adapted to engage a first device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) incorporating a wireless communication module to communicate collected data to a second device, such as a healthcare workers personal PDA located beyond a contamination radius about a patient. Each device can further include a registration device, such as a bar code reader, to collect additional information at a point of care and tag data, or data analysis information, with an associated patient code.

This invention is directed to a point-of-care (POC) station that comprises a mobile cabinet with securable compartments and a pylon release mechanism. The POC station also comprises an immovable pylon, an articulated arm, and a terminal having a monitor. The POC station extends the medication and supply infrastructure into the patient room.

A system associates a patient and patient identifier with a medical device and includes an interface. The interface acquires data representing an image of a patient in a care setting and showing a medical device in the vicinity of the patient and acquires data identifying the patient. An image data processor analyzes the acquired data representing the image to identify the medical device type by, analyzing the acquired data to determine a shape of the medical device, comparing the determined shape of the medical device with predetermined template shapes of known device types and identifying the medical device type in response to the shape comparison indicating a shape match. A data processor associates the identified medical device type with the data identifying the patient. An output processor initiates generation of data indicating an association of the identified medical device type with the data identifying the patient.

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for improving the care of patients (e.g., chronically ill patients). In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the invention may be designed to improve such care through real time output (e.g., periodic, such as hourly, daily, weekly or monthly) to deter development of co-morbidities associated with many chronic diseases. Various embodiments of the invention may improve the care of chronically ill patients by: easing data collection, simplifying data transmission, efficiently interpreting chronically ill patient information, providing time series to form the basis of subsequent analysis, expanding the ability of the chronically ill patient or other user of the invention to understand the relationship between the medical practice and the patient's own lifestyle and / or easing the workload of healthcare providers (such as the patient's physician). In this regard, the invention may help in creating dialogue between chronically ill patients and healthcare providers that otherwise would be impossible.

Systems and methods for medical diagnosis or risk assessment for a patient are provided. These systems and methods are designed to be employed at the point of care, such as in emergency rooms and operating rooms, or in any situation in which a rapid and accurate result is desired. The systems and methods process patient data, particularly data from point of care diagnostic tests or assays, including immunoassays, electrocardiograms, X-rays and other such tests, and provide an indication of a medical condition or risk or absence thereof. The systems include an instrument for reading or evaluating the test data and software for converting the data into diagnostic or risk assessment information.

The invention provides a body-worn system that continuously measures pulse oximetry and blood pressure, along with motion, posture, and activity level, from an ambulatory patient. The system features an oximetry probe that comfortably clips to the base of the patient's thumb, thereby freeing up their fingers for conventional activities in a hospital, such as reading and eating. The probe secures to the thumb and measures time-dependent signals corresponding to LEDs operating near 660 and 905 nm. Analog versions of these signals pass through a low-profile cable to a wrist-worn transceiver that encloses a processing unit. Also within the wrist-worn transceiver is an accelerometer, a wireless system that sends information through a network to a remote receiver, e.g. a computer located in a central nursing station.

A care system and associated methods are provided for alleviating patient pain, anxiety and discomfort associated with medical or surgical procedures. The system comprises: at least one patient health monitor device coupled to a patient and generating a signal reflecting at least one physiological condition of the patient; a drug delivery controller supplying one or more drugs to the patient; a memory device storing a safety data set reflecting parameters of at least one patient physiological condition; and an electronic controller interconnected between the patient health monitor, the drug delivery controller and the safety data set. The electronic controller is capable of effecting a change in the drug supply delivered to the patient and the generation of current signals by the patient health monitor device depending on a comparison between at least one patient physiological condition at its corresponding value reflected in the safety data set.

The invention provides a body-worn system that continuously measures pulse oximetry and blood pressure, along with motion, posture, and activity level, from an ambulatory patient. The system features an oximetry probe that comfortably clips to the base of the patient's thumb, thereby freeing up their fingers for conventional activities in a hospital, such as reading and eating. The probe secures to the thumb and measures time-dependent signals corresponding to LEDs operating near 660 and 905 nm. Analog versions of these signals pass through a low-profile cable to a wrist-worn transceiver that encloses a processing unit. Also within the wrist-worn transceiver is an accelerometer, a wireless system that sends information through a network to a remote receiver, e.g. a computer located in a central nursing station.

A computerized system and method for intuitively detecting a user's need for emergency help, preventive care and medical interventions and also for coordinating care for user's loved ones and pets when user experiences an emergency or has passed away. Detection is done via labs and life signs equipment and sensors, self-initiated request for monitoring or the system's periodically polling user through an alert, a telephone call, a notification, a text message or other appropriate means to find out if they are in danger. Polling and automated monitoring may also be triggered by real-time medical data electronically or wirelessly transmitted to the system. If user fails to respond, the system automatedly calls either user's contacts (by listed priority) to notify them of a potential emergency, or emergency responders directly depending on severity of the emergency and communicates to them critical information as well as a code to access user's medical record(s).

A mobile point-of-care medical station is provided comprising: an interface processor which receives user identification information, a communication interface enabling communication with remote systems via a network, a patient medical parameter processor to acquire data representing a medical parameter of a patient and for processing the patient medical parameter data for presentation to a user on a display and a session initiator for using the communication interface to communicate a message to a session management system. The session management system is employed by the stations and ensures session management compatibility between the stations to initiate generation of a session identifier particular to a user initiated session of operation in response to received user identification information.

Mobile clinicians conduct in-home patient visits utilizing on-site diagnostic and treatment equipment, where service is enhanced by the use of portable computing and communications equipment. Initially, a mobile care entity provides a network of predesignated mobile clinicians, each having the use of a preprogrammed portable computer. Each computer is coupled to a wireless communications device, and includes local storage of patient data. Under a predetermined schedule, each portable computer updates patient data in the local storage utilizing the wireless communications device to download updates from a central storage facility. Whenever the mobile care entity receives requests for medical service at a patient's premises, the entity selects a mobile clinician and dispatches him / her to the patient's premises. The clinician visits the patient's premises accompanied by an assortment of electronic diagnostic and treatment devices, such as a pulse oximiter, x-ray machine, lab analyzer, EKG equipment, etc. To examine the patient, the doctor utilizes various diagnostic devices to prepare machine-readable reports of related aspects of the patient's condition. The clinician directs the portable computer to perform follow-up tasks including: (1) electronically collecting the prepared reports and graphically presenting them in human-readable form, (2) storing a machine-readable medical record including details of the patient's exam, and (3) utilizing the wireless device to transmit the reports and records to the central storage facility.

An electronic health care system includes a modular framework and a display in communication with the modular framework for providing a graphical user interface to a system user. The modular framework includes a plurality of activities, each activity providing an aspect of patient care, where the framework is adaptable for accepting additional activities forming a single integrated system. The graphical user interface is adaptable for displaying information corresponding to one or more of the activities, and includes a common menu format for communicating available operations in the graphical user interface, and common visual components for displaying information to a system user.

An interactive computer assisted method compiles comprehensive health care information on patients in a central repository, assesses and analyzes this information, and identifies high utilizers of health care services using a computer and a user associated therewith. The method includes the steps of creating a central repository of various databases containing patient information, including demographic information and behavior, and optionally the results of a core survey of health status questions. The invention optionally involves the step of determining the appropriate core questions and the criteria to determine whether and when to ask certain questions of particular patients based on their response to prior questions. The invention accurately predicts risk of a medical condition or progression of a medical condition utilizing an interactive administration of a set of core survey questions combined with diagnostic data and places patients efficiently, reliably, and accurately into the appropriate treatment intervention programs. The invention eliminates redundant, repetitive surveying of patients with multiple medical conditions.

A comprehensive patient data assessment system and method for use in generating, tracking and analyzing medical data related to healthcare administered by a group of physicians to a specified patient population. The system is operative to track data related to the claims history, case management, pharmacy data, and lab tests / results for each patient treated by each patient's primary care physician preferably through electronic medical records that are accessible over a computer network. The system is operative to generate data indicative of the utilization of healthcare resources utilized to treat each patient within the patient population, as well as ensure that each primary care physician utilizes appropriate codes for each diagnosis and procedure / test administered to each patient. The system further provides for categorization of patients afflicted with chronic conditions that require high-cost care. The systems are exceptionally effective in conserving medical resources, ensuring uniformity in administering healthcare, and achieving optimal patient outcomes.

The invention provides a body-worn system that continuously measures pulse oximetry and blood pressure, along with motion, posture, and activity level, from an ambulatory patient. The system features an oximetry probe that comfortably clips to the base of the patient's thumb, thereby freeing up their fingers for conventional activities in a hospital, such as reading and eating. The probe secures to the thumb and measures time-dependent signals corresponding to LEDs operating near 660 and 905 nm. Analog versions of these signals pass through a low-profile cable to a wrist-worn transceiver that encloses a processing unit. Also within the wrist-worn transceiver is an accelerometer, a wireless system that sends information through a network to a remote receiver, e.g. a computer located in a central nursing station.

The presently disclosed digital healthcare platform provides patients and healthcare providers with a precise and focused treatment pathway to address healthcare issues. One embodiment enables a patient-initiated e-Visit to address a healthcare issue with an issue-focused adaptive interview. The results of this adaptive interview are forwarded to a skilled clinician for review, who then provides an assessment and a plan of action for the issue. The plan of action may include specific instructions, a prescription, or a referral to a third party medical provider for testing, consultation, or treatment. Another embodiment provides an identification “ticket” to the patient to coordinate care obtained at third parties. The ticket can be presented by the patient to a third party medical provider (such as with a barcode displayed on a mobile device) to identify the patient and enable the third party medical provider to access patient information from the digital healthcare platform.

Method and device for fall prevention and detection, specially for the elderly care based on digital image analysis using an intelligent optical sensor. The fall detection is divided into two main steps; finding the person on the floor, and examining the way in which the person ended up on the floor. The first step is further divided into algorithms investigating the percentage share of the body on the floor, the inclination of the body and the apparent length of the person. The second step includes algorithms examining the velocity and acceleration of the person. When the first step indicates that the person is on the floor, data for a time period of a few seconds before and after the indication is analysed in the second step. If this indicates fall, a countdown state is initiated in order to reduce the risk of false alarms, before sending an alarm. The fall prevention is also divided into two main steps; identifying a person entering a bed, and identifying the person leaving the bed to end up standing beside it. The second step is again further divided into algorithms investigating the surface area of on or more objects in an image, the inclination and the apparent length of these objects. When the second step indicates that a person is in an upright condition, a countdown state is initiated in order to allow for the person to return to the bed.

A system determines patient acuity information to identify required staff competencies to meet a workload and supports role based reporting, notification, and escalation when acuity nears or reaches a predetermined saturation threshold. A system predicts healthcare worker workload using an acquisition processor to acquire multiple data items associated with care requirements of a particular patient from multiple different sources. A data processor determines an acuity score of the particular patient by determining a single score comprising a combination of weighted individual score values derived from corresponding individual items of the multiple data items. A translation processor interprets determined acuity score to provide an estimated healthcare worker workload for meeting the care requirements of the particular patient by using predetermined translation data associating acuity score with corresponding healthcare worker workload.

The present invention relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for providing query support for a real time patient care graphical view. One embodiment of the invention includes a method for providing information associated with care of a patient in a health care environment. The method includes receiving location information associated with a patient, and receiving information associated with at least one indicator of care of the patient. The method also includes providing a graphical user interface capable of displaying the location information associated with the patient and the at least one indicator of care of the patient in a geospatial arrangement. In addition, the method includes displaying in a geospatial arrangement via the graphical user interface the location information associated with the patient, and the at least one indicator of care of the patient. Furthermore, the method includes updating the graphical user interface when a change occurs in either the location information associated with the patient or the at least one indicator of care of the patient.

A computer-based system for recording, storing, and accessing clinical documentation in an acute care setting is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, a single electronic database or repository for storing clinical patient notes, provides multiple points of read / write access via a user interface operating on one or more client computers that are in real-time communication with the repository.

A system and method for managing work flow in a hospital emergency department providing care for a plurality of patients are disclosed. The system includes a server, one or more portable wireless communication devices and application software that can run on the server. The application software maintains a database or other information storage means having information about the plurality of patients and providing communications with the one or more communication devices. Communications are provided in an automatic, persistant and redundant manner. Metrics and efficiency ratings are also provided.