FR2860901A1 - Insurance company medical records transmission system, has examination units supplying records in database with additional medical data, and sampling units allowing access to personalized website for uploading complete record - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a principal examination unit (11) that supplies medical records in a database (6) with data input by a medical department. The medical records are intended to an insurance company. Secondary examination units (17, 18) supply the records in the database with additional medical data. Sampling units (15, 16) allow accessing a personalized website for uploading a complete medical record. An independent claim is also included for a method for transmitting medical records and centralizing electronic medical records.

Description

- 1 -

  "System and method for secure transmission and centralization of electronic medical records." The present invention relates to a system and method for centralizing electronic medical records. It concerns in particular, but not exclusively, the medical formalities imposed by insurance companies when a customer wishes to take out insurance with one of these companies.

  In general, insurance companies require future clients to pass a set of medical examinations in order to determine the type of insurance policy and the level of pricing. The object of the present invention is to propose a new system enabling to automate and simplify the medical procedures associated with medical formalities (to ensure the transmission in an encrypted electronic format and centralization on a protected system).

  The above goal is achieved with a new secure transmission system and the centralization of electronic medical records for insurance companies or companies. According to the invention, this system comprises: a processing unit comprising: a database containing data relating to the medical files, and a web server containing personalized websites through which sampling units access the database. data; - at least one main examination unit to feed the medical records into the database with data entered by a medical service; - a plurality of secondary examination units to feed the medical records into the 2860901 - 2- data base with additional medical data; and a plurality of collection units each disposed within an insurance company and capable of accessing a personalized website to download a complete medical file.

  The processing unit is a machine that can be arranged within a main site intended to manage health checks for customers wishing to take out insurance with an insurance company. The main examination unit can be managed by a nurse and / or a doctor within the main site. This unit allows you to enter general civil and medical information on each client. The secondary examination units are then external laboratories capable of carrying out additional examinations or analyzes.

  With the system according to the invention, centralized data that can be entered or downloaded ("upload") online via a web browser.

  The invention is notably remarkable in that it makes the completeness of a file reliable. Indeed, a medical record is preferably transmitted only when it is complete. The web server includes means for automatically checking the file data. This check takes into account the functional interdependence of the data which can be obtained by operators "and", "or", "no", II II II According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the processing unit comprises means for communicating with the sampling units and the secondary examination units via an Internet type communication network. The system further comprises a secure https server and a firewall interposed between the processing unit and this Internet type communication network.

  In addition, all processing, examination and sampling units constitute a virtual private network. The 2860901 - 3- firewall serves as an IPSEC gateway for the virtual private network.

  Advantageously, the https server is configured to act as a reverse proxy. The examination and sampling units feel like they are connected to the HTTPS server, but in fact the latter, playing the role of a proxy, present on Depending secondary the laboratory unit transmits all information to the server Web the same machine as the database. the invention, at least one examination unit comprises means for communicating with treatment according to an interprotocol communication protocol common to all HPRIM providers. HPRIM is a set of Medical Informatics members of the association H. PR.I.M. (Www.HPRIM.ORG). To do this, the system includes an interface module, such as a server, disposed between the firewall (or the processing unit) and said secondary examination unit. This interface module includes software means for periodically scanning the web server to detect the presence of new requests for medical analyzes and to communicate them to the laboratories concerned if necessary. The communication protocol used between the firewall (or the processing unit) and the interface module is preferably the HTTPS (secure hypertext transfer protocol). The FTP (file transfer protocol) protocol and the hypertext transfer protocol (http) protocol are used in maintenance mode, shunting if necessary. firewall and the HTTPS reverse proxy relay. The protocols used between the interface module and the laboratories may be HPRIM or PGP depending on the laboratories.

  Advantageously, the additional medical data comprise images resulting from examinations or analyzes carried out within laboratories. These laboratories are 2860901 - 4 - capable of performing additional medical examinations or tests prescribed by the main examination unit.

  Moreover, the processing unit may be associated with a billing module capable of producing a billing file for each medical file.

  Preferably, the system comprises an electronic mail server capable of sending an electronic message to a sampling unit when a file is complete. The file is complete when a predefined set of information has been introduced, especially when all the results from the main unit and the secondary examination units have been introduced.

  According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for securely transmitting and centralizing electronic medical records intended for insurance organizations or insurance companies, in which: with data entered by a medical service, feeds medical records contained in a database; - With additional medical data from laboratories, the database is fed through custom web sites of a web server having access to said database; - When a file is complete, we download this file in a collection unit arranged within an insurance company via a personalized website.

  A file is complete when determining a billing associated with this file.

  More precisely, when a file is complete, an electronic message containing an active link to said file is transmitted to a sampling unit; upon receipt of the e-mail message within this picking unit, the link is activated to trigger the download of the complete file.

  Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description of an embodiment which is in no way limitative, and the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view general system according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a few steps of the method according to the invention; Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a few steps of creating an electronic medical record; and - Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the main steps performed within an insurance company to download an electronic medical record.

  In FIG. 1, there is a main site 1 able to communicate via the Internet with a secondary site 2, a plurality of companies 3 and a plurality of laboratories 4.

  The main site 1 contains a processing unit 5 containing a database 6 and a web server 7. This processing unit may be a microcomputer adapted to manage the database and the web server. To ensure optimal security of the data contained in the database 6, there is available between the processing unit 5 and the Internet, an https 8 server configured as a reverse proxy relay, and a firewall 9 which will be the only visible element from the Internet and whose access can be restricted. The main site also includes an e-mail server 10 capable of sending e-mails via the Internet.

  The processing unit 5 can be accessed internally within the main site by a main examination unit 11. The main site also comprises a billing module 12 connected to the processing unit 5, this billing module 12 being able to develop a billing file associated with each folder.

  2860901 - 6 - For each client, it is possible to create a file from the main examination unit 11, this file being saved in the database 6. This file can also be created and fed from the site secondary 2 comprising a main examination unit 13 associated with a firewall 14 for connection via the internet. In general, the system can include several secondary sites capable of accommodating each client and create and then feed the medical file of this client.

  According to the invention, when a customer wishes to subscribe to a life insurance for example within an insurance company 15, he contacts this company directly 15 or goes through an intermediary 16 who can be a broker, an agent or a bank offering the services of the said insurance company 15. The companies 15 or 16 then refer the client to a main examination unit 11 or 13 for the constitution of a file. Preferably, the broker does not systematically and directly access the main site. It can: - receive a confirmation e-mail, - receive an e-mail at each step made, - have access to another third-party Web server located in a region of the main site with intermediate security between the outside and the (DMZ, "DeMilitarized Zone"), or - possibly have access to the reverse proxy relay using an authorized client application having access to the main site as a virtual private network.

  The companies 15 or 16 include computer means such as microcomputers adapted to connect to the web server 7. All the information concerning a folder are included in a file present on this web server. The computer resources of the companies do not interact with the database. The web server 2860901 - 7 - 7 is configured so that for each company 15, 16 or other wishing to consult the file of a customer, we create a personalized website, ie a personalized directory to which each company can access by password and identification. It is the functional completeness of the file that generates a file, non-modifiable in PDF format, on the company's personalized website. The insurance company 15 is authorized to download a medical file of a client when this file is complete.

  After creation in the main examination unit 11 or 12, a file may be supplemented in particular by examination results carried out in external laboratories 4.

  These laboratories can be laboratories of radiology, cardiology or even biology. The radiology laboratory 17 includes an X-ray apparatus adapted to generate a result in a microcomputer, the latter being adapted to transmit this result in the form of an electronic file to the database 6 via the Internet. In other words, it is possible to use a web browser (HTTPS client) to connect to the main site via a "virtual private network" type input and to upload a result file of the analyzes, this file possibly being a text or an image in the format "txt" or "Blob" ("Binary Large Object") respectively. The laboratory of biology 18 comprises means for analysis, generation of results, conversion of these results in electronic form and transmission of these results according to the inter-laboratory protocol hprim. In this case, the main site 1 comprises an interface module 19 capable of converting the data received according to the hprim protocol into data according to the https protocol, this data then being transmitted to the processing unit 5 via the server 8 and the firewall 9. The module 19 also 2860901 - 8- role to detect requests for examination. Its operation comprises the following steps: - read, in the Web server, a "status" file containing the number of requests and the name of the "request.x" files (x representing the number of the request laboratories, each file request .x corresponding to a request); - reading of each request.x file (containing the information of this request: the identifier of the laboratory concerned, the customer identifier, the customer's name and surname, as well as the list of identifiers of the different analyzes); - interpretation of the request and generation of a request for the laboratory concerned; - receipt of laboratory results; and - communicating these results to the web server by calling the page concerned by the request and completing the fields on this page, along with the laboratory results.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a few steps will now be described when a customer wishes to take out insurance with an insurance company 15. In FIG. 2, step 20 corresponds to making an appointment centralized with the main unit 11 or 13, during which one captures general information and a date of reception, and one creates a file customer. At step 21, a nurse, for example, can perform the reception and enter or complete the set of general information about the client and the details of the insurance company 15 and those of the company. intermediary if the customer has been through an intermediate company of the type of company 16.

  At step 22, a physician still captures a set of client information after a general medical examination. The doctor also enters data for additional tests to be performed. The set of data is saved in the database 6. However, the general examination can be carried out in parallel with the additional examinations to be performed.

  In step 23, further examinations are performed in laboratories 17 and / or 18.

  In step 24, the results obtained as a result of these examinations may be flat electrocardiograms, cardiac scans, electrocardiograms of effort, or radiographic images. Optionally, its results can be digitized in step 25. They are then transmitted to the main site so as to enrich the client's file in the database 6 in step 26. When all examinations is carried out, a billing is done at step 27 and then an electronic message is transmitted to the insurance company 15 during step 28. And, in response to this electronic message, the insurance company 15 accesses to the database 6 so as to download the customer's file as well as the billing during the step 29.

  Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating pages of a web browser from the secondary site 13 during the creation of a client file. The connection to the main site is made by identification and password as shown on the card 30.

  When connected, a page is displayed in accordance with sheet 31 proposing the creation of a new medical file, the modification of an existing medical file or the consultation of statistics. An example of the statistics available is shown in sheet 33. In particular, there is an annual curve showing the number of clients per month and a second annual curve showing the number of x-rays performed per month.

  When it is desired to create a new file, the information to be entered can be as represented on the form 32. The file thus created is a file said to be incomplete, including the identifier and the contact information of the customer 2860901 - 10- insurance, additional examinations to be carried out such as: - a cardiology: ecography (ECG) simple - radiology: pulmonary - biological profile: cholesterol: total, HDL, LDL - hematology - numbering blood formula (NFS).

  Sheet 32 also includes active buttons for the creation of a questionnaire as illustrated on the sheet 34, and a medical examination as shown on the sheet 35. The sheet 34 can enter detailed information on the identity of the customer. Form 35 captures more accurate client medical data such as measurements and general physical appearance. Cards 34 and 35 are particularly specific to each insurance company.

  Preferably, the cards 34 and 35 reproduce all the possible medical formalities. Indeed, depending on the insurance company, the client and the type of contract, there may not be a medical questionnaire or have specific supplementary questionnaires.

  When a client's file is completed with various examination results and billed, an email is sent from the main site to the insurance company.

  As seen in FIG. 4, the sent e-mail message contains an active link to the address of the concerned customer's file. Thus, within the insurance company, clicking on the active link present in the electronic message makes it possible to initiate a connection with the main site 1 by entering a particular identifier and a password. When the connection is established to the address of the file within the database, this file can be downloaded and edited in paper format. The invoice edited by module 12 is also downloaded. Preferably, these steps performed within insurance company 15 are automated and pre-configured.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. It is not limited to the type of documents to be filled, connected providers (laboratories, radiologists, ...) and their various tools (robots, X-ray machine, scanner, ...) interconnected to the unit treatment.

  It is conceivable to have a database 6 and a Web server 7 on two different machines located in a DMZ protected zone ("DeMilitarized Zone" in English) and not between the main examination unit 11 and the HTTPS relay in reverse proxy 8 (as depicted in FIG. 1). This DMZ protected zone or another could also contain the electronic mail server 10 as well as a domain name server ("DNS") for the constitution of a virtual private network. VPN ", or some other machine completing the system.

  The interconnection between the main site 1 and the different sites 2, 4, 12, ie the laboratories, the companies, ... is not limiting either. For example, the interconnection between the main site 1 and the companies may include the following features.

  - After receiving an e-mail, we receive the company medical report (in pdf format) by clicking on a link included in the e-mail message; an HTTPS client (possibility of a second machine) can retrieve the medical files at regular intervals of time and print them (possibility of sending the printing to a printer of the internal network of the Company); 2860901 - 12 - - another web server (on the second machine) can work in mirror mode with the web server 7, this will allow to know the status of the current medical records: making the customer's appointment, arrival of the client , waiting for medical results, completeness of the file; - a computerized data exchange interface "E.D.I" can be set up (via the second machine), to allow an interface between the company system and the main site 1.

Claims (13)

- 13-CLAIMS   1. System for the secure transmission and centralization of electronic medical files intended for insurance bodies or insurance companies, comprising: - a processing unit (5) comprising: - a database (6) containing data relating to the files medical, - a web server (7) containing personalized web sites by which picking units (15, 16) access the database; at least one main examination unit (11) for feeding the medical records into the database (6) with data entered by a medical service; - a plurality of secondary examination units (17, 18) for feeding the medical records into the database (6) with additional medical data; - A plurality of sampling units (15, 16) each disposed within an insurance company and able to access a personalized website to download a complete medical file.   2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing unit comprises means for communicating with the sampling units and the secondary examination units via an Internet-type communication network, and in that the system comprises in addition, a secure server (8) of the https type and a firewall (9) interposed between the processing unit (5) and this Internet type communication network.   2860901 - 14 - 3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that all processing units, examination and sampling constitute a virtual private network.   4. System according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the https server is configured to act as a reverse proxy.   5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one secondary analysis unit (18) comprises means for communicating with the processing unit according to an inter-laboratory protocol HPRIM.   6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional medical data comprise images from examinations or analyzes carried out in laboratories.   7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises an interface module (19) for regularly scanning the web server to detect the presence of new requests for medical analyzes and to communicate them to the laboratories ( 18) concerned where appropriate.   8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing unit is associated with a billing module (12) able to develop a billing file for each medical record.   9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system comprises an electronic mail server (10) capable of sending an electronic message to a sampling unit when a file is complete.   2860901 - 15- 10. A method for securely transmitting and centralizing electronic medical records for insurance organizations or companies, wherein: with data entered by a medical service, the medical records contained in a database are fed; with additional medical data from laboratories, the database is fed through custom web sites of a web server having access to said database; when a file is complete, this file is downloaded to a collection unit arranged within an insurance company via a personalized website.   11. The method of claim 10, characterized in that a file is complete when determining a billing associated with this folder.   12. The method of claim 10 or 11 characterized in that when a file is complete is transmitted to a sampling unit an electronic message containing an active link to said folder; upon receipt of the electronic message within this picking unit, activating said link to trigger the download of said complete file.   13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the additional medical data contain images from examinations or analyzes carried out within the laboratories.