JP2009253888A - System and method for guiding patient, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system, a method and a program for excellently guiding patients. <P>SOLUTION: The server 1 of a patient-guiding system memorizes information about the present location of a tag device 5, a patient's destination, and a route from the present location to the patient's destination and transmits the information to the tag device 5. The tag device 5 receives the information displays the present location, the patient's destination and the route, and guides the patient from the present location to the patient's destination, when a predetermined condition is satisfied. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a patient guidance system suitable for guiding a patient to a destination, a patient guidance method, and a program for realizing these on a computer.

When receiving a medical examination at a hospital, it is necessary for the patient to wait in a certain place such as a waiting room so that it can be seen that it has been called.
In large hospitals such as university hospitals, there are patients who find it difficult to understand the route from where the patient is to the place to receive medical examination.

Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes to lend a call device such as a PHS to call a patient, thereby eliminating the need for the patient to wait in a certain place such as a waiting room until the call is called.
Further, Patent Document 1 proposes to display a guidance map up to the examination location on the calling device.
JP 2003-318913 A

However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to manage which call device has been lent to which patient and collect the call device from the patient.
Further, in a large hospital, it may be difficult to reach a medical examination location only with a guide map, or it may take time to arrive.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is suitable for guiding a patient to a destination without lending a call device, and realizing the patient guiding method and the patient using a computer. The purpose is to provide a program to do this.

In order to achieve the above object, a patient guidance system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes:
A patient guidance system for guiding a patient comprising a server device and a tag device to a destination,
The server device
A storage unit that stores information including a current location of the tag device possessed by the patient, a destination of the patient, and a route from the current location to the destination, and transmits the information to the tag device A transmission unit,
The tag device is
A receiving unit for receiving the information from the server device;
An information storage unit for storing the information received by the reception unit;
A display unit for displaying the current location, the destination, and the route;
And a guiding unit that guides the patient from the current location to the destination when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

The display unit displays the information in association with the current location,
The guiding unit may adjust a timing for starting the patient guidance based on a distance between the current location and the destination.

The storage unit further stores the time when the patient is examined at the destination and the number of patients other than the patient who is examined at the destination,
When the time or the number of patients satisfies a predetermined condition, the guiding unit starts guiding the patient,
The display unit may display a warning for the patient when the current location is not on the route.

  The transmitting unit may identify the current location from a position transmitted and received with the receiving unit of the tag device.

  It is also possible to further comprise a reading device that reads the information stored in the information storage unit.

  The tag device may be electronic paper.

A patient guidance method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes:
A patient guidance method for guiding a patient to a destination using a server device and a tag device, wherein the server device includes a storage unit and a transmission unit, and the tag device includes a reception unit and an information storage. A display unit, a display unit, and a guide unit,
In the server device,
The storage unit stores information including a current location of the tag device possessed by the patient, a destination of the patient, and a route from the current location to the destination,
The transmission unit includes a transmission step of transmitting the information to the tag device,
In the tag device,
The receiving unit receives the information from the server device; and
The information storage unit stores the information received by the receiving unit,
The display unit displays the current location, the destination, and the route, and
The guide unit includes a guide step of guiding the patient from the current location to the destination when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

The program according to the third aspect of the present invention is:
A program for causing a computer to function as a server device and a tag device and guiding a patient to a destination,
The server device,
A storage unit that stores information including a current location of the tag device possessed by the patient, a destination of the patient, and a route from the current location to the destination, and transmits the information to the tag device Function as a transmitter,
The tag device;
A receiving unit for receiving the information from the server device;
An information storage unit for storing the information received by the reception unit;
A display unit for displaying the current location, the destination, and the route;
When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the patient is caused to function as a guide unit that guides the patient from the current location to the destination.

  According to the present invention, a patient can be guided to a destination.

  Hereinafter, a patient guidance system, a patient guidance method, and a program of the present invention are explained. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the patient guidance system of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the patient guidance system includes a server 1, a database 2, a communication network 3, an antenna 4 (4 a to 4 b) connected to the communication network 3, and a tag connected via the antenna 4. And a device 5 (5a to 5d).
The tag device 5 described later plays a role as a hospital examination ticket. The tag device 5 is given from the hospital to the patient at the first visit. The patient carries the tag device 5 as an examination ticket, and brings the tag device 5 to the hospital.

  The server 1 is for performing various processes related to the patient guidance system. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the server 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 1 includes a communication control unit 11, a process control unit 12, and a data storage unit 13.

  The communication control unit 11 is configured by a predetermined communication device such as a router, for example, and connects the server 1 and the communication network 3. The communication control unit 11 transmits / receives various data (information) to / from the tag device 5 via, for example, the antenna 4 connected to the communication network 3.

  The processing control unit 12 performs communication via the communication control unit 11 and processes various types of information. The process control unit 12 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes various processes by executing an operation program read from the data storage unit 13. Moreover, the process control part 12 is provided with the real-time clock which time-measures time.

  The data storage unit 13 includes a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk recording device, and the like, and records various information and programs.

  The database 2 is a database (DB) that stores various types of information related to the patient guidance system. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the database 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the database 2 includes a personal information DB 21, a position information DB 22, a time information DB 23, an instruction information DB 24, a map information DB 25, a waiting number information DB 26, and the like.

  The personal information DB 21 is a database that stores information related to the user (patient) of the patient guidance system. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the personal information DB 21 stores a user ID, name, telephone number, address, e-mail address, examination department, and the like. Here, the user ID is patient identification information.

  The position information DB 22 is a database that stores information on the position (current location) where the user (patient) of the patient guidance system is present and the position of the department where the patient is examined. The position information DB 22 stores, for example, transmission / reception positions between the antenna 4 and the tag device 5, block information when the hospital is divided into blocks, latitude and longitude of GPS (Global Positioning System), and the like.

The time information DB 23 is a database that stores information related to patient examination time. The time information DB 23 stores, for example, the scheduled start and end times of examination, the scheduled start and end times of examination, and the like.
In addition, when a patient receives a plurality of examinations or examinations, a plurality of pieces of information are stored.

The instruction information DB 24 is a database that stores information for instructing patient guidance. The instruction information DB 24 stores, for example, instruction information such as “Please come to internal medicine”, “Waiting for surgery”, “Please wait for a while”, and the like. In addition, in the instruction information DB 24, for example, the patient's current location information stored in the position information DB 22 such as “turn right” and “go straight” so that the patient can reach the target department Instruction information up to a diagnosis department (destination) displayed based on map information stored in a map information DB 25 described later is stored.
Note that location information such as “internal medicine” and “surgery” and instruction information such as “please come” and “wait” can be stored in the database 2 separately.

  The map information DB 25 is a database that stores information related to hospital maps and hospital surrounding area maps. In the map information DB 25, for example, not only map information but also latitude and longitude corresponding to the map, store guidance, and the like are stored.

  The waiting number information DB 26 is a database that stores information related to the waiting number in the department where the patient is examined. The waiting number information DB 26 stores, for example, waiting numbers such as 3 for internal medicine and 10 for surgery.

  The communication network 3 is a communication network such as the Internet, LAN (Local Area Network), and WAN (Wide Area Network) based on a predetermined communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

The antenna 4 includes an antenna unit that supplies power to the tag device 5 and transmits / receives information, and a control unit that encodes / decodes communication contents and communicates with a host system. Information is transmitted and received between the antenna 4 and the tag device 5 in which ID information is embedded by radio communication (RFID: Radio Frequency IDentification) using an electromagnetic field or a radio wave. Examples of the antenna 4 include a handy type, a stationary type, and a gate type.
Here, the process control unit 12 can recognize the position where the tag apparatus 5 is located (the current position where the patient is located) from the position where the antenna 4 that performs transmission / reception with the tag apparatus 5 exists.

The tag device 5 includes an antenna unit that communicates with the antenna 4 and a tag unit in which ID information is embedded. Non-contact power is transmitted from the antenna 4 side to the tag device 5, and the tag device 5 can move semipermanently.
The tag device 5 includes a CPU and a memory, can store predetermined information, and can execute a predetermined program. Moreover, the tag apparatus 5 can also be equipped with a battery, and can also be equipped with the solar cell panel etc. which convert light energy into electric power. Further, the tag device 5 can include a device for measuring a position such as a GPS (Global Positioning System).

  Further, the tag device 5 includes a display unit, and for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit. The information displayed on the screen is information stored in the database 2 via the communication network 3 and the antenna 4. On the screen, a diagnosis location 51, a diagnosis content 52, a diagnosis start time 53, a waiting number 54, a name 55, an ID No 56, a map 57, a current location 58, and the like are displayed. The patient can check the start time of the examination, the current location, and the like by looking at the screen displayed on the tag device 5.

  The examination location 51 is information on a department where patients such as “internal medicine” and “surgery” are examined, and is stored in the instruction information DB 24 or the like. The examination content 52 is instruction information to be given by the patient such as “please wait for a while”, and is stored in the instruction information DB 24 or the like. The examination start time 53 is time information at which examination such as “15:00” is started, and is stored in the time information DB 23 or the like. The waiting number 54 is the number of people waiting to receive a diagnosis in the examination department indicated by the examination place 51, and is stored in the waiting number information DB 26 or the like. The name 55 and ID No. 56 are the patient's name and patient-specific identification number, and are stored in the personal information DB 21 or the like. The map 57 is a map of the hospital or the like, and is stored in the map information DB 25 or the like. The current location 58 is location information where the patient is present, and is stored in the location information DB 22 or the like.

  Further, the tag device 5 includes an audio output device, a vibration generating device, a light emitting device, or the like. When a predetermined time is reached or when predetermined wireless information is received, a predetermined electronic sound, vibration, light emission, or the like is generated and output to notify the patient of the information.

  Next, a patient guidance method using the patient guidance system configured as described above will be described. Hereinafter, display processing, call processing, and guidance processing will be described in this order.

(Display processing)
As shown in FIG. 5, the display process is a process of displaying the patient's examination location 51, the current location 58, and the like on the display unit of the tag device 5. Hereinafter, the display process will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Information communication for display processing is performed via the communication network 3 and the antenna 4, and when the tag device 5 receives the information, the information is displayed on the screen.

First, the process control unit 12 reads initial information (name 55, ID No. 56) from the personal information DB 21 and displays a screen on the display unit of the tag device 5 (step S11).
In addition, by storing the initial information in the tag device 5, the process control unit 12 can update the information only when the information is changed.

Next, when the department is determined by the reception process at the reception of the hospital, etc., the process control unit 12 reads out from the position information DB 22 or the like, reads the diagnosis location 51, the instruction content 52, the diagnosis disclosure. The time 53, the waiting number 54, the map 57, and the current location 58 are displayed on the screen of the tag device 5 (step S12).
If there is reservation information or previous visit history information, the information can also be used.

  Next, the process control unit 12 determines whether or not there is a change in the information such as the waiting number 54 and the current location 58 (step S13). That is, it is determined whether the information stored in the waiting number information DB 26 or the like has been updated. The process control unit 12 can perform the determination process at arbitrary intervals such as in real time and at regular intervals (for example, every 5 minutes).

  When it is determined that there is update information (step S13; Yes), the screen is updated when the processing control unit 12 transmits the updated information to the tag device 5 via the communication network 3 and the antenna 4. (Step S12). Even if the information stored in the database 3 is not updated, the current location 58 can be changed if it is determined that the transmission / reception position between the antenna 4 and the tag device 5 is changed. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no update information (step S13; No), the process control unit 12 determines whether or not the current time matches the diagnosis start time stored in the time information DB 23 ( Step S14).

  If the times do not match (step S14; No), the process proceeds to step S12. Information registration update processing is performed until the condition is satisfied.

On the other hand, when the times match (step S14; Yes), the processing control unit 12 or the tag device 5 activates a voice output device, a vibration generation device, or the like built in the tag device 5 and diagnoses by voice or vibration. The patient is notified that it is the start time (specified time) (step S15). The patient can recognize from the notification that it is the diagnosis start time and that the order of the diagnosis has come.
In addition, even before the examination start time (specified time), if the waiting number 54 is 0 (zero) or close to 0 (for example, one, two, etc.) (step S14; Yes), a call to call the patient Processing is performed (step S15).
The calling process for calling a patient will be described in the calling process described later.

Next, the process control unit 12 displays a route from the current location 58 to the examination location 51 (destination) on the map 57 (step 16). The processing control unit 12 not only displays the route to the destination on the map 57 but also according to the current location 58, in conjunction with the audio output device provided in the tag device 5, "Please go straight", "Turn right" Please start the voice guidance. In addition, when the patient deviates from the route, it indicates that the patient is deviating from the route by voice, vibration, display, or the like, and alerts the patient.
The guidance process for guiding the patient will be described in the guidance process described later.

  Next, the process control unit 12 determines whether or not the current location 58 matches the examination location 51 (step S17).

  If the locations do not match (step S17; No), a route from the current location 58 to the examination location 51 is displayed, and guidance such as voice is continued (step S16).

  If the locations match (step S17; Yes), information such as “Arrived” is displayed in the instruction content 52, and this flow ends.

  With the above processing, a map for guiding the patient is displayed, and the patient can be guided to the destination.

(Call processing)
The calling process is a process of notifying the patient that the examination time has come and calling the patient to the examination location. Hereinafter, the calling process will be described with reference to FIG. The information communication of the calling process is performed via the communication network 3 and the antenna 4, and when the tag device 5 receives the information, the information is displayed on the screen. Further, it is detected that the examination time has come, and a voice or the like is generated from the tag device 5.

  First, the process control unit 12 determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied (step S21). Here, the predetermined conditions are whether or not there is only one department, whether or not an examination is necessary, whether or not there is a reservation, whether or not there is a doctor in charge, whether or not a doctor is present, Whether there are patients, whether there are multiple waiting patients, whether the patient has priority, whether the examination time is long, whether the examination has priority, whether there is one laboratory, Whether examination is necessary before the examination, whether the examination has priority, whether examination time is long, and the like. It is determined whether at least one of the conditions is satisfied.

  When the predetermined condition is not satisfied (step S21; No), the process control unit 12 or the tag device 5 satisfies the condition when the predetermined time has elapsed or when the information stored in the database 2 is updated. It is determined again whether or not.

  On the other hand, when the predetermined condition is satisfied (step S21; Yes), the process control unit 12 or the tag device 5 generates a voice or the like to notify the patient that the examination time has come (step S22). By this notification, the patient can recognize that the patient is being called from the department that receives the medical examination.

  In addition, the process control part 12 or the tag apparatus 5 can switch a sound, a vibration, etc. by identifying a present location. For example, the patient can be called by vibrating the tag device 5 in a quiet place and emitting the tag device 5 in a dark place.

Further, when the distance between the current location where the patient is (the position where the tag device 5 is) and the destination is far, the processing control unit 12 or the tag device 5 can advance the time for starting the calling process.
For example, the distance between the current location and the destination is calculated from information stored in the position information DB 22 and the map information DB 25. Next, the moving speed of the patient is calculated based on the antenna 4, the tag device 5, and the transmission / reception position. The expected time until the patient reaches the destination is calculated from the moving speed and the distance. The process control unit 12 or the tag device 5 can advance the time for starting the calling process by the estimated time. Further, the time for starting the calling process can be advanced by a certain time (for example, 3 minutes).

  By the above processing, it is possible to notify the patient that the examination time has come and that there is no waiting number and call the patient to the target department.

(Guidance processing)
The guidance process is a process for guiding the patient to the examination location (destination). Hereinafter, the guidance process will be described with reference to FIGS. Information communication of guidance processing is performed via the communication network 3 and the antenna 4, and when the tag device 5 receives the information, the information is displayed on the screen.

  First, as shown in FIG. 9, the process control unit 12 reads the current location 58, the examination location 51 (destination), the guidance route 59, and the like from the location information DB 22 and displays them on the map 57 (step S31). It is also possible to display an expected arrival time from the current location 58 to the examination location 51 (destination).

  Next, depending on when the current time is changed due to movement of the patient, etc. Then, the processing control unit 12 or the tag device 5 displays a guide route 59 from the current location 58 to the examination location 51 (destination) on the map 57 (step S32). In addition, the patient is notified that guidance to the destination is to be started by voice such as “Start guidance”.

  In addition, when the distance between the current location 58 and the examination location 51 (destination) is long, the processing control unit 12 or the tag device 5 can advance the time for starting guidance.

  Next, since the transmission / reception position between the antenna 4 and the tag device 5 changes as the patient (tag device 5) moves, the processing control unit 12 recognizes the current location 58 from the change, and updates and displays the current location 58. (Step S33). Also, the current location 58 can be displayed on the map 51 by the GPS function.

  Next, the process control unit 12 or the tag device 5 determines whether or not the current location 58 is out of the guidance route 59 (step S34).

  If the current location 58 is off the guide route 59 (step S34; Yes), the processing control unit 12 or the tag device 5 generates a warning sound or the like to inform the patient that the current location 58 is off the guide route 59. Notification is made (step S36).

  On the other hand, if the current location 58 has not deviated from the guidance route 59 (step S34; No), the process control unit 12 or the tag device 5 continues the process of updating and displaying the current location 58, and the patient (tag device 5) is examined. It is determined whether or not (destination) has been reached (step S35).

  When the destination is reached (step S35; Yes), the processing control unit 12 or the tag device 5 generates a sound such as “arriving at the destination” and notifies the patient that the destination has been reached. This flow ends.

  In addition, by providing a reading device for reading the information of the tag device 5 possessed by the patient at each examination place, the information can be read from the tag device 5 using the reading device after the patient arrives at the destination. Is possible.

  On the other hand, when the destination has not been reached (step S35; No), the process control unit 12 or the tag device 5 continues the process of updating and displaying the current location 58 (step S33).

  By the above processing, the patient can be guided to the destination without lending a calling device or the like from the hospital to the patient.

  In addition, this invention is not restricted to said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and application are possible. Hereinafter, other embodiments applicable to the present invention will be described.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking the case of guiding a patient in a hospital to a destination as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to a hospital and a patient, and may be in various forms.

  The server 1 according to the present embodiment can be realized using a normal computer system, not a dedicated system. For example, by installing the program from a recording medium (flexible disk, CD-ROM, etc.) storing a program for executing the above-described processing in a general-purpose computer, the server 1 that executes the above-described processing is configured. Can do.

  The means for supplying these programs is arbitrary. In addition to being able to be supplied via a predetermined recording medium as described above, for example, it may be supplied via a communication line, a communication network, a communication system, or the like. In this case, for example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board (BBS) of a communication network and provided by superimposing it on a carrier wave via the network. Then, the above-described processing can be executed by starting the program thus provided and executing it in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the OS.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the patient guidance system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the server of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the database of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a personal information database. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of a tag apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a display process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating call processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a guidance process. It is a figure for demonstrating guidance of a patient.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Server 2 Database 3 Communication network 4 Antenna 5 Tag apparatus 11 Communication control part 12 Processing control part 13 Data storage part 21 Personal information database 22 Location information database 23 Time information database 24 Instruction information database 25 Map information database 26 Waiting number information database

Claims (8)

A patient guidance system for guiding a patient comprising a server device and a tag device to a destination,
The server device
A storage unit that stores information including a current location of the tag device possessed by the patient, a destination of the patient, and a route from the current location to the destination, and transmits the information to the tag device A transmission unit,
The tag device is
A receiving unit for receiving the information from the server device;
An information storage unit for storing the information received by the reception unit;
A display unit for displaying the current location, the destination, and the route;
When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a guidance unit that guides the patient from the current location to the destination is provided.
A patient guidance system characterized by that. The display unit displays the information in association with the current location,
The guide unit adjusts the timing for starting the patient based on the distance between the current location and the destination.
The patient guidance system according to claim 1. The storage unit further stores the time when the patient is examined at the destination and the number of patients other than the patient who is examined at the destination,
When the time or the number of patients satisfies a predetermined condition, the guiding unit starts guiding the patient,
The display unit displays a warning to the patient when the current location is not on the route.
The patient guidance system according to claim 1 or 2 characterized by things. The transmitting unit identifies the current location from a position transmitted and received with the receiving unit of the tag device;
The patient guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A reading device that reads the information stored in the information storage unit,
The patient guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the patient guidance system is provided.   6. The patient guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the tag device is electronic paper. A patient guidance method for guiding a patient to a destination using a server device and a tag device, wherein the server device includes a storage unit and a transmission unit, and the tag device includes a reception unit and an information storage. A display unit, a display unit, and a guide unit,
In the server device,
The storage unit stores information including a current location of the tag device possessed by the patient, a destination of the patient, and a route from the current location to the destination,
The transmission unit includes a transmission step of transmitting the information to the tag device,
In the tag device,
The receiving unit receives the information from the server device; and
The information storage unit stores the information received by the receiving unit,
The display unit displays the current location, the destination, and the route, and
The guidance unit includes a guidance process for guiding the patient from the current location to the destination when a predetermined condition is satisfied,
A patient guidance method characterized by the above. A program for causing a computer to function as a server device and a tag device and guiding a patient to a destination,
The server device,
A storage unit that stores information including a current location of the tag device possessed by the patient, a destination of the patient, and a route from the current location to the destination, and transmits the information to the tag device Function as a transmitter,
The tag device;
A receiving unit for receiving the information from the server device;
An information storage unit for storing the information received by the reception unit;
A display unit for displaying the current location, the destination, and the route;
When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the patient is caused to function as a guide unit that guides the patient from the current location to the destination.
A program characterized by that.

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