Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
  • H04N1/21—Intermediate information storage
  • H04N1/2166—Intermediate information storage for mass storage, e.g. in document filing systems
  • H04N1/2179—Interfaces allowing access to a plurality of users, e.g. connection to electronic image libraries
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
  • G06Q10/06—Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
  • H04N1/21—Intermediate information storage
  • H04N1/2166—Intermediate information storage for mass storage, e.g. in document filing systems
  • H04N1/2179—Interfaces allowing access to a plurality of users, e.g. connection to electronic image libraries
  • H04N1/2187—Interfaces allowing access to a plurality of users, e.g. connection to electronic image libraries with image input from a plurality of different locations or from a non-central location, e.g. from one or more users
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
  • H04N1/21—Intermediate information storage
  • H04N1/2166—Intermediate information storage for mass storage, e.g. in document filing systems
  • H04N1/2179—Interfaces allowing access to a plurality of users, e.g. connection to electronic image libraries
  • H04N1/2191—Interfaces allowing access to a plurality of users, e.g. connection to electronic image libraries for simultaneous, independent access by a plurality of different users
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
  • G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
  • G16H10/00—ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data
  • G16H10/60—ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
  • H04N1/0035—User-machine interface; Control console

Definitions

• the present invention generally relates to electronic document management systems, which are used to manage electronic image files.
• the present invention is directed to a system and method for generating tasks related to electronic image files.
• IDN integrated delivery networks
• healthcare provider organizations have turned to sophisticated data management systems or applications.
• these systems include modules for maintaining or improving the quality of data.
• the quality of data i.e., correcting errors and/or omissions in data
• the revenue cycle for patient billing may be reduced and the overall service to customers may be improved.
• a task list is developed and populated with tasks for improving data specific to that particular provider.
• a user such as a data clerk is often responsible for working the tasks that populate the task lists.
• the tasks that populate the task lists may include tasks input by users of the system, tasks input by third party systems, and tasks generated by the data management system itself.
• Prior art data management systems typically are not capable of integrating tasks that specifically relate to electronic image files, e.g., image files generated by scanning, created using graphics software, or imported from other applications, etc.
• An example of a task that specifically relates to an electronic image file is a task that is generated when an insurance card is scanned. Typically, a patient insurance card is scanned when a patient checks in for an appointment at a hospital, clinic or doctor's office.
• the electronic image file that contains the insurance card information is typically needed by billers and registration personnel to verify coverage - not usually the person checking in the patient.
• Prior art data management systems are not capable of generating a task, which typically includes instructions or workflow for working the task and a link to the particular electronic image file.
• a task typically includes instructions or workflow for working the task and a link to the particular electronic image file.
• prior art systems are not capable of generating a task instructing the appropriate personnel to verify the information contained in the patient insurance card and providing a link to the electronic image file of the insurance card.
• One aspect of the present invention is a system for generating one or more tasks related to one or more electronic image files.
• the system includes an electronic document manager including an electronic image file database for storing the electronic image files and an electronic image file event generator for generating electronic image file events related to the electronic image files, and a task engine in communication with the electronic document management module for generating tasks related to the electronic image files based on the contents of the electronic image file events.
• the system includes an electronic document management module including an electronic image file database for storing the electronic image files and an electronic image file event generator submodule for generating electronic image file events related to the electronic image files, and a task engine module in communication with the electronic document management module for generating tasks related to the electronic image files based on the contents of the electronic image file events.
• the task engine module includes a task generation submodule including an event manager for storing the electronic image file events and a ruleset manager " including at least one predetermined set of rules. Each of the rules has at least one predetermined condition.
• the task engine module also includes a task generation manager for comparing the electronic image file events to the at least one predetermined set of rules and generating one or more tasks if the electronic image file events meet the at least one predetermined condition.
• FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a computer system for accessing the system according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the system including a task generation submodule according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method for sorting or filtering electronic image files according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a process for generating tasks by the system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• EDM 22 receives electronic image file (EIF) batches 26 generated by a scanning device application 28 and scanning device 30 and/or EIF batches 32 generated by a third-party such as an electronic document clearinghouse.
• EIF batches 26 and 32 include one or more electronic image files in a standard EIF format, e.g., jpg, tiff, bmp, gif, pdf, png, xpm.
• FIG. 1 illustrates system 20 as being implemented in an appropriate computing' environment.
• the invention will be described generally. in terms of computer-executable instructions, typically included in program modules, that are executed by a conventional, general purpose, digital computer.
• program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks.
• the invention may be practiced with a variety of computer system configurations, including networked client-server computing systems, hand-held devices, programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like.
• the invention will typically, but not necessarily, be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network, e.g., a LAN, WAN or an Internet-based network.
• program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
• system 20 of the present invention will operate in a networked computing environment including a personal computer 40 and an Internet server 42.
• Personal computer 40 may include a computer central processing unit (CPU) 44, a computer memory 46, and input/output devices 48.
• Input/output devices 48 typically include a storage device 50, such as a hard disk drive, a keyboard 52, a pointing device 54, i.e., a mouse, and a display device 56, such as a monitor.
• Internet server 42 may include a server memory 58 and an Internet server CPU 60.
• system 20 includes one or more computer programs 62 that reside in server memory 58 of Internet server 42.
• computer programs 62 may reside in the memory of a local or wide area network server or in the memory of an individual desktop computer system.
• system 20 may be accessed via a thin client access program 64 that resides in computer memory 46 of computer system 40.
• computer programs 62 may be executed on either or both Internet server CPU 60 and computer CPU 44.
• EDM 22 is in communication with task engine 24.
• EIF events 78 are transmitted from EDM 22 to task engine 24, requests to view electronic image files or to call methods 76 stored in document manager 72 of the EDM are transmitted from the task engine to the EDM, and electronic image files from EIF database 80 are shared with and viewed within the task engine environment.
• Task engine 24 typically includes a task generation submodule 82 for creating EIF-related tasks 84 based on the information in EIF events 78.
• Task engine 24 may include a task manager submodule 88 having a graphical user interface (GUI) 90 for viewing a task list 92 including both EIF-related tasks 84 and non-EIF-related tasks.
• Task engine 24 typically communicates with a task database 86, which is used to store the tasks that populate task list 92. •
• GUI graphical user interface
• system 20 typically will work seamlessly to integrate EDM 22 with task engine 24.
• EDM 22 receives EIF batches 26 that contain one or more electronic image files (not shown) created using scanning device 30 and scanning device application 28 or EIF batches 32 containing one or more electronic image files (not shown) created by a third party such as an electronic document clearinghouse.
• EDM 22 stores the electronic image files in EIF database 80.
• EIF event generator 74 generates an EIF event 78 for each electronic image file that is stored in EIF database 80 based on data included in batch 26 or 32.
• EIF event generator 74 may also generates an EIF event 78 for each existing electronic image file stored in EIF database 80 that is modified.
• An edit button 130 allows a user to edit a selected task 132.
• selected task 132 is selected as denoted by the "X" in task selection column 134 to the left of "Task Name” column 136.
• An actions button 138 allows a user to select actions from a dropdown menu (not shown) having predefined actions for working common tasks. Examples of predefined actions include but are not limited to hiding preview or instructions tabs 124 and 126, respectively, viewing selected tasks, manually marking tasks as done, reassigning tasks, and adding notes to tasks.
• a start task button 139 allows a user to begin working a selected task 132, which may be EIF-related task 84.
• preview text box 125 includes a documents button 149, which allows a user to cause a list of all electronic image filenames related to the subject of the presently selected task, or the files themselves, to be displayed in either first portion 120 or a pop-up window 150.
• a documents button 149 which allows a user to cause a list of all electronic image filenames related to the subject of the presently selected task, or the files themselves, to be displayed in either first portion 120 or a pop-up window 150.
• an insurance card 151 of the particular patient i.e., an electronic image file stored in EIF database 80, is displayed in pop-up window 150.
• start task button 139 or select instructions tab 126. Selection of start task button 139 or instructions tab 126 causes the instructions tab to be selected thereby simultaneously displaying instructions text box 128 (as illustrated in FIG. 4) and hiding preview text box 125. In one embodiment, selection of start task button 139 may also cause the first item in instructions text box 128 to be executed. Instructions text box 128 typically includes a list of options 152 for working the presently selected task. Referring again to FIG. 4, list of options 152 may not be numbered or arranged in a particular order. However, in other embodiments, list of options 152 may be numbered or arranged in a particular order.
• List of options 152 may also include various links or buttons that allow a user to cause additional data or electronic image files to be displayed in first portion 120.
• list of options 152 includes a view link 154.
• view link 154 causes an electronic image of the insurance card of the subject of the presently selected task, i.e., a particular patient - "TEST CONTRACT,” to be displayed (as illustrated in FIG. 5) in first portion 120.
• selection of start task button 139 may cause view link 154 to be automatically selected.
• an electronic document list 160 may be displayed in first portion 120.
• List 160 generally includes a name column 161 with descriptive names of all the electronic image files stored in system EIF database 80 that relate to the subject of the presently selected task, i.e., the patient "TEST CONTRACT," in this example.
• List 160 may include selection boxes 162 for each electronic image file and a view button 164. A user may view any of the electronic image files from list 160 in first portion 120 by checking any of selection boxes 162 and selecting view button 164.
• each of methods 76 in EDM 22 is called.
• each of methods 76 may be a query that sorts or filters the electronic image files stored in EIF database 80 and returns either a list or images of the sorted or filtered files to first portion 120 for display to a user.
• FIG. 7 illustrates the steps to a particular method 170, which causes a list of documents related to the social security number of a particular patient that is the subject matter of the presently selected task to be generated and displayed.
• a user selects documents button 149.
• method 170 which is associated with button 149, is executed.
• a query of EIF database 80 is performed to generate a list of all electronic image files that include a unique patient identifier field having the same unique patient identifier as the patient who is the subject of the presently selected task. Then, at step 178, the list of electronic image files generated in step 176 is returned to task engine 24 for display in first portion 120 of GUI 90.
• the electronic images rather than a list of electronic image filenames, are automatically displayed in first portion 120 upon selection of the link or button.
• FIG. 8 illustrates the steps of method 180.
• EIF batch 26 or 32 containing one or more electronic image files is received by EDM 22 or one or more existing EIFs from EIF database 80 that have been modified are received by EDM 22.
• EIF event generator 74 creates an EIF event 78 for each of the electronic image files received either in EIF batch 26 and 32 or from EIF database 80.
• each EIF event 78 created in step 184 is sent to event queue 96 of task engine 24.
• each EIF event 78 in event queue 96 is compared to one or more predetermined rules in ruleset manager 98 of task engine 24.
• task generation manager 102 and system task generation routine 104 generate tasks related to each EIF event 78 if they meet the conditions of one or more predetermined rules in ruleset manager 98.
• the system and methods of the present invention help reduce the overall revenue cycle for billing processes that include electronic image files.
• By integrating an EDM to interact with tasking/workflow engines better workflow capabilities for working tasks related to electronic image files are provided thereby reducing the amount of time it takes to work such tasks.
• By opening up an EDM to work with a tasking engine documents are not lost and they are routed to the appropriate users for follow-up.
• the system is used in the healthcare industry in a medical data management system to provide a user the capability to see all electronic image files related to a particular patient, specific types of images for a particular patient, and specific types of images for all patients.
• This type of functionality enhances the overall flow of information within the system thereby saving both time and money.

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• 2004
  • 2004-03-26 US US10/810,214 patent/US20050216487A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2005
  • 2005-03-01 JP JP2007504975A patent/JP2007531112A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-03-01 EP EP05724155A patent/EP1735716A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-03-01 CA CA002561355A patent/CA2561355A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-03-01 CN CNA2005800164960A patent/CN101124571A/zh active Pending
  • 2005-03-01 WO PCT/US2005/006557 patent/WO2005103942A2/en not_active Ceased

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