WO2014076711A2

WO2014076711A2 - A system for patient and patient information management

Info

Publication number: WO2014076711A2
Application number: PCT/IN2013/000692
Authority: WO
Inventors: Satish DULIPATI. V
Original assignee: Dulipati V Satish
Priority date: 2012-11-14
Filing date: 2013-11-11
Publication date: 2014-05-22
Also published as: WO2014076711A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for patient and patient information management. Particularly, the present invention relates to a network based integrated, shareable, multi-user, portable, real-time patient information management system for identification and authentication of users. More particularly, the system provides accurate information about user's location, entry, exit and the time and duration of visits to various locations. Each user is pre-registered on the system and assigned a unique encrypted ID by a server. Further, the system provides for automatic data recording, acquisition, processing, analysis, storage, transmission and reporting through wired or wireless means. The system recalls harmonized formats, checklists, systems and procedures from the server in a pre-defined uniform formats for data recording. The system enables registration and de-registration of the various parameters of patient management information in real time.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR PATIENT AND PATIENT INFORMATION MANAGEMENT FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for patient and patient information management. Particularly, the present invention relates to a network based integrated, shareable, multi-user, portable, real-time patient information management system for identification and authentication of patients and infants. More particularly, the system provides accurate information about their location, entry, exit and the time and duration of visits to various locations. Further, the system provides for automatic data recording, acquisition, processing, analysis, storage, transmission and reporting through wired or wireless means.

BACKGROUND ART

Medical care in a timely and efficient manner is very important in medical institutions. There is growing patient awareness, review of treatments given and medicines prescribed. This leads to increased responsibility and accountability of medical practitioners, clinics, hospitals, diagnostic centres to prevent human negligence, which can prove costly due to awarding of compensation by courts. The onus is on the healthcare sector to prove that adequate care has been taken in treating patients. ·

Medical insurance is being resorted to worldwide as a hedge against rising costs of treatment. Medical insurance policy covers hospitalisation expenses and other associated expenses, insurance premium is being linked to the health status of patients. The type and amount of health care costs that will be covered by the insurance provider are specified in the insurance policy. However, insurance frauds abound.

With infertility on the rise and gender bias in society, the safety of newborn infants is a major area of concern. Systems and methods for monitoring new born infants in the hospitals are well known and widely practiced. Simplest example is a paper tag with the name of parent written on the same tied to the ankle of the baby. Electronic tags are also available issued by the hospitals where information is generated and monitored within the hospital system. This system leaves scope for infants to be interchanged to different parents either consciously or inadvertently. Currently, there is no effective and economical system for monitoring infants, where the identification details are reported automatically. Some of the prior arts are as follows:

US7327256 discloses a mother and infant matching and security system using two devices strapped on infant and mother. Both the devices communicate with each other via radio frequency communication protocol.

US200901 12614 relates to an electronic healthcare management system handling all relevant aspects of providing healthcare services. The system integrates workflow principles to interconnect all the different elements and persons involved in the process.

WO2010099422 relates to a computer implemented method that includes receiving a unique patient identifier for a patient. Moreover, by using the unique patient identifier retrieves medical information associated with the patient from a centralized information source such as patient record containing the medical information.

The orientation of systems available currently is towards controls for the hospital/clinics. There is a need for new orientation towards patient involvement in the process of controls leading to better accountability and responsibility of the healthcare industry. The orientation of systems available currently is singularly towards the patient/infant. There is a need for a system linking the attendant/parent which alone can ensure a tamper proof movement control within the premises of the hospital/.clinic.

Increasing population and quality healthcare attracting more patients to a hospital provides a valid reason for efficient monitoring of patients without compromising on quality. Hence, there is a need to evolve a comprehensive and efficient patient and patient information management system using technology to respond to the above circumstances.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION

One or more of the problems/limitations of the conventional prior art may be overcome by various embodiments of the system and method of the present invention.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a network based integrated, shareable, multi-user, portable, real-time patient information management system for identification and authentication of patients and infants. It is another object of the present invention, wherein the system enables tracking the movement of users from one department/ section to another.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein each user is pre-registered on the system and assigned a unique encrypted ID by the server.

The patient information management system comprises of:

One or more servers;

One or more Internet enabled devices;

One or more server access devices; and

One or more databases.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the server access device is a shareable portable identity device.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the server access devices comprises of Object identity device (OID), Location identity device (LID) and Personal identity device (PID).

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the functional roles of active and passive identity devices are interchangeable where warranted.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein readers of the identity device is a hardware which is a stand-alone device, coupled or embedded to an existing digital device.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the identity devices are provided with customizable interfaces for data capture, monitor, storage, processing, transmission and display.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the identity device comprises of processing unit, which work independently to record, store and process data when there is no connectivity between the identity devices and the server.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the system recalls harmonized formats, checklists, systems and procedures from the server in a pre-defined uniform formats through the active identity devices for data recording. It is another object of the present invention, wherein the system is operable on a subscription model.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein each predefined user customized dataset has a unique ID assigned to it by the server.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the predefined dataset are programmed within the system which can be stored and processed locally by the OID, LID and PID before or after transmission to the server.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the stored dataset in the system generates user customizable management information system reports and single or series of preset actions.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the OID, LID and PID when in close proximity can exchange the predefined dataset between them and also transmit the predefined dataset to the server on the cloud.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the exchange of the predefined dataset between OID, LID and PID serves as authentication of objects being linked to the user for certain predefined set of actions.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the system enables registration and de- registration of the various parameters of patient management information in real time.

The benefits of the system are

» The system generates an alert in the case of doctors debarred from practicing by the medical council and medicines which have been banned by the authorities. ® The infants are uniquely linked, paired to their mothers through the system to ensure the identities are secure with no scope for errors in interchanging the infants. The identity device of the child and mother has to match with the server at the time of discharge and security check,

a System can generate preventive alerts for certain actions. In the case of certain prescriptions are given which contain substances allergic to the patient/baby. In the case of certain medical procedures should not be performed on the patient/ infants. W

» Automatic task updates can be circulated among the stakeholders.

» System can generate alerts of incomplete tasks to the stakeholders in the case of tasks which have not been completed within a reasonable time,

o Alert is automatically generated by the system to target stakeholder(s) regarding impending transfer of patients to confirm and/or prepare themselves for the same.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Thus according to basic aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network based integrated, shareable, multi-user, real-time patient information management system comprising:

One or more server access devices;

One or more internet enabled devices with capability of communicating with the server access devices;

One or more servers;

One or more databases; and

Proprietary software remotely deployable from the server onto the server access devices, wherein the system is portable and enables monitoring, identification and authentication of users,

wherein each user is pre-registered on the system and assigned a unique .encrypted ID by the server,

wherein the server access device is a shareable portable identity device comprising of two or more of the following: object identity device (OID), location identity device (LID) and personal identity device (PID), the said identity devices are assigned a unique encrypted ID which can be used at multiple locations,

wherein readers of the identity device is a hardware which is a stand-alone device, coupled or embedded to an existing digital device,

wherein the identity devices are provided with customizable interfaces for data capture, monitor, storage, processing, transmission and display,

wherein the database of the users is entered as a one-time entry into the server on the cloud, wherein the system provides for automatic data recording, acquisition, processing, analysis, storage, transmission and reporting through wired or wireless networks to the database,

wherein the system provides proprietary and dynamic encryption for data security, and wherein the system generates and changes authentication codes for the identity devices at pre-determined or random time intervals to ensure data integrity.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the system monitors location, entry, exit, time and duration of visits, movement from one department or section to another.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the users include infants and their parents, patients and their attendants, medical practitioner and auxiliary medical personnel.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the identity devices includes passive identity devices such as encrypted tags, stickers and active identity devices include devices which can be fixed on the user, mobile devices or software embedded on the mobile devices.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the OID sealed with the encrypted tags is paired with the respective PID which can be read through the active devices.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the encrypted tags are interlinked between two entities.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein functional roles of the active and passive identity devices are interchangeable where warranted.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the identity device comprises of processing unit, which work independently to record, store and process data when there is no connectivity between the identity devices and the server.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the identity devices can communicate and transfer data between themselves and the server when there is connectivity, the said communication means include Near Field Communication (NFC). It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the existing digital devices include smart phones, tablets, computers, Electronic transceiver, Radio-Frequency Integrated Device (RFID), Integrated Chip (IC), Near Field Communication (NFC) and Smart card embedded within a microchip.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the system recalls harmonized formats, checklists, systems and procedures from the server in a pre-defined uniform formats through the active identity devices for data recording.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the system provides status updates on the user via the server to the user's personal devices and triggers alerts to the user's personal devices in the form of SMS or email for information and tracking.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the system is operable on a subscription model.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the system stores the data which can be accessed from the server through pairing of the active devices with the PID of the user.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the data includes medical records of patients and historical medical data including allergies.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein each predefined user customized dataset has a unique ID assigned to it by the server.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the predefined dataset are programmed within the system which can be stored and processed locally by the OID, LID and PID before or after transmission to the server.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the stored dataset in the system generates user customizable management information system reports and single or series of preset actions.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the OID, LID and PID when in close proximity can exchange the predefined dataset between them and also transmit the predefined dataset to the server on the cloud. It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the exchange of the predefined dataset between OID, LID and PID serves as authentication of objects being linked to the user for certain predefined set of actions.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the system verifies compatibility of registered donors with receiving patients.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the system enables registration and de- registration of the various parameters of patient management information in real time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Figure 1 : Illustrates the system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention as discussed hereinbefore relates to a system for patient and patient information management. Referring to Figure 1 , the network based integrated, shareable, multiuser, real-time patient information management system comprises of one or more server access devices; one or more Internet enabled devices with capability of communicating with the server access devices; one or more servers; one or more databases; and proprietary software remotely deployable from the server onto the server access devices. The system is portable and enables monitoring, identification and authentication of users. The system monitors location, entry, exit, time and duration of visits, movement from one department or section to another. Each user is pre-registered on the system and assigned a unique encrypted ID by the server. The unique ID of the registered user is programmed, assigned to a personal device of user such as a smart card, smart phone, tablet, computer, custom device. The users include infants and their parents, patients and their attendants, medical practitioner and auxiliary medical personnel. The database of users/patient, medical records, medical practitioners, hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers is entered as a one-time entry into the server on the cloud through the active identity devices. The database is updated with each ailment and its treatment irrespective of location, medical practitioner, clinic, hospital. The database can be linked to the medical insurance for payment settlement for consultation and treatment as well as determining the insurance premium. The system provides for automatic data recording, acquisition, processing, analysis, storage, transmission and reporting through wired or wireless networks to the database. The system provides proprietary and dynamic encryption for data security and generates and changes authentication codes for the identity devices at pre-determined or random time intervals to ensure data integrity. The data gets automatically transmitted to the server when the identity devices connect to the communication means. The system is operable on a subscription model.

The server access device is a shareable portable identity device comprising of two or more of the following: object identity device (OID), location identity device (LID) and personal identity device (PID). The object and person identification is mandatory for the system while location identification can be optional in some cases. The identity devices include passive identity devices such as encrypted tags, stickers and active identity devices, which can be fixed on the person of patients/infants. The active devices include mobile devices and/or software embedded on the mobile devices. The identity device is a stand-alone device, coupled or embedded to an existing digital device. The identity device has in-built memory and power equipment for data retrieval during power breaks or maintenance. The identity device is embedded with proprietary software which can be downloaded and installed. The software application is remotely deployable from the server onto the active identity device.

The functional roles of active and passive identity devices are interchangeable where warranted. Readers of the identity device are a hardware which is a stand-alone device, coupled or embedded to an existing digital device. The existing digital devices include smart phones, tablets, computers, Electronic transceiver, Radio-Frequency Integrated Device (RFID), Integrated Chip (IC), Near Field Communication (NFC) and Smart card embedded within a microchip. The identity devices are assigned a unique encrypted ID which can be used at multiple locations. The identity devices are provided with customizable interfaces for data capture, monitor, storage, processing, transmission and display.

The identity device comprises of processing unit, which work independently to record, store and process data when there is no connectivity between the identity devices and the server. Further, the identity device is provided with a self-destruct circuitry within itself in case it is removed without authorization/authentication. The identity devices can communicate between themselves and the server, the said communication means include Near Field Communication (NFC). The identity devices of various parameters of the healthcare/patient management information system are necessarily an active device for data capture into the system. When one active identity device comes into close proximity with another passive/active identity device they exchange a predefined dataset between themselves and also transmit the same to the server on the cloud. Identification of any of the parameters of the healthcare/patient management information system for onward transmission to the server can be done in any order or in a pre-determined order depending on the application and uses. The system enables registration and de-registration of the various parameters of healthcare/patient management information. The data such as prescription of the doctors unique to each patient can be transferred to the patient identity device through the active device with the doctor. The prescription of the doctors unique to each patient can be retrieved through tapping the patient identity device with the active device at pharmacy.

The system generates unique encryption ID for the following components to facilitate authentication primary identity for patient/baby, supplementary identity for patient attendant or mother of baby, each medical record including prescription, medical practitioner, auxiliary medical personnel, clinic/hospital/diagnostic centre, each of prescription medicine of all pharmaceutical companies, each department in a clinic/hospital/diagnostic centre, each medicine, and each medical test. The generated unique encrypted ID can be stored on passive devices and active devices. The unique ID is based on IMEI number or MAC ID of Wi-Fi system or IP Address or RF-ID codes or embedded PIN Numbers or any other method of unique electronic identification or near field communication (NFC), or other unique ID generating means or a combination of above systems. The identification mechanism could be through Unique IMEI Codes or MAC ID of Wi-Fi system or IP Address or RFID codes or embedded PIN Numbers or barcodes or QR codes or any other method of unique electronic identification or a combination of above systems. The system ensures dynamic encryption on the components thereby preventing manipulation of the system. The system further provides secure and tamper proof method of authentication. The system changes the authentication codes for the identity devices in the system at varying or pre-determined time intervals. Medical procedures can be authenticated by doctors from remote locations using the identity devices. The medical status of each patient including birth of infants and death of patients can be authenticated by the doctors and the hospitals through the system. Such authentication enables the linking of database to the birth and death records of the government. This facilitates the issue of relevant certificates by the government authorities without delay. The system harmonize procedures, checklist and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for treatment of diseases to recall from the server pre-defined uniform formats through the active devices of the system for data recording for ease of comparison of reports between hospitals/clinics thereby eliminating any form of oversight in treatment procedures and provides a treatment track record for subsequent evaluation. When any part of the procedure, checklist and SOP is not adhered, the system will generate an alert to the next level creating awareness for remedial action. Further, the system harmonize reports for various medical tests in uniform formats and accessing the same through the active devices of the system to enable easy comparison of historical records of results of various tests conducted across locations. This also serves the purpose of avoiding repeating and/or duplicating medical tests saving time and money for patients. Also, the system creates a platform for harmonizing the systems and practices of medical practitioners, hospitals, clinics, auxiliary medical personnel across the entire spectrum of healthcare system providing standard, predictable, uniform methods of treatment, which can be accessed through the active devices. The system stores the medical records of patients and historical medical data including allergies if any which can be accessed from the server without limitation of location through the pairing of the active devices with the personal identification device of the patient.

The tags on the person of infants are linked to tags on the person of mothers. These tags are encrypted containing the details of parents and their contact details. When infants are being discharged/moved out of the hospital/clinic the encrypted tags of the parent and the infant are read through the active device of the system. If there is no tag on the person of the parent and/or infant; and/or encrypted tag of the parent and infant is incompatible it alerts the hospital personnel of a possible breach of controls for suitable corrective action. Status updates on the patients/infants can be transmitted via the server to the personal devices of the attendant or the parent such as mobile phones, computers as the case may be in the form of SMS/email for their information and tracking. In the case of infants, alerts can be triggered to the personal devices such as mobile phones, computers of the parent when there is unauthorized exit of infants from the premises of the hospital/clinics. Donors of organs, blood etc., can be registered on the system and compatibility of donors with receivers can be checked online with medical records stored on the server saving precious time in pairing the donors with the receiving patients. Containers/bags - storing cord blood and stem cells in cord blood banks - can be sealed with encrypted tags to be paired with the respective personal identification device which can be read through the active devices as an additional safety measure for identification reducing human error to the maximum extent possible. The encrypted tags either in physical form or as application software downloaded/embedded on personal devices such as mobile phones can be issued to visitors of patients to regulate/restrict their entry into and within the various departments in the premises of the hospital/clinic. The system facilitates online issue of such encrypted identity devices to medical professionals, patients, attendants and visitors. The encrypted tags issued to the patient, their attendants and visitors can be used at all locations implementing the system as an identity device either as patients or attendants or visitors as the case may be.

The data is retrieved instantly from the server through linking the relevant identity. Predefined checklists for each ailment can be structured for dissemination through the system. The said checklists can be drawn from the server thereby enabling uniform and structured treatments. The system enables said checklists to be provided to the patients and their attendants for information on procedures being followed. Exchange of predefined d'ataset between identity devices together with, use of unique passwords, PIN, thumb recognition, face recognition and other biometric recognition serves as authentication linked to the patient for certain predefined set of actions. Each predefined dataset has a unique ID assigned to it by the server. The predefined dataset are programmed within the system which can be stored and/or processed locally by the OID and PID before or after transmission to the server. A single/series of preset actions is initiated based on the dataset stored and/or processed locally. The dataset stored in the system helps to generate user customizable management information system reports and/or a single/series of preset actions.

The system can be programmed to generate alerts when certain treatment procedures and medicines at different, unconnected locations are providing consistently positive or negative results to take appropriate action for the benefit of all patients being treated in the healthcare system. The system provides access to successful case histories of unusual medical conditions to be reviewed by medical practitioners at varied locations for replicating the same as also to learn from the failures if any in treatment procedures. The system enables electronic uploading and transfer of medical records. The system further generates alerts for any unauthorized access, entry, exit and movement of user/patients or their attendants for timely corrective action. The system issues email/SMS alerts with respect to important medication, vaccination and follow up procedures for due compliance, even after the discharge of patients/infants from the hospital.

The system thus encompasses " all components of patient information management/healthcare thereby saving administrative time and costs. The system enables online prescription to be for a fixed period or for periods which can be extended online by the concerned doctors depending on the health of patients. Loss of paper prescriptions issued by doctors will not inconvenience patients and prescriptions can be extended by doctors without the need of patients visiting the doctors repeatedly. The system further enables the pharmaceutical companies to register on the system the recommended dosage and usage requirements for each of their prescription medicines which will be automatically incorporated while the medical practitioner is generating the online prescription for the patient. This helps in patient following the right dosage and usage requirements while consuming the medicines. The system enables online and remote monitoring of the critical parameters of the healthcare making it agnostic to location of patients and/or doctors. The system enables online and remote monitoring of the critical parameters of the healthcare making it agnostic to location of patients and/or doctors. The system provides an online electronic trail of medical history of the patient.

The system can be accessed for information on a patient by multiple users at multiple locations simultaneously who may or may not be directly linked to each other. The user ID created by the system at one location can be utilized for registration and/or as identify proof in another location seamlessly. The system can create multiple levels of access/restriction of information for each patient. The system can further create multiple levels of authorization and authentication for movement as well as treatment of patients.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A network based integrated, shareable, multi-user, real-time patient information management system comprising:

One or more server access devices;

One or more servers;

One or more databases; and

wherein each user is pre-registered on the system and assigned a unique encrypted ID by the server,

wherein the database of the users is entered as a one-time entry into the server on the cloud,

wherein the system provides for automatic data recording, acquisition, processing, analysis, storage, transmission and reporting through wired or wireless networks to the database,

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the system monitors location, entry, exit, time and duration of visits, movement from one department or section to another.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the users include infants and their parents, patients and their attendants, medical practitioner and auxiliary medical personnel.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the identity devices includes passive identity devices such as encrypted tags, stickers and active identity devices include devices which can be fixed on the user, mobile devices or software embedded on the mobile devices.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the OlD sealed with the encrypted tags is paired with the respective PID which can be read through the active devices.

6. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the encrypted tags are interlinked between two entities.

7. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein functional roles of the active and passive identity devices are interchangeable where warranted.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the identity device comprises of processing unit, which work independently to record, store and process data when there is no connectivity between the identity devices and the server.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the identity devices can communicate and transfer data between themselves and the server when there is connectivity, the said communication means include Near Field Communication (NFC).

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the existing digital devices include smart phones, tablets, computers, Electronic transceiver, Radio-Frequency Integrated Device (RFID), Integrated Chip (IC), NFC and Smart card embedded within a microchip.

1 1. The system as claimed in claim 1 recalls harmonized formats, checklists, systems and procedures from the server in a pre-defined uniform formats through the active identity devices for data recording.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1 1 provides status updates on the user via the server to the user's personal devices and triggers alerts to the user's personal devices in the form of SMS or email for information and tracking.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12 is operable on a subscription model.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13 stores the data which can be accessed from the server through pairing of the active devices with the PID of the user.

15. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the data includes medicafrecords of patients and historical medical data including allergies.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein each predefined user customized dataset has a unique ID assigned to it by the server.

17. The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the predefined dataset are programmed within the system which can be stored and processed locally by the OID, LID and PID before or after transmission to the server.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the stored dataset in the system generates user customizable management information system reports and single or series of preset actions.

19. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the OID, LID and PID when in close proximity can exchange the predefined dataset between them and also transmit the predefined dataset to the server on the cloud.

20. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the exchange of the predefined dataset between OID, LID and PID serves as authentication of objects being linked to the user for certain predefined set of actions.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20 verifies compatibility of registered donors with receiving patients.

22. The system as claimed in claim 21 enables registration and de-registration of the various parameters of patient management information in real time.