Method using a global server for providing patient medical histories to assist in the delivery of emergency medical services

• US 20020111830A1
• Filed: 02/15/2001
• Published: 08/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tahan A. Christian
• Original Assignee: Tahan A. Christian
• Inventors: Tahan, A. Christian
• Granted Patent: US 7,827,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

An Internet based method for assisting in the rapid delivery of medical information direct to the site at which emergency assistance is being performed uses a global database for warehousing patient history information, which is fetched over the Internet on demand. In one embodiment, medical providers use an access code carried by the injured party and without which access is denied. The access code may be carried as a barcode and as an imprinted number on a bracelet or on a card carried by the individual. Patient information is transmitted over a network, either wireline or wireless, the Internet or wide area network, to a computer or personal digital assistant available to emergency personnel. In one embodiment, patient history information access is determined through the use of an access code reader, by entering the patient access code manually or by entering the patient'"'"'s name as a last resort. Additionally insurance information can be made available to shorten emergency room admission procedures. Lastly, the patient'"'"'s card or bracelet can allow for patient history to be downloaded and saved. Thus in emergency situations, the information can be uploaded from the card or bracelet to the healthcare providers'"'"' viewing screens.

Claims

1. A system for assisting in the rapid and secure delivery of medical information directly to the site at which emergency assistance is being performed comprising:

a global database for warehousing patient history information;

an access code assigned to a predetermined patient to permit access to the corresponding patient history information;

An internet server for transmitting said patient history information over the internet once access has been granted;

a computer and display at the site at which said emergency assistance is being performed, said computer and display being connected to the internet and adapted to display said patient history information from information downloaded from the internet;

an access code carried by said patient; and

, an access code entry device at said computer and display for the entry of the access code carried by said patient and for transmittal thereof to said global database, thus to permit the downloading of the patient history information upon authorization, whereby critical medical information is available at the site at which medical assistance is being performed.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said computer and display includes a wireless transceiver such that said information can be made available at a remote location.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said wireless transceiver includes a wireless phone having a display on which said information is presented.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said wireless transceiver includes a personal digital assistant.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said computer and display includes a data entry unit for modifying the data in said global database, whereby patient diagnosis and treatment can be entered into said global database.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said data entry unit includes means for generating a prescription and for transmitting said prescription to a pharmacy for filling.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said access code is in the form of a machine readable code and wherein said access code entry device includes a machine code reader.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said machine readable code is a bar code and wherein said access code entry device includes a bar code reader.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said global database is subdivided into a number of databases, each located in a different geographic region and each having a separate server, with the information from said global database being shared between the subdivided databases and wherein each subdivided database has an associated server, such that rapid transmission of patient information is assured regardless of the location of the patient.

10. A method of providing patient histories on site at the location of a patient in need of medical attention, comprising the steps of:

providing patient histories at a centralized location in a global database coupled to the Internet by a server; and

,

accessing a predetermined patient history over the Internet from a terminal at the location of the patient in need of medial attention.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said patient history is only transmitted when authorized by the patient.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein authorization is in the form of an access code carried by the patient.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said access code is obtained from the patient and is transmitted over the Internet to the server associated with said global database.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the access code is carried by the patient;

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the access code is in the form of a bar code and wherein a bar code reader is used to read the access code and transmit the access code to the server associated with said global database.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the access code is carried on a bracelet.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the access code is imprinted on a card adapted to be carried.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein said global database is decentralized through the use of regional databases, each having its own server coupled to the Internet and each carrying patient histories so that access to the patient history can be on a real time basis to permit timely treatment.