Apparatus and method for patient point-of-care data management

• US 20020196141A1
• Filed: 05/15/2002
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dragerwerk AG & Company KGaA (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Draeger Medical Systems Incorporated (Dragerwerk AG)
• Inventors: Clair, Nancy St., Richards, John H., Boone, Otho N., McDermott, Ian, Strecker, Robert J., Bagnell, Joseph P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,038,588 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7435 Displaying user selection data, e.g. icons in a graphical user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 10/04 Oxygen tents ; Oxygen hoods
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/00 Baby-incubators; Couveuses
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/002 height-adjustable patient support
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/003 height-adjustable heater
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/005 with movable walls, e.g. for accessing the inside, removable walls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/006 by pivoting
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/008 : tiltable about a horizontal axis, e.g. oscillating
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 11/009 : with hand insertion windows, e.g. in the walls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/00 : Accommodation for nursing, e.g. in hospitals, not covered by groups A61G1/00 - A61G11/00, e.g. trolleys for transport of medicaments or food service or tea-tables, trolleys or wagons A47B31/00; Prescription lists
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/46 : for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/723 : Impact absorbing means, e.g. bumpers or airbags
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/80 : for connecting a trolley to a device, e.g. bed or column table
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2205/10 : Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2210/50 : for radiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/10 : Parts, details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05 : Parts, details or accessories of beds devices for prevention against falling out A47C21/08, A47D7/00 ; mattresses A47C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0503 : Holders, support devices for receptacles, e.g. for drainage or urine bags hanging-up devices for infusion A61M5/1414
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1418 : Clips, separators or the like for supporting tubes or leads
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 : Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 : for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/60 : for the operation of medical equipment or devices
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation

Abstract

An apparatus and method for patient point-of-care data management is provided. Patient point-of-care data is obtained in realtime or in substantially realtime and is made available to subscribers or authorized users on either a local computer display screen, a remote computer display screen, or both. In some embodiments, data associated with a plurality of patients is made available and is viewable simultaneously on a computer display screen. In some embodiments, patient point-of-care data from a plurality of hospitals is available.

Claims

1. A patient care device comprising

a support structure,

a mattress supported by the support structure,

a computer coupled to the support structure, and

a camera coupled to the support structure, the computer having a display screen, an image from the camera being shown on a first portion of the display screen and patient point-of-care data being shown on a second portion of the display screen.

2. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the computer is configured to permit the image from the camera to be accessible via the Internet for viewing on a display screen of a remote computer.

3. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the computer is configured to permit the image from the camera to be e-mailed to an e-mail address.

4. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has a third portion on which is shown environmental data that is indicative of an environmental condition in a patient space near the mattress.

5. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has a third portion on which is shown patient biographical data.

6. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has a third portion on which is shown a stored radiology image of the patient.

7. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has a third portion on which is shown a stored ultrasound image of the patient.

8. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has a third portion on which is shown stored laboratory test results.

9. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has a third portion on which is shown a recorded video message.

10. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has a third portion on which is shown controls for listening to a recorded audio message.

11. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has a third portion on which is shown controls for sending an e-mail.

12. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has a third portion on which is shown controls for conducting a videoconference.

13. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has third portion on which is shown controls for browsing the Internet.

14. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has a third portion on which is shown a list of supplies associated with the care of the patient.

15. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has a third portion on which is shown a schedule of medical appointments of the patient.

16. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has a third portion on which is shown data pertaining to medications associated with the patient.

17. The patient care device of claim 1, wherein the display screen has a third portion on which is shown additional point-of-care data associated with at least one other patient supported on at least one other patient care device.

19. The patient care system of claim 18, wherein the patient care device is an infant thermal support device that is operable in one mode as an infant incubator and that is operable in another mode as a radiant warmer.

20. The patient care system of claim 19, wherein the infant thermal support device has a column, a canopy supported with respect to the column, a radiant heater supported with respect to the column, and an arm assembly coupled to a lower portion of the column, and wherein the computer is coupled to the arm assembly in spaced apart relation with the column and the arm assembly is pivotable about a vertical axis to change the position of the computer with respect to the column.

21. The patient care system of claim 20, wherein the column is extendable and retractable to raise and lower the canopy and the radiant warmer relative to the surface.

22. The patient care system of claim 20, wherein the arm assembly includes a plurality of arm segments that are configured to permit movement of the computer about the column from a first side of the infant thermal support device to a second side of the thermal support device.

23. The patient care system of claim 18, wherein the computer is mounted to the patient support device.

24. The patient care system of claim 23, wherein the patient support device comprises an infant incubator.

25. The patient care system of claim 18, wherein the reader comprises a bar code reader, the first token carries a first bar code that is read by the bar code reader when the first token is presented to the bar code reader, and the second token carries a second bar code that is read by the bar code reader when the second token is presented to the bar code reader.

27. The infant support apparatus of claim 26, further comprising an environmental sensor sensing at least one environmental condition in the infant compartment, the data management system receiving from the environmental sensor data indicative of the at least one environmental condition, and the display screen displaying the data indicative of the at least one environmental condition simultaneously with the video image and the data indicative of the at least one physiological condition of the infant.

28. The infant support apparatus of claim 26, wherein the data management system comprises a computer supported with respect to the infant support platform and the computer comprises the display screen.

29. The infant support apparatus of claim 28, further comprising an arm assembly extending from the infant support platform, the computer being coupled to the arm assembly, and the arm assembly being movable to permit repositioning of the computer relative to the infant support platform.

18. A patient care system comprising

a patient support device having a surface on which a patient lies,

a computer associated with the patient support device, the computer having a reader and a display, the computer being configured to store patient data including a first subset of patient data and a second subset of patient data,

a first token, the computer being configured to grant access to the first subset of patient data if the first token is presented to the reader, and

a second token, the computer being configured to grant access to the second subset of patient data if the second token is presented to the reader.

26. An infant support apparatus comprising

a base,

an infant support platform coupled to the base and configured to support an infant,

a canopy positioned above the infant support platform, an infant compartment in which the infant is situated being defined between the canopy and the infant support platform,

a camera aimed toward the infant to provide a video image of the infant,

a patient sensor sensing at least one physiological condition of the infant, and

a data management system receiving from the camera the video image of infant and receiving from the sensor data indicative of the at least one physiological condition, the data management system having a display screen that displays simultaneously the video image of the infant and the data indicative of the at least one physiological condition of the infant.

30. A patient care system comprising

a plurality of patient support devices, each patient support device having a surface on which a respective patient lies, and

a plurality of computers, each computer being coupled to a respective patient support device, each computer receiving patient point-of-care data indicative of at least one physiological condition of the patient supported by the respective patient support device, and each computer being configured to communicate the patient point-of-care data of the respective patient to each of the other computers so that the patient point-of-care data associated with all of the plurality of patients is accessible on each of the plurality of computers.

31. The patient care system of claim 30, wherein each of the plurality of computers is repositionable relative to the respective patient support device.

32. The patient care system of claim 30, wherein each of the plurality of patient support devices are capable of functioning as an infant incubator.

33. A patient care device for use in a healthcare facility having a network of computer devices, the patient care device comprising

a support structure,

a mattress supported by the support structure, the mattress having a surface on which a patient lies,

a computer support attached to the support structure, and

a computer attached to the computer support, the computer being coupled to the network, the computer support being configured to permit repositioning of the computer relative to the support structure, the computer being configured to receive patient point-of-care data, including data representative of at least one physiological condition of the patient, the computer being configured to send the patient point-of-care data to at least one of the computer devices of the network.

34. The patient care device of claim 33, further comprising a canopy situated above the mattress and a column extending between the support structure and the canopy, the computer support including an arm assembly, the arm assembly being pivotable about an axis defined by the column, and the computer being mounted to the arm assembly.

36. The patient point-of-care data management system of claim 35, wherein the medical record data includes a radiology image of the patient.

37. The patient point-of-care data management system of claim 36, wherein the radiology image comprises an ultrasound image.

38. The patient point-of-care data management system of claim 36, wherein the radiology image comprises an X-ray image.

39. The patient point-of-care data management system of claim 35, wherein a video image of the patient is displayed on the display screen of the third computer device simultaneously with the medical record data and the patient point-of-care data.

40. The patient point-of-care data management system of claim 35, wherein the medical record data includes lab data pertaining to at least one laboratory test.

41. The patient point-of-care data management system of claim 40, wherein the at least one laboratory test comprises a blood test.

35. A patient point-of-care data management system comprising

a first computer device configured to collect patient point-of-care data, a first portion of the patient point-of-care data being indicative of at least one physiological condition of a patient, a second portion of the patient point-of-care data being indicative of an operating parameter of a patient care device associated with the patient, the first and second portions of the patient point-of-care data being collected by the first computer device substantially in realtime,

a second computer device networked to the first computer device and having a database in which is stored the patient point-of-care data and in which is stored medical record data associated with the patient, and

a third computer device networked to the second computer device and configured to permit authorized users to access the patient point-of-care data and the medical record data, the third computer device having a display screen on which the patient point-of-care data is viewable in substantially realtime and on which at least a portion of the medical record data is viewable simultaneously with the patient point-of-care data.

42. A healthcare data system comprising

a communication device for transmitting and receiving patient point-of-care data,

a storage device having a database in which patient point-of-care data is stored,

a processing unit electrically coupled to both the communication device and the storage device, and

a memory device electrically coupled to the processing unit, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of operating instructions which, when executed by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to operate the communication device to receive patient point-of-care data associated with a plurality of patients located in a plurality of hospitals.

43. The healthcare data system of claim 42, wherein some of the patient point-of-care data is generated by a plurality of sensors, each of which senses a physical characteristic of a respective patient.

44. The healthcare data system of claim 42, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to enter the patient point-of-care data into a database.

45. The healthcare data system of claim 44, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to retrieve at least some of the patient point-of-care data from the database upon receipt of a request from a subscriber.

46. The healthcare data system of claim 42, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to operate the communication device to transmit the retrieved patient point-of-care data to the subscriber.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising manually entering at least a portion of the patient point-of-care data into the database.

47. A method of operating a healthcare data system, the method comprising

receiving patient point-of-care data associated with a plurality of patients located in a plurality of hospitals,

storing the received patient point-of-care data in a database, at least some of the patient point-of-care data being generated by a plurality of sensors, each of which senses at least one physical characteristic of a respective patient,

retrieving at least some of the patient point-of-care data from the database upon receipt of a request from a subscriber, and

transmitting the retrieved patient point-of-care data to the subscriber.

49. A method for providing patient point-of-care data to subscribers, the method comprising

providing a database that is configured to store patient point-of-care data from a plurality of patients in a plurality of hospitals, each of the patients and each of the hospitals being identified by a respective identification code,

collecting the patient point-of-care data from the plurality of patients, at least some of the patient point-of-care data being collected on substantially a realtime basis, and

permitting subscribers online access to the database to view simultaneously and in substantially realtime patient point-of-care data associated with more than one patient from more than one hospital.