Methods and systems for managing distributed digital medical data

• US 20040034550A1
• Filed: 08/16/2002
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medecision Incorporated (Health Care Service Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Medecision Incorporated (Health Care Service Corporation)
• Inventors: Corio, Christopher R., Menschik, Elliot D., Davis, Wayne F., Didizian, Haig C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,523,505 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/20 relating to practices or guidelines

Abstract

A network for mediating the peer-to-peer transfer of digital patient medical data includes a plurality of distributed agents each associated with a health care provider and connected to a central system. Periodically the agents collect local information relating to patient medical files and/or data streams, for example diagnostic images and associated reports, and process that information into metadata files acting as pointers to the original files. The metadata files are transmitted to the central system where they are parsed and the attributes are stored on the central system in patient records with records from the same patient grouped together whenever possible.

Registered users can search the central system, even in the absence of a unique identifier, to identify patient records pointing to the remote patient medical files. Upon finding a patient medical file, the invention provides a streamlined process for communicating access authorization from the patient to the hospital or facility storing the medical files. Once patient authorization is received, secure processes are provided for transferring the data in its entirety to or for viewing by the user in a peer-to-peer fashion.

Claims

1. A method operable on a computer for managing distributed medical data, comprising the steps of:

identifying, by an agent computer, a patient medical file containing digital medical data relating to a patient;

creating, by the agent computer, a metadata file containing attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and the location of the patient medical file;

transmitting, by the agent computer, the metadata file to a central computer;

matching, by the central computer, the metadata file to a plurality of existing database entries, each of the existing database entries including attributes relating to a remotely located patient medical file including attributes relating to the contents of the remotely located patient medical file and attributes relating to the location of the remotely located patient medical file; and

determining, by the central computer, if the metadata file relates to an existing database entry.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the metadata file further includes attributes relating to the patient; and

the matching step further includes matching attributes in the metadata file relating to the patient with attributes in the database relating to patients.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the identifying step includes operating a software broker to communicate with a medical information system.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the software broker retrieves information from the medical information system.

5. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the medical information system transmits information to the software broker.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the step of creating a metadata file includes the steps of:

parsing the patient medical data file to identify selected attributes; and

storing the selected attributes in the metadata file.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the transmitting step includes securely transmitting the metadata file to the central computer over a digital virtual private network.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the transmitting step includes securely transmitting the metadata file to the central computer over a digital physical private network.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the step of matching includes the steps of:

parsing the metadata file to extract the attributes contained therein; and

matching at least one attribute extracted from the metadata data file to a similar attribute in each of the stored database entries.

10. A method in accordance with claim 1 and further including the steps of:

determining, on the central computer, if the metadata file relates to a new patient medical file; and

creating, if the metadata file relates to a new patient medical file, a new database entry on the central server, the new database entry including data from the metadata file.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein the step of creating the new database entry includes the steps of:

parsing the metadata file to extract selected attributes;

processing the selected attributes to standardized formats; and

storing the processed selected attributes in the new database entry.

12. A method in accordance with claim 1 and further including the step of, if the metadata file relates to an existing database entry, creating a new database entry including additional patient data.

13. A system for managing distributed medical data, comprising:

an agent computer comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions for controlling the operation of the agent computer;

a central computer comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions for controlling the operation of the central computer;

the agent computer operative to perform the steps of;

identifying a patient medical file containing digital medical data relating to a patient;

creating a metadata file containing attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and the location of the patient medical file;

transmitting the metadata file to the central computer;

the central computer operative to perform the steps of;

matching the metadata file to a plurality of existing database entries, each of the existing database entries including attributes relating to a remotely located patient medical file including attributes relating to the contents of the remotely located patient medical file and attributes relating to the location of the remotely located patient medical file; and

determining if the metadata file relates to an existing database entry.

14. A system in accordance with claim 13 wherein:

the metadata file further includes attributes relating to the patient; and

the matching step further includes matching attributes in the metadata file relating to the patient with attributes in the database relating to patients.

15. A system in accordance with claim 13 wherein the identifying step includes operating a software broker to communicate with a medical information system.

16. A system in accordance with claim 15 wherein the software broker retrieves information from the medical information system.

17. A system in accordance with claim 15 wherein the medical information system transmits information to the software broker.

18. A system in accordance with claim 13 wherein the step of creating a metadata file includes the steps of:

parsing the patient medical data file to identify selected attributes; and

storing the selected attributes in the metadata file.

19. A system in accordance with claim 13 wherein the transmitting step includes securely transmitting the metadata file to the central computer over a digital virtual private network.

20. A system in accordance with claim 13 wherein the transmitting step includes securely transmitting the metadata file to the central computer over a digital physical private network.

21. A system in accordance with claim 13 wherein the step of matching includes the steps of:

parsing the metadata file to extract the attributes contained therein; and

matching at least one attribute extracted from the metadata data file to a similar attribute in each of the stored database entries.

22. A system in accordance with claim 13 and further including the steps of:

determining, on the central computer, if the metadata file relates to a new patient medical file; and

creating, if the metadata file relates to a new patient medical file, a new database entry on the central server, the new database entry including data from the metadata file.

23. A system in accordance with claim 22 wherein the step of creating the new database entry includes the steps of:

parsing the metadata file to extract selected attributes;

processing the selected attributes to standardized formats; and

storing the processed selected attributes in the new database entry.

24. A system in accordance with claim 13 and further including the step of, if the metadata file relates to an existing database entry, creating a new database entry including additional patient data.

25. A system for managing distributed medical data, comprising:

means for identifying, by an agent computer, a patient medical file containing digital medical data relating to a patient;

means for creating, by the agent computer, a metadata file containing attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and the location of the patient medical file;

means for transmitting, by the agent computer, the metadata file to a central computer;

means for matching, by the central computer, the metadata file to a plurality of existing database entries, each of the existing database entries including attributes relating to a remotely located patient medical file including attributes relating to the contents of the remotely located patient medical file and attributes relating to the location of the remotely located patient medical file; and

means for determining, by the central computer, if the metadata file relates to an existing database entry.

26. A method operable on a computer for managing distributed medical data, comprising the steps of:

receiving, by a computer, a first metadata file containing attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file, the first metadata file including attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and a location of the patient medical file;

extracting the attributes from the first metadata file;

processing selected attributes extracted from the first metadata file to place the selected attributes in a standardized format;

storing the selected attributes, in the standardized format, in a database entry;

receiving a second metadata file containing attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file;

extracting the attributes from the second metadata file;

comparing, by the computer, the attributes from the second metadata file to the attributes stored in the database entry; and

determining, by the computer, if the second metadata file relates to the database entry.

27. A method in accordance with claim 26 wherein the step of comparing includes the steps of:

parsing the second metadata file to extract the attributes contained therein; and

matching at least one attribute extracted from the second metadata data file to a similar attribute in the database entry.

28. A method in accordance with claim 27 wherein the step of determining if the second metadata file relates to the database entry includes determining if the second metadata file is a match, a non-match or indeterminate with respect to the database entry.

29. A method in accordance with claim 28 and further comprising the steps of:

if the second metadata file matches the database entry, updating the database entry; and

if the second metadata file is a non-match with the database entry, creating a new database entry based on the attributes in the second metadata file.

30. A method in accordance with claim 29 and further including the step of, if the second metadata file is indeterminate in its relationship to the database entry, flagging the second metadata file as indeterminate.

31. A method in accordance with claim 26 wherein the first and second metadata files each further includes attributes relating to the identity of a patient.

32. A method in accordance with claim 26 wherein the step of comparing includes the steps of:

obtaining a statistical analysis of patient population data relating to the database entry;

generating, for specific attributes, an agreement weight and a disagreement weight based on the statistical analysis;

generating scores based on the agreement weight for determining matches;

generating scores based on the disagreement weights for determining non-matches;

generating a composite weight based on the comparison of attributes in the search request with the standardized attributes in the database entry; and

comparing the composite weight to the scores for determining matches and the scores for determining non-matches.

33. A system for managing distributed medical data, comprising:

a processor;

a memory connected to the processor and storing instructions for controlling the operation of the processor;

the processor operative with the instructions in the memory to perform the steps of;

receiving a first metadata file containing attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file, the first metadata file including attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and a location of the patient medical file;

extracting the attributes from the first metadata file;

processing selected attributes extracted from the first metadata file to place the selected attributes in a standardized format;

storing the selected attributes, in the standardized format, in a database entry;

receiving a second metadata file containing attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file;

extracting the attributes from the second metadata file;

comparing the attributes from the second metadata file to the attributes stored in the database entry; and

determining if the second metadata file relates to the database entry.

34. A system in accordance with claim 33 wherein the step of comparing includes the steps of:

parsing the second metadata file to extract the attributes contained therein; and

matching at least one attribute extracted from the second metadata data file to a similar attribute in the database entry.

35. A system in accordance with claim 34 wherein the step of determining if the second metadata file relates to the database entry includes determining if the second metadata file is a match, a non-match or indeterminate with respect to the database entry.

36. A system in accordance with claim 35 and further comprising the steps of:

if the second metadata file matches the database entry, updating the database entry; and

if the second metadata file is a non-match with the database entry, creating a new database entry based on the attributes in the second metadata file.

37. A system in accordance with claim 36 and further including the step of, if the second metadata file is indeterminate in its relationship to the database entry, flagging the second metadata file as indeterminate.

38. A system in accordance with claim 33 wherein the first and second metadata files each further includes attributes relating to the identity of a patient.

39. A system in accordance with claim 33 wherein the step of comparing includes the steps of:

obtaining a statistical analysis of patient population data relating to the database entry;

generating, for specific attributes, an agreement weight and a disagreement weight based on the statistical analysis;

generating scores based on the agreement weight for determining matches;

generating scores based on the disagreement weights for determining non-matches;

generating a composite weight based on the comparison of attributes in the search request with the standardized attributes in the database entry; and

comparing the composite weight to the scores for determining matches and the scores for determining non-matches.

40. A method for managing distributed medical data, comprising the steps of:

receiving a first metadata file containing attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file, the first metadata file including attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and a location of the patient medical file;

extracting the attributes from the first metadata file;

processing selected attributes extracted from the first metadata file to place the selected attributes in a standardized format;

storing the selected attributes, in the standardized format, in a database entry;

receiving a second metadata file containing attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file;

extracting the attributes from the second metadata file;

comparing the attributes from the second metadata file to the attributes stored in the database entry; and

determining if the second metadata file relates to the database entry.

41. A system for managing distributed medical data, comprising:

means for receiving a first metadata file containing attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file, the first metadata file including attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and a location of the patient medical file;

means for extracting the attributes from the first metadata file;

means for processing selected attributes extracted from the first metadata file to place the selected attributes in a standardized format;

means for storing the selected attributes, in the standardized format, in a database entry;

means for receiving a second metadata file containing attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file;

means for extracting the attributes from the second metadata file;

means for comparing the attributes from the second metadata file to the attributes stored in the database entry; and

means for determining, by the computer, if the second metadata file relates to the database entry.

42. A storage medium storing a computer program operable on a computer for managing distributed medical data, the storage medium comprising:

the computer program operative with the computer to perform the steps of;

receiving, by a computer, a first metadata file containing attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file, the first metadata file including attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and a location of the patient medical file;

extracting the attributes from the first metadata file;

processing selected attributes extracted from the first metadata file to place the selected attributes in a standardized format;

storing the selected attributes, in the standardized format, in a database entry;

receiving a second metadata file containing attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file;

extracting the attributes from the second metadata file;

comparing, by the computer, the attributes from the second metadata file to the attributes stored in the database entry; and

determining, by the computer, if the second metadata file relates to the database entry.

43. A method operable on a computer for managing distributed medical data, comprising the steps of:

identifying, periodically on a programmed basis, a plurality of patient medical files each containing digital medical data relating to a patient;

creating, for each of the plurality of patient medical files, a metadata file containing attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and the location of the patient medical file;

packaging each of the metadata files for transmission to a remote central computer; and

transmitting, in a secure manner, each of the metadata files to the remote central computer.

44. A method in accordance with claim 43 wherein the step of identifying includes using a software broker to facilitate communications with a medical information system.

45. A method in accordance with claim 44 wherein the software broker retrieves data from the medical information system.

46. A method in accordance with claim 44 wherein the software broker receives data transmitted by the medical information systems.

47. A method in accordance with claim 43 wherein the step of transmitting includes transmitting over a digital virtual private network.

48. A method in accordance with claim 43 wherein the transmitting step includes securely transmitting the metadata file to the central computer over a digital physical private network.

49. A method in accordance with claim 43 wherein the step of creating a metadata file includes the steps of:

parsing each of the patient medical files to extract attributes relating to the patient medical file;

standardizing the attributes; and

storing the standardized attributes in the metadata file.

50. A method in accordance with claim 43 and further including the step of transmitting to the central computer a summary file identifying the plurality of metadata files.

51. A method in accordance with claim 43 wherein each of the metadata files further includes attributes relating to the identity of a patient.

52. A system for managing distributed medical data, comprising:

a processor;

a memory connected to the processor and storing instructions for controlling the operation of the processor;

the processor operative with the instructions in the memory to perform the steps of;

identifying, periodically on a programmed basis, a plurality of patient medical files each containing digital medical data relating to a patient;

creating, for each of the plurality of patient medical files, a metadata file containing attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and the location of the patient medical file;

packaging each of the metadata files for transmission to a remote central computer; and

transmitting, in a secure manner, each of the metadata files to the remote central computer.

53. A system in accordance with claim 52 wherein the step of identifying includes using a software broker to facilitate communications with a medical information system.

54. A system in accordance with claim 53 wherein the software broker retrieves data from the medical information system.

55. A system in accordance with claim 53 wherein the software broker receives data transmitted by the medical information systems.

56. A system in accordance with claim 52 wherein the step of transmitting includes transmitting over a digital virtual private network.

57. A system in accordance with claim 52 wherein the transmitting step includes securely transmitting the metadata file to the central computer over a digital physical private network.

58. A system in accordance with claim 52 wherein the step of creating a metadata file includes the steps of:

parsing each of the patient medical files to extract attributes relating to the patient medical file;

standardizing the attributes; and

storing the standardized attributes in the metadata file.

59. A system in accordance with claim 52 and further including the step of transmitting to the central computer a summary file identifying the plurality of metadata files.

60. A system in accordance with claim 52 wherein each of the metadata files further includes attributes relating to the identity of a patient.

61. A method for managing distributed medical data, comprising the steps of:

identifying, periodically on a programmed basis, a plurality of patient medical files each containing digital medical data relating to a patient;

creating, for each of the plurality of patient medical files, a metadata file containing attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and the location of the patient medical file;

packaging each of the metadata files for transmission to a remote central computer; and

transmitting, in a secure manner, each of the metadata files to the remote central computer.

62. A system for managing distributed medical data, comprising:

means for identifying, periodically on a programmed basis, a plurality of patient medical files each containing digital medical data relating to a patient;

means for creating, for each of the plurality of patient medical files, a metadata file containing attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and the location of the patient medical file;

means for packaging each of the metadata files for transmission to a remote central computer; and

means for transmitting, in a secure manner, each of the metadata files to the remote central computer.

63. A program product including a storage media containing control instructions operative on a computer, comprising:

the control instructions operative on a computer to perform the steps of;

identifying, periodically on a programmed basis, a plurality of patient medical files each containing digital medical data relating to a patient;

creating, for each of the plurality of patient medical files, a metadata file containing attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and the location of the patient medical file;

packaging each of the metadata files for transmission to a remote central computer; and

transmitting, in a secure manner, each of the metadata files to the remote central computer.

64. A method operable on a computer for managing distributed medical files, comprising the steps of:

receiving, on a central computer, a request to access a patient medical file stored on a remote medical information system;

determining a remote agent computer having access to the remote medical information system;

transmitting, from the central computer to the remote agent computer, a request to provide the patient medical file to a specified device;

retrieving, by the remote agent computer, the patient medical file;

transmitting, by the remote agent computer, the patient medical file to the specified device; and

transmitting, by the remote agent computer to the central computer, a notice that the patient medical file has been transferred from the remote medical information system to the specified device.

65. A method in accordance with claim 64 wherein the central computer stores identifying information for a plurality of remote agent computers, each agent computer having access to at least one medical information system.

66. A method in accordance with claim 65 wherein;

each of the plurality of remote agent computers stores identifying information for the plurality of remote agent computers; and

the request including a request for a first remote agent computer to transmit the patient medical file to a second remote agent computer.

67. A method in accordance with claim 64 wherein the specified device includes a device on which the patient medical file is viewable by a human user.

68. A method in accordance with claim 64 wherein the request includes a request to provide the patient medical file directly to the specified device.

69. A system for managing distributed medical files, comprising:

a remote agent computer comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions for controlling the operation of the agent computer;

a central computer comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions for controlling the operation of the central computer;

the central computer operative to perform the steps of;

receiving a request to access a patient medical file stored on a remote medical information system;

determining the remote agent computer having access to the remote medical information system;

transmitting to the remote agent computer, a request to provide the patient medical file to a specified device;

the agent computer operative to perform the steps of;

retrieving the patient medical file;

transmitting, by the remote agent computer, the patient medical file to the specified device; and

transmitting to the central computer a notice that the patient medical file has been transferred from the remote medical information system to the specified device.

70. A system in accordance with claim 69 wherein the central computer stores identifying information for a plurality of remote agent computers, each agent computer having access to at least one medical information system.

71. A system in accordance with claim 70 wherein;

each of the plurality of remote agent computers stores identifying information for the plurality of remote agent computers; and

the request including a request for a first remote agent computer to transmit the patient medical file to a second remote agent computer.

72. A system in accordance with claim 70 wherein the specified device includes a device on which the patient medical file is viewable by a human user.

73. A system in accordance with claim 70 wherein the request includes a request to provide the patient medical file directly to the specified device.

74. A system for managing distributed medical files, comprising:

means for receiving, on a central computer, a request to access a patient medical file stored on a remote medical information system;

means for determining a remote agent computer having access to the remote medical information system;

means for transmitting, from the central computer to the remote agent computer, a request to provide the patient medical file to a specified device;

means for retrieving, by the remote agent computer, the patient medical file;

means for transmitting, by the remote agent computer, the patient medical file to the specified device; and

transmitting, by the remote agent computer to the central computer, a notice that the patient medical file has been transferred from the remote medical information system to the specified device.

75. A method operable on a computer for managing distributed medical files, comprising the steps of:

receiving, on a central computer, a request to obtain a remotely stored patient medical file;

determining, by the central computer, a remote first agent computer having access to the medical information system storing the patient medical file;

transmitting, by the central computer to the remote first agent computer, a request to obtain the patient medical file and to transmit the patient medical file directly to a specified device; and

receiving, on the central computer from the remote first agent computer, a notice that the patient medical file has been transferred from the medical information system to the specified device.

76. A method in accordance with claim 75 wherein the central computer stores identifying information for a plurality of remote agent computers, each agent computer having access to at least one medical information system.

77. A method in accordance with claim 76 wherein;

each of the plurality of remote agent computers stores identifying information for the plurality of remote agent computers; and

the step of transmitting a request including a request for the first remote agent computer to transmit the patient medical file to a second remote agent computer.

78. A method in accordance with claim 75 wherein the step of transmitting a request including a request the first remote agent computer to transmit the patient medical file to a device on which the patient medical file is viewable by a human user.

79. A system for managing distributed medical files, comprising:

a processor;

a memory connected to the processor and storing instructions for controlling the operation of the processor;

the processor operative with the instructions in the memory to perform the steps of;

receiving a request to obtain a remotely stored patient medical file;

determining a remote first agent computer having access to the medical information system storing the patient medical file;

transmitting to the remote first agent computer a request to obtain the patient medical file and to transmit the patient medical file directly to a specified device; and

receiving from the remote first agent computer a notice that the patient medical file has been transferred from the medical information system to the specified device.

80. A system in accordance with claim 79 wherein the memory stores identifying information for a plurality of remote agent computers, each agent computer having access to at least one medical information system.

81. A system in accordance with claim 80 wherein;

each of the plurality of remote agent computers stores identifying information for the plurality of remote agent computers; and

the step of transmitting a request including a request for the first remote agent computer to transmit the patient medical file to a second remote agent computer.

82. A system in accordance with claim 79 wherein the step of transmitting a request including a request the first remote agent computer to transmit the patient medical file to a device on which the patient medical file is viewable by a human user.

83. A method for managing distributed medical files, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request to obtain a remotely stored patient medical file;

determining a remote first agent computer having access to the medical information system storing the patient medical file;

transmitting, to the remote first agent computer, a request to obtain the patient medical file and to transmit the patient medical file directly to a specified device; and

receiving, from the remote first agent computer, a notice that the patient medical file has been transferred from the medical information system to the specified device.

84. A system for managing distributed medical files, comprising:

means for receiving, on a central computer, a request to obtain a remotely stored patient medical file;

means for determining, by the central computer, a remote first agent computer having access to the medical information system storing the patient medical file;

means for transmitting, by the central computer to the remote first agent computer, a request to obtain the patient medical file and to transmit the patient medical file directly to a specified device; and

means for receiving, on the central computer from the remote first agent computer, a notice that the patient medical file has been transferred from the medical information system to the specified device.

85. A program product on a storage device, the program product comprising:

control instructions operable on a computer for managing distributed medical files, the control instructions operable to cause the computer to perform the steps of;

receiving, on a central computer, a request to obtain a remotely stored patient medical file;

determining, by the central computer, a remote first agent computer having access to the medical information system storing the patient medical file;

transmitting, by the central computer to the remote first agent computer, a request to obtain the patient medical file and to transmit the patient medical file directly to a specified device; and

receiving, on the central computer from the remote first agent computer, a notice that the patient medical file has been transferred from the medical information system to the specified device.

86. A method operable on a computer for sharing distributed medical records, comprising the steps of:

receiving from a central computer a request to obtain an identified patient medical file from a medical information system and to transmit the identified patient medical record directly to a specified device;

retrieving the identified patient medical file from the medical information system;

transmitting the identified patient medical file directly to the specified device; and

transmitting to the central computer a notice that the identified patient medical file has been transmitted to the specified device.

87. A method in accordance with claim 86 wherein the step of retrieving includes operating a software program to request the patient medical file from the medical information system.

88. A method in accordance with claim 86 wherein the step of retrieving includes operating a software program to receive the patient medical file transmitted by the medical information system.

89. A method in accordance with claim 86 wherein the specified device includes a device on which the patient medical file is viewable by a human user.

90. A system for sharing distributed medical records, comprising:

a processor;

a memory connected to the processor and storing instructions for controlling the operation of the processor;

the processor operative with the instructions in the memory to perform the steps of;

receiving from a central computer a request to obtain an identified patient medical file from a medical information system and to transmit the identified patient medical record directly to a specified device;

retrieving the identified patient medical file from the medical information system;

transmitting the identified patient medical file directly to the specified device; and

transmitting to the central computer a notice that the identified patient medical file has been transmitted to the specified device.

91. A system in accordance with claim 90 wherein the step of retrieving includes operating a software program to request the patient medical file from the medical information system.

92. A system in accordance with claim 90 wherein the step of retrieving includes operating a software program to receive the patient medical file transmitted by the medical information system.

93. A system in accordance with claim 90 wherein the specified device includes a device on which the patient medical file is viewable by a human user.

94. A method for sharing distributed medical records, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request to obtain an identified patient medical file from a medical information system and to transmit the identified patient medical record directly to a specified device;

retrieving the identified patient medical file from the medical information system;

transmitting the identified patient medical file directly to the specified device; and

transmitting a notice that the identified patient medical file has been transmitted to the specified device.

95. A system for sharing distributed medical records, comprising:

means for receiving from a central computer a request to obtain an identified patient medical file from a medical information system and to transmit the identified patient medical record directly to a specified device;

means for retrieving the identified patient medical file from the medical information system;

means for transmitting the identified patient medical file directly to the specified device; and

means for transmitting to the central computer a notice that the identified patient medical file has been transmitted to the specified device.

96. A program product, comprising:

instructions stored on a media for controlling the operation of a computer to perform the steps of;

receiving from a central computer a request to obtain an identified patient medical file from a medical information system and to transmit the identified patient medical record directly to a specified device;

retrieving the identified patient medical file from the medical information system;

transmitting the identified patient medical file directly to the specified device; and

transmitting to the central computer a notice that the identified patient medical file has been transmitted to the specified device.

97. A method operable on a computer for managing distributed medical files, comprising the steps of:

storing, by a computer, a database entry containing standardized attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file at a storage location, the standardized attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and the storage location of the patient medical file;

receiving a search request including patient medical data attributes;

comparing the patient medical data attributes in the search request to the standardized attributes in the database entry to determine if, in the absence of a unique identifier attribute, the search request identifies the remotely stored patient medical file; and

initiating, if the search request identifies the remotely stored patient medical file, a request to release the remotely stored patient medical file to a user.

98. A method in accordance with claim 97 wherein the standardized attributes and the patient medical data attributes each further relate to a patient identity.

99. A method in accordance with claim 97 wherein the step of comparing includes the steps of:

obtaining a statistical analysis of patient population data relating to the database entry;

generating, for specific attributes, an agreement weight and a disagreement weight based on the statistical analysis;

generating scores based on the agreement weight for determining matches;

generating scores based on the disagreement weights for determining non-matches;

generating a composite weight based on the comparison of attributes in the search request with the standardized attributes in the database entry; and

comparing the composite weight to the scores for determining matches and the scores for determining non-matches.

100. A method in accordance with claim 97 wherein the step of initiating a request includes the steps of:

transmitting to a patient identified in the database entry an authorization form;

receiving from the patient the authorization form completed with necessary information including a digitized signature to authorize the release of the selected stored patient record.

101. A method in accordance with claim 100 wherein:

the step of transmitting to a patient includes transmitting the authorization form electronically; and

the step of receiving from the patient includes receiving the digitized signature from a transduction device.

102. A method in accordance with claim 97 wherein the step of initiating a request includes the steps of:

generating a request to transfer the remotely stored medical file from medical information system to a specified device.

103. A system for managing distributed medical files, comprising:

a processor;

a memory connected to the processor and storing control instructions for controlling the operation of the processor;

the processor operative with instructions in the memory to perform the steps of;

storing a database entry containing standardized attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file at a storage location, the standardized attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and the storage location of the patient medical file;

receiving a search request including patient medical data attributes;

comparing the patient medical data attributes in the search request to the standardized attributes in the database entry to determine if, in the absence of a unique identifier attribute, the search request identifies the remotely stored patient medical file; and

initiating, if the search request identifies the remotely stored patient medical file, a request to release the remotely stored patient medical file to a user.

104. A system in accordance with claim 103 wherein the standardized attributes and the patient medical data attributes each further relate to a patient identity.

105. A system in accordance with claim 103 wherein the step of comparing includes the steps of:

obtaining a statistical analysis of patient population data relating to the database entry;

generating, for specific attributes, an agreement weight and a disagreement weight based on the statistical analysis;

generating scores based on the agreement weight for determining matches;

generating scores based on the disagreement weights for determining non-matches;

generating a composite weight based on the comparison of attributes in the search request with the standardized attributes in the database entry; and

comparing the composite weight to the scores for determining matches and the scores for determining non-matches.

106. A system in accordance with claim 103 wherein the step of initiating a request includes the steps of:

transmitting to a patient identified in the database entry an authorization form;

receiving from the patient the authorization form completed with necessary information including a digitized signature to authorize the release of the selected stored patient record.

107. A system in accordance with claim 106 wherein:

the step of transmitting to a patient includes transmitting the authorization form electronically; and

the step of receiving from the patient includes receiving the digitized signature from a transduction device.

108. A system in accordance with claim 103 wherein the step of initiating a request includes the steps of:

generating a request to transfer the remotely stored medical file from medical information system to a specified device.

109. A method for managing distributed medical files, comprising the steps of:

storing a database entry containing standardized attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file at a storage location, the standardized attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and the storage location of the patient medical file;

receiving a search request including patient medical data attributes;

comparing the patient medical data attributes in the search request to the standardized attributes in the database entry to determine if, in the absence of a unique identifier attribute, the search request identifies the remotely stored patient medical file; and

initiating, if the search request identifies the remotely stored patient medical file, a request to release the remotely stored patient medical file to a user.

110. A system for managing distributed medical files, comprising:

means for storing a database entry containing standardized attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file at a storage location, the standardized attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and the storage location of the patient medical file;

means for receiving a search request including patient medical data attributes;

means for comparing the patient medical data attributes in the search request to the standardized attributes in the database entry to determine if, in the absence of a unique identifier attribute, the search request identifies the remotely stored patient medical file; and

means for initiating, if the search request identifies the remotely stored patient medical file, a request to release the remotely stored patient medical file to a user.

111. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a computer to manage distributed medical files, the computer readable program code means in the article of manufacture comprising;

storing, by a computer, a database entry containing standardized attributes relating to a remotely stored patient medical file at a storage location, the standardized attributes relating to the contents of the patient medical file and the storage location of the patient medical file;

receiving a search request including patient medical data attributes;

comparing the patient medical data attributes in the search request to the standardized attributes in the database entry to determine if, in the absence of a unique identifier attribute, the search request identifies the remotely stored patient medical file; and

initiating, if the search request identifies the remotely stored patient medical file, a request to release the remotely stored patient medical file to a user.