Method and system for wound care assessment and treatment

• US 20040138919A1
• Filed: 01/09/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Morris Edward Iii Gales
• Original Assignee: Morris Edward Iii Gales
• Inventors: Gales, Morris Edward III
• Application Number:
  US10/339,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20040138919A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• 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 40/60 for the operation of medical equipment or devices

Abstract

A skin care surveillance system includes a tool which assists a staff member in examining a patient and allowing for the recordation of certain items relevant to the examination of the patient. The tool contains a plurality of triggers to look for by the staff member while the examination is being performed. The tool includes an area associated with each of the plurality of triggers to allow for the recordation of any steps taken in response to an identification of one or more of the plurality of triggers. The tool also contains an identification area for the identity and shift of the staff member performing the examination as well as the date the examination is performed.

Claims

1. A skin care surveillance method, comprising:

performing an examination of a patient by a staff member;

identifying whether said patient has any new skin wounds or any triggers that can cause the onset of a new skin wound;

documenting the results of said examination, including the existence of any new wounds or any triggers that can cause the onset of a new skin wound;

notifying a supervisor of said staff member about the existence of any new wounds or any triggers; and

recording in a patient'"'"'s file the date said examination occurred, the name of said patient that was examined, and the name of said staff member that performed said examination.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

documenting any remedial steps taken to eliminate any triggers that were identified during said examination.

3. The method of claim 1, said triggers to be identified during said examination are selected from the group consisting of:

improper patient position;

diarrhea;

urine incontinence;

poor oral intake;

PEG dysfunction;

pressure downloading;

removal of a wound dressing;

skin trauma or tear;

or a soiled wound.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining a signature from said supervisor acknowledging being informed of the results of said examination.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

having said supervisor perform an independent examination of said patient to identify the existence of any new skin wound or any triggers.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of documenting the existence of any new wounds includes graphically illustrating the location of said new wounds on said patient.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

evaluating the severity of any new skin wounds based on a variety of criteria.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said variety of criteria are selected from the group consisting of:

the number of wounds;

the phase of each wound;

wound contamination;

wound infection;

patient nutrition;

pressure relief; and

associated factors.

9. A skin care surveillance system, comprising:

a primary tool to be filled out by a staff member during an examination of a patient to record the results of said examination, said primary tool containing information to direct said staff member to look for any new skin wounds or any triggers that are known to potentially cause the onset of new skin wounds;

a plurality of areas on said primary tool for said staff member to record the results of said examination based on an identification of any new skin wounds or any triggers; and

a location on said primary tool for a supervisor of said staff member to review sign said primary tool attesting to their knowledge of the results of said examination.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said triggers are selected from the group consisting of:

improper patient position;

diarrhea;

urine incontinence;

poor oral intake;

PEG dysfunction;

pressure downloading;

removal of a wound dressing;

skin trauma or tear;

or a soiled wound.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said primary tool further includes a graphic illustration of a human body to allow for the physical illustration of the location of any new wounds.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said primary tool further includes an area for said staff member to sign and date said primary tool.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a secondary tool that is intended to be filled out by said supervisor.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said secondary tool includes a list of a plurality of triggers to be looked for as said supervisor review said patient and an associated location to allow for the recordation of any remedial steps taken in response to an identification of one or more of said plurality of triggers.

15. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a wound evaluation tool that allows the severity of any wounds to be evaluated based on predetermined criteria.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said predetermined criteria are selected from the group consisting of:

the number of wounds;

the phase of each wound;

wound contamination;

wound infection;

patient nutrition;

pressure relief; and

associated factors.

17. A wound care surveillance system, comprising:

a primary tool to be filled out by a staff member to allow for the recordation of the existence of any new wounds or any triggers that are known to potentially cause new wounds to develop; and

a secondary tool to be filled out by a supervisor of said staff member to allow for the recordation of any remedial steps taken in response to the identification of any new wounds or any triggers.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the triggers to be identified by said staff member are selected from the group consisting of:

improper patient position;

diarrhea;

urine incontinence;

poor oral intake;

PEG dysfunction;

pressure downloading;

removal of a wound dressing;

skin trauma or tear;

or a soiled wound.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said primary tool contains a plurality of questions designed to elicit responses from said staff member that will provide an accurate assessment of said patient'"'"'s condition as of the time of said examination.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said primary tool includes the following:

a location for said staff member to sign and date said primary tool upon completion of said examination; and

a location for said supervisor to sign said primary tool after being informed of the results of said examination.