Automated patient management system

• US 20060111941A1
• Filed: 11/23/2005
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Millennia Patient Services LLC
• Original Assignee: Michael G. Blom
• Inventors: Blom, Michael G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,000,979 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

A system for making the process of registering at and receiving treatment in a healthcare facility more efficient and safe has been developed. The system utilizes computer communications network-based systems, software, various input and output stations, and a patient identification card (e.g., Loyalty Card) that work together to allow (a) providers to direct, track, and optimize the efficiency of patient activity and (b) patients to have ready access to their status and, in some cases, control of the healthcare process.

Claims

1. A system for managing a plurality of patients in a healthcare facility, the system:

comprising;

at least one server communicatively connected to a computer communications network,

the at least one server comprising at least one database having stored therein data relating to the plurality of patients,

the data comprising (a) names of the plurality of patients, (b) names of at least two departments within the healthcare facility, (c) at least one listing of names of at least two patients of the plurality of patients who are queuing to visit one of the at least two departments, (d) demographic information pertaining to the plurality of patients, and (e) treatment status of each patient of the plurality of patients,

the at least one server configured to receive input signals from and transmit output signals across the computer communications network to a network access device that is accessible by the plurality of patients and to a network access device accessible to staff of the healthcare facility,

at least one patient identification card for facilitating checking-in to the healthcare facility by at least one patient of the plurality of patients,

a means for determining an order in which the plurality of patients will visit the at least two departments, and

at least one screen displaying the order in which the plurality of patients will visit the at least two departments that is publicly displayed within the healthcare facility.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the network access device that is accessible by the plurality of patients is selected from the group consisting of:

kiosk, video display, PDA, computer monitor, and television monitor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the network access device that is accessible to the staff of the healthcare facility is selected from the group consisting of:

computer monitor, and television monitor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one screen further displays advertisements.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one screen further displays news and weather reports.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the data stored in the database can be modified by at least one of the plurality of patients via the input signals conveyed across the computer communications network.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for determining the order in which the plurality of patients will visit the at least two departments comprises a computer program executing business rules.

8. A method of managing a plurality of patients in a healthcare facility, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing at least one server communicatively connected to a computer communications network,

the at least one server comprising at least one database having stored therein data relating to the plurality of patients,

the data comprising (i) names of the plurality of patients, (ii) names of at least two departments within the healthcare facility, (iii) at least one listing of names of at least two patients of the plurality of patients who are queuing to visit one of the at least two departments, (iv) demographic information pertaining to the plurality of patients, and (v) treatment status of each patient of the plurality of patients,

the at least one server configured to receive input signals from and transmit output signals across the computer communications network to a network access device that is accessible by the plurality of patients and to a network access device accessible to staff of the healthcare facility;

(b) providing a means for determining an approximate amount of time each patient of the plurality of patients will wait before receiving treatment;

(c) accepting at the server an input signal transmitted across the communications network from the network access device accessible to staff of the healthcare facility, the input signal comprising data including (i) the name of at least one patient of the plurality of patients, (ii) the name of at least one department within the healthcare facility, and (iii) demographic information pertaining to the at least one patient, and storing the data comprised in the input signal in the database; and

(d) transmitting from the server an output signal comprising at least a portion of the data comprised in the input signal and an approximate amount of time the at least one patient will wait before receiving treatment across the communications network to the network access device accessible by the plurality of patients.