Method for controlling processes in a medical workflow system

• US 20060175399A1
• Filed: 03/22/2006
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intellidot Corporation (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Steusloff, Patrick M., Swenson, David D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,364,067 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/382
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• 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 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• 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

A system is described for managing data and information in a healthcare environment, such as a hospital. A handheld code scanner reads codes and either accepts data, or performs instructions based on the read code. The code scanner wirelessly transmits the codes or data to a central server which acts on the read code to carry out necessary functions. The system is useful for tracking patient data, such as for delivery of medicine. In addition, since the system can carry out instructions, it is useful for allowing healthcare workers to quickly and conveniently perform their duties without the necessity of sitting at a computer terminal.

Claims

1. A method of controlling processes in a medical workflow system comprising:

scanning at least one machine readable code using a wireless terminal; and

analyzing said scanned code to determine whether said code corresponds to data or an instruction, wherein if said code corresponds to an instruction, initiating a process, comprising;

(1) determining if said instruction is to be performed locally; and

(2) if said instruction is to be performed locally, executing said instruction.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising wirelessly transmitting said machine readable code to a computer system.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising executing said instruction in said computer system if said instruction is to be performed externally to said wireless terminal.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein executing said instruction controls a peripheral device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said scan code corresponds to a binary number comprising a plurality of bits, and wherein analyzing said scanned code comprises analyzing a value of one bit of said plurality of bits.

6. A method of administering medication to a patient in a medical workflow system comprising:

administering medication to a patient;

scanning a code with a wireless terminal, wherein said code corresponds to said medication;

determining if a predetermined latency time has elapsed from administering said medication; and

generating an alert on said wireless terminal if said predetermined latency time has elapsed.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising scanning a second code with said wireless terminal corresponding to patient data.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said patient data includes at least one of heart rate and pain score.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising monitoring for an indication of completion of patient lab tests.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising wirelessly transmitting said scan code to a computer.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising wirelessly receiving a response from said computer.

12. The method of claim 6 further comprising notifying a user periodically of said alert.

13. The method of claim 6 wherein said alert is a noiseless alert displayed on said wireless terminal.

14. The method of claim 6 wherein said alert is an audible alert.

15. The method of claim 6 further comprising notifying a user to enter additional information.

16. The method of claim 6 wherein said wireless terminal is a handheld device.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said handheld device is configured to be operated with one hand.

18. A method of controlling processes in a medical workflow system comprising:

scanning at least one machine readable code using a wireless terminal; and

analyzing said scanned code to determine whether said code corresponds to data or an instruction, wherein if said code corresponds to an data, initiating a process, comprising;

(1) determining whether said data is outside of predetermined parameters; and

(2) if said data is outside of said predetermined parameters, notifying a user.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising determining whether to display a warning on said wireless terminal.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising determining whether to contact a system computer.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising determining whether to wait for additional data or instruction.