System and method for portable medical records

• US 20080140572A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnnie R. Jackson
• Original Assignee: Johnnie R. Jackson
• Inventors: Jackson, Johnnie R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,280,685 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/51
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6245 Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• 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

Abstract

The system and method for portable medical records provides an electronic medical record that is stored in a key fob-sized portable device. A user can purchase the portable device and upload his/her medical record to the device over the Internet, after which the device is sent to the user. The user accesses the device for information in the portable electronic medical record and adds information when necessary. An encryption system controls health provider access to the information stored in the device. The ability to read, write or modify information can be made specific to a particular group of health care providers. Access to the portable electronic medical record can be limited to an individual patient and his/her designated authorized healthcare provider(s). Medical record information transfer is done via secure communication between a computer and the portable electronic device to assure compliance with applicable medical record privacy laws.

Claims

1. A system for portable medical records, comprising:

a computer having means for reading, writing and modifying information in an electronic medical record, whereby a user has the capability to input the information into the electronic medical record, the computer having an external device interface;

a portable electronic device having a bi-directional data port operable to communicate with the external device interface of the computer and having electronic memory disposed therein, the portable electronic device being capable of accepting the electronic medical record from the computer for storage within the electronic memory when the bi-directional data port of the portable electronic device is in operable communication with the external device interface of the computer;

an encryption system operable to provide user authorization for secure access via the bi-directional port to the medical information stored in the portable electronic device; and

a dye-pack capsule disposed within the portable electronic device, the dye-pack capsule rendering the portable electronic device inoperable upon physical tampering with the portable electronic device.

2. The system for portable medical records according to claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device comprises a fob-sized device having reprogrammable non-volatile memory in which the medical records data can be stored.

3. The system for portable medical records according to claim 1, further comprising means for password protection to gain access to the medical records data.

4. The system for portable medical records according to claim 1, further comprising a Radio Frequency Interference/Electromagnetic Interference shield disposed within a housing of the portable electronic device.

5. The system for portable medical records according to claim 1, wherein the electronic memory in the portable electronic device comprises electronic FLASH memory having at least one gigabyte capacity.

6. The system for portable medical records according to claim 1, wherein the portable medical record comprises fields for storing digitized medical information including photos, footprints, fingerprints, radiological images, teeth images, prescriptions, demographic information, emergency notification information, religious preference, insurance carriers, sponsors, contacts, allergy/asthma information, disease information, specific information related to organs of the patient/user, cancer information, respiratory information, OB/GYN information, Radiological therapy information, laboratory information, and hospitalization information.

7. The system for portable medical records according to claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device sends and receives data by a communications device selected from the group consisting of a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, and a landline telephone.

8. The system for portable medical records according to claim 1, further comprising a dial-up modem adapter and a telephone connected to the modem adapter, the modem adapter being connected to the personal electronic device.

9. The system for portable medical records according to claim 1, further comprising a personal digital assistant having portable medical records database management software resident thereon.

10. The system for portable medical records according to claim 1, wherein the means for reading, writing and modifying information in an electronic medical record comprises secure means for delivering interactive web-pages to the user, the interactive web-pages having forms for creating, editing, and updating the electronic medical record.

11. A system for portable medical records, comprising:

a portable memory device having a fob-sized housing, a memory storage circuit encapsulated within the housing, and a bi-directional data port adapted for providing operable communication of the portable memory device with a computer;

means for encrypting data transfer of a medical record to and from the memory storage circuit in order to provide user authorization for secure access via the bi-directional port to an electronic medical record stored in the portable memory device;

a dye-pack capsule sealed within the fob sized housing, the dye pack capsule rendering the memory storage circuit inoperable upon physical tampering with the housing; and

electronic medical record management software means for managing the medical record stored on the memory storage circuit.

12. A computer implemented method for portable medical records, comprising the steps of:

providing a user with secure log-on capability to a network portal;

presenting to the user, via the network portal, medical record data entry screens to allow the user to enter medical data;

creating a medical records database for the user based on the medical data entered by the user;

loading the medical records database onto a portable electronic device having electronic memory and including a data port capable of being in operable communication with a computer;

providing secure access by the computer to the medical records database;

disposing a dye-pack capsule within the portable electronic device, the dye-pack capsule rendering the portable electronic device inoperable upon physical tampering with the portable electronic device; and

distributing the portable electronic device to the user, wherein the user and authorized health providers have immediate access to the user'"'"'s medical record.

13. The computer implemented method for portable medical records according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

establishing a baseline of medical information from the medical records entered into the database; and

making the baseline medical information read access only while prohibiting download/offload of the baseline medical information to other computer/memory systems.

14. The computer implemented method for portable medical records according to claim 12, further comprising the step of prompting the healthcare provider to complete an electronic form attached to an original patient record subsequent treatment rendered by a healthcare provider so that the healthcare provider documents the current treatment rendered prior to exiting the portable electronic device, whereby the patient'"'"'s medical record is updated at the time of treatment.

15. The computer implemented method for portable medical records according to claim 12, further comprising the step of allowing the patient/user to maintain and/or store his/her medical record on a secure server.

16. The computer implemented method for portable medical records according to claim 12, further comprising the step of requiring an authentication protocol to be successfully completed before making the portable electronic clinical medical record accessible to the user.

17. The computer implemented method for portable medical records according to claim 12, further comprising the step of activating electronic medical record management software in the portable electronic device, the electronic medical record management software providing processing capability of reading, writing, modifying, and resaving the electronic medical records in the portable memory device.

18. The computer implemented method for portable medical records according to claim 12, further comprising the step of providing a predetermined number of security levels allocated according to medical records data type, each security level having a unique protocol for access to the medical records data governed by that security level.