Method and apparatus for generating a clinical quality assurance scorecard

• US 20080294507A1
• Filed: 08/01/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruce Reiner
• Original Assignee: Bruce Reiner
• Inventors: Reiner, Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 7,853,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06395 Quality analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06398 Performance of employee with respect to a job function
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0202 Market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• 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 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

The present invention provides a quality assurance system and method that generates a quality assurance (QA) scorecard for clinicians that participate in a radiological-based medical imaging study using digital imaging technologies. According to one embodiment, client computers, servers, imaging devices, databases, and/or other components may be coupled to provided a unified data collection system. According to one embodiment, systems and methods are provided that analyze various parameters that are derived from the unified data collection system to calculate a QA score for the clinician. The QA score provides a combined subjective and objective feedback system that includes performance evaluations from other users, including radiologists, technologists and patients. According to one embodiment, the feedback may be provided in real-time.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A computer system for generating a quality assurance scorecard, comprising:

at least one memory containing at least one program comprising the steps of;

receiving data elements on a patient prior to performing an imaging examination;

determining discrepancies between an patient imaging examination order and/or protocol compared to said data elements;

determining an appropriateness of said imaging examination order and/or protocol based on an evaluation of said data elements associated with said imaging examination order in view of pre-defined appropriateness criteria;

providing a recommendation of whether to proceed with said imaging examination order and/or protocol based on said evaluation of appropriateness; and

generating a quality assurance scorecard based on said evaluation and said recommendation; and

a processor for running said program.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising:

an authentication module which provides biometrics to identify a user.

4. The system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a report generating module which generates reports based on predetermined events, including at least one of a predetermined status of an imaging study, and/or a finding forwarded by a user.

5. The system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a notification module which generates notifications and/or alerts based on at least one of a completion of an imaging report, scheduling of examinations, and release of status information.

6. A computer implemented method of generating a quality assurance scorecard on a clinician, comprising:

receiving data elements on a patient prior to performing an imaging examination;

determining discrepancies between an patient imaging examination order and/or protocol compared to said data elements;

determining an appropriateness of said imaging examination order and/or protocol based on an evaluation of said data elements associated with said imaging examination order in view of pre-defined appropriateness criteria;

providing a recommendation of whether to proceed with said imaging examination order and/or protocol based on said evaluation of appropriateness; and

generating a quality assurance scorecard based on said evaluation and said recommendation.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

performing an authentication procedure on a user prior to authorizing said request for said imaging exam.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising:

alerting said user when less than full privileges are associated with said user;

identifying and recommending at least one re-credentialing program to said user; and

restoring full privileges to said user after completion of said re-credentialing program;

wherein said at least one re-credentialing program includes CME courses or computer training.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

granting a grace period for regaining full privileges before all of said privileges are revoked;

wherein said grace period is defined by a threshold, such as a number of log-ins, a number of days, or another threshold that may not be exceeded before all privileges are revoked.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein said database includes at least one of an electronic medical record (EMR), a hospital information system (HIS), a radiology information system (RIS), and PACS.

11. The method according to claim 6, wherein said information is an imaging data sheet which includes at least one aspect of said patient'"'"'s medical history;

and

enabling said user to customize said imaging data sheet for said patient, including;

enabling said user to create profiles for said imaging data sheet; and

enabling said user to customize said imaging data sheet'"'"'s display to said user'"'"'s own individual preferences.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said aspect includes at least one of prior imaging exams and results, including those performed at outside facilities, current clinical problems, pertinent findings on a physical exam, pertinent laboratory and pathology data, ancillary data, procedural findings, operative or consultation notes, clinical testing, technical information related to a previous imaging exam performed, technologist observations, including pertinent findings and measurements, technologist notes, including complications, and exam limitations.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

recording a time-stamp each time a new entry or modification is made to said imaging data sheet.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

linking said customized imaging data sheet to log-in criteria of said user.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

presenting a user with a computerized physician order entry (CPOE) application to initiate said imaging examination; and

enabling said user to enter said data elements into said CPOE.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said data elements include at least one of a past medical and surgical history, allergies, with particular emphasis directed to contrast media used in medical imaging, risk factors, including family history and tumor markers, non-imaging data, including laboratory and clinical testing, pathology, clinical indication and presumptive diagnosis, which prompted said imaging examination, findings on physical examination, historical imaging data, and outside imaging examinations and findings.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

creating a standard tag within said imaging data sheet to identify individual quality assurance data parameters.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:

enabling a second user to review said data elements that are entered into said CPOE system; and

enabling said second user to make adjustments to at least one of said examination protocol and an optimization of said imaging examination prior to said imaging examination being performed.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

generating mandatory and optional recommendations for the user regarding said evaluation, including recommending modifications to said imaging examination when said imaging examination is deemed inappropriate; and

adjusting said imaging examination protocol to optimize said imaging examination prior to said imaging examination.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:

requesting additional data from said user for further evaluating said request for said imaging examination.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

tracking, storing, and analyzing recommendations on appropriateness of said imaging exam;

tracking and analyzing appropriateness data in order to provide an analysis of the specific clinical indications and diagnoses requiring remedial education on the part of said user, including analyzing variables, such as patient safety, cost, redundancy, and clinical efficacy; and

creating a user profile based on ordering habits, completeness of input data, and compliance with appropriateness standards.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:

presenting an automated list of preventative screening imaging examinations for said patient based on at least one surveillance guideline; and

presenting said user with additional preventative screening imaging examinations that may be added to said imaging examination.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising:

forwarding said imaging examination to an individual for scheduling when said evaluation deems said imaging examination is appropriate.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising:

alerting said user that said imaging examination is one of redundant, that a less expensive imaging examination exists, or that a less evasive imaging examination exists.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising:

performing a trend analysis of medical imaging utilization of said user;

wherein said trend analysis may be evaluated on said patient and a patient group basis, with said patient groups are classified according to demographics, medical histories, and clinical profiles.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising:

correlating at least one utilization data trend with local, regional, and national norms; and

providing data-driven feedback to said user, wherein said data-driven feedback is relative to a peer group for educational purposes.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising:

creating at least one best practice guideline for technology allocation, development of new imaging services, and improved appropriation of healthcare funding.

28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising:

identifying unexpected results or emergent findings from said imaging examination; and

alerting a user of said unexpected results via special protocol; and

creating a time-stamp when communication between said user and said patient occurs.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

presenting said user with support tools;

wherein said support tools include at least one of computer-aided detection (CAD), specialized image processing, electronic teaching files and on-line educational resources for patient management; and

facilitating a consultation with a second user.

30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising:

calculating patient safety factors;

wherein said patient safety factors include an amount of radiation exposure; and

updating said database to include said calculated safety factors.

31. The method according to claim 30, further comprising:

determining when said patient safety factors are exceeded;

referring said user to a quality assurance committee; and

presenting said user with an external peer review.

32. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for generating a quality assurance scorecard on a clinician, comprising:

receiving data elements on a patient prior to performing an imaging examination;

determining discrepancies between an patient imaging examination order and/or protocol compared to said data elements;

determining an appropriateness of said imaging examination order and/or protocol based on an evaluation of said data elements associated with said imaging examination order in view of pre-defined appropriateness criteria;

providing a recommendation of whether to proceed with said imaging examination order and/or protocol based on said evaluation of appropriateness; and

generating a quality assurance scorecard based on said evaluation and said recommendation.