System and Apparatus for Medical Error Monitoring

• US 20090048870A1
• Filed: 04/28/2005
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Godshall, Christopher Brian, Vankirk, Jill, VanSickler, Michael Treat
• Granted Patent: US 8,041,582 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

An apparatus and system for providing improved monitoring errors in a medical setting. The apparatus includes a storage medium, display and scanner that allow medical personnel to quickly and reliably track and monitor samples collected from patients, such as information about the type, location, and timing of a collected sample. An unable to complete function labels incompletely collected samples or otherwise notifies the processing facility. Label sets and/or messages are generated to guide medical personnel when performing orders. Errors are linked to collection events for variance tracking. Temporary identifier labels are generated for containers and such when no order is pending. Order of draw procedures are communicated to medical personnel at the collection site.

Claims

1. A handheld system comprising:

a processor configured to receive information relating to collection of at least one patient derived specimen;

an interface configured to display at least a portion of the information; and

an output device configured to output a message, based at least in part on the at least a portion of the information, indicating that at least a portion of said collection has not been completed.

2. A handheld system comprising:

a processor configured to receive information relating to collection of at least one patient derived specimen;

an interface configured to display at least a portion of the information; and

an output device configured to output special instructions associated with the collection based on at least in part a portion of the information.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the special instructions relate to at least one test to be performed on the at least one specimen.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the special instructions relate to at least one container used for the collection.

5. A handheld system comprising:

a processor configured to receive information relating to collection of at least one patient derived specimen;

an interface configured to display at least a portion of the information; and

an input device for entering workload information regarding at least a portion of the collection that has been filled or attempted to be filled based on at least in part a portion of the information.

6. A handheld system comprising:

a processor configured to receive information relating to collection of at least one patient derived specimen;

an interface configured to display at least a portion of the information; and

an input device configured to input data regarding cancellation of at least a portion of the collection that is attempted based on at least in part a portion of the information.

7. A handheld device user interface for collecting specimen samples, comprising:

an interface configured to receive at least one guideline relating to an order in which specimen samples should be collected; and

an output screen for displaying a sequential list showing the order in which the specimen samples should be collected based on the at least one guideline.

8. A system for collecting specimen samples, comprising:

an interface configured to receive information regarding priority associated with specimen sample containers to be filled; and

a handheld device output screen segregated into a number of screen areas, at least one of the screen areas relating to showing specimen sample containers to be filled,

wherein said at least one screen area relating to showing specimen sample containers to be filled includes information regarding priority associated with the specimen sample containers to be filled.

9. A method for specimen collection, comprising:

receiving an order of a selection of specimen collection containers to be collected;

accessing a database that associates priority to each of said specimen collection containers;

sorting the specimen collection containers based on said priority; and

displaying said priority on a screen of a handheld device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said sorting of said specimen collection containers is performed by an algorithm resident in an LIS.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said sorting of said specimen collection containers is performed by an algorithm resident in the handheld device.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said sorting of said specimen collection containers is performed by an algorithm resident in a server capable of electronic communication with said handheld device.

13. A user interface for collecting specimen samples, comprising:

an interface configured to receive information regarding a variance to instructions associated with a filled specimen sample container; and

an output screen segregated into a number of screen areas, at least one of the screen areas related to a window showing specimen sample containers that have been filled,

wherein said at least one screen areas showing specimen sample containers that have been filled includes the information regarding the variance.

14. A system for collecting specimen samples, comprising:

an output configured to display sample collection and management information to the user; and

a processor configured to indicate that a portion of the specimen samples have been collected.

15. A handheld communication device comprising:

a display unit coupled to a processor having access to a computer-readable storage 10 medium having stored therein computer-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to display a user interface on the display of the handheld communication device, said user interface comprising;

a main screen communicating at least one test collection specimen container to be collected from a patient; and

an icon displayed at least temporarily on said screen, whereby activating the icon informs the handheld communication device to print a label indicating that said test collection specimen container was not collected.

16. A method for collection of sample specimens, comprising:

reading at least one identification code associated with at least one of the following;

at least one container and at least one patient identification tag;

receiving a set of rules associated with the at least one identification code;

determining whether the set of rules associated with the at least one identification code is followed; and

outputting a message that indicates when the set of rules has not been followed.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said identification code is a barcode.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

displaying instructions on said portable handheld device if said set of rules has not been followed.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising communicating a notification to a remote location if said set of rules has not been followed.

20. A method of generating an incomplete specimen collection order, comprising:

sending to a handheld device an order including a specimen collection protocol;

displaying said order;

determining whether the specimen collection protocol was performed in accordance with said order; and

communicating an incomplete collection message when the specimen collection protocol was not performed in accordance with said order.

21. A system for printing identity labels in a healthcare setting, comprising:

a scanner for scanning a patient label;

a processor communicating patient data stored in a handheld device with a database, the database including patient demographic information related to said patient; and

a printer in communication with said handheld device,

wherein said handheld device instructs said printer to generate an identity label including patient demographic information if the patient data in the handheld device has patient demographic information corresponding to a patient label scanned by said scanner.