Quality assurance scorecard for diagnostic medical agent administration

• US 20090094058A1
• Filed: 01/29/2008
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruce Reiner
• Original Assignee: Bruce Reiner
• Inventors: Reiner, Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 7,933,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• 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 70/40 relating to drugs, e.g. their side effects or intended usage

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus where pre-defined diagnostic medical agent administration data are prospectively collected and analyzed, in order to provide an objective contrast administration risk-benefit analysis, and provide an impartial analysis for pre-testing assessment, as well as optimization of examination, contrast selection and performance parameters. By storing this data in a standardized and centralized fashion, the data could in turn be used for clinical outcome analysis on a local, regional, and national level.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of providing diagnostic medical agent administration during an imaging examination on a patient, comprising:

retrieving clinical information on the patient from a database;

performing an assessment of examination appropriateness for the patient by performing an analysis on the type of requested imaging examination in comparison with the clinical information retrieved on the patient;

retrieving information on a plurality of diagnostic medical agents from said database;

performing a functional assessment of the imaging examination to be performed by determining parameters for administration of a diagnostic medical agent during conduct of the imaging examination in light of said clinical information on the patient; and

selecting and displaying an appropriate diagnostic medical agent for use during the imaging examination based on a result of said examination appropriateness assessment and said functional assessment.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

performing a QC analysis of imaging equipment used for the imaging examination.

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

performing a time synchronization between an injector which delivers the diagnostic medical agent and said imaging equipment to ensure that times on both are synchronous.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

storing in said database, any iatrogenic trauma associated with insertion of an intravenous catheter for delivery of said diagnostic medical agent to the patient.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

storing images acquired, QA data received, and diagnostic medical agent delivery data received, during the imaging examination, in said database.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said QA data and said diagnostic medical agent delivery data includes at least one of timing of an image acquisition during delivery of said diagnostic medical agent, and whether extravasation occurred.

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

storing a clinical assessment of the patient after the imaging examination and after the catheter is removed.

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

notifying a practitioner by electronic means, of any adverse reactions, unexpected or emergent findings, based on said clinical assessment.

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

calendaring follow-up to the patient for additional information.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising;

performing an analysis of said clinical data, image data, said QA data, and said diagnostic medical agent delivery data; and

providing a report of said analysis.

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

storing any specialized image processing parameters assessed for the patient based on said functional assessment and on the imaging examination performed.

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

notifying institutional personnel by electronic means, of any QA deficiencies in the examination or in performance of the personnel, based on said analysis.

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

forwarding a patient survey to the patient, and storing a response to said patient survey in said database.

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

performing a trending analysis of said analysis and said patient survey.

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

storing best practice guidelines in said database;

performing a comparison of said QA data with said best practice guidelines; and

notifying institutional personnel by electronic means, when clinical guideline thresholds are exceeded based on said comparison.

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

performing economic, workflow and clinical outcomes analyses of said QA data, clinical data, imaging data, and best practice guidelines comparison.

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

preventing computer access of any personnel found deficient in performance or training, until said deficiencies are overcome.

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

posting standardized QA data from said analyses on the Internet for public dissemination.

19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

incorporating information on the diagnostic medical agent into each individual image DICOM header.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said information includes a time and/or activity curve of each organ presented.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said time and/or activity curve is in a preselected color or size of font.

22. A computer system for providing diagnostic medical agent administration during an imaging examination on a patient, comprising:

at least one memory which contains at least one program which comprises the steps of;

retrieving clinical information on the patient from a database;

performing an assessment of examination appropriateness for the patient by performing an analysis on the type of requested imaging examination in comparison with the clinical information retrieved on the patient;

retrieving information on a plurality of diagnostic medical agents from said database;

performing a functional assessment of the imaging examination to be performed by determining parameters for administration of an diagnostic medical agent during conduct of the imaging examination in light of said clinical information on the patient; and

selecting and displaying an appropriate diagnostic medical agent for use during the imaging examination based on a result of said examination appropriateness assessment and said functional assessment; and

a processor for running the program.

23. A computer-readable medium for providing diagnostic medical agent administration during an imaging examination on a patient, comprising:

retrieving clinical information on the patient from a database;

performing an assessment of examination appropriateness for the patient by performing an analysis on the type of requested imaging examination in comparison with the clinical information retrieved on the patient;

retrieving information on a plurality of diagnostic medical agents from said database;

performing a functional assessment of the imaging examination to be performed by determining parameters for administration of an diagnostic medical agent during conduct of the imaging examination in light of said clinical information on the patient; and

selecting and displaying an appropriate diagnostic medical agent for use during the imaging examination based on a result of said examination appropriateness assessment and said functional assessment.