Integrated Communications System
First Claim
1. A method of facilitating secure communication among patients, their next-of-kin, or surrogates, clinicians who care for the patient, friends and family of the patient, and the public using a healthcare communication system comprising a computer system having at least one processor and memory, the method comprising:
- assigning a level of access to individuals using the communication system;
the individuals including at least one of a patient, the patient'"'"'s spouse, next-of-kin or surrogate, or the holder of a durable power of attorney for the healthcare of the patient;
obtaining patient permission to allow communication between individuals;
accepting an incoming message from a sender individual authorized under the patient permission to a recipient individual;
processing the message;
sending a message notification to the sender individual; and
permitting the recipient individual access to the message.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated communication system that is a centralized, web-based structure that facilitates efficient, secure and effective communication between and among users who require secure, and multifaceted communication structures. In a healthcare application, these users may include patients, their next-of-kin, or surrogates; clinicians who care for the patient; other friends and family who care about the patient; and the public. The system may function by making the patient the center of an electronic communication scheme. Others, involved as caregivers or loved ones, may be assigned access to various levels of communication on the basis of role and need. The system allows individuals such as care givers and those receiving care to communicate effectively without concern of invasion of their personal domains, while protecting confidential patient healthcare information and enabling communication using a variety of available communications formats and technologies.
35 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of facilitating secure communication among patients, their next-of-kin, or surrogates, clinicians who care for the patient, friends and family of the patient, and the public using a healthcare communication system comprising a computer system having at least one processor and memory, the method comprising:
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assigning a level of access to individuals using the communication system;
the individuals including at least one of a patient, the patient'"'"'s spouse, next-of-kin or surrogate, or the holder of a durable power of attorney for the healthcare of the patient;obtaining patient permission to allow communication between individuals; accepting an incoming message from a sender individual authorized under the patient permission to a recipient individual; processing the message; sending a message notification to the sender individual; and permitting the recipient individual access to the message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A healthcare communication system having at least one processor and at least one distributed memory for facilitating secure communication among patients, their next-of-kin, or surrogates, clinicians who care for the patient, friends and family of the patient, and the public, wherein:
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a level of access is assigned to individuals using the communication system, the individuals including at least one of a patient, next-of-kin or surrogate; permission is obtained to allow communication between individuals; an incoming message is accepted from a sender individual authorized under the patient permission to a recipient individual; the message is processed; a message notification is sent to the sender individual; and the message or a modified version of the message is made accessible to the recipient individual. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification