SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING MEDICAL CONSULTATION AT PHARMACIES
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, apparatus, techniques and methods for enabling medical consultations between a medical professional using a consultant station in a brick and mortar medical facility linked via a network to a patient using a patient station located at a pharmacy. Both the patient station and consultant station are equipped with video and audio conferencing apparatus, and the consultant station further includes a specialized medical images display for viewing medical images relating to the consultation. A patient logs in to the patient station, verifying who the patient is and the patient'"'"'s eligibility to consult with one or more medical facilities and/or professionals. Likewise, the medical professional at the consultant station must verify their authorization to participate in the consultation. Consultations begin with collection of patient vital signs and any other information needed to generate a “doorstep” check report that would typically be generated by a nurse prior to actual consultation with a doctor in the doctor'"'"'s office. Moreover, patient data in the form of medical records and/or images might be available via one or more servers and storage apparatus for reference during the consultation. While the consultation proceeds, an encrypted patient data record is created and maintained at the patient station in case the consultation is interrupted or unintentionally terminated and is erased when the consultation is properly terminated. Multiple consultants can participate in the consultation using embodiments of the present invention, typically by using multiple consultant stations or a combination of telephone and consultant station apparatus. Such remote medical consulting stations and similar systems can be adapted for remote operation of equipment and telematics.
68 Citations
43 Claims
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1-23. -23. (canceled)
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24. A remote medical consulting system comprising:
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a network comprising one or more server devices and memory storage apparatus; a patient station located at a pharmacy and connected to the network, the patient station comprising; communication apparatus comprising; a microphone, a speaker, a camera, and a display screen; patient data collection apparatus comprising; a sphygmomanometer, a stethoscope, a thermometer, and a scale; and one or more peripheral input devices comprising one or more of the following;
an electronic signature pad;
a document scanner, a barcode reader, a keyboard, a mouse;a consultant station connected to the network, the consultant station comprising; communication apparatus configured to communicate with the patient station communication apparatus via the network; and patient data evaluation apparatus; wherein the communication and patient data evaluation apparatus comprise a first video screen for video conferencing between a consultant at the consultant station and a patient at the patient station and a second high resolution screen for reviewing medical images during consultation; a patient historical data memory storage apparatus comprising patient historical data. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for performing remote medical consulting using a patient station apparatus located at a pharmacy and a remotely located consultant station apparatus, the method comprising:
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a patient initiating a consultation request, comprising; the patient verifying the patient'"'"'s identity; and generating a current medical condition report for the patient, comprising collecting patient vital data using patient vital data collection apparatus at the patient station; retrieving any existing patient historical data from a medical records server; providing to the consultant station the generated current medical condition report for the patient, any retrieved patient historical data and the patient'"'"'s verified identity; a consultant at the consultant station verifying the consultant'"'"'s identity and authority to acknowledge the consultation request; the consultant acknowledging the consultation request; the consultant and the patient conducting the consultation; and terminating the consultation. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A remote process stream monitoring and troubleshooting system comprising:
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a network comprising one or more server devices and memory storage apparatus; a process stream monitoring station connected to the network, the process stream monitoring station comprising; communication apparatus connected to the network; process stream data collection apparatus comprising a process stream monitoring device coupled to process stream apparatus; a remote control device comprising; communication apparatus connected to the network and configured to communicate with and control the process stream apparatus; and process stream data evaluation apparatus; wherein the process stream data evaluation apparatus comprises a data display configured to display information about the status and operation of the process stream apparatus, further wherein the process stream data evaluation apparatus comprises at least one input device for inputting control instructions to alter the operation of the process stream apparatus by a user of the remote control device. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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Specification