PATIENT CARE SYSTEM FOR CRITICAL MEDICATIONS

• US 20140039446A1
• Filed: 07/31/2013
• Published: 02/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ICU Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Day, William K.
• Granted Patent: US 10,463,788 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/44 making noise when used incorrectly
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/40 relating to drugs, e.g. their side effects or intended usage

Abstract

A patient care system has a medical pump for delivering a medicine to a patient, and a processor in communication with the pump. The pump is configured to receive a first input on whether the medicine is a critical medicine, and a second input on a trigger condition that triggers a fail-operate mode for the critical medicine. The processor controls the medical pump to operate in the fail-operate mode, where the fail-operate mode continues delivery of the critical medicine when the trigger condition is triggered.

Claims

1. A patient care system comprising:

a medical pump for delivering a medicine to a patient; and

a processor in communication with the medical pump, the processor comprising a memory and a logic adapted to;

receive a first input on whether the medicine is a critical medicine;

receive a second input on a trigger condition that triggers a fail-operate mode for the critical medicine, wherein the fail-operate mode continues delivery of the critical medicine when the trigger condition is triggered;

store the first input and the second input in the memory; and

control the pump to operate in the fail-operate mode when triggered.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a fail-stop mode, wherein the fail-stop mode stops delivery of the medicine when the trigger condition is triggered.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the processor is adapted to enable a user to select between engaging the fail-stop mode or the fail-operate mode.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the fail-stop mode is the default mode.

5. The system of claim 2 further comprising a first audible alarm for the fail-stop mode and a second audible alarm for the fail-operate mode, wherein the first audible alarm is different from the second audible alarm.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is programmed to request confirmation for engaging the fail-operate mode.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the confirmation is presented by a pop-up screen on the medical pump.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the first input is received from a drug library or a professional caregiver.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the second input is received from one of a drug library and a professional caregiver.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the trigger condition is configured to be specific to an individual patient or to a specific clinical care area.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the trigger condition is selected from the group consisting of an occlusion, air-in-line, air accumulation, and low battery.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the critical medicine is chosen from the group consisting of anticoagulants, hydration fluids, nutrient solutions, and antibiotics.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor provides an indication of when the fail-operate mode is engaged, wherein the indication comprises one of the group consisting of:

a notification to a medical professional, a message displayed on the medical pump, an audible tone, and an indicator light.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of configuring the processor with a fail-stop mode, wherein the fail-stop mode stops delivery of the medicine when the trigger condition is triggered, and wherein the processor is adapted to enable a user to select between engaging the fail-stop mode or the fail-operate mode.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of providing a first audible alarm for the fail-stop mode and a second audible alarm for the fail-operate mode, wherein the first audible alarm is different from the second audible alarm.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the trigger condition is configured to be specific to an individual patient or to a specific clinical care area.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the trigger condition is selected from the group consisting of an occlusion, air-in-line, and low battery.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of providing an indication of when the fail-operate mode is engaged, wherein the indication comprises one of the group consisting of:

a notification to a medical professional, a message displayed on the medical pump, an audible tone, and an indicator light.

14. A method for configuring delivery of a critical medicine, the method comprising:

providing a medical pump and a processor in communication with the medical pump, wherein the processor comprises a memory and a logic;

configuring the processor with an option for entering a first input on whether a medicine is a critical medicine;

configuring the processor with an option for entering a second input on a trigger condition that triggers a fail-operate mode, wherein the fail-operate mode continues delivery of the critical when the trigger condition is triggered;

storing the first input and the second input in the memory; and

controlling the pump to operate in the fail-operate mode when triggered.

20. A patient care system comprising:

a medical pump for delivering a medicine to a patient; and

a processor in communication with the medical pump, the processor comprising a memory and a logic adapted to;

receive a first input on whether the medicine is allowed to be delivered in a fail-operate mode;

receive a second input on a trigger condition that triggers the fail-operate mode, wherein the fail-operate mode continues delivery of the medicine when the trigger condition is triggered;

store the first input and the second input in the memory; and

control the pump to operate in the fail-operate mode for the medicine when triggered.