Systems and Methods for Pre-Stationing and Regulating Access to Emergency Medical Supplies

• US 20180366220A1
• Filed: 04/26/2018
• Published: 12/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2017
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Emergency Medical Systems
• Original Assignee: General Emergency Medical Systems
• Inventors: Liao, Vincent T., Lipton, Jeffrey I.
• Application Number:
  US15/963,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20180366220A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 17/00 First-aid kits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/16 with back-up system in case of failure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/36 related to heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3606 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6036 characterised by physical shape, e.g. array of activating switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/002 Packages specially adapted therefor, e.g. for syringes or needles, kits for diabetics needle protection, e.g. caps, A61M5/3202; for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00642 by battery
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0065 by solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/04 Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/21 having a variable access code
• 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 40/40 : for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades

Abstract

Systems and methods for pre-stationing and regulating access to emergency medical supplies, by a bystander. The system includes a supply box having medical supplies, a processor, a network interface in communication with the processor, and a keycode receiving device for receiving a keycode associated with the supply box, as well as control software in communication with the network interface of the supply box and at least one database for storing the keycode associated with the supply box. The method includes steps for ultimately enabling the bystander to access the medical supplies for use in response to the emergency.

Claims

1. A system for pre-stationing and regulating access to emergency medical supplies comprising:

a supply box including;

a processor,

a network interface in communication with the processor,

a temperature monitoring system, and

a keycode receiving device for receiving a keycode associated with the supply box;

a first server hosting dispatch control software in communication with the network interface of the supply box;

a second server hosting restocking control software in communication with the network interface of the supply box; and

at least one database for storing the keycode associated with the supply box.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the supply box further includes a heating system, a cooling system, or a combination thereof.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the supply box further includes medical supplies, and a frame and lid for containing the medical supplies.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the supply box further includes a contact sensor proximate the medical supplies and lid, so as to detect whether the lid is opened and the medical supplies are exposed.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the keycode receiving device is selected from a group consisting of a keypad, a touch screen, a RFID reader, a NFC reader, a wireless communication mechanism, an audio receiver, and combinations thereof.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one power supply.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one power supply includes a backup power supply.

8. A system for pre-stationing and regulating access to emergency medical supplies comprising:

a supply box including;

a processor,

a network interface in communication with the processor,

a keycode receiving device for receiving a keycode associated with the supply box;

a first server hosting dispatch control software in communication with the network interface of the supply box; and

at least one database for storing the keycode associated with the supply box.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the supply box further includes a temperature monitoring system.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the system further comprises a second server hosting restocking control software in communication with the network interface of the supply box.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the supply box further includes a heating system, a cooling system, or a combination thereof.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the supply box further includes medical supplies, and a frame and lid for containing the medical supplies.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the keycode receiving device is selected from a group consisting of a keypad, a touch screen, a RFID reader, a NFC reader, a wireless communication mechanism, an audio receiver, and combinations thereof.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising at least one power supply.

15. A method for regulating access to emergency medical supplies by a bystander, comprising the steps of:

maintaining a supply box containing the medical supplies;

contacting an emergency dispatcher in the event of an emergency;

identifying the emergency where the medical supplies are needed;

locating the bystander;

determining an estimated speed and time of EMS services, and the type of emergency;

comparing the estimated time for the EMS response to a travel time from the bystander to the supply box;

directing the bystander to the location of the supply box if the travel time therebetween is less than the estimated EMS response time; and

providing the authorized use keycode to the bystander, whereby the bystander may access the medical supplies therein for use in response to the emergency.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the estimated EMS response time is determined based on distance to a nearest available ambulance.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the estimated EMS response time is determined based on previous response times and estimates of response times.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the travel time from the bystander to the supply box is a preset default speed.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the providing step includes providing the authorized use keycode to the dispatcher, and providing the use keycode from the dispatcher to the bystander.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the maintaining step includes

monitoring the status of the supply box and the medical supplies therein;

identifying the supply box as inactive if the medical supplies are used or out of acceptable conditions;

adding the supply box to a work queue;

restocking the supply box with new medical supplies; and

identifying the supply box as active.