Methods for generating patient-specific medical reports

• US 5,991,729 A
• Filed: 06/28/1997
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carl Niedmann, David G. Mcginnis, James T. Barry, Karen J. Casey, Mary Lachman, Michael Serra, Steven M. Tenner, Vito Santarsieri, William M. Tilton
• Original Assignee: Carl Niedmann, David G. Mcginnis, James T. Barry, Karen J. Casey, Mary Lachman, Michael Serra, Steven M. Tenner, Vito Santarsieri, William M. Tilton
• Inventors: Serra, Michael, Lachman, Mary, Niedmann, Carl, Casey, Karen J., Santarsieri, Vito, McGinnis, David G., Tilton, William M., Tenner, Steven M., Barry, James T.
• Primary Examiner(s): MacDonald, Allen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAUDLE, PENNY L
• Application Number:
  US08/896,314
• Time in Patent Office: 878 Days
• Field of Search: 705/3, 705/2
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/70 for mining of medical data, e.g. analysing previous cases of other patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/20 relating to practices or guidelines

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel methods and memory storage devices for generating a report that contains medical counseling information which is specific to a patient. The medical information is dependent upon the diagnostic analysis of a biological sample from the patient. A relational database management system is used that stores a plurality of diagnostic codes and archived textual and graphical information specific for each diagnostic code. By inputting a diagnostic code specific for the results of the diagnostic analysis, a report is compiled from retrieved archived textual and graphical information specific for the entered diagnostic code. The archived information provides counseling and descriptive information useful for the patient.

Claims

1. A method for generating a document that contains medical information specific to a patient, the medical information resulting from an analysis of a biological sample from the patient comprising:

a) assigning a unique identifier code for a plurality of medical diagnoses that can be made from the analysis of the biological sample and entering, as an attribute for a specific medical diagnosis, each diagnostic identifier code into a relational database management system that is stored on a memory device and is executable on a computer for query and report compilation;

b) entering diagnostic archival textual and graphic information into the relational database management system as an attribute that is specific for and related to the underlying diagnosis associated with each diagnostic identifier code and that is explanatory to the patient with respect to that diagnosis;

c) assigning a unique identifier code for the patient and entering the patient identifier sequence in the relational database management system;

as an attribute of the name of the patient;

d) assigning a unique identifier code for a physician for the patient and entering the physician identifier sequence in the relational database management system as an attribute of the name and address of the physician;

e) analyzing the biological sample from the patient whereby a diagnosis is made that has an entered diagnostic identifier code;

f) configuring the relational database management system such that if a diagnostic identifier code is entered as an attribute for an entered patient identifier code, then a report can be compiled that retrieves and inserts the explanatory diagnostic archival textual and graphical information specific for and related to the underlying diagnosis associated with the entered diagnostic code, and identifies the patient;

g) entering the diagnostic identifier code for the diagnosis into the relational database management system;

h) executing a report compilation by the relational database management system; and

i) saving the compiled, patient-specific report.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein a textual or graphical description of the results of the sample analysis are entered into the relational database management system as a separate attribute for the related entered diagnosis code and entered patient code, the relational database being configured such that when a report is compiled, the textual or graphical sample result information is included in the report.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the relational database management system is configured such that the entering of the diagnostic identifier code for the diagnosis automatically causes the execution of a report compilation.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the relational database management system is configured such that the entering of the diagnostic identifier code for the diagnosis also automatically causes the addressing and sending of the report to the physician by electronic data transmission.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the explanatory archived textual and graphic diagnostic information related to each diagnostic code includes a report description, a report title, treatment options related to the diagnosis, protective measures related to the diagnosis, and frequently asked questions and answers related to the diagnosis.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the diagnosis is based on an examination of the biological sample by a pathologist.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein:

a) a geographic identifier code is assigned to each physician and entered into the relational database management system as an attribute of the address of the physician;

b) archival textual and graphical information is entered into the relational database management system which is based on local resources related to each entered diagnostic identifier code, the archival textual and graphic resource information being related to the address of the physician; and

c) the relational database management system is configured such that if a diagnostic identifier code is entered for the patient, then a report can be compiled that retrieves the archived textual and graphical resource information specific for the entered diagnostic code and the entered physician code, and discloses the local resources related to the diagnosis which are available to the patient.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein:

a) archival textual and graphical information based on testimonial attributes of the physician is entered into the relational database management system, the testimonial archival textual and graphic information being related to the physician identifier code; and

b) the relational database management system is configured such that if a diagnostic code is entered for the patient, then a report can be compiled that retrieves and inserts into a report the archived textual and graphical testimonial information specific for the entered physician code, and discloses testimonial attributes of the physician to the patient.