Methods and systems for automated patient tracking and data acquisition
First Claim
1. A method for automated patient tracking and data acquisition in a medical facility comprising the steps of:
- providing a file folder having a patient identification indicator mounted thereon;
associating the file folder and the patient identification indicator with a patient entering the medical facility;
automatically detecting placement of the file folder in a first receptacle and a patient identification from the patient identification indicator with a sensor associated with the first receptacle when the patient is moved to the first service location;
automatically detecting removal of the file folder from the first receptacle when a first service provider commences a service; and
automatically detecting placement of the file folder in a second receptacle upon completion of the service.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Patient flow is automatically tracked through a medical clinic and data is acquired from the automated patient flow tracking. A file is associated with a patient including a patient identification indicator when the patient enters the facility and placement of the file in a receptacle along with the identification is detected by sensors in a receptacle located of at first service location. Removal of the file from the receptacle when a first service provider commences service is further detected. Placement of the file in a second receptacle is detected upon completion of the service. One receptacle may be a physician receptacle and the other may be a nurse receptacle. A patient visit data record is generated based upon the detected movement of the file including determining treatment time and waiting time based on marking the time of events when the file is removed and replaced in respective receptacles. Indications of patient status are further provided at the receptacle location or transmitted to a remote location. Patient flow tracking is preferably provided by receptacles at various locations to follow the treatment of the patient to entry of the service provider through ancillary services and checkout.
192 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A method for automated patient tracking and data acquisition in a medical facility comprising the steps of:
-
providing a file folder having a patient identification indicator mounted thereon; associating the file folder and the patient identification indicator with a patient entering the medical facility; automatically detecting placement of the file folder in a first receptacle and a patient identification from the patient identification indicator with a sensor associated with the first receptacle when the patient is moved to the first service location; automatically detecting removal of the file folder from the first receptacle when a first service provider commences a service; and automatically detecting placement of the file folder in a second receptacle upon completion of the service. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A patient tracking and data acquisition system comprising:
-
a first patient file receptacle configured so as to be mounted in the proximity of a patient service location; a patient identification indication reader connected to the first receptacle and positioned so as to read a patient identification indication mounted on a patient file folder positioned in the first patient file receptacle; and control means operatively connected to said patient identification reader and said file sensor for generating patient visit data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
-
-
11. A method for automated patient tracking and data acquisition in a medical facility comprising the steps of:
-
providing a file folder having an electronically readable patient identification indicator mounted thereon; associating the file folder and the patient identification indicator with a patient entering the medical facility such that the patient identification indicator includes a patient identification that uniquely identifies the patient; automatically detecting placement of the file folder in a first receptacle and the patient identification from the patient identification indicator with a sensor associated with the first receptacle when the patient is moved to a first service location;
.automatically detecting removal of the file folder from the first receptacle when a first service provider commences a service; and automatically detecting placement of the file folder in a second receptacle upon completion of the service. - View Dependent Claims (12)
-
Specification