Method for transmitting medical information identified by a unique identifier

• US 7,520,419 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aaron Wachspress
• Original Assignee: BML Medrecordsalert LLC
• Inventors: Wachspress, Aaron, Libin, Barry
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vo; Tuyen K
• Application Number:
  US11/643,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20070138253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/487, 705/2, 705/3
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6245 Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2153 Using hardware token as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A method for transmitting personal health information from a databank to a health facility. An individual'"'"'s health information is stored in a database, and the information is sent to authorized users as needed. The information is stored in the database by coding an individual'"'"'s private file with a unique identifying number or alpha-numeric sequence. The individual is provided with an electronically readable identifier (ERI) that corresponds to the unique identifying number or alpha-numeric sequence. The ERI can be scanned by medical personnel with the appropriate scanner. The scanner is authenticated by the database, and the information corresponding to that individual is sent back to the scanner for use by the emergency medical personnel. The health information can also be sent to a hospital. The entire process requires authentication of the medical personnel and validation of the ERI for security purposes.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting personal health information from a databank to a health facility comprising the steps of:

a) storing a person'"'"'s health information in a databank, wherein said storing comprises the steps of;

i) entering an individual'"'"'s health information into said databank in a private file,

ii) coding said private file with a unique identifying number or alpha-numeric sequence;

iii) providing said individual with a barcode corresponding to said unique identifying number or alpha-numeric sequence;

b) scanning said barcode with a scanner, wherein said scanning step comprises the steps of;

i) using a scanner to scan said barcode;

ii) transmitting to said databank said barcode'"'"'s number or alpha-numeric sequence and a unique reference number or alpha-numeric sequence associated with said scanner;

iii) matching said barcode'"'"'s number or alpha-numeric sequence with said unique identifying number or alpha-numeric sequence at said databank;

iv) authenticating said unique reference number or alpha-numeric sequence as an authorized user at said databank;

v) transmitting said individual'"'"'s health information to said scanner or other health facility further comprising the step of updating said health information by allowing said individual to enter and edit new health information via a website, further comprising the step of updating said health information with new form print-out by said individual comprising the steps of;

a) viewing onscreen said information previously stored on said website;

b) deciding which new form print-out to add to said website;

c) printing a facsimile cover sheet with a unique confirmation number;

d) electronically assigning said unique confirmation number to a blank file in said private file;

e) faxing to a provided fax number said form print-out and said facsimile cover sheet;

f) scanning into said database said form print-out and said facsimile cover sheet;

g) associating said confirmation number on said facsimile cover sheet with said confirmation number in said private file;

h) electronically placing said scanned print-out in said blank file in said private file and locking said blank file in said private file so said information will not be transmitted to a health facility until said blank file is unlocked;

i) notifying said individual that said blank file in said private file is locked and awaiting approval;

j) unlocking said blank file after said individual has viewed contents of said blank file over said website and approved said contents.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said form printout includes a signature line for said individual'"'"'s signature.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said unique identifying number or alpha-numeric sequence is generated by a computer algorithm.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said unique confirmation number or alpha-numeric sequence is generated by a computer algorithm.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said scanner is a cellular telephone and said unique reference number or alpha-numeric sequence is a telephone number associated with said cellular telephone.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said health facility is selected from the group consisting of a hospital, an ambulance or other emergency vehicle, a doctor'"'"'s office, an emergency room, a nursing home, a convalescence home, an infirmary, a hospice or other health care facility.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said barcode is constructed from at least one of the standardized barcode symbology libraries consisting of the group of UPC-A, UPC-E, ISBN, RSS-14, RSS-14E, RSS14L, Interleaved 2 of 5, EAN/JAN-8, EAN/JAN-13, Code 3, Code 39 Full ASCII, Code 128, PDF417, QR Code, and Data Matrix.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said health information consists of at least one selected from the group consisting of medical history, surgical history, recent lab/test results, imaging studies, blood type, immunization history, medical device information, family history, social history, allergies, DNRs, genetic information, power(s) of attorney, living will, next-of-kin contact information, current medications, current supplements, current vitamins, drug tests, name and contact information for current physicians, choices of hospital, digital photograph, and advanced directive(s).

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said scanner is a PDA/cellular telephone and said unique reference number or alpha-numeric sequence is a telephone number associated with said PDA/cellular telephone, a MAC address, or a cell phones unique IME identifier.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of accessing said health information in said databank with a computer, said computer being authenticated by matching Internet Protocol (IP) address of said computer with a list of authorized IP addresses.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of automatically contacting pre-approved list of contact people, said list being provided by said individual, when said unique reference number or alpha-numeric sequence of said authorized user is authenticated.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said contacting is performed automatically by a uniquely created message, said message based upon details of situation and being vocalized using a voice synthesis engine with phone dialing capabilities.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said contact people consists of at least one selected from the group of said individual'"'"'s family members, said individual'"'"'s friends, and said individual'"'"'s next of kin.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of sending automated email to remind said individual to update said personal health information.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said individual or said individual'"'"'a health care provider can scan or upload documents, including test results, over Hyper Text Transport Protocol Secure (https) directly into said databank.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said individual or said individual'"'"'s attorney can scan documents or upload, including advance directives, financial information, wills, legal contracts, mortgage satisfactions, or any other personal documents over Hyper Text Transport Protocol Secure (https) directly into said databank.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said unique confirmation number or alpha-numeric sequence, said unique reference number or alpha-numeric sequence, and/or said unique identifying number or alpha-numeric sequence are generated by a computer algorithm, said computer algorithm comprising the steps of:

a) randomly selecting thirty-two letters and Arabic numerals to create a succession;

b) obtaining a GUID from operating system and adding it to said succession to create an array;

c) shifting said array bit-by-bit several times;

d) adding a hex number to said array to create a string;

e) adding a string to a second string to create a double string;

f) using the first twelve symbols of said double string as said unique confirmation number or alpha-numeric sequence, said unique reference number or alpha-numeric sequence, and/or said unique identifying number or alpha-numeric sequence.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein said personal health information can be stored in a portable device accessible by authorized personnel.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein a password is set by said individual to protect said personal health information that is stored on said portable device.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said personal health information stored on said portable device is updated by connecting said device to the internet and downloading updates from said database.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein said device is one selected from the group consisting of a USB flash memory device, a memory card, and a credit card type device.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein said authorized personnel can access said stored personal health information via one selected from the group consisting of a desktop or laptop computer, an electronic personal organizer, and a cellular phone.

23. The method of claim 18 wherein said portable device is stored in one selected from the group consisting of a keychain, a wristband and a bracelet.

24. A method for transmitting personal health information from a databank to a health facility comprising the steps of:

a) storing a person'"'"'s health information in a databank, wherein said storing comprises the steps of;

i) entering an individual'"'"'s health information into said databank in a private file,

ii) coding said private file with a unique identifying number or alpha-numeric sequence;

iii) providing said individual with an RFID corresponding to said unique identifying number or alpha-numeric sequence;

b) scanning said RFID with a scanner, wherein said scanning step comprises the steps of;

i) using a scanner to scan said RFID;

ii) transmitting to said databank said RFID and a unique reference number or alpha-numeric sequence associated with said scanner;

iii) matching said RFID with said unique identifying number or alpha-numeric sequence at said databank;

iv) authenticating said unique reference number or alpha-numeric sequence as an authorized user at said databank;

v) transmitting said individual'"'"'s health information to said scanner or other health facility further comprising the step of updating said health information by allowing said individual to enter and edit new health information via a website, further comprising the step of updating said health information with new form print-out by said individual comprising the steps of;

a) viewing onscreen said information previously stored on said website;

b) deciding which new form printout to add to said website;

c) printing a facsimile cover sheet with a unique confirmation number;

d) electronically assigning said unique confirmation number to a blank file in said private file;

e) faxing to a provided fax

f) scanning into said database said form print-out and said facsimile cover sheet;

g) associating said confirmation number on said facsimile cover sheet with said confirmation number in said private file;

h) electronically placing said scanned print-out in said blank file in said private file and locking said blank file in said private file so said information will not be transmitted to a health facility until said blank file is unlocked;

i) notifying said individual that said blank file in said private file is locked and awaiting approval;

j) unlocking said blank file after said individual has viewed contents of said blank file over said website and approved said contents.