Data recording, billing, charges, and quality assurance software for mobile devices

• US 7,574,369 B1
• Filed: 10/10/2002
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eanesthesia Software LLC
• Original Assignee: Eanesthesia Software LLC
• Inventors: Borza, John Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor; Gerald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Altschul; Amber L
• Application Number:
  US10/269,116
• Time in Patent Office: 2,497 Days
• Field of Search: 705 2- 3
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A software-based system and method for providing data collection, recording, billing, supply charges, and quality assurance for a mobile computing environment. Specifically, the present invention comprises a plurality of mobile, handheld computer devices to be used in combination with a main computer to facilitate the recording, manipulation, and reporting of data pertaining to a plurality of different patients in a hospital setting. The system includes handheld software that allows an anesthesia provider to log information related to a patient during an anesthesia procedure. A subsequent synchronization step allows that information to be automatically transferred to the main computer for storage and subsequent report generation and printing. The information can also be transferred to an attached or remote computer system (e.g., the hospital or insurance company computer network) for further processing.

Claims

1. An anesthesia record data management system, comprising:

a handheld computer device that includes manual input capability, digital input capability, and a display screen, wherein said handheld computer is capable of two-way communication with a main computer, wherein said at least one handheld computer device is capable of accepting data wherein said data is selected from the group consisting of patient information, drug information, and medical procedure information;

further wherein said handheld device includes;

a medical history module that includes a series of questions about the medical history of said patient in electronic format, where the manual input capability may be used to answer said series of questions;

a notes module, wherein said notes module that displays pre-anesthesia information including an anesthesia care plan, regional anesthetic plan, monitors, invasive monitors, intubation, post-anesthesia care plan, analgesia program, and physical exam;

a pre-induction assessment module that includes information about anesthesia options and risks and benefits discussed with said patient or family of said patient prior to administration of anesthesia;

a timing information module that includes timing information related to a medical procedure being performed on said patient, an anesthesia process being performed on said patient, and an amount of time spent in surgery by said patient;

a dosage display module that displays said drug information and said patient information in graphical format, wherein said drug information and patient information includes medications that are administered to said patient, dosages of said medications, and physiological measures that will be monitored during said procedure selected from the group consisting of EKG, O₂ saturation, CO₂, O₂%, temperature, and muscle relaxation;

a blood pressure display module that displays blood pressure of said patient in real time and in graphical format, wherein said blood pressure display module coordinates with said dosage display module to display said blood pressure and said drug information in real time, wherein said dosage display module and said blood pressure display module integrate said blood pressure information and at least one physiological measure into a single display;

an intubation and checklist module that includes information about the type of intubation performed, the quality of said intubation, the equipment used in said intubation, and patient consent data; and

a main computer with an information record database, wherein said main computer generates an anesthesia record, an anesthesia billing form, a pharmacy medication charge form, and an anesthesia quality assurance report using data from said modules.

2. The data management system of claim 1, wherein said medical procedure information includes a surgical procedure performed on a patient, a start time for said surgical procedure, and a duration of said surgical procedure.

3. The data management system of claim 1, wherein said physiological measures are provided to said handheld computer device from hospital monitors via said digital input capability.

4. The data management system of claim 3, wherein said patient information is updated in real time.

5. The data management system of claim 1, wherein said patient information is entered into said handheld computer device by a medical professional using said manual input capability.

6. The data management system of claim 1, wherein said patient information is communicated from said handheld computer device to said main computer in real time.

7. The data management system of claim 1, wherein said handheld computer device is capable of collecting data from more than one patient simultaneously.

8. The data management system of claim 1, wherein said handheld computer device is capable of downloading said medical history from said main computer.

9. The data management system of claim 1, wherein said handheld computer device is capable of receiving a signature from a medical practitioner via said manual input capability.

10. The data management system of claim 1, wherein said drug information relates to multiple surgical procedures.

11. The data management system of claim 1, further comprising at least one docking cradle that allows for a synchronization process between said handheld computer device and said main computer.

12. The data management system of claim 1, wherein the handheld computer device is capable of generating reports.

13. The data management system of claim 1, wherein said main computer is communicatively connected to a computer local area network which includes a pharmacy computer.

14. The data management system of claim 1, wherein said main computer is communicatively connected to a remote computer system, wherein said remote computer system includes an insurance company computer network, a pharmacy, or a medical supplies provider.

15. The data management system of claim 1, wherein said reports are selected from the group consisting of an anesthesia record, an anesthesia billing form, a supply charges form, a pharmacy charge form, and a quality assurance report.

16. The data management system of claim 1, further comprising a supply charges module that is adapted to accept information via said manual input capability or said digital input capability about medical supplies that are used during said medical procedure.

17. The data management system of claim 1, wherein said handheld further comprises:

a post-anesthesia care unit module that is adapted to accept post-medical procedure information about said patient vital signs, total fluids infused, and total colloids and crystalloids, and time the report was given, further wherein said post-anesthesia care unit module is adapted to generate a discharge summary; and

a quality assurance module that is adapted to allow a medical professional to digitally sign electronic forms relating to a quality of care of said patient.

18. The data management system of claim 17, wherein said anesthesia billing form is generated using at least said timing information and said dosage information.

19. A method for managing patient data in an anesthesia record-keeping system utilizing at least one handheld computer device and a main computer, comprising the steps of:

displaying notes on pre-anesthesia information on said handheld device, wherein anesthesia information includes an anesthesia care plan, regional anesthetic plan, monitors, invasive monitors, intubation procedures, post-anesthetic care plan, analgesia program, and physical examination;

displaying information on said handheld device about pre-induction assessment that includes anesthesia options and risks and benefits discussed with said patient prior to administration of anesthesia;

obtaining dosage information including medications that are administered to a patient, dosages of said medications, and physiological measures that are monitored during said procedure selected from the group consisting of EKG, O₂ saturation, CO₂, O₂%, temperature, and muscle relaxation;

displaying timing information related to a medical procedure being performed on said patient, an anesthesia process being performed on said patient, and an amount of time spent in surgery by said patient on said handheld device;

displaying said dosage information on said handheld device in real time and graphical format;

displaying blood pressure of said patient on said handheld device in real time and in graphical format, wherein said blood pressure information and at least one of said physiological measures are combined into a single display;

displaying information on said handheld device about intubation;

including information about the type of intubation performed, the quality of said intubation, and the equipment used in said intubation, and patient consent data on said handheld device;

synchronizing the handheld computer device to the main computer, wherein said synchronizing occurs in real time; and

generating documents with said main computer using data from said handheld device, wherein said documents include anesthesia record, anesthesia billing form, pharmacy medication charge form, and anesthesia quality assurance report.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of obtaining medical history information occurs by transmitting pre-stored patient information from the main computer to the handheld computer device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said anesthesia quality assurance report is generated based on at least said post-anesthesia care procedures.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein said handheld computer device and said main computer are communicatively connected using at least one handheld computer device cradle or a wireless connection.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising displaying information about supply charges by the main computer, including information about medical supplies that are used during said medical procedure.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising entering information about post-anesthesia care procedures including information about said patient vital signs, total fluids infused, and total colloids and crystalloids, and time the report was given.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising digitally signing electronic forms of said generated documents.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein generating said pharmacy medication charge form includes using at least said dosage information, said timing information, and said digitally signed electronic forms.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein generating said anesthesia billing form includes using at least said timing information and said dosage information.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein said physiological measures are obtained from a medical monitor.