Medical work flow system

• US 7,607,571 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Issued: 10/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intellidot Corporation (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Steusloff, Patrick M., Swenson, David D.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAIL, ALLYSON NEEL
• Application Number:
  US10/857,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20040243444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,978 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/382, 705/2, 705/3
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• 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 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• 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 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A system is described for managing data and information in a healthcare environment, such as a hospital. A handheld code scanner reads codes and either accepts data, or performs instructions based on the read code. The code scanner wirelessly transmits the codes or data to a central server which acts on the read code to carry out necessary functions. The system is useful for tracking patient data, such as for delivery of medicine. In addition, since the system can carry out instructions, it is useful for allowing healthcare workers to quickly and conveniently perform their duties without the necessity of sitting at a computer terminal.

Claims

1. A system for managing administration of medical care, comprising:

a handheld terminal, comprising a code scanner and a wireless transmitter, wherein said code scanner is configured to read first scan codes corresponding to instructions to be performed by the system, and wherein said terminal is configured to execute said instructions locally in said handheld terminal; and

a computer, configured to receive said first scan codes from said handheld terminal and initiate a process in response to said first scan codes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said computer is in data communication with at least one peripheral device, and wherein said instructions comprise instructions to be performed by said at least one peripheral device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said peripheral device is a printer.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said peripheral device is a messaging system.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said terminal is further configured to transmit user information with said first scan codes read by said code reader to said computer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said terminal comprises a display for displaying messages to a user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said terminal comprises at least one user input device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said user input device comprises a button.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said user input device is an alphanumeric keypad.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said terminal comprises a plurality of code scanners.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said code scanner is configured to read two-dimensional machine readable codes.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said code scanner is configured to read a barcode.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said code scanner is further configured to read second scan codes corresponding to data.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said terminal is configured to determine whether said second scan codes read by said code scanner corresponds to data or an instruction.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein a scan code corresponds to a binary number comprising a plurality of bits, and wherein one of said plurality of bits indicates whether said second scan codes corresponds to data or instruction.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said computer is configured to communicate with at least one peripheral system, and wherein said instructions comprise instructions to be performed by said at least one peripheral system.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said at least one peripheral system includes at least one of a messaging system, a pharmacy system, a laboratory system, and a patient record system.

18. A system for managing administration of medical care, comprising:

a handheld terminal, comprising a code scanner and a wireless transmitter, wherein said code scanner is configured to read scan codes;

a processor in said handheld terminal configured to determine whether a scan code relates to data or an instruction, wherein if said scan code relates to an instruction, said processor determines whether to execute said instruction locally; and

a computer, configured to receive said scan codes from the wireless transmitter in said handheld terminal and initiate a process if said instruction is not to be run locally.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said computer is in data communication with at least one peripheral device, and wherein said instructions comprise instructions to be performed by said at least one peripheral device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said peripheral device is a printer.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said peripheral device is a messaging system.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein said terminal is configured to execute said instruction.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein said terminal is further configured to transmit user information with said scan codes read by said code reader to said computer.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein said terminal comprises a display for displaying messages to a user.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein said terminal comprises at least one user input device.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said user input device comprises a button.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein said user input device is an alphanumeric keypad.

28. The system of claim 18, wherein said terminal comprises a plurality of code scanners.

29. The system of claim 18, wherein said code scanner is configured to read two-dimensional machine readable codes.

30. The system of claim 18, wherein said code scanner is configured to read a barcode.

31. The system of claim 18, wherein said scan codes corresponds to a binary number comprising a plurality of bits, and wherein one of said plurality of bits indicates whether the scan codes corresponds to data or instruction.

32. The system of claim 18, wherein said computer is configured to communicate with at least one peripheral system, and wherein said instructions comprise instructions to be performed by said at least one peripheral system.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein said at least one peripheral system includes at least one of a messaging system, a pharmacy system, a laboratory system, and a patient record system.