Client driven healthcare system and process

• US 7,653,557 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Issued: 01/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christine B. Sweetser
• Original Assignee: Christine B. Sweetser
• Inventors: Sweetser, Christine B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilligan; C Luke
• Assistant Examiner(s): Porter; Rachel L
• Application Number:
  US11/315,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20060100906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,496 Days
• Field of Search: 705/2, 705/3, 705/8, 705/9, 600/300
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

An advanced primary nurse care system and process is disclosed which is client-driven for processing a number of clients in a timely manner with enhanced healthcare outcomes. The system and process are sized to provide an optimum patient flow and healthcare. The system includes a computer network having a central system computer. A computer program resides on the system computer for creating a real-time client record as the client proceeds through the system and process. There is a client station connected in the computer network where the client record is initially created and accessed on subsequent visits using a unique client ID code. A client station display monitor displays medical questions regarding the client'"'"'s health state whereupon the client inputs responses to the questions into the client record. A nurse station is connected in the computer network for receiving the client in the healthcare flow for collecting vital signs and other laboratory information. There is a nurse station input device provided for inputting the information into the client record. There is a practitioner station connected in the computer network where the client record is accessed and displayed to a medical practitioner and the client during an examination and consultation. Exam data originating at the practitioner station is input into the client record such as prescriptions and alternative remedies. At the end of the visit, the client leaves with a take-home report compiled from the real-time client record containing the information needed for the client'"'"'s healthcare.

Claims

1. A client-driven computerized healthcare process performed within a healthcare facility for providing efficient healthcare driven by a real-time client record containing client choices including client choices resulting from collaboration between the client and facility personnel input into the client record in real-time at a plurality of healthcare stations within the healthcare facility, said healthcare facility having at least one individual client station, at least one business station, at least one nurse station, and at least one practitioner station, and a computer network having a plurality of computer terminals located at said stations in communication with a central system computer, wherein said computerized client-driven healthcare process comprises:

a. storing a plurality of individual client records on a computer readable memory;

b. providing a computer readable program residing in a computer memory accessible by said clients and facility personnel from said computer terminals including a medical-diagnostic component having query instructions for initially soliciting client responses to a series of questions concerning the client'"'"'s condition and symptoms and treatment instructions for processing the client responses to generate diagnostic data containing one or more possible diagnoses;

c. accessing said program on said central system computer directly by a client via said computer terminal at a client station to perform one of originating a client I.D. code and record by a new client and accessing a client record with an existing client I.D. code for the input of client information regarding the current visit;

d. displaying a series of diagnostic questions on a computer terminal at said client station in a form prompting one of a simplified “

yes”

or “

no”

response and a response from a multiple-choice drop down list, and inputting said diagnostic question responses directly by said client into said client record at said client station in a simplified manner without the need of assistance of medical personnel at the client station whereby a number of clients can be processed through the client station without assistance in a highly efficient manner;

e. processing said diagnostic responses and generating client diagnostic data containing one or more possible diagnoses of the client'"'"'s condition, and compiling the diagnostic data as client information in said client record;

f. determining the level of the services needed by the client during the visit by processing the client information including medical question responses and diagnostic data contained in the client record;

g. providing a number of choices for pre-priced healthcare service packages available to the client containing different types of services that may be rendered to the client during the visit to meet their client'"'"'s medical needs based on the level of services determined for the client;

h. accessing the client record on a computer terminal at said business station in response to inputting said client ID code, displaying said pre-priced healthcare packages for review and selection by the client at said business station, and selecting one of the healthcare packages by said client prescribing the services to be rendered to the client during the visit;

i. compiling business information, including the selected healthcare package into said client record, and the client proceeding at the client'"'"'s choice to one of a triage nurse station, practitioner station, and facility exit depending on the selected healthcare package;

j. accessing the current client record by the client in real-time on a computer terminal at said nurse station in response to the input of said client ID code for review by a triage nurse and said client, and collecting one or more of said client'"'"'s specimens, vital signs, and laboratory information as lab data at said nurse station depending on the selected healthcare package,

k. determining medical priorities for the client'"'"'s health treatment by collaboration with said client and said triage nurse at said nurse station based on said diagnostic data, selected healthcare package, and lab data, and compiling said medical priorities in said current client record at said nurse station, whereupon said client proceeds to one of a practitioner station, another healthcare station, and a facility exit depending on the client'"'"'s choice following collaboration between said client and said triage nurse;

l. accessing said current client record on a computer terminal at said medical practitioner station in response to the input of the client ID code for review by a medical practitioner and said client;

m. originating a treatment plan at the medical practitioner station including one of a treatment for the client'"'"'s condition, a prescription, and an alternative therapy based on collaborative decisions of the client and medical practitioner upon reviewing the current client record, including the diagnostic data and lab data and any practitioner physical findings at the practitioner station, and compiling the treatment plan into the current client record, whereupon the client proceeds to one of another healthcare station and a facility exit;

whereby an interactive healthcare system is provided based on real-time client and facility personnel collaboration and input to establish a client record of the client'"'"'s visit for the client'"'"'s treatment to provide controlled cost and quality healthcare.

2. The process of claim 1 including reviewing alternative therapy options at an alternative therapy station for generating options data representing recommended alternative therapies including one of naturopathic, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, and dietetic remedies, and inputting said options data into said client record in real-time.

3. The process of claim 1 including drawing client blood samples, analyzing the blood samples taken from the clients, and inputting the results of the analyses of the samples into said client record.

4. The process of claim 1 including reading a fingerprint of the client as said client ID code at said client station, nurse station, and practitioner station.

5. The process of claim 1 including accessing said client record at an emporium station for the purchase of health supplements so that collaborative purchase decisions may be made while reviewing the client record, and said program instructions include instructions for inputting purchase data into said client record at said emporium station.