Methods and systems for monitoring quality and performance at a healthcare facility

• US 7,761,310 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2006
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Careview Communications Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Samarion, Inc.
• Inventors: Rodgers, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor; Gerald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHONGSVIRAJATI, POONSIN
• Application Number:
  US11/608,125
• Publication Number:
  US 20070162304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 705 2- 3, 600/300
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1113 Local tracking of patients, e.g. in a hospital or private home
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1128 using image analysis A61B5/1127 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6889 Rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/043 detecting an emergency event, e.g. a fall
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0446 worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0461 integrated or attached to an item closely associated with the person but not worn by the person, e.g. chair, walking stick, bed sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0469 Presence detectors to detect unsafe condition, e.g. infrared sensor, microphone G08B21/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0476 Cameras to detect unsafe condition, e.g. video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0492 Sensor dual technology, i.e. two or more technologies collaborate to extract unsafe condition, e.g. video tracking and RFID tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• 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 40/60 : for the operation of medical equipment or devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 : between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085

Abstract

Methods, systems and computer program products are used in monitoring patients, staff, assets and visitors at a facility, initiating a response to prevent or mitigate harm, and assess and ensure overall quality and performance, and refine individual patient, staff and visitor profiles. A plurality of sensors throughout the facility provide multiple data streams relating to the locations of patients relative to at least one of caregivers, assets, other patients, visitors or one or more fixed locations. A computer system analyses the data stream and determines the location and/or movements of the patients relative to the caregivers, assets, other patients, visitors and/or fixed locations. A profile containing individual data for the patient is used to accurately detect events, including actionable events, ensure completion of prescribed care, assess patient wellness, and, in some cases, provide tailored patient specific responses to detected events. Patient profiles are periodically refined by means of an information feedback loop in order to more accurately predict (actionable) events, provide adequate care and ensure a desired level of patient wellness. Staff and visitor profiles can be used to measure staff and visitor performance at a facility.

Claims

1. In a healthcare facility system that includes a plurality of patients, staff members and visitors who interact so as to provide care and wellness for the patients, a computer comprising a processor and system memory, and detection devices used to monitor the positions of patients, staff, and visitors at the healthcare facility, a method for monitoring quality and performance at the facility comprising:

the computer accessing, from among a plurality of patient, staff members and visitor profiles that differ as between at least some of the patients, staff members and visitors at the facility, a profile corresponding to a patient at the facility, the patient profile containing static data and also dynamic data relating to one or more individual behaviors of the patient, the dynamic data relating to limits and alarms that are continuously or periodically updated or refined based on information learned about the patient and/or a changing patient need or requirement;

the computer identifying one or more quality or performance parameters for the patient based on data contained in the patient profile, wherein the one or more quality or performance parameters includes at least one of;

preventing unassisted bed exiting, measuring total ambulation of a patient in a given time period, exercises, ensuring proper denture use, identifying periodic bed rolling for bed bound patients to prevent bed sores, responding to patient initiating emergency calls, preventing or mitigating patient harm, assessing the level of patient socialization with others, ensuring proper nutrition, detecting breathing sounds, coughs, or choking that may be indicative of impaired respiratory function, and ensuring that patient ambulation occurs in association with prescribed assistive devices;

the computer determining one or more predetermined locations for the patient relative to one or more predetermined locations for at least one of another patient, a staff member, a visitor, an asset, or a fixed location that are predictive of completion or satisfaction of the one or more quality or performance parameters for the patient;

the detection devices tracking one or more actual locations of the patient relative to one or more actual locations of the at least one of another patient, a staff member, a visitor, an asset, or a fixed location;

the computer comparing the one or more actual locations of the patient relative to the one or more actual locations of the at least one of another patient, a staff member, a visitor, an asset, or a fixed location with the one or more predetermined locations for the patient relative to the one or more predetermined locations for the at least one of another patient, staff member, a visitor, an asset, or a fixed location; and

the computer determining whether the one or more quality or performance parameters for the patient were completed or satisfied.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 or 2, the one or more quality or performance parameters for the patient relating to patient care or wellness.

22. A method as defined in any of claim 1, 7 or 20, the method including monitoring and responding to attempted support exiting by the patient.

2. In a healthcare facility system that includes a plurality of patients, staff members and visitors who interact so as to provide care and wellness for the patients, a computer comprising a processor and system memory, and detection devices used to monitor the positions of patients, staff members, and visitors at the healthcare facility, a method for monitoring quality and performance at the facility comprising:

the computer accessing, from among a plurality of patient, staff and visitor profiles that differ as between at least some patients, staff members and visitors at the facility, respective profiles corresponding to each of a patient, staff member, and visitor at the facility, at least the patient profile containing static data and also dynamic data relating to one or more individual behaviors of the patient, the dynamic data relating to limits and alarms that are continuously or periodically updated or refined based on information learned about the patient and/or a changing patient need or requirement;

the computer identifying one or more quality or performance parameters for each of the patient, staff member, and visitor based on data contained in the respective profiles corresponding to each of the patient, staff member, and visitor, wherein the one or more quality or performance parameters includes at least one of;

preventing unassisted bed exiting, measuring total ambulation of a patient in a given time period, exercises, ensuring proper denture use, identifying periodic bed rolling for bed bound patients to prevent bed sores, responding to patient initiating emergency calls, preventing or mitigating patient harm, assessing the level of patient socialization with others, ensuring proper nutrition, detecting breathing sounds, coughs, or choking that may be indicative of impaired respiratory function, and ensuring that patient ambulation occurs in association with prescribed assistive devices;

the computer determining one or more predetermined locations for each of the patient, staff member, and visitor relative to one or more predetermined locations for at least one of another patient, other staff member, other visitor, asset, or fixed location that are predictive of completion or satisfaction of the one or more quality or performance parameters for each of the patient, staff member, and visitor;

the computer receiving data relating to one or more actual locations of the patient, staff member, and visitor relative to one or more actual locations for the at least one of another patient, other staff member, other visitor, asset or fixed location;

the computer comparing the one or more actual locations of the patient, staff member, and visitor with the one or more predetermined locations for the patient, staff member, and visitor; and

based on comparing the one or more actual locations of the patient, staff member, and visitor with the one or more predetermined locations for the patient, staff member, and visitor, the computer system determining whether the one or more quality or performance parameters for the patient, staff member, and visitor were completed or satisfied.

4. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the one or more quality or performance parameters for at least one of the patient, staff member or visitor relate to at least one of patient socialization, denture use by the patient, total patient ambulation over time, patient gait, care regimen for the patient, patient nutrition, patient rollover, response to a patient initiated call or alert, response to an actionable event involving the patient, patient wandering, patient flight, patient use of ambulation device, use of asset by or for patient, alerting patient of live viewing of patient room, patient interaction with staff member, patient interaction with other patient, patient interaction with visitor, patient movement through facility, or duration of patient or patient body part at a fixed location.

5. A method as defined in claim 2, the one or more quality or performance parameters for the staff member relating to at least one of number of contacts with patient, staff, or visitor, time spent with patient, staff or visitor, total ambulation over time, location in facility, time responding to an event, completion of patient care regimen, work schedule, time spent in breaks, facility exiting, location in a prescribed zone, or location in a restricted zone.

6. A method as defined in claim 2, the one or more quality or performance parameters for the visitor relating to at least one of number of contacts with patient, staff, or visitor, time spent with patient, staff or visitor, location in facility, facility exiting, location in a prescribed zone, or location in a restricted zone.

23. A method as defined in any of claim 2, 8 or 21, the method including monitoring and responding to attempted support exiting by the patient.

7. In a healthcare facility system that includes a plurality of patients and that provides care and wellness for the patients, a computer comprising a processor and system memory, and detection devices used to monitor the positions of patients, staff members, and visitors at the healthcare facility, a method for monitoring patient care and wellness comprising:

the computer accessing, from among a plurality of patient profiles that differ as between at least some of the patients based on individual behaviors of different patients, a profile corresponding to a patient at the facility, the profile containing static data and also dynamic data relating to one or more individual behaviors of the patient, the dynamic data relating to limits and alarms that are continuously or periodically updated or refined based on information learned about the patient and/or a changing patient need or requirement;

the computer identifying one or more care or wellness parameters for the patient based on data contained in the profile, wherein the one or more care or wellness parameters includes at least one of;

preventing unassisted bed exiting, measuring total ambulation of a patient in a given time period, exercises, ensuring proper denture use, identifying periodic bed rolling for bed bound patients to prevent bed sores, responding to patient initiating emergency calls, preventing or mitigating patient harm, assessing the level of patient socialization with others, ensuring proper nutrition, detecting breathing sounds, coughs, or choking, that may be indicative of impaired respiratory function, and ensuring that patient ambulation occurs in association with prescribed assistive devices;

the computer determining one or more predetermined locations for the patient relative to one or more predetermined locations for at least one of another patient, a staff member, a visitor, an asset, or fixed location that are predictive of completion or satisfaction of the one or more care or wellness parameters for the patient;

the detection devices and computer tracking one or more actual locations of the patient relative to one or more actual locations for the at least one of another patient, a staff member, a visitor, an asset, or fixed location;

the computer comparing the one or more actual locations of the patient with the one or more predetermined locations for the patient; and

based on comparing the one or more actual locations of the patient with the one or more predetermined locations for the patient, determining whether the one or more care or wellness parameters were completed or satisfied.

9. A method as defined in claim 7 or 8, wherein determining whether the one or more care or wellness parameters were completed or satisfied comprises detecting an actionable event and initiating a response to the actionable event.

10. A method as defined in claim 9, the actionable event comprising the patient exceeding an alert or alarm level, the response comprising preventing or mitigating harm to the patient.

11. A method as defined in claim 9, the actionable event comprising patient wandering into an unauthorized zone or flight from the facility.

12. A method as defined in claim 9, the actionable event comprising patient use of emergency call button, the response comprising locating the patient and initiating an appropriate response based on the patient'"'"'s profile.

13. A method as defined in claim 7 or 8, wherein determining whether the one or more care or wellness parameters were completed or satisfied comprises measuring patient socialization by determining at least one of number and/or duration of contact(s) between the patient and at least one of a visitor or another patient or time spent in one or more common areas.

14. A method as defined in claim 7 or 8, wherein determining whether the one or more care or wellness parameters were completed or satisfied comprises monitoring denture use by the patient.

15. A method as defined in claim 7 or 8, wherein determining whether the one or more care or wellness parameters were completed or satisfied comprises determining total ambulation by the patient over time.

16. A method as defined in claim 7 or 8, wherein determining whether the one or more care or wellness parameters were completed or satisfied comprises monitoring and analyzing patient gait to detect possible medical condition.

17. A method as defined in claim 7 or 8, wherein determining whether the one or more care or wellness parameters were completed or satisfied comprises detecting patient bed rollovers and reducing staff initiated rollovers.

18. A method as defined in claim 7 or 8, wherein determining whether the one or more care or wellness parameters were completed or satisfied comprises monitoring patient use of prescribed or required ambulation assistive device.

19. A method as defined in claim 7 or 8, wherein determining whether the one or more care or wellness parameters were completed or satisfied comprises monitoring a prescribed care regimen involving at least one of a staff member or asset.

8. In a healthcare facility system that includes a plurality of patients and that provides care and wellness for the patients and a computer comprising a processor and system memory, a computer-implemented method for monitoring patient care and wellness comprising:

the computer accessing, from among a plurality of patient profiles that differ as between at least some of the patients based on individual behaviors and also attributes and/or needs of different patients, a profile corresponding to a patient at the facility, the profile containing static data and also dynamic data relating to individual behaviors and attributes and/or needs of the patient, the dynamic data relating to limits and alarms that are continuously or periodically updated or refined based on information learned about the patient and/or a changing patient need or requirement;

the computer identifying one or more care or wellness parameters for the patient based on data contained in the profile, wherein the one or more care or wellness parameters includes at least one of;

preventing unassisted bed exiting, measuring total ambulation of a patient in a given time period, exercises, ensuring proper denture use, identifying periodic bed rolling for bed bound patients to prevent bed sores, responding to patient initiating emergency calls, preventing or mitigating patient harm, assessing the level of patient socialization with others, ensuring proper nutrition, detecting breathing sounds, coughs, or choking that may be indicative of impaired respiratory function, and ensuring that patient ambulation occurs in association with prescribed assistive devices;

the computer determining one or more predetermined locations for the patient relative to one or more predetermined locations for at least one of another patient, a staff member, a visitor, an asset, or fixed location that are predictive of completion or satisfaction of the one or more care or wellness parameters for the patient;

the computer receiving data relating to one or more actual locations of the patient relative to one or more actual locations for the at least one of another patient, a staff member, a visitor, an asset, or fixed location;

the computer comparing the one or more actual locations of the patient with the one or more predetermined locations for the patient; and

based on comparing the one or more actual locations of the patient with the one or more predetermined locations for the patient, the computer system determining whether the one or more care or wellness parameters for the patient were completed or satisfied.

20. In a healthcare facility system that includes a plurality of patients, staff members and visitors, a computer comprising a processor and system memory, and detection devices used to monitor the positions of patients at the healthcare facility, a method for monitoring patient care or wellness comprising:

the computer accessing, from among a plurality of patient profiles that differ as between at least some patients based on individual, behaviors of different patients, a profile corresponding to a patient at the facility, the profile containing static data and also dynamic data relating to one or more individual behaviors of the patient, including one or more behaviors of the patient that are predictive of attempted support exiting by the patient, the dynamic data relating to limits and alarms that are continuously or periodically updated or refined based on information learned about the patient and/or a changing patient need or requirement;

the computer identifying one or more care or wellness parameters for the patient based on data contained in the profile for the patient, wherein the one or more care or wellness parameters includes at least one of;

preventing unassisted bed exiting, measuring total ambulation of a patient in a given time period, exercises, ensuring proper denture use, identifying periodic bed rolling for bed bound patients to prevent bed sores, responding to patient initiating emergency calls, preventing or mitigating patient harm, assessing the level of patient socialization with others, ensuring proper nutrition, detecting breathing sounds, coughs, or choking that may be indicative of impaired respiratory function, and ensuring that patient ambulation occurs in association with prescribed assistive devices;

the computer determining one or more predetermined locations for the patient relative to one or more predetermined locations for at least one of another patient, a staff member, a visitor, an asset, or fixed location that are predictive of completion or satisfaction of the one or more care or wellness parameters for the patient;

the detection devices and computer tracking one or more actual locations of the patient relative to one or more actual locations for the at least one of another patient, a staff member, a visitor, an asset, or fixed location;

the computer comparing the one or more actual locations of the patient with the one or more predetermined locations for the patient; and

based on comparing the one or more actual locations of the patient with the one or more predetermined locations for the patient, the computer system determining whether the one or more care or wellness parameters for the patient were completed or satisfied.

21. In a healthcare facility system that includes a plurality of patients, staff members and visitors and a computer comprising a processor and system memory, a computer-implemented method for monitoring patient care or wellness comprising:

the computer accessing, from among a plurality of patient profiles that differ as between at least some patients based on individual, behaviors of different patients, a profile corresponding to a patient at the facility, the profile containing static data and also dynamic data relating to one or more individual behaviors of the patient, including one or more behaviors of the patient that are predictive of attempted support exiting by the patient, the dynamic data relating to limits and alarms that are continuously or periodically updated or refined based on information learned about the patient and/or a changing patient need or requirement;

the computer identifying one or more care or wellness parameters for the patient based on data contained in the profile for the patient, wherein the one or more care or wellness parameters includes at least one of;

preventing unassisted bed exiting, measuring total ambulation of a patient in a given time period, exercises, ensuring proper denture use, identifying periodic bed rolling for bed bound patients to prevent bed sores, responding to patient initiating emergency calls, preventing or mitigating patient harm, assessing the level of patient socialization with others, ensuring proper nutrition, detecting breathing sounds, coughs, or choking that may be indicative of impaired respiratory function, and ensuring that patient ambulation occurs in association with prescribed assistive devices;

the computer determining one or more predetermined locations for the patient relative to one or more predetermined locations for at least one of another patient, a staff member, a visitor, an asset, or fixed location that are predictive of completion or satisfaction of the one or more care or wellness parameters for the patient;

the detection devices and computer tracking one or more actual locations of the patient relative to one or more actual locations for the at least one of another patient, a staff member, a visitor, an asset, or fixed location;

the computer comparing the one or more actual locations of the patient with the one or more predetermined locations for the patient; and

based on comparing the one or more actual locations of the patient with the one or more predetermined locations for the patient, the computer system determining whether the one or more care or wellness parameters for the patient were completed or satisfied.