DEVICE ALERT SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20070257788A1
• Filed: 11/02/2006
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intermountain Intellectual Asset Management LLC
• Original Assignee: IHC Health Services Incorporated (IHC Hospitals, Inc.)
• Inventors: Flint, Vrena B., Palmer, Brent, Carlson, Rick, Evans, R. Scott, Johnson, Kyle
• Granted Patent: US 7,551,078 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 5/04 Inference or reasoning models
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/04 using a single signalling line, e.g. in a closed loop
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/24 Self-calibration, e.g. compensating for environmental drift or ageing of components
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/222 Personal calling arrangements or devices, i.e. paging systems selective calling systems and call receivers H04W84/00, H04W68/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A system and method for providing a safety alert for a device is disclosed. The invention minimizes or prevents the affects of programming errors and/or provides enhanced alert information to a monitoring healthcare provider, wherein the alert information may relate to a potential safety concern. The method includes monitoring data transmitted from a device (e.g., infusion pump) and comparing the data to pre-established rules. When the data violates the rules, the system compiles an alert information packet, wherein the alert information packet includes information related to the device and the data. The system then transmits the alert information packet and/or an enhanced alert to multiple computer screens in a particular area.

Claims

1. A method for providing a safety alert for a device, said method comprising:

monitoring data transmitted from said device;

comparing said data to a rule;

when said data violates a rule, compiling an alert information packet, wherein said alert information packet includes information related to at least one of said device and said data; and

,

transmitting said alert information packet to multiple communication devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of comparing said data to rules comprises comparing said data to pre-established rules.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said rule includes multiple rules.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting said alert information packet to multiple communication devices includes transmitting said alert information packet to multiple computer screens in a particular area, wherein said area is associated with said device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, when said data violates said rule, said data violates a programming rule.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, when said data violates said rule, said data violates a programming rule based on at least one of rate percentage increases and unit specific protocols.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said device includes at least one of an infusion pump 105 and a ventilator.

8. A method for providing an enhanced safety alert for a device, said method comprising:

polling said device for current alarm information and setting information;

obtaining room and patient information;

constructing an alert information packet, wherein said alert information packet includes information related to at least one of;

said alarm information, said device and said setting information; and

,

transmitting said alert information packet to multiple communication devices.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising distinguishing at least one of severity and type of alarm to reduce false positive alerts.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising analyzing when an alarm silence code is activated.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising maintaining a table of in-service computer information for transmission of said alert information packet.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said transmitting step comprises transmitting said alert information packet to multiple communication devices in a same unit.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said device comprises a ventilator.