Multiple patient monitoring system for proactive health management

• US 6,246,992 B1
• Filed: 09/14/1998
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Poinvil, Frantzy
• Application Number:
  US09/152,353
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 705/2, 705/3, 364/922.3, 600/300, 600/301, 600/483, 600/30, 600/31, 604/66, 707/1, 707/100
• US Class Current: 705/2
• 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: 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 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
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring a group of patients having a chronic disease or ongoing health condition. The method includes the step of collecting from each patient a corresponding set of measurements of a control parameter of the health condition. Each set of measurements has a collection date. A control value is calculated for each patient from the corresponding set of measurements. The method further includes the steps of generating and displaying a group overview chart having one data point for each patient. Each data point indicates the control value calculated for the corresponding patient and a time period which has elapsed since the collection date of the patient'"'"'s corresponding set of measurements. The method includes the additional steps of selecting from the group overview chart at least one of the patients represented thereon and transmitting supervisory instructions to the at least one selected patient.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a group of patients having a health condition, said system comprising:

a) a collector for collecting from each of said patients a corresponding set of measurements of a control parameter of the health condition, each said set having a corresponding collection date;

b) a processor connected to said collector for determining for each of said patients;

i) a control value calculated from the corresponding set of measurements, the control value indicating the patient'"'"'s control over the health condition; and

ii) a time period which has elapsed since the corresponding collection date of the corresponding set of measurements collected from the patient;

said processor further including a chart generator for generating a group overview chart having a plurality of data points, wherein each of said data points represents one corresponding patient and indicates the control value and the time period determined for the corresponding patient; and

c) a display connected to said processor for displaying said group overview chart.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a selection device connected to said processor for selecting from said group overview chart at least one of the patients represented thereon, and wherein said processor further includes an automated response device for transmitting supervisory instructions to the at least one selected patient.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said automated response device comprises an electronic mail device for transmitting said supervisory instructions in an electronic mail message.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said automated response device comprises a telephone call processing means for transmitting said supervisory instructions in a telephone message.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor further includes component for determining a compliance of each of said patients with a prescribed measurement regimen and wherein said group overview chart indicates the determined compliance of each of said patients with said prescribed measurement regimen.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said group overview chart comprises a plurality of displayed icons, each of said icons corresponding to one of said data points and indicating the compliance of the one corresponding patient represented by the corresponding data point.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor further includes a component for determining for each of said patients a completeness of the corresponding set of measurements, the completeness being determined relative to a prescribed measurement regimen, and wherein said group overview chart indicates the determined completeness of the corresponding set of measurements collected from each said patient.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said group overview chart comprises a plurality of displayed icons, each of said icons corresponding to one of said data points and indicating the completeness of the corresponding set of measurements collected from the one corresponding patient represented by the corresponding data point.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said collector comprises:

a) a plurality of recording devices, each said recording device recording the corresponding set of measurements for at least one of said patients;

b) a master patient database for storing each said set of measurements recorded in said recording devices; and

c) a communication network for transmitting each said set of measurements from said recording devices to said master patient database.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of said recording devices comprises a remote monitoring device.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of said recording devices comprises an electronic logbook.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the control value calculated for each said patient comprises a mean value of the corresponding set of measurements collected from the patient.