Integrated computerized materials management system

• US 6,640,246 B1
• Filed: 09/17/1999
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gilbert, Thomas, Trombatore, Donald M., Gary, Wyndham Fairchild Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheikh, Ayaz
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Philip B.
• Application Number:
  US09/398,180
• Time in Patent Office: 1,502 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200, 709/226, 709/224, 709/229, 709/223
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• 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 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A resource management system is described. The resource management system includes a resource manager in communication with two networks, including one network having a plurality of patient monitoring devices connected thereto. The resource manager allows automatic location of patient monitors, automatic status notification as to the status of patient monitors and automatic use metering of patient monitor usage, among other functions.

Claims

1. A resource management system comprising:

a first communications network, having a plurality of communication ports;

a plurality of electronic devices configured to be in communication with the first communications network, each electronic device having an identifier associated therewith, each identifier being any of a plurality of types of identifiers including an address, a device identification number, a device serial number, and a unique digital identifier, each electronic device being configured to provide clinical information to the first communications network;

a resource manager configured to be in communication with the first network, the resource manager configured to handle each different type of identifier and the resource manager configured to read each identifier of the electronic devices in communication with the first communications network, the resource manager receiving time of use metering and status information from each of the electronic devices;

a second communications network, wherein the resource manager is in communication with the second communications network; and

a work order system in communication with at least one of the first communications network and the second communications network,

wherein the work order system issues work orders for maintenance based on time of use metering and status information gathered by the resource manager.

2. The resource management system of claim 1 wherein each communication port has a location identifier associated therewith.

3. The resource management system of claim 2 wherein the resource manager is configured to read the location identifier of the ports through which the electronic devices in communication with the first communications network are communicating.

4. The resource management system of claim 1 further comprising:

a user interface device in communication with at least one of the first communications network and the second communications network.

5. The resource management system of claim 1 further comprising:

a central data center, configured to be in communication with the first communications network.

6. The resource management system of claim 5 wherein the central data center is configured to display data from at least one of the plurality of electronic devices.

7. The resource management system of claim 1 wherein the first communications network is an inter hospital monitoring network.

8. The resource management system of claim 1 wherein some of the electronic devices are one of patient meters, patient monitors, and patient sensors.

9. A hospital monitoring network comprising:

a plurality of communication ports coupled to the hospital monitoring network, each communication port having a location identifier associated therewith;

a plurality of hospital devices configured to be in communication with the hospital monitoring network, each hospital device having an identifier associated therewith, the identifier being any of a plurality of types including an address, a device identification number, a device serial number, and a unique digital identifier, each hospital device being configured to provide clinical information to the hospital monitoring network;

a server configured to be in communication with the hospital monitoring network, the server configured to read each identifier of the hospital devices in communication with the hospital monitoring network via at least one of the communication ports and the server configured to read the location identifiers of at least one communication port to which the hospital devices are in communication with, the server configured to identify each device based on each different type of identifier, the server providing location information relating to location of the plurality of electronic devices and the server providing time of use metering of the plurality of electronic devices, the time of use metering indicating the length of time for which each device has been in use and the server providing status information for the plurality of electronic devices; and

a work order system in communication with the hospital monitoring network,

wherein the work order system issues work orders for maintenance based on time of use metering and status information gathered by the server.

10. The hospital monitoring network of claim 9 wherein at least some of the plurality of hospital devices is in communication with an interface module, the interface module being coupled to the hospital monitoring network.

11. The hospital monitoring network of claim 9 wherein the server is coupled to an external network.

12. The hospital monitoring network of claim 9 wherein the hospital monitoring network is an Ethernet.

13. A resource management system comprising:

a first communications network;

a second communications network;

a plurality of monitors selectively coupled to at least one of the first communications network and the second communications network, each monitor device being configured to provide clinical information to at least one of the first communications network and the second communications network;

a resource manager in communication with both the first communications network and the second communications network, the resource manager configured to receive monitor information from at least one of the first communications network and the second communications network and the resource manager configured to receive location information representative of the location of the monitors that are coupled to either of the first communications network and the second communications network; and

a work order system in communication with at least one of the first communications network and the second communications network,

wherein the monitor information includes monitor identification information from each monitor, each monitor using any of more than one type of monitor identification information including a device identification number, a device serial number, an address, and a unique digital identifier, and the monitor information including time of use metering information, the time of use metering information indicating the length of time for which each monitor has been in use and status information and the work order system issues work orders for maintenance based on time of use metering and status information gathered by the resource manager.

14. The resource management system of claim 13 wherein the monitor information includes a monitor identification.

15. The resource management system of claim 13 wherein the monitor information includes monitor software upgrade information.

16. The resource management system of claim 13 wherein the resource manager facilitates updating hour meter data.

17. The resource management system of claim 13 wherein the monitor information includes status data.

18. The resource management system of claim 13 further comprising:

a user interface in communication with at least one of the first communications network and the second communications network.

19. A resource management system comprising:

a first means for communicating;

a second means for communicating;

a plurality of electronic devices selectively coupled to at least one of the first communicating means and the second communicating means, each electronic device being configured to provide clinical information to at least one of the first means for communicating and the second means for communicating;

a means for managing resources in communication with both the first communicating means and the second communicating means, the managing means configured to receive location identifiers and electronic device information from at least one of the first communicating means and the second communicating means, the electronic device information including any of a device identification number, a device serial number, an address, and a unique digital identifier, and the device information including time of use metering information, the time of use metering information indicating the length of time for which each device has been in use, and status information for the plurality of electronic devices; and

a work order system in communication with at least one of the first communications network and the second communications network,

wherein the work order system issues work orders for maintenance based on time of use metering and status information gathered by the resource manage.

20. The resource management system of claim 19 wherein the electronic device information includes an electronic device identifier.

21. The resource management system of claim 19 wherein the electronic device information includes electronic device software and hardware revision information.

22. The resource management system of claim 19 wherein the first communicating means is a local communications network.

23. The resource management system of claim 19 wherein the second communicating means is an external communications network.

24. The resource management system of claim 19 further comprising an interface means in communication with at least one of the first communicating means and the second communicating means.

25. The resource management system of claim 19 wherein the work order system is configured to communicate with a paging system.

26. The resource management system of claim 25 wherein the work order system is configured to communicate with the paging system based upon electronic device information.

27. The resource management system of claim 19 wherein the electronic device information includes a patient status indicator.

28. The resource management system of claim 19 wherein the managing means is a computer server.

29. The resource management system of claim 19 wherein the managing means is configured to provide location information of the plurality of electronic devices.

30. The resource management system of claim 19 wherein the managing means is configured to provide automated notification of the status of the plurality of electronic devices for a plurality of predetermined events.

31. The resource management system of claim 19 wherein the managing means is configured to provide automated use metering for each of the plurality of electronic devices.

32. The resource management system of claim 19 wherein the managing means is configured to communicate electronic device information to a service provider over the second communicating means.

33. The resource management system of claim 19 wherein the managing means is configured to communicate electronic device usage information to a service provider over the second communicating means.

34. A method of managing assets, comprising:

communicating electronic device information over a first communications network;

communicating clinical information over the first communications network;

receiving electronic device information from the first communications network by a resource manager, the electronic device information including any of a device identification number, a device serial number, an address, and a unique digital identifier, and the device information including time of use metering information, the time of use metering information indicating the length of time for which each device has been in use;

communicating location information, representative of the location of the electronic device, over the first communications network; and

receiving location Information from the first communications network by a resource manager;

receiving device availability information by the resource manager, over the first communication network;

communicating time of use and availability information to a work order system; and

providing a notification when an electronic device is scheduled for maintenance and when the electronic device is available.

35. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

querying the resource manager to ascertain the location of an electronic device.

36. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

providing a notification when an electronic device is scheduled for maintenance.

37. The method of claim 34 comprising:

broadcasting a paging signal representative of the notification.

38. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

communicating electronic device usage information over the first communications network; and

receiving the electronic device usage information from the first communications network by the resource manager.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising:

communicating the electronic device usage information to a service provider.

40. The method of claim 38 further comprising:

storing the electronic device usage information in a database.

41. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

communicating electronic device information through a device identification cable adapter.

42. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

communicating electronic device information through a network interface device.

43. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

communicating electronic device information through a wireless communications device.

44. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

communicating electronic device information over a telemetry system.

45. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

communicating electronic device information to a work order system.

46. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

communicating electronic device information over a second communications network.

47. The method of claimer 34 further comprising:

communicating electronic device usage information to a second communications network.