Method and System for Representation of Current and Historical Medical Data

Abstract

A method and system for reporting medical data including both current and past medical results for medical tests performed on a patient is provided. The medical data is output in columns, and the current results and past results of the same medical test are presented in the same row. In this manner, the report is provided in a layout that has rows and columns, so that all current results are presented in one column, and all past results are presented in a separate column. In addition, graphs of the medical results can be displayed to illustrate current and past medical results in a view that allows for trend and comparative diagnosis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computing device, comprising:
 a processor; and   memory having stored therein instructions executable by the processor to perform functions of:
 creating an output of current result data of a medical test performed on a patient in a layout having rows and columns; 
 retrieving from the memory stored previous result data of the same medical test performed on the same patient; 
 providing the stored previous result data of the medical test performed on the patient in the layout in a separate column adjacent to a column of the current result data so that the previous result data and the current result data of the same medical test are in the same row in the layout; and 
 outputting the layout to a graphical interface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the medical test is selected from a group of tests relevant to kidney or liver function. 
     
     
         3 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the medical test provides information on one or more of: blood chemistries; proteinuria; electrolytes; hematology; endocrinology; and blood gases. 
     
     
         4 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the stored previous result data includes data from multiple testing dates, and the functions further comprise providing the stored previous result data of the medical test performed on the patient in the layout in separate columns adjacent to the column of the current result data, wherein each of the separate columns includes data from a different testing date. 
     
     
         5 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the current result data includes a graphical indicator for the medical test that indicates whether the current result data of the medical test is low, normal, or high, wherein the graphical indicator includes a slidebar that illustrates a measurement value for the medical test, wherein the graphical indicator is output in the layout in the column adjacent the previous result data so that the previous result data and the graphical indicator of the same medical test are in the same row in the layout. 
     
     
         6 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the functions further comprise providing a numerical range of reference data pertaining to the medical test in the layout in a column adjacent to the column of the current result data so that the previous result data, the current result data, and the numerical range of reference data of the same medical test are in the same row in the layout, wherein the numerical range of reference data defines values for results of the medical test pertaining to a low and a high result with respect to known results for a patient. 
     
     
         7 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the functions further comprise providing a numerical range of reference data pertaining to the medical test in the layout in a column adjacent to the column of the previous result data so that the previous result data, the current result data, and the numerical range of reference data of the same medical test are in the same row in the layout, wherein the numerical range of reference data defines values for results of the medical test pertaining to a low and a high result with respect to known results for a patient. 
     
     
         8 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the layout is in a form of a table structure with data in the columns corresponding to results collected on the same day, and data within the rows corresponding to results collected from the same medical test. 
     
     
         9 . The computing device of  claim 8 , wherein the layout has multiple rows of data wherein each row relates to a different medical test on the same patient. 
     
     
         10 . The computing device of  claim 8 , wherein medical tests are performed by multiple instruments and the current result data and the previous result data pertaining to related medical tests are output in adjacent rows, and the functions further comprise:
 indicating a type of instrument used to perform a medical test in a row above the row including the current result data and the previous result data of the medical test.   
     
     
         11 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the functions further comprise indicating a type of instrument used to perform a medical test in a row above the row including the current result data and the previous result data of the medical test. 
     
     
         12 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the functions further comprise providing the stored previous result data of the medical test performed on the patient in the layout in the separate column to the right and adjacent to the column of the current result data. 
     
     
         13 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the functions further comprise:
 identifying instances in which a current result of a medical test is abnormal and at least one previous result exists for the medical test; and   for identified instances, outputting a graph in the layout indicating the abnormal current result and the at least one previous result as data points.   
     
     
         14 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the function of providing the stored previous result data of the medical test performed on the patient in the layout comprises outputting most recent previous result data of the medical test. 
     
     
         15 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the functions further comprise outputting a graphical indicator for the medical test that indicates whether the current result data of the medical test is low, normal, or high, wherein the graphical indicator includes a slidebar that illustrates a measurement value for the medical test, wherein the graphical indicator is output in the layout in a column adjacent the previous result data so that the previous result data, the current result data, and the graphical indicator of the same medical test are in the same row in the layout. 
     
     
         16 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the functions further comprise outputting on the graphical indicator for the medical test whether previous results of the medical test on the patient have been low, normal, or high. 
     
     
         17 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the functions further comprise outputting a range of reference data pertaining to the medical test in the layout in a column between the current result data and the previous result data so that the previous result data, the current result data and the range of reference data of the same medical test are in the same row in the layout, wherein the range of reference data defines values for results of the medical test pertaining to a low and a high result. 
     
     
         18 . The computing device of  claim 17 , wherein the functions further comprise providing a textual indicator that indicates whether the current result data is out of the range of reference data, the textual indicator output in a separate column from the previous result data and the current result data. 
     
     
         19 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the functions further comprise outputting a graphical indicator for the medical test that indicates whether the previous result data of the medical test was low, normal, or high. 
     
     
         20 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein providing the stored previous result data of the medical test performed on the patient in the layout in the separate column adjacent to the column of the current result data comprises providing the stored previous result data of the medical tests performed on the patient in the layout in the separate column adjacent to margin space of the layout. 
     
     
         21 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the functions further comprise outputting the layout to a printer. 
     
     
         22 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein instructions, that when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:
 creating an output of current result data of a medical test performed on a patient in a layout having rows and columns;   retrieving from the memory stored previous result data of medical test performed on the same patient;   providing the stored previous result data of the medical test performed on the patient in the layout in a separate column adjacent to a column of the current result data so that the previous result data and the current result data of the same medical test are in the same row in the layout; and   outputting the layout to a graphical interface.   
     
     
         23 . A computing device, comprising:
 an interface configured to receive current result data of a medical test performed on a patient;   a processor; and   memory having stored therein instructions executable by the processor to perform functions of:
 creating an output of the current result data of the medical test in a layout having rows and columns; 
 retrieving from the memory stored previous result data of medical test performed on the same patient, wherein the stored previous result data includes data from multiple testing dates; 
 providing the stored previous result data of the medical test performed on the patient in the layout in separate columns adjacent to a column of the current result data so that the previous result data and the current result data of the same medical test are in the same row in the layout, wherein each of the separate columns includes data from a different testing date; and 
 outputting the layout to a graphical interface.