Method and device for maintaining and providing access to electronic clinical records

Abstract

In a method for accessing, recording and maintaining the clinical records of medical patients, a database is established for receiving and maintaining comprehensive clinical records of medical patients. The database is remotely accessible by one or more care givers and has software-based programming associated therewith. The database us populated with patients' clinical records and is remotely accessible to electronically retrieve at least a portion of the patient's clinical records. The clinical records are downloaded and displayed for viewing by the caregiver. Advertisements can also be displayed for viewing by the caregiver upon accessing the database.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for accessing, recording and maintaining the clinical records of medical patients, said method comprising the steps of:
 establishing a database for receiving and maintaining comprehensive clinical records of medical patients, said database being remotely accessible by one or more care givers and having software-based programming associated therewith;   populating said database with patients' clinical records;   providing means for remotely accessing said database to electronically retrieve at least a portion of said patient's clinical records;   said clinical records being downloaded and displayed for viewing by said caregiver; and   causing an advertisement to be displayed for viewing by said caregiver upon accessing said database.   
     
     
         2 . A method as defined by  claim 1  wherein said advertisement is directed to a medication. 
     
     
         3 . A method as defined by  claim 2  comprising the further steps of:
 providing selection means for selecting further information about said medication; 
 utilizing said selection means to access said further information, said further information comprising at least one of information regarding what the medication is used for, known drug interactions, side effects, and contraindications. 
 
     
     
         4 . A method as defined by  claim 3  wherein:
 said selection means is an icon which when clicked causes a webpage having said further information thereon to be displayed; said method comprising the further step of 
 providing means for selecting a test to be taken on-line by said healthcare provider, said test pertaining to said advertised medication. 
 
     
     
         5 . A method as defined by  claim 4  wherein prior to said step of providing means for selecting a test, said method includes the further step of:
 providing means for allowing a healthcare provider to selectively view a summary of said further information. 
 
     
     
         6 . A method as defined by  claim 4  wherein upon completion of said test and achieving a satisfactory score, said care provider is given CME credits. 
     
     
         7 . A method as defined by  claim 4  wherein upon completion of said test and achieving a satisfactory score, said care provider is recognized by an insuring entity as being entitled to pay-for-performance.