System and method for electronically managing medical data files

Abstract

A network server arrangement including a processor with a machine readable storage encoded with software for execution by the processor. The network server arrangement is responsive to requests to access a medical record of an individual and generates summary medical record data including summary information having a plurality of data elements associated with the individual, at least one of the data elements conveying medical information about the individual, and a pointers component including at least one pointer pointing to a network location containing importable medical information in connection with the individual that is not contained in the summary information component. The pointer includes a machine readable address part for processing by the client, allowing the client to import the medical information from the network location, and a label part for displaying to a user the nature of the medical information residing at the network location.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A network server arrangement, comprising:
 a. a processor;   b. a machine readable storage encoded with software for execution by the processor for managing the operation of the network server arrangement, the network server arrangement storing in the machine readable storage a plurality of medical records, each medical record containing medical information about a respective individual, the network server arrangement being operative for:
 i. performing an update of a particular medical record when new medical information becomes available for the individual associated with the particular medical record, the performing including:
 1. receiving from a remote network node data conveying the new medical information; 
 2. storing the data in the machine readable storage in the particular medical record; 
 
 ii. outputting data conveying at least a portion of the new medical information for transmission to a wireless cellular telephone of the individual associated with the particular medical record; 
   c. the medical information about the respective individual stored in the machine readable storage being isolated from nominative information about the respective individual.   
     
     
         2 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the new medical information for transmission to the wireless cellular telephone of the individual includes a pointer to a network location remote from the network server arrangement containing medical information about the individual that can be downloaded to and viewed on the wireless cellular telephone. 
     
     
         3 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the nominative information about the respective individual is stored remotely from medical information about the respective individual. 
     
     
         4 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the nominative information about the respective individual is stored at a remote location from the network server arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the nominative information about the respective individual is stored in the wireless cellular telephone. 
     
     
         6 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the new medical information for transmission to the wireless cellular telephone of the individual includes a pointer that points to a network location containing importable medical information in connection with the individual, the pointer including:
 a. a machine readable address part for processing by the wireless cellular telephone, to allow the wireless cellular telephone to import the medical information from the network location;   b. a label part for displaying to the individual at the wireless cellular telephone the nature of the medical information residing at the network location.   
     
     
         7 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the label part conveys to the individual that the medical information includes medical imaging information. 
     
     
         8 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the label part conveys to the individual that the medical information is an x-ray of the individual. 
     
     
         9 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the label part conveys to the individual that the medical information is a CT scan of the individual. 
     
     
         10 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the label part conveys to the individual that the medical information is an electrocardiogram of the individual. 
     
     
         11 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the label part conveys to the individual that the medical information is a coronarography of the individual. 
     
     
         12 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the label part conveys results of an allergy test performed on the individual. 
     
     
         13 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the label part conveys to the individual that the medical information is an electrocardiogram and that it is the most recent electrocardiogram. 
     
     
         14 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the label part conveys to the individual that the medical information is an electrocardiogram and that it is not the most recent electrocardiogram. 
     
     
         15 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the label part contains text. 
     
     
         16 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the label part textually describes the nature of the medical information. 
     
     
         17 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the label part conveys to the individual a result of a test administered to the individual. 
     
     
         18 . A network server arrangement as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the pointer includes a hyperlink. 
     
     
         19 . A network server arrangement, comprising:
 a. a processor;   b. a machine readable storage encoded network server arrangement, the network server arrangement storing in the machine readable storage a plurality of medical records each medical record containing medical information about a respective individual, the network server arrangement being operative for performing an update of a particular medical record when new medical information becomes available for the individual associated with the particular medical record, the performing including:
 1. receiving from a remote network node data conveying the new medical information; 
 2. storing the data in the machine readable storage; 
 3. pushing to a wireless mobile communication device via a data pathway data derived from the new medical information, the data derived from the new medical information includes a pointer to a network location containing medical information about the individual that can be downloaded to and viewed on the wireless cellular telephone; 
   c. the medical information about the respective individual stored at the network server arrangement being isolated from nominative information about the respective individual.   
     
     
         20 . A network server arrangement, comprising:
 a. a processor;   b. a machine readable storage encoded with software for execution by the processor to service a request by a client that is physically remote from the network server arrangement and communicates with the network server arrangement via a data network; and   c. the network server arrangement being responsive to a request by the client to access a medical record of an individual, for:
 i. generating a response to the client, the response including at least one pointer that points to a network location containing importable medical information in connection with the individual, the pointer including:
 a. a machine readable address part for processing by the client, to allow the client to import the medical information from the network location; 
 b. a label part for displaying to a user at the client the nature of the medical information residing at the network location; and 
 
 ii. transmitting the response to the client via the data network; 
   d. the medical information of the individual stored in the network server arrangement being isolated from nominative information about the individual.