Method using a global server for providing patient medical histories to assist in the delivery of emergency medical services

Abstract

An Internet based method for assisting in the rapid delivery of medical information direct to the site at which emergency assistance is being performed uses a global database for warehousing patient history information, which is fetched over the Internet on demand. In one embodiment, medical providers use an access code carried by the injured party and without which access is denied. The access code may be carried as a barcode and as an imprinted number on a bracelet or on a card carried by the individual. Patient information is transmitted over a network, either wireline or wireless, the Internet or wide area network, to a computer or personal digital assistant available to emergency personnel. In one embodiment, patient history information access is determined through the use of an access code reader, by entering the patient access code manually or by entering the patient's name as a last resort. Additionally insurance information can be made available to shorten emergency room admission procedures. Lastly, the patient's card or bracelet can allow for patient history to be downloaded and saved. Thus in emergency situations, the information can be uploaded from the card or bracelet to the healthcare providers' viewing screens.

1 . A system for providing patient histories to a site at the location of a patient in need of medical attention, comprising:
 a terminal adapted to be used at said site; and,   a global database at a centralized location coupled to a communications network and providing patient histories, said database accessing said terminal via said communications network, said terminal adapted to download patient information from said global database to said site responsive to a visibly decipherable access code unique to and provided by said patient to directly authorize, by said patient, consent for and thereby cause said download of patient information to said terminal for facilitating treatment of said patient at said site.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said terminal is wireless. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said terminal uploads patient information to said database. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said communications network includes sending or receiving an Internet protocol. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said global database is decentralized through the use of regional databases, each having its own server and each carrying patient histories so that access to the patient history can be made available on a real-time basis to permit timely treatment. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said site is outside a care providing organization. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the care providing organization includes one of a hospital or clinic. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said site is inside a care providing organization. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said care providing organization includes one of a hospital or clinic. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said patient histories include vital signs. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said communications network includes a wireless protocol. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said database is inside a care providing organization. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said database is outside a care providing organization. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said patient histories is stored on a wireless device. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said patient histories is text or e-mail. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said patient can access his or her said histories. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said visibly decipherable access code unique to said patient is a bar code or numeric code associated with said patient. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said visibly decipherable access code is provided by said patient by being imprinted on a physical medium with said patient. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said visibly decipherable access code is provided by said patient by reading of the access code from the physical medium by said terminal. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said directly authorized consent of said patient by providing said access code  1  directly authorized consent by said patient to transmit new patient information from said terminal to said patient history of said patient stored in said database.