System and method of event sequencing and record automation for healthcare

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for healthcare action sequencing and record keeping. The method may involve scanning a patient care area for tags for entities present in the area, a given patient being located in the area. The method may involve reading identity data from a tag, in response to detecting the tag for an entity in the area. The method may involve receiving input data regarding the given patient by a healthcare personnel via a user-interface. The method may involve communicating with a management system that includes a first database storing rules for how patients with known sets of conditions are to be cared for, a second database storing rules for how the input data are to be used, and a third database storing rules relating to procedures and restrictions for the healthcare personnel.

1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method for healthcare action sequencing for multiple patients located in multiple patient care areas by a bedside computer, comprising:
 scanning a patient care area for tags for entities present in the area, a given patient being located in the area;   in response to detecting a tag for an entity in the area, reading identity data from the tag by the bedside computer;   receiving input data regarding the given patient by at least one healthcare personnel via a user-interface;   sending the identity data and the input data to a management system that includes a first database storing first rules for how patients with known sets of conditions are to be cared for, a second database storing second rules for how the input data are to be used, and a third database storing third rules relating to procedures and restrictions for the at least one healthcare personnel; receiving action data for the given patient from the management system based at least in part on (a) the identity data, (b) the input data, and (c) the first rules, the second rules, and the third rules; and   displaying information on the user-interface based at least on the received action data which requires action by said at least one health care personnel in respect of at least one of the multiple patients located in multiple patient care areas.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the tag comprises at least one of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, bar-coding, a magnetic stripe, and a bluetooth tag. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the patient care area comprises a patient room of a hospital ward;   the entity comprises one of a nurse, a doctor, the given patient, a medication container, and a physical patient file for the given patient.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein reading the identity data comprises reading at least one of a name, a role, and a password for the at least one healthcare personnel from the tag. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the action data comprises information regarding task details for at least one task to be performed by the at least one healthcare personnel. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the action data comprises information regarding a patient care procedure and confirmation screen to be displayed to the at least one healthcare personnel. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein:
 sending comprises sending the identity data and the input data to the management system via at least one of wireless communication and wired communication; and   the user-interface comprises a touch screen interface.   
     
     
         30 . A system for healthcare action sequencing for multiple patients located in multiple patient care areas, comprising:
 a management system comprising:   a first database storing first rules for how patients with known sets of conditions are to be cared for;   a second database storing second rules for how the input data are to be used;   a third database storing third rules relating to procedures and restrictions for the at least one healthcare personnel;   and   at least one processor forming part of the management system coupled to the first, second, and third databases and configured to: receive identity data regarding a given patient from a bedside computer in a patient care area, the bedside computer reading the identity data from a tag for an entity in the area;   receive input data via a user interface on the bedside computer regarding the given patient by at least one healthcare personnel; cross-reference the identity data and the input data with the first, second, and third databases to determine action data for the given patient; and send the action data for the given patient to the bedside computer which requires action by said at least one health care personnel; and   a memory coupled to the at least one processor for storing data for the management system.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the action data comprises information regarding task details for at least one task to be performed by the at least one healthcare personnel. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the action data comprises information regarding a patient care procedure and confirmation screen to be displayed to the at least one healthcare personnel. 
     
     
         33 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a computer program for healthcare action sequencing for multiple patients located in multiple patient care areas, the program causing, when running on a computer, the computer to perform the steps of:
 scanning a patient care area for tags for entities present in the area, a given patient being located in the area;   reading identity data from a tag, in response to detecting the tag for an entity in the area;   receiving input data regarding the given patient by at least one healthcare personnel via a user-interface;   sending the identity data and the input data to a management system that includes a first database storing first rules for how patients with known sets of conditions are to be cared for, a second database storing second rules for how the input data are to be used, and a third database storing third rules relating to procedures and restrictions for the at least one healthcare personnel; receiving action data for the given patient from the management system based at least in part on (a) the identity data, (b) the input data, and (c) the first rules, the second rules, and the third rules;   and   displaying information on the user-interface based at least on the received action data which requires action by a said at least one health care personnel.