Mobile device-based system for automated, real time health record exchange

Abstract

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for accessing electronic medical records are provided in which a portable computing device uniquely associated with a user authenticates an identification of the user and automatically retrieves information corresponding to the user from electronic healthcare records systems using the identification. The retrieved information may be combined with other information and electronically delivered to a healthcare provider.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable computing device configured to control exchanges of health-related information, comprising:
 an electronic credential that uniquely associates a portable computing device with an individual who owns health-related information stored in the portable computing device; and   a processor configured to:
 use the electronic credential to authenticate a user of the portable computing device as the individual who owns the health-related information; 
 receive a transfer request from the authenticated user that includes a time-limited consent to release a selected portion of the health-related information to a proximately located device; 
 use the electronic credential to access the health-related information; 
 cause the portion of the health-related information to be wirelessly transmitted to a proximately located device responsive to the transfer request received from the authenticated user and in accordance with the time-limited consent, 
   wherein the portion of the health-related information is selected for transfer to the proximately located device using a filter that is based on rules established on the portable computing device by the authenticated user.   
     
     
         2 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 establish a connection through a wireless network with a plurality of electronic health records systems (EHR systems); and   use the time-limited consent to update the health-related information that is stored in the portable computing device or in one or more of the plurality of EHR systems.   
     
     
         3 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 establish a connection through a wireless network with a repository of electronic health records; and   use the time-limited consent to update the repository using the health-related stored in the portable computing device.   
     
     
         4 . The portable computing device of  claim 3 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 accessing records created by one or more applications executed on the portable computing device; and   provide the records created by one or more applications to the repository.   
     
     
         5 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 accessing records created by one or more applications executed on the portable computing device; and   transmit the modified electronic healthcare records to a healthcare provider.   
     
     
         6 . The portable computing device of  claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 cause the modified electronic healthcare records to be delivered to a computing device operated by the healthcare provider.   
     
     
         7 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the portable computing device comprises a smart phone. 
     
     
         8 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the portable computing device comprises a tablet computer. 
     
     
         9 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores instructions, which when executed by a processor of a portable computing device, cause the portable computing device to:
 use an electronic credential maintained in the portable computing device to authenticate a user of the portable computing device as an individual who owns health-related information stored in the portable computing device;   receive a transfer request from the authenticated user that includes a time-limited consent to release a selected portion of the health-related information to a proximately located device;   use the electronic credential to access the health-related information; and   cause the portion of the health-related information to be wirelessly transmitted to a proximately located device responsive to the request received from the authenticated user and in accordance with the time-limited consent,   wherein the portion of the health-related information is selected for transfer to the proximately located device using a filter that is based on rules established on the portable computing device by the authenticated user.   
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim  23 , wherein the instructions cause the portable computing device to:
 receive new healthcare records created by an application executed on the portable computing device; and   transfer the new healthcare records to a repository or to a system operated by a healthcare provider.   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim  24 , wherein the instructions cause the portable computing device to:
 periodically establish communication between the portable computing device and the repository or the system operated by the healthcare provider; and   transfer the new healthcare records to the repository or the system operated by the healthcare provider after communication has been established.