The present invention relates to a system for facilitating the input of clinical orders into a healthcare application. More particularly, this system can provide a variety of ways for a user to interface with the system, and variety of ways to facilitate data entry into a clinical order form.
Currently, when placing clinical orders many doctors take notes on paper and have assistants enter these orders at a later time. Taking notes on paper and then having assistants enter these orders is inefficient because it requires assistants to spend extra time inputting orders, and delays the entry of orders until an assistant is able enter the orders. Furthermore, reading the handwriting in a Doctor's note can sometimes be difficult for assistants, increasing the chance that an assistant will incorrectly enter a clinical order.
The healthcare software applications that currently exist for clinical order entry do not allow healthcare workers to easily input clinical orders. Currently existing software often utilizes traditional hierarchical menus trees with multiple pull down menus, making the use of the software difficult and time consuming. Furthermore, this software often requires a user to re-enter all of the order and patient information each time an order is placed, instead of allowing the system to store and access previously entered information.
Healthcare providers are typically mobile, and have to move from room to room to see different patients. As healthcare providers are typically mobile, and typically have a limited amount of time to spend with each patient, it would be beneficial if there was a mobile system that provided for a simpler and easier method of entering clinical orders. It would also be beneficial if order information, patient information, and other medical information could be stored by a system and later selected by a user so that clinical orders could be entered more easily.
Accordingly, certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods which facilitate clinical order entry. The system can facilitate order entry by providing keywords, drop-down lists, and predictive typing. The system can also facilitate data entry by taking free form text, formatting the free form text as standard data and entering it into at least one information field.
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for using stored information to pre-populate information fields. The stored information used to pre-populate an order form can be, but is not limited to, patient history information, patient charts, notes, stored clinical orders or information stored in the system about medications, and clinical tests.
Certain embodiments of the present invention facilitate selection of an order form. Order form selection can be facilitated by enabling the system to select an order form for the user. The system can also facilitate order form selection by providing a drop-down list of order forms to the user, and enabling the user to select a form from the list. The system can create this drop-down list of order forms using stored data, data input by the user, and/or data selected by the user from another drop-down list. In this way the system can provide a user with a list of forms that is related to the clinical order being placed by the user.
Another embodiment is a method of entering clinical orders by receiving input data from a user interface, facilitating selection of an order form using the input data and stored data, where the entry of data into information fields is facilitated, where the facilitated entry of data into the information fields uses at least one of keywords, predictive typing, drop-down lists, and pre-populating the information fields, and where selection of the order form is facilitated by at least one of selecting the order form for a user and providing a list of order forms for a user to select an order form from.
Certain embodiments provide computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions for a computer, where the set of instructions has a user interface routine for receiving input data, an order form selection routine capable of facilitating selection of the order form using the input data and stored data, an information field entry routine using at least one of keywords, predictive typing, drop-down lists, and pre-populating to facilitate entry of information into the information field, where the order form selection routine comprises at least one of selecting an order form for a user and providing a drop-down list of order forms for a user to select from.
Another embodiment provides a computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions for a computer, where there is a drop-down list routine for forming the drop-down list from stored data, input data, the category of the information field, and data in other information fields, and where a user can select order information from the drop-down list in order to fill out the information field.
Certain embodiments provide a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method wherein there is a free form text routine, which converts free form text to standard format data, and where the standard format data is entered into at least one information field.
Certain embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions for a computer, where the user interface routine can receive input data from at least one of a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and voice interface.
These and other features of the present invention are discussed or apparent in the following detailed description.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.
In accordance with certain embodiments,
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The information fields can have categories associated with the information field. The category of the information field can describe the type of information in the information field. The category of the information field can be displayed on the order form 200, however, the category does not have to be displayed on the order form 200. For example, in the embodiment shown in
The order form can also include further instructions 250, where boxes containing further instructions can be checked if they apply. These boxes can be checked by the user or they can be filled out by the system, using stored information about the orderable and/or patient information. In one embodiment the further instructions 250 can include instructions for taking medication, such as “Before Meals,” “After meals,” “With Meals,” “On Empty stomach,” “At bedtime,” or “rotate sides.” In the embodiment shown in
The present system provides facilitated clinical order entry. This system can use stored patient information to pre-populate some of the information fields. For example, if a patient name 210 has been input or selected, the system can fill out the information field for the Medical Reference Number 214. Also if the MRN has been input or selected in the MRN field 214 the system can fill out the patient name field 210. Furthermore, the system can also pre-populate information fields by filling out the information fields for the patient's age 211, the patient gender 212, Date of birth (“DOB”) 213, height (“HT”) 215, allergies 217 and other information from the patient's medical history. Information fields on an order form can also be pre-populated. Pre-populating the order form saves the user time, since the user does not have to re-enter information that is stored or information that the system can access. However, if any of the information in the pre-populated information fields needs to be changed it is possible for the user to change the information in those fields.
Stored patient information and other stored information can be used to provide a drop-down list 400 in each information field. The drop-down list 400, allows a user to quickly select information to fill out an information field. In one embodiment, the drop-down list 400 can contain a list of medications or tests ordered for the patient in the past, enabling a user to quickly order a medication or a test that was previously ordered. For example, if the patient was previously prescribed Nexium® and Lipitor®, “Nexium®” and “Lipotor®” could be provided in the drop-down list 400 in the “Orderable” field 201. Also, the stored information can be used by the system to provide a drop-down list 400 of medications or tests that can be ordered for a particular diagnosis. For example, if a diagnosis field indicates that the patient has heartburn the drop-down list 400 can contain a list of medicines that are prescribed for heartburn, such as Nexium®. The user can then easily select a medicine from the choices listed in the drop-down list 400, without needing to input the full medication name into the “Orderable” information field 201.
In another embodiment up and down arrows can be used to facilitate entry of information into information fields. The up and down arrows can be provided for an information field that does not provide a drop-down list. The up and down arrows can also be provided for an information field, which has a drop-down list. In the embodiment illustrated in
In another embodiment of the present system, the drop-down list 400 for an information field can contain clinical order information that is used in common clinical orders. In another embodiment the drop-down list 400 can contain clinical order information that is used in common clinical orders, but does not display clinical orders that are not commonly ordered.
The system can also facilitate order entry by providing predictive typing. With predictive typing, letters entered by the user into the text entry box 300 can prompt the system to provide information that begins with those letters in a drop-down list 400. For example, entering the letter “C” then the letter “L” could prompt the system to provide the names of the drugs “Cleocin®” and “Clarinex®.” However, in an embodiment the choices suggested by the predictive typing could also be focused based on input data and stored clinical order information. For example, if the order form indicates that the diagnosis is related to allergies, the predictive typing would not suggest the acne medicine Cleocin®. Instead Clarinex® might be one of the drugs prompted by the predictive typing, because the stored clinical order information can indicate that Clarinex® can be used in the treatment of allergies.
The system can also facilitate order entry by the use of keywords. Once a keyword is inputted into the system this can provide the user with a drop-down list 400 containing information related to the keyword.
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In another example, the user can input “diabetes” into the text entry box 300. The system can then provide a drop-down list 400 of order forms related to diabetes or the system can select a form for the user based on, but not limited to, stored data, input data or data selected from a drop-down list 400. The list of forms in the present example can include a clinical order form 200 for diabetes medication, or a test related to diabetes. These order forms 200 could then have information fields that allow for the entry of the “A1C scores,” “blood glucose scores,” or “blood pressure information.” If information relating to these tests was previously stored, the user can be provided a drop-down list 400 of test results that the user can select from in order to enter information in the information fields.
In one embodiment, input that has been entered into the text entry box 300 as free form text and/or free form text that has been selected from a drop-down list 400 can then be parsed and converted into standard format for a clinical order. The standard format data can then be entered into at least one information field on the order form. For example, in the embodiment shown in
In another embodiment, information copied or dragged by a user from other applications, order forms, programs, systems, and other parts of the IT software, can be converted to standard format data. The standard format data for clinical order entry can then be entered into information fields in the order form 200. Information that is copied or dragged can include patient charts, and notes. Other order forms can also be copied or dragged and then be utilized. Copying or dragging information facilitates the entry of information into the order form 200, and can also facilitate the entry of clinical orders that are not commonly used.
This system can provide the additional safety of checking to determine if an orderable is known to cause an adverse drug reaction when taken with other medications the patient is taking. If the system determines that an order could cause a potential adverse reaction, the system will provide a warning to the user. The system can also use stored information about a patient's known allergies, to provide a warning to the user if patient is known to be allergic to an orderable. For example, if the orderable is “Penicillin” and it is known that the patient is allergic to Penicillin a warning will be provided to the user. In another embodiment, the user will not be able to enter the orderable and/or complete the clinical order if it is known that the patient is allergic to the orderable.
This system also allows users to input order information using a variety of user interfaces. These user interfaces can include a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and voice interface. The system can be used in conjunction with a variety of devices including a word processor, keyboard, tablet PC, voice dictation system, PDA, Smartphone, Bluetooth® headset, palm pilot, and Blackberry®, for example.
The user can access previous orders from the “Order” button 725, the order history 500, and “active orders” drop-down menu 510. The user can also access stored patient information from the “Chart” button 700, and “Notes” button 750. The information from the patient charts 700 and notes 750 can be viewed by the user, copied and/or dragged into the order form 200. The user can also search stored data using the search box 800.
Once an order form 200 has been completed the user can click on the “Sign & Print Orders” button. The order can be saved, and can be accessed by the user using the order history 500, the “Order” button 725, the “Active Order” drop-down menu 510, and/or the search box 800.
Certain embodiments provide a method of facilitating input of data into information fields using at least one of keywords, predictive typing, drop-down lists 400, and pre-populating the information fields.
Certain embodiments provide a method where a drop-down list for an information field is formed using the category of the information field, data in other information fields, stored data, input data, and the order form. The user can then select data from the drop-down list, and the selected data will be entered into the information field.
Certain embodiments provide a method where free form text is input; the free form text is parsed; the parsed free form text is converted to standard format data; and the standard format data is input into at least one of the information fields.
Certain embodiments provide a method of entering clinical orders where the user interface can be, but is not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and voice interface.
For example, at step 901 the user interface could receive the input data “Ty.” Next, at step 903, data input into the text entry box 300 data can be facilitated by the use of predictive typing to provide a drop-down list. For example, the drop-down list 400 can include Tylenol®, Tylenol® Liquid, Tylenol® No. 2, Tylenol® No. 3, Tylenol® Sinus, Tylenol® with Codeine (No. 2), Tylenol® with Codeine Solution, Tylox®, and Or-Tyl® Injection. The user can then select Tylenol® from the drop-down list. Next, at step 905, an order form for ordering Tylenol® can be selected for the user. At step 909, the selected order form for ordering Tylenol® is displayed. At step 911, it is determined that an information field can be pre-populated. At step 913, the “orderable” field 201 is pre-populated with “Tylenol®.” At step 915, it is determined that no free form text has been inputted, therefore, next step 919 occurs. At step 919, a drop-down list 400 is created for the “formulation” field 203. For example, the drop-down list can include “Caplets,” “Tablets” and “Liquid.” The user can then select “Tablets” from the drop-down list. At step 921, “Tablets” would be entered into the “formulation” field 203. Steps 919 and 921 can be repeated, for each information field. For example, a drop down list can be created for the “Frequency” field 205. The drop down list for the “Frequency” field 205 could include “Q2H,” “QQH,” “QID,” and “QD.” The user can then select “QID” from the drop-down list. At step 919, if there is no drop-down list for an information field, step 921 occurs and the user can input information. The input of information can be facilitated by the use of up and down arrows, as illustrated in
Certain embodiments of the present invention may omit one or more of these steps and/or perform the steps in a different order than the order listed, including simultaneously.
Certain embodiments provide computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions for a computer, the set of instructions having a user interface routine for receiving input data, an order form selection routine capable of facilitating selection of the order form using the input data and stored data, an information field entry routine using at least one of keywords, predictive typing, drop-down lists, and pre-populating, to facilitate entry of information into the information field, where the order form selection routine at least one of selects an order form for a user and provides a drop-down list of order forms for a user to select from.
Certain embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions for a computer, where there is a drop-down list routine for forming the drop-down list from at least one of stored data, input data, the category of the information field, and data in other information fields, and where a user can select order information from the drop-down list in order to fill out the information field.
Certain embodiments provide a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method where there is a free form text routine, which converts free form text to standard format data, and where the standard format data is entered into at least one information field.
Certain embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions for a computer, where the user interface routine can receive input data from at least one of a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and voice interface.
While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.