Multi-Function Medical Room System and Methods of Healthcare Treatment Using the Same

Abstract

A multi-function medical room having components, such as a treatment table, a lighting assembly, a power facility, a cleaning system, and a mobile dental unit, that may be configured in component sets housed within the room enclosure. Each component set may support the unique practice requirements of a medical discipline, the components sets including at least one component specifically applicable to the particular medical discipline, along with other components in common with those of component sets that support the practice of other medical disciplines. The resulting multi-function medical room is one suitable for placement in a nursing home or other remote location, where space and resources are scarce, and medical practitioners of diverse medical disciplines may treat vulnerable patient populations at the multi-function medical room location using components specifically configured for the medical care to be rendered.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates in general to a medical room, and more particularly, to a multi-function medical room that is configured for use for a number of different medical disciplines, at, for example a nursing home, an extended stay, or remote location. Such a facility is useful in situations wherein it may be difficult to take a patient to a hospital or doctor's office, or a situation wherein it may be difficult to take individuals to a medical facility and a medical practitioner can more easily be brought to the remote location.

2. Background Art

Typically, in a nursing home environment, when medical attention is needed, a patient or resident at the nursing home is prepared and transported, typically by bus to a medical facility, such as a medical office or hospital. Often, the preparation and transport of elderly patients, especially for less invasive, or non-invasive procedures, can pose some difficulty and risk. For example, for generally immobile residents, a tremendous amount of assistance is needed to prepare the resident for transport, additional assistance is needed during transportation, and further assistance is needed at the medical facility.

While, in some instances, it may be possible to transport multiple residents at the same time, there is no guarantee that multiple appointments can be made which are convenient, and it is often the case that residents are individually transported. Additionally, and especially in the winter months, residents can be injured through slip and fall accidents, or can succumb to illnesses due to the exposure to the outside conditions.

It would be substantially less difficult and cumbersome to have the medical practitioner come to the nursing home. Additionally, the medical practitioner can set aside a block of time to treat multiple patients at the same time at the nursing home. Problematically, however, there is often not a proper facility in which to treat a patient in a nursing home. This is coupled with the fact that different medical disciplines require different equipment and configurations. Furthermore, nursing homes have been reluctant to provide multiple treatment rooms for different medical practitioners due to, among other things, space considerations and equipment cost considerations.

The same considerations exist with respect to individuals that are positioned in remote locations (i.e., expeditions, remote research facilities, etc.). While such individuals typically do not have the mobility concerns, the sheer cost of transporting a single individual for treatment becomes cost prohibitive. From a cost perspective, it would be easier to bring a medical practitioner to the remote location to treat or perform check-ups on a number of individuals over a brief time period. Problematically, again, the drawback has been the lack of a properly configured facility in which multiple medical practitioners can perform necessary procedures.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for a multi-function medical room which can be placed, for example, within a nursing home, wherein the equipment within the room can be configured to suit a number of different medical disciplines.

This object as well as other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is directed to a multi-function medical room comprising a room enclosure configured to house components, including a treatment table, a lighting assembly, a cleaning system and a power facility. The room enclosure includes a back wall, a front wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. A door is positioned on one of the walls. The treatment table is positioned within the room enclosure, and includes an upper body region, a torso region and a leg region. It is positionable from a substantially planar configuration to a configuration wherein the upper body region is rotated upwardly so as to be substantially perpendicular to the torso region, and wherein the leg region is rotated downwardly so as to be substantially perpendicular to the torso region. The treatment table may also include hideaway stirrups. The lighting assembly has an arm with a first end coupled to a ceiling above the treatment table, and a second end coupled to a lamp. The arm is configured to position the lamp from the upper body region to the leg region of the treatment table, upon user movement of the same. The cleaning system extends along one of the walls of the room enclosure, and has sequentially positioned, a wiping region, a sink unit and an autoclave. The power facility extends along one of the walls of the room enclosure and includes a vacuum source and an air compressor.

In a preferred embodiment, the room further comprises a radiography assembly including a radiograph device mounted on a mobile mounting platform, as well as an imaging system. The mobile mounting platform allows movement of the radiograph device along a floor surface of the room enclosure.

In one embodiment, the multi-function medical room further comprises a storage facility extending along one of the walls of the room enclosure. The storage facility includes a plurality of storage units. At least some of the plurality of storage units are independently lockable. This allows different users selective access to the plurality of storage units.

In another such embodiment, the door is positioned on the front wall. The room enclosure further includes a retractable changing nook positioned proximate the door which segregates a portion of the room from the remainder of the room, to, in turn, allow for a patient to change clothes.

Preferably, the multi-function medical room is positioned within a nursing home.

In another embodiment, the room enclosure has a length and a width. The length and width of the room enclosure are between twelve and fifteen feet in dimension.

In another preferred embodiment, the treatment table further includes at least three separately attachable headrests. The first of the at least three separately attachable headrests is substantially planar. The second of the at least three separately attachable headrests is head centric so as to allow a patient to lie in a face down orientation. The third of the at least three separately attachable headrests limits movement of a patient in a face up orientation, to, in turn, preclude rotation of the head of a patient.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the upper body region, the torso region, the leg region and the at least three separately attachable headrests include a polymer covering that is free of seams therealong.

In another preferred embodiment, the cleaning system includes an ultrasonic unit between the wiping region and the sink unit.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the wiping region is positioned at one end with the autoclave positioned at the other end. The other end is to the left of the wiping region.

In another embodiment, the cleaning system is positioned on a first side wall and the storage facility is positioned on the second side wall. The power facility is positioned along the back wall of the room enclosure.

In another preferred embodiment, the power facility further includes a plurality of power outlets along with at least one computer network connection.

In another preferred embodiment, the multi-function medical room further comprises a mobile dental unit configured to support the functions of the vacuum source, the air compressor, and other dental tools.

In another preferred embodiment, the myriad aforementioned components of the multi-function medical room may be configured in component sets housed within the room enclosure. Each component set may support the unique practice requirements of a medical discipline, the components sets including at least one component specifically applicable to the particular medical discipline, along with other components in common with those of component sets that support the practice of other medical disciplines. The resulting multi-function medical room is one suitable for placement in a nursing home or other remote location, where space and resources are scarce, and medical practitioners of diverse medical disciplines may treat vulnerable patient populations at the multi-function medical room location using components specifically configured for the medical care to be rendered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a top plan view of a multi-function medical room of the present invention;

FIG, 2 of the drawings is a side perspective view of a multi-function medical room of the present invention;

FIG. 3A of the drawings is a top elevation view of a first headrest of the present invention;

FIG. 3B of the drawings is a top elevation view of a second headrest of the present invention;

FIG. 3C of the drawings is a top elevation view of a third headrest of the present invention;

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a side elevational view of a cleaning system of the present invention;

FIG. 5 of the drawings is a side elevational view of a storage facility of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 of the drawings is a side elevational view of a power facility of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail a specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to he considered as an exemplification and is not intended to be limited to the embodiment illustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, the multi-function medical room 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as comprising room enclosure 12, treatment table 14, lighting assembly 16, radiography assembly 17, cleaning system 18 and storage facility 19. The multifunction medical room 10 can be placed within a nursing home, for example, or it may be placed at another location where transport of individuals is difficult. Such alternative locations contemplated within the scope of the present invention include extended stay facilities, skilled nursing facilities, cruise ships, community health centers, regional Veterans Affairs offices, and remote research facilities. Thus, the multi-function medical room 10 is not limited to any particular application, and it will be understood that the environments that are set forth are merely done for illustrative purposes.

The room enclosure 12 is shown in FIG. 1 as comprising a substantially rectangular (or square) configuration. Typically, the size of the room enclosure 12 should be between 12 feet by 12 feet to 15 feet by 15 feet. Such a room enclosure 12 allows for adequate treatment space, and room for a medical practitioner to navigate easily. Additionally, such a footprint accommodates a wheelchair and/or a walker. Additionally, the room enclosure 12 is sized so as to allow an adjunct care giver or a patient advocate or a family member to also be present within the room enclosure 12. In certain embodiments, a “safe” flooring 28 can be utilized. Such flooring 28 comprises a substantially hard surface that is cushioned. Thus, a fall on such a surface generally does not result in a broken bone or other damage to the body. Such a product is available commercially under the name Satech.

The room enclosure 12 includes back wall 22, front wall 23, first side wall 24 and second side wall 25. The front wall 23 includes a door 27 which can open inwardly into the room enclosure 12 (or outwardly, if desired). Near the door 27, a changing nook 26 can be retractably positioned. The changing nook 26 allows for a patient to change by the door 27, out of view of the medical practitioner and anyone that enters the room. The changing nook 26, while not limited thereto, comprises a Midmark Ritter 264, a Midmark 664 or the like. A mister of disinfectant (not shown) can be provided which is coupled to a wall 22, 23, 24, 25 (or to another surface). The mister can release a mist intermittently into the room enclosure 12. One such mister is available from Prolitec. Of course, numerous known disinfectant system substitutes may be used, as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the room enclosure 12 may include an ultraviolet room disinfection system.

The treatment table 14 is shown in FIG. 1 as comprising upper body region 30, torso region 31, leg region 32 and headrest assembly 33. The treatment table 14 can be adjusted in a number of different configurations. For example, the treatment table 14 can be positioned so that the patient is seated on the torso region 31, with the upper body region 30 being substantially vertical and with the leg region 32 being substantially vertical. Such an orientation allows for the use of the treatment table 14 in dentistry, podiatry, dermatology, gynecology, otology, optometry, massage therapy and chiropractic care, among other disciplines. Thus, the treatment table 14 can go from a table that resembles an upright chair, to a substantially fiat table having a substantially horizontal torso region 31 with the upper body region 30 being parallel to the torso region 31 and with the leg region 32 being parallel to the torso region 31 as well. The treatment table 14 may also include hideaway stirrups (not shown). In the embodiment shown, the treatment table 14 comprises a Midmark 641. Of course, other tables are likewise contemplated which can perform the necessary functions.

The headrest assembly 33 may include a single headrest designed for general use in healthcare delivery to patients, the headrest being connectable to the treatment table 14 about connection 34. Alternatively, in one embodiment contemplated, the headrest assembly 33 is a plurality of headrests, as shown in FIGS. 3A-C, including a first headrest 33a configured to retain the head of a patient in a still position, such as for dentistry or dermatology. A second headrest 33b is configured for use when a head centric headrest is required, such as for chiropractic needs. A third headrest 33c is essentially an extension to the upper body region 30 of the treatment table 14. Such a configuration is desirable when the patient needs to rotate and turn for examination. Of course, other headrests are likewise contemplated for use in special occasions. Each of the upper body region 30, the torso region 31, the leg region 32 and the at least three separately attachable headrests 33a, 33b, 33c include a polymer covering that is free of seams therealong. The three headrests 33a, 33b, 33c are available that couple to the Midmark 641, namely, the oval 13″h×13″w, the U-shaped 10″h×11½″w and the rectangular 12″h×19″w. Of course other models of the headrest assembly 33 are contemplated, and it is important that multiple models be available for use in association with the treatment table 14.

The lighting assembly 16 is shown in FIG. 1 as comprising arm 40 and lamp 42. The arm 40 is coupled to the ceiling above the treatment table 14 at a first end 44 and to the lamp 42 at a second end 46. The arm 40 may include a plurality of arms which are pivotally coupled to each other so that the arm 40 can stretch from one end of the treatment table 14 to the other end of the treatment table 14. As the treatment table 14 has multiple uses, a medical practitioner may he working with a problem at any location on a patient. For example, a dentist will require the lamp 42 to illuminate the general region of the head, and particularly, the mouth. On the other hand, a podiatrist will require the lamp 42 to illuminate the general region of the feet, In the embodiment shown, the lamp 42 comprises a Midmark Ritter 355 with a ceiling mount. Of course, other available lamps are contemplated for use as long as they are able to reach the different regions that are required by such a unified treatment facility.

The radiography assembly 17 is shown in FIG. 1 as provided within the multi-function medical room 10. The radiography assembly 17 includes a radiograph device 50, a mobile mounting platform 52, and an imaging system 54. Thus, the radiograph device 50 is capable of being portably and easily moved about the room enclosure 12 so that the radiograph device 50 can be positioned in an operable orientation when needed and otherwise moved out of the way and stowed when it is not needed. In one embodiment the mobile mounting platform 52 includes a frame with a plurality of wheels so as to allow mobility along the floor surface 28 of the room enclosure 12. The assembly comprises a Preva DC mobile system available from Midmark, and the imaging system 54 comprises an A/T ScanX system from Air Techniques, Inc. The imaging system 54 includes a computer connection, four size 2 plate guides, each of a size 0, 1 and 3 plate guide, 20 size 2 phosphor storage plates (PSP's), barrier envelopes and a plate transfer box.

The cleaning system 18 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 as comprising wiping region 60, ultrasonic unit 62, sink unit 64, autoclave 66, and supplemental cabinetry 68. The cleaning system 18 is oriented in such a configuration that it operates in a right to left disinfection process. The left side is the clean side and the right side is the dirty side. Thus, the medical practitioner takes tools and items from the left, uses the same, and then places them on the right side. Cleaning occurs in the opposite direction. First, the medical practitioner wipes a used medical tool (i.e., a scalpel, a dental tool, among others). Next, the medical practitioner can utilize the ultrasonic unit 62 to continue with the disinfection process. Once completed, the user can rinse the tool in the sink unit 64 and place it in the autoclave 66 for final disinfection. While a number of different autoclaves 66 are contemplated, the autoclave 66 of the embodiment shown comprises a six-minute autoclave 66, which allows the medical practitioner to clean everything in a relatively short period of time, thereby allowing the medical practitioner to leave the multi-function medical room 10 shortly after treatment, and, in turn, allow other medical practitioners to utilize the multi-function medical room 10. Additionally, a bio-waste container 70 can be supplied.

Opposite the cleaning system 18, a storage facility 19 is presented, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The storage facility 19 includes a plurality of storage units 20 in the form of drawers and cabinets which allow for the stowage of different equipment from various different medical practitioners. Each such drawer and cabinet can be independently locked and unlocked, or locked and unlocked in separate groups. Thus, each medical practitioner can independently store items in a secure environment within the room enclosure 12. It will be understood that multiple of the storage units 20 can be unlocked with several different keys. As such, certain storage units 20 are accessible by only a single medical practitioner, whereas other storage units 20 are accessible by multiple medical practitioners, but precluded from general access.

Along the back wall 22, a power facility 15 can be provided as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The power facility 15 allows for the connection of a number of different medical devices. For example, the power facility 15 includes a vacuum suction hose and pump 72, an air compressor 74 for powering air tools, and various power plugs 76 and networking plugs 78. The vacuum suction hose and pump 72 can be utilized to withdraw body fluids during procedures. The various power plugs 76 can provide a safe outlet for allowing the powering of medical devices. Additionally, computer connectivity can be provided so that the medical professional can access medical records of a user. Advantageously, this is positioned behind the treatment table 14 so that either right handed or left handed practitioners can have appropriate access to the underlying equipment.

In another embodiment, a mobile dental unit 13 can be provided as shown in FIG. 1. In such an embodiment, the mobile dental unit 13, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, can provide many functions including the air compressor 74 and vacuum suction hose and pump 72 functions. In alternative embodiments, a portable dental unit may be used. One such portable dental unit is available from DNTL works as the ProCart II, although others are contemplated.

Various components of the multi-function medical room 10 have overlapping applicability to several medical disciplines. For example, each of the treatment table 14 (generally), the power facility 15, and the lighting assembly 16, are utilitarian to dentistry. chiropractic care, and primary care in medicine. The multi-function medical room 10 further provides components that are uniquely applicable to a particular medical discipline. For example, although a dentist would use the mobile dental unit 13, a chiropractor and a primary care physician would both likely find such a component to be irrelevant to their practices. A chiropractor, on the other hand, would use the treatment table 14 with a headrest 33b configured to accommodate patient orientation in a prone position, whereas a dentist and a primary care physician are unlikely to use such a component. Additionally, a primary care physician may utilize the treatment table 14 stirrups during certain patient exams, whereas stirrups are not needed for dental care and chiropractic care.

Moreover, the present invention provides for multi-function medical room that is suitable for placement in a nursing home or other remote location, where medical practitioners of diverse medical disciplines may treat vulnerable patient populations at the multi-function medical room location using components specifically configured for the medical care to be rendered.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for delivering healthcare services, the method comprising: providing a room enclosure at a location, the location being exclusive of a hospital or medical office building;providing a first component set operatively associated with the room enclosure, the first component set comprising a plurality of components uniquely configured for use in a first medical discipline;providing a second component set operatively associated with the room enclosure, the second component set comprising a plurality of components uniquely configured for use in a second medical discipline, wherein the first and second medical disciplines are non-equivalent, wherein the first and second component sets each have at least one component in common, and wherein the first and second component sets each have at least one component not in common;providing at least one patient requiring healthcare services related to the first and second medical disciplines;providing a first healthcare professional who practices the first medical discipline;providing a second healthcare professional who practices the second medical discipline;allowing the first healthcare professional to perform healthcare services related to the first medical discipline on the patient in the room enclosure using the first component set; andallowing the second healthcare professional to perform healthcare services related to the second medical discipline on the patient in the room enclosure using the second component set.

2. The method for delivering healthcare services as defined in claim 1, wherein the healthcare services are performed on the patient during non-consecutive timeframes.

3. The method for delivering healthcare services as defined in claim 1, wherein the first medical discipline is selected from the group consisting of dentistry, chiropractic, primary care in medicine, dermatology, podiatry, gynecology, and massage therapy.

4. The method for delivering healthcare services as defined in claim 3, wherein the second medical discipline is selected from the group consisting of dentistry, chiropractic, primary care in medicine, dermatology, podiatry, gynecology, and massage therapy.

5. The method for delivering healthcare services as defined in claim 4, wherein the first medical discipline is dentistry and the second medical discipline is chiropractic.

6. The method for delivering healthcare services as defined in claim 1, wherein the components of the first component set include a treatment table, a headrest configured to accommodate a head of the patient when the patient is in a non-prone position on the treatment table, a radiography assembly, and a mobile dental unit.

7. The method for delivering healthcare services as defined in claim 6, wherein the components of the second component set include a treatment table, a headrest configured to accommodate the head of the patient when the patient is in a prone position on the treatment table, and a power facility.

8. The method for delivering healthcare services as defined in claim 6, wherein the first and second medical disciplines are selected from the group consisting of dentistry, chiropractic, primary care in medicine, dermatology, podiatry, gynecology, and massage therapy.

9. The method for delivering healthcare services as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising the steps of providing a third healthcare professional who practices a third medical discipline, wherein the first, second, and third medical disciplines are non-equivalent, and allowing the third healthcare professional to perform healthcare services related to the third medical discipline on the patient in the room enclosure.

10. The method for delivering healthcare services as defined in claim 9, the method further comprising the step of providing a third component set operatively associated with the room enclosure, the third component set comprising a plurality of components configured for use in the third medical discipline, wherein the first, second, and third component sets each have at least one component in common and wherein the first, second, and third component sets each have at least one component not in common.

11. The method for delivering healthcare services as defined in claim 10, wherein the healthcare services are performed on the patient during non-consecutive timeframes.

12. The method for delivering healthcare services as defined in claim 10, wherein the first, second, and third medical disciplines are selected from the group consisting of dentistry, chiropractic, primary care in medicine, dermatology, podiatry, gynecology, and massage therapy.