BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects and features of the present invention will be best understood by a detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, selected for the purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 shows an overview of the flow of data, processing of the medical data files, and output of the reviewed medical records to a portable media device or through display via the network;
FIG. 2 shows the flow of original medical records to be reviewed by a physician and storage on the medical database;
FIG. 3 shows the flow of the reviewed medical data file to a remote computer for the requesting physician;
FIG. 4 shows the flow of the reviewed medical record file to the portable digital memory device;
FIG. 5 shows the flow of a electronic medical record to a review by a physician and storage on the medical database;
FIG. 6 shows the physician portal for viewing the original medical records and summarizing the medical record in data fields; and
FIG. 7 shows the medical chart as viewed through a remote computer or on the portable digital memory device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIG. 1, an overview of the health information management and review system of the present invention is shown. The system comprises of paper medical records 12, electronic medical records 15, a network server 8, several remote computers 1, 3, 11 connected to the network server 8, a medical record database 5, and software programs 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14 executing from the network server 8, and a portable medical record device 2. A network 100 consisting of remote computers 1, 3, 11, a network server 8 with software programs 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14 executing from network server 8, medical record database 5 can be the internet or intranet. The flow of data is shown schematically and will be discussed in detail in the following figures.
Referring to FIG. 2, the method of receiving medical records 16-20, the review of medical records 16-20, and storing the reviewed medical records onto medical record database 5 is detailed. Prior to records being sent, a person signs a release of records to have all of their medical records 16-20 sent to network server 8 through fax or electronic transfer. Paper medical records 16-20 from different sources and different types can be faxed to network server 8. Examples of medical records 16-20 can include, but are not limited to, primary care physician medical records 16, laboratory data 17, radiology data 18, specialist consult records 19, or hospital records 20. Paper records are defined in this setting as any record that can be printed on paper or transferred to paper or displayed in a digital form that is not part of an electronic medical record. Paper medical records 16-20 are faxed or e-mailed and recorded in a digital format on network server 8 through software program 14. Software program 14 sends the record to software program 7 that coordinates the transfer to remote computer 3 for physician review. Software program 7 also displays medical record 16-20 for the physician to review. The physician enters the summarized medical record 4 information into the remote computer 3, the data is sent to software program 10 which receives the file and stores the reviewed medical record 4 on the reviewed medical record database 5. Electronic medical records 102 are received by software program 13. Software program 13 extracts the core elements of the medical record 102 and saves the file temporarily. The record is then sent to software program 7 which again coordinates the transfer to and displays the record on remote computer 3 for physician review. After physician review, the data is sent to software program 10 which receives the file 102 and stores reviewed medical record 4 on the reviewed medical record database 5. Software program 10 also encrypts reviewed medical record 4.
Referring to FIG. 3, the method of transferring and displaying the medical records 4 to a requesting physician is outlined. In an emergency, a person who subscribes to the service can have their medical records 4 displayed and transferred to remote computer 11 through network 100, preferably the internet. A worn piece of jewelry such as a bracelet or a necklace with instructions to access medical records 4 through a website address or phone number. The treating physician calls the phone number and an operator verifies the requesting physicians information (DEA number, state medical license number, hospital, phone, address, e-mail, reason for the request) along with the medical record number located on the piece of jewelry of the patient. The physician is then instructed to go to the website and enter a username and password. Also, the physician can go to the website directly and enter the physician's personal information and medical record number of the patient. Once the username and password is entered, the physician has full access to all of the patient's medical record 4 for short period of time, for example, 24 hours. After the elapsed time, the username and password will change. The reviewed medical record 4 on reviewed medical record database 5 is sent through software program 6 to be displayed on remote computer 11 for physician to review.
Referring to FIG. 4, the method of transfer of reviewed medical record 4 to portable digital memory device 2 is outlined. A person, after visiting their physician, can contact the service through e-mail, a phone number, or going to a website and request medical records 4 be updated. The person gives the name and information of the physician who they saw or is recalled from stored information they entered when they first subscribe to the service. A request for medical records 16-20, 102 of FIG.2 is sent directly to the physician's office, hospital, laboratory. Medical records 16-20, 102 are transferred as according to FIG. 2, as detailed in the previously. During the initial review, portable digital memory device 2 is sent directly to the patient. Subsequently, the updates after can be transferred through network 100. A person after requesting an update receives notification that their update is ready to download via a phone call, e-mail, text message on their cellular phone. The patient then logs on to a website and inserts portable digital memory device 2 into remote computer 1. The person then hits a transfer button on the website and reviewed medical record 4 is transferred from reviewed medical records database 5 onto remote computer 1 via software program 9 directly onto portable digital memory device 2.
Referring to FIG. 5, the method of extracting core elements of medical record 4 is outlined. With electronic medical records 12, a complete medical record is already available in electronic format. This may be too cumbersome to carry on portable medical record device 2. As electronic medical records formats become standard as mandated by the government, it will be easier to create a one or a few software programs that extracts core elements found in a complete medical record to form a summarized version of medical record 4 for ease and speed of use by physicians. Electronic medical record 12 is sent to network server 8 to receiving and processing program 14. Software program 14 temporarily stores the information and then extracts key data fields from electronic medical record 12 and transfer the information to software program 7 to be displayed on remote computer 3 for physician review. The reviewing physician can alter or modify record 12 to clarify or correct mistakes made by the extraction program 14. The reviewed medical record from electronic medical record 12 is then sent to software program 10 and stored and cataloged as a reviewed medical record 4 in the reviewed medical records database 5.
Referring to FIG. 6, a physician review portal 24 is shown. The original medical record 23 is displayed in the top portion of the screen 104. These records can be recorded in digital format such as TIFF, JIFF, PDF and displayed on screen 104 of physician review portal 24. On the bottom half, the reviewing physician enters the summarized medical information after reviewing the original medical records 23 from the top portion. Tabs on the top of the data entry screen 22 allows for easy navigation of sections of reviewed medical record 28 of FIG. 7. After the physician has completed the element of data entry, they can hit save button 26. The information is saved on medical record database 5. There are also tools to help view the original medical record 21. In this example, medical record 23 from a physician's office for “John Doe” is displayed. It shows he has a pneumonia. Only key pieces of information is retained in reviewed medical record 28 of FIG. 7. In this case, for past medical history, the condition, the date of onset, the treatment, status outcome, and comments are pertinent in the reviewed medical record 28. The tabs on the top of the data entry screen 22 are only a few examples for illustration.
Referring to FIG. 7, an example of the reviewed medical record 28 is shown. Each of the different headings of the reviewed medical record are tabs 27 at the top. By selecting each of tabs 27, the information from the heading selected is displayed. In this example, past medical history 27 is selected and different medical conditions are displayed. They include information such as the name of the disease or condition, date of onset, the treatment, status of outgoing disorder, and key comments pertaining to the illness. Also, inactive medical problems are shown. These are all illustrative examples.
The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments. These embodiments have been provided for illustrative purposes and are not to be used to limit the scope of the present invention. As those skilled in the art will understand, one or more features of the above embodiments may be changed, modified, or altered without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Patent Application
20080027752
