System and method to electronically coordinate and document patient care regardless of physical setting
Inventors
Myers, Ryan • Hirschman, Gordon B.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11195602-B2
Publication Date
2021-12-07
Expiration Date
2040-05-29
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Abstract
A system to electronically coordinate and document patient care regardless of physical setting. The system includes a wearable subsystem attached to a patient at the point of injury and configured to remain attached to the patient at the point of injury and during one or more encounters with medical personnel or to a time the patient reaches a clinical health care facility. The wearable subsystem is configured to store patient identification information and critical health care information received via wireless communication from an end user computing device at the point of injury and is configured to store added health care information provided by medical personnel from or at the point of injury and during the one or more encounters with the medical personnel or to a time the patient reaches a clinical care facility.
Core Innovation
The invention features a system and method to electronically coordinate and document patient care regardless of physical setting by using a wearable subsystem attached to a patient at the point of injury. This wearable subsystem remains with the patient through one or more encounters with medical personnel or until the patient reaches a clinical health care facility. It is capable of storing patient identification information and critical health care information received via wireless communication from an end user computing device and health care information added by medical personnel over time.
The wearable subsystem is preferably configured as an adhesive patch incorporating a flexible printed circuit board that includes a processing subsystem, electronic storage device, firmware, and a power supply. It is designed with multiple flexible layers to increase moisture vapor transmission, enhancing breathability and attachability to the patient's skin. The system is designed to operate using short-range communication regardless of long-distance communication availability, ensuring patient data continuity in various environments.
The problem solved by this invention arises from the critical gap in documenting and coordinating patient care from point of injury to clinical facilities. Existing methods rely heavily on paper-based records, such as the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) card, which have been inadequately utilized, with less than 10% of combat casualties having documented care. This has led to communication errors and hindered care coordination. Despite advancements in electronic record keeping, no system existed that could electronically coordinate and document patient care seamlessly regardless of physical setting until this invention.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims, one system claim and one method claim, each encompassing a set of inventive features centered on a wearable subsystem and its interaction with end user devices to coordinate and document patient care.
Wearable subsystem for patient care coordination and documentation
A wearable subsystem attached at the point of injury that remains attached during patient care encounters or until reaching a clinical facility. It stores patient identification and critical health care information added via end user computing device through direct rapid two-way wireless communication throughout patient care.
Method for electronically coordinating and documenting patient care
A method involving attaching a wearable subsystem to a patient at the point of injury, storing patient identification and critical health care information added via an end user computing device through direct rapid two-way wireless communication, and retaining added health care information during multiple encounters or until arrival at a clinical care facility.
The inventive features focus on a wearable subsystem configured as an adhesive patch that enables continuous, two-way wireless communication with end user computing devices to store and update patient identification and critical health care information seamlessly across diverse physical settings, alongside a corresponding method for implementing this coordination and documentation.
Stated Advantages
Easily maintained through multiple patient handoffs to various medical personnel ensuring continuity of information.
Requires little training for application due to familiar patch-like form factor.
Increased moisture vapor transmission rate enhances breathability and attachability of the wearable patch to the patient's skin.
Operates effectively regardless of long-distance communication availability by employing short-range communication methods like NFC.
Small form factor for ease of placement on various accessible skin areas.
Documented Applications
Use in battlefield and combat scenarios to track and document trauma care from point of injury through evacuation and clinical treatment.
Integration with electronic Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) programs and electronic Patient Care Reporting (ePCR) subsystems.
Capturing patient identification and critical health care information from electronic personal identification devices such as electronic medical bracelets or dog tags.
Transfer of accumulated patient health data to electronic medical records or electronic health records within clinical care facilities.
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