WO2016094407A1

WO2016094407A1 - Check-in and patient literacy system

Info

Publication number: WO2016094407A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/064499
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ann Marie KNAUF; John F. Sullivan
Original assignee: 300 Medical, Llc
Priority date: 2014-12-09
Filing date: 2015-12-08
Publication date: 2016-06-16

Abstract

A system and method for increasing the rate of processing and throughput of patients through a medical facility is provided, while also improving the patient experience with education and an improved level of understanding during their appointment. The system is a customized data solution that clinically integrates all facets of practice management, increasing provider efficiencies while optimizing patient outcomes. Practice benefits include improved patient processing with integrated informed consent, a single audit trail, real time indication of patient activity and progress during an appointment, and generated documentation that is HIPAA compliant. Patient benefits include improved patient centered experiences with more medical information routed directly to the patient that empowers the patient thru better education and awareness, secure authentication, and a defined progress path during an appointment. Legal benefits include potentially lower Insurance premiums, user name/password authentication, reporting with case history, and reminders of incomplete activity for both patient and physician.

Description

CHECK-IN AND PATIENT LITERACY SYSTEM

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial Number 62/089,535 filed 9 December 2014; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention in general relates to health care and in particular to a system and method for patient management that increases the rate of processing of patients through a facility, while also improving the level of patient satisfaction and providing education and understanding about their medical condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The rising cost of healthcare coupled with lower rates of insurance reimbursement has contributed to mounting financial pressures on physicians and their medical practices. Physicians are now tasked with seeing more patients in an allotted time, while still trying to maintain a high level of medical care, patient education, and patient satisfaction. Furthermore, the amount of record keeping and information required to properly care for a patient can be extensive, and the accuracy, timeliness, and secure storage of the patient information is critical for the health and wellbeing of the patient that must also be HIPAA compliant. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) demands that all HIPAA covered businesses prevent unauthorized access to "Protected Health Information" or PHI. PHI includes patients' names, addresses, and all information pertaining to the patients' health and payment records.

[0004] Thus there exists a need for systems and methods that increase the rate of processing and throughput of patients through a medical facility, are HIPAA compliant, while also improving the patient experience and level of understanding during their appointment or medical facility visit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An automated method for patient management and education during a health check related visit to a medical facility or physician office. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided on a portable computing device to a patient. A login page is generated on a display of the portable computing device. The patient's registration credentials for login are received on the portable computing device. The patient status as new or if the patient is an existing patient is determined based on answers, where if the patient is new, a new patient questionnaire is sent to the portable computing device, and if the patient is an existing patient the existing patient is asked to review and update an existing patient profile. A doctor questionnaire is provided to the portable computing device for completion by the patient. Directions and visual content are provided to the patient on the portable computing device during the visit. The directions and visual content are specific to the health check or a condition specific to the patient

[0006] A system for patient management and education during a health check related visit to a medical facility or physician office. The system includes a server with a database connected via a network to one or more portable computing devices located at the medical facilities and physician offices. A memory system in electrical communication with the server contains a machine readable medium having stored thereon one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the aforementioned method to be carried out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of the high level process of using the patient management and education system platform in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and

[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall view of communication devices, computing devices, and mediums for implementing embodiments of the invention.

[0010] The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention has utility as a system and method for increasing the rate of processing and throughput of patients through a medical facility or practice, while also improving the patient experience with education and an improved level of understanding during their appointment. Embodiments of the inventive system provide a customized data solution that clinically integrates all facets of practice management, increasing provider efficiencies while optimizing patient outcomes. Practice benefits provided by the inventive system include improved patient processing that may save a physician from 3-15 minutes per patient such as integrated informed consent, a single audit trail, real time indication of patient activity and progress during an appointment, and generated documentation that is HIPAA compliant. Patient benefits provided by the inventive system include improved patient centered experiences that allows more medical information to be routed directly to the patient and that empowers the patient thru better education and awareness, secure authentication, and a defined progress path during an appointment. Legal benefits provided by the inventive system include potentially lower Insurance premiums, user name/password authentication, reporting with case history which negates litigious activity, and reminders of incomplete activity for both patient and physician.

[0012] Embodiments of the inventive patient management and education system provide a graphical user interface (GUI) on a network of portable computing devices, including tablets and mobile communication devices, for the management and education of patients during their visit to a medical facility or physician office. In a specific embodiment, a dedicated tablet such as an iPad™ manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. serves as the interactive data entry, educational, and monitoring device. The portable devices may be dedicated to a certain location for the specific service of a client at the location. In a specific embodiment multiple patient clients may be served using the same remote device at that location. The configuration of the portable device and applications available on the portable device are restricted, and may only be changed by an administrator. The administrator may remotely clear or wipe data from the portable device, as well as load or restrict apps. Locating features on the portable device such as global positioning satellite (GPS) or an internet protocol (IP) address allow for the identification of a client location. The use of portable devices in embodiments of the invention allow for paperless record keeping and client interaction. The use of portable devices further provides for improved communication and data security. Users must login or register to view data on the portable devices, and data sent and received by the portable devices is encrypted.

[0013] In a specific system embodiment of the inventive patient management and education platform, a utility for registering and collecting preliminary patient information during an appointment, while also self-guiding the patient through the appointment process via on screen prompts are provided. The on screen prompts and other GUI features may also be touch activated via a touchscreen of the tablet or mobile communication device. Embodiments of the inventive platform may provide timely articles and videos that educate the patient while they wait at different points during their visit to the medical facility or practice office. In certain inventive embodiments, a patient has the option to supply an email address or SMS text number to which links to the timely articles or videos are sent.

[0014] In a specific embodiment a patient session begins by scanning or taking a picture of indicia associated with a patient identification (ID) card including for example an insurance card, driver's license, or other assigned patient ID. Indicia may include barcodes, quick response (QR) codes, or optical character recognition (OCR) characters. In a specific embodiment the patient ID card may have an embedded radio frequency ID (RFID) chip that is readable by the tablet or mobile communication device of the inventive system. In a specific embodiment the patient identification card may be configured with a magnetic strip with encoded information that can be swiped in a reader in communication with the tablet or mobile communication device. Once the patient's identity is established, a screen on the tablet or mobile communication device will open and display the patient's "information form" and will include prompts, which may be touchscreen prompts, that will enable the patient to validate the data displayed, and update the data, if required or desired. If after reviewing the information, the patient decides that the information is correct the patient may them be automatically sent to a doctor questionnaire form on the device screen. However if the patient information is updated then following the successful entry of updated information a "submit" button will appear on the device screen, and, when pressed, the information will reside on the tablet or mobile communication device until the session is complete, at which time all of the log-files generated from the tablet or mobile computing device during the session, including validation of the patient data and updates, will be transmitted to a remote or central server. In certain inventive embodiments, a patient has the option to supply an email address or SMS text number to which links or log-files per se are sent.

[0015] The doctor questionnaire form may contain several questions for the patient to answer about their condition, the responses to which may be entered using touchscreen prompts or inputted into a "text field". In specific embodiments, the question screen may also include a "text and audio" message from the doctor requesting the patient to view selected viewable content material, such as, videos, white papers, instructions, and information about side-effects, and other medical information that will be resident on the tablet or portable communication device, prior to seeing the doctor in an examination room. Content may be assigned to the patient based on their responses to the doctor questionnaire. During the video or audio presentation on screen prompts may appear that enable the patient to provide "feed-back" about the content being viewed or heard. In certain inventive embodiments, a patient has the option to supply an email address or SMS text number to which links or files per se are sent relating to the viewable content material, side-effects information, the doctor questionnaire information, or a combination thereof.

[0016] In a specific embodiment, at the conclusion of the presented medical information video or audio on the tablet or mobile communication device, the screen may transition to a screen that will "thank the patient" for updating their patient information form and viewing the medical information video or audio, and then advises the patient to take the tablet or mobile communication device to the examination room when called by the receptionists. In a specific embodiment, the patient could optionally be provided with a selection of text to read, videos to watch, or music to listen to while waiting to see the physician. Once in the examination room, the patient may be prompted with the on screen/ touchscreen buttons to initiate the playback of additional video and audio information such as videos and text info, which may also be e-mailed to the patient, from the device, after viewing. The activity that takes place on the tablet or mobile communication device, including taps on the touch-screen prompts, and log-files generated from patient responses, may be digitally time-and-date stamped, and bundled into a data packet, and transmitted to a central or remote server; and, then emailed back to the tablet or mobile communication device for display, in an easily readable form.

[0017] During the examination, a patient and a healthcare provider can discuss any materials that were viewed previously by the patient that were no understood by the patient. Such items being flagged on a healthcare provider device to indicate that discussion is needed. As part of the discussion, in some embodiments of the present invention, an image on the tablet device is can be annotated with indicia to better explain a procedure or anatomy. In certain inventive embodiments, a patient has the option to supply an email address or SMS text number to which a link or the annotated image per se are sent.

[0018] In certain inventive embodiments, a tablet device to be utilized by a healthcare provider or patient includes software, a camera, a speaker, and a microphone to facilitate a HIPAA compliant video chat with a remote healthcare provider. A video chat allows for remote access to a variety of patient visit related services that illustratively include additional expertise, second opinions as to treatment options, and addressing patient questions outside of the patient- doctor meeting time.

[0019] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of the high level process 10 of using the inventive patient management and education platform for appointments or visits to medical facilities and physician offices. The process starts with a client/patient receiving a portable computing device such as a tablet or mobile computing device from the receptionist at step 12. A login page is generated at step 14, and the client/patient's registration credentials for login are received at step 16. A determination is made if the client/patient is new (Decision step 18). If the patient is an existing patient (Decision step 18 is No) their profile is recalled from a database on the server, and the patient is prompted to review and update their profile as necessary (step 20). If the patient is new and not an existing patient (Decision step 18 is Yes), a new patient profile questionnaire is sent to the device for completion by the client (step 22). The new, existing, or updated client/patient information is held on the device until session completion, at which time the information will be transmitted to the database on the server (step 32). Subsequently, a doctor questionnaire is sent to the device for completion by the client/patient (step 24). Following completion of doctor questionnaire, the patient is requested to view or listen to physician selected information content (step 26) and provide feedback on the viewed content. An on screen thank you message is then generated and the client/patient is advised to take the tablet or mobile communication device to the examination room when called by the receptionists (step 28). In the examination room the client/patient may be prompted to watch or read additional content (step 30), which may also be e-mailed to the patient, from the device, after viewing for future reference. For example the content may be related to the physician's diagnosis or special treatment instructions for a detected condition. Upon completion of the appointment or visit, the activity that takes place on the tablet or mobile communication device, including taps on the touch-screen prompts, and log-files generated from patient responses, are digitally time-and-date stamped, and bundled into a data packet, and transmitted to a central or remote server for storage in the database; and, then emailed back to the tablet for display, in an easily readable form (step 32), and the process concludes.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall view of communication devices, computing devices, and mediums for implementing a system and method for patient management and education platform for appointments or visits to medical facilities and physician offices

[0021] The system 100 includes multimedia devices 102 and desktop computer devices 104 configured with display capabilities 114 and processors for executing instructions and commands. The multimedia devices 102 are optionally mobile communication and entertainment devices, such as cellular phones, tablets, and mobile computing devices that in certain embodiments are wirelessly connected to a network 108. The multimedia devices 102 typically have video displays 118 and audio outputs 116. The multimedia devices 102 and desktop computer devices 104 are optionally configured with internal storage, software, and a graphical user interface (GUI) for carrying out elements of the patient management and education platform for appointments or visits to medical facilities and physician offices according to embodiments of the invention. The network 108 is optionally any type of known network including a fixed wire line network, cable and fiber optics, over the air broadcasts, satellite 120, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), global network (e.g., Internet), intranet, etc. with data/Internet capabilities as represented by server 106. Communication aspects of the network are represented by cellular base station 110 and antenna 112. In a preferred embodiment, the network 108 is a LAN and each remote device 102 and desktop device 104 executes a user interface application (e.g., Web browser) to contact the server system 106 through the network 108. Alternatively, the remote devices 102 and 104 may be implemented using a device programmed primarily for accessing network 108 such as a remote client.

[0022] The software for the patient management and education platform, of embodiments of the invention, may be resident on tablets 102, desktop or laptop computers 104, or stored within the server 106 or cellular base station 110 for download to an end user. Server 106 may be implement as a cloud-based service for implementing embodiments of the platform with a multi- tenant database for storage of separate client data for each independent medical facility or office using the platform.

[0023] The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the invention

Claims

1. An automated method for patient management and education during a health check related visit to a medical facility or physician office, said method comprising:

providing a graphical user interface (GUI) on a portable computing device to a patient; generating a login page on a display of the portable computing device;

receiving the patient's registration credentials for login;

determining whether the patient is new or if the patient is an existing patient, where if the patient is new a new patient questionnaire is sent to the portable computing device, and if the patient is an existing patient the existing patient is asked to review and update an existing patient profile;

providing a doctor questionnaire to the portable computing device for completion by the patient; and

providing directions and visual content to the patient on the portable computing device during the patient appointment or visit, the directions and visual content being specific to the health check or a condition specific to the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising digitally time and date stamping the patient activity on the portable computing device and generating a set of log-files generated from the patient responses, and bundling the time and date stamps and the log-files into data packets; transmitting the data packets to a central or remote server for storing in a database; and transmitting or emailing the patient activity for display on the portable computing device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the GUI generates on screen prompts and other GUI features that are touch activated via a touchscreen of the portable computing device.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising remotely clearing or wiping data from the portable computing device, as well as loading or restricting one or more apps on the portable computing device.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying the location of the portable computing device based on global positioning satellite (GPS) or an internet protocol (IP) address.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein communications between the portable computing device and a central or remote server are encrypted.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the visual content further comprises videos, white papers, instructions, and information about side-effects, and other medical information.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the visual content is assigned to the portable computing device based on the patient responses to the doctor questionnaire.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising text and audio messages sent by a physician or other medical or staff personnel requesting the patient to view the directions and visual content.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the portable computing device is a tablet.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving of the patient's registration credentials for login further comprises:

receiving a scan or a picture of an indicia associated with a patient identification (ID) card or driver's license.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the indicia further comprise barcodes, quick response (QR) codes, or optical character recognition (OCR) characters.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the patient ID card further comprises an embedded radio frequency ID (RFID) chip that is readable by the portable computing device.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the patient ID card further comprises a magnetic strip.

15. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprising providing a patient email or SMS text input for the transmission of data to the patient input or viewed by the patient during the patient appointment or visit.

16. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprising providing a video chat app on the portable computing device, the portable computing device having a video camera, a microphone, and a speaker therein.

17. A system for patient management and education during a health check related visit to a medical facility or physician office, said system comprising:

a server with a database connected via a network to one or more portable computing devices located at the medical facilities and physician offices;

a memory system in electrical communication with said server containing a machine readable medium having stored thereon one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause a method to be carried out, the method comprising:

providing a graphical user interface (GUI) on the one or more portable computing devices;

generating a login page on a display of the one or more portable computing devices; receiving a patient's registration credentials for login from an assigned portable computing device from the one or more portable computing devices;

determining whether the patient is new or if the patient is an existing patient, where if the patient is new a new patient questionnaire is sent to an assigned portable computing device from the one or more portable computing devices, and if the patient is an existing patient the existing patient is asked to review and update an existing patient profile;

providing a doctor questionnaire to the assigned portable computing device for completion by the patient; and

providing directions and visual content to the patient on the assigned portable computing device during the visit, the directions and visual content being specific to the health check or a condition specific to the patient.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the GUI generates on screen prompts and other GUI features that are touch activated via a touchscreen of the one or more portable computing devices.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the visual content further comprises videos, white papers, instructions, and information about side-effects, and other medical information.

20. The system of any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein the portable computing device is a tablet optionally including a video camera, a microphone, and a speaker.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein the patient's registration credentials for login further comprises:

an indicia associated with a patient identification (ID) card or a driver's license, where the indicia further comprise barcodes, quick response (QR) codes, or optical character recognition (OCR) characters.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the patient ID card further comprises an embedded radio frequency ID (RFID) chip or a magnetic strip that is readable by the portable computing device.