Digital disease management system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for improving the delivery of health care for patients. A first data signal being multimedia data which is indicative of a patient condition of a selected patient is input into a local computer. Clinical data, cost data and administrative data relating to the health of the selected patient is also input into the local computer. The first data signal is combined with the clinical data, cost data and administrative data to form a first patient information signal which is transmitted to a central computer. A predetermined disease stage is then assigned to the selected patient based on the first data signal. The disease stage is combined with the first patient information signal to form a second patient information signal. Then, a first array of risk factors is computed from a database containing a plurality of previously obtained individualized patient information records. A first predictive probability is then assigned to the selected patient based on the second patient information signal and the first array of risk factors. A first patient recommendation signal indicating one of the selected patient would benefit from immediate patient care and the selected patient would not benefit from immediate patient care is generated and then transmitted to the local computer. Both the second patient information signal and the first patient recommendation signal are transmitted to a regional computer in response to the first patient recommendation signal indicating that the selected patient requires immediate patient care.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 322,372, filed May 28, 1999, entitled DIGITAL DISEASE MANAGEMENT, the entire content of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,802, filed Mar. 17, 1997, entitled DIGITAL DISEASE MANAGEMENT, the entire content of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for improving the delivery of patient care to patients, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation to devices and methods for improving the delivery of patient care to patients wherein patient information relating to a selected patient is obtained at a local facility system and is automatically transmitted to a r...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Diabetic retinopathy is an insidious disease which if left untreated may cause blindness or serious vision loss.

However, there are many barriers to health care such as time, money, and convenience which prevent diabetics from receiving regular screening eye-exams.

Thus, it has been difficult for the diabetics living in rural areas to obtain the necessary regular eye exams from optometrists, ophthalmologists or retinal specialists because of the time and travel commitments needed for diabetics living in rural areas.

In addition, there are access problems involved in diabetics receiving regular screening eye exams even for those who live near comprehensive medical facilities.

This creates problems for both the diabetic patient and the health care providers in that it is inconvenient for the diabetic patient and difficult for each of the health care providers to keep each other informed.

In addition to the loss of sight of diabetics, unsuspected and untreated diabetic retinopathy is also costly to society.

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