Systems and methods for remote patient monitoring and communication

Abstract

A method according to one aspect of the present invention includes receiving patient information, analyzing the patient information to identify a condition for the patient, formatting a report based on the patient information and the patient condition, and contacting the patient when the patient condition satisfies a predetermined threshold condition. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to monitor any appropriate medical device from essentially any location from which a communications signal can be sent and received. This enables patients to enjoy an active lifestyle by not being tied to medical device monitoring equipment that is difficult or impossible to transport or having to routinely visit health care facilities. Embodiments of the present invention further allow healthcare providers to closely (and remotely) monitor patients to ensure they are properly following their treatment regimens.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 862,743, filed Oct. 24, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring the health and wellness of patients, and more particularly, to systems and methods for remotely monitoring patient health and providing health care services.[0005]2. Background of the Invention[0006]Historically, patient medical care was often provided for in the patient's home or some other environment apart from a clinical setting. Physicians, midwives, or other healthcare providers would make house calls, observe patient symptoms, formulate diagnoses, and provide treatment. As the state of the art of health care evolved over ti...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]A system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a processor, a patient interface, a user interface, and a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions. The processor executes the instructions in the memory to receive patient information using the patient interface, analyze the patient information to identify a condition for the patient, format a report based on the patient information and the patient condition, provide the report to one or more users using the user interface, and automatically contact the patient when the patient condition satisfies a predetermined threshold condition. Both the patient interface and user interface can include human operators, interactive voice response (IVR) systems, and other systems and devices to allow patients, doctors, nurses, and other users to quickly and efficiently provide and retrieve information remotely. The system allows users such as doctors and nurses to quickly and efficiently view the reports to assess the patient's condition, prescribe treatments for the patient, and ensure the patient is in compliance with those prescribed treatments—all without requiring that the patient visit a healthcare facility.

[0014]Embodiments of the present invention may be used to monitor any appropriate medical device from essentially any location from which a communications signal can be sent and received. This enables patients to enjoy an active lifestyle by not being tied to medical device monitoring equipment that is difficult or impossible to transport or having to routinely visit health care facilities. The present invention can be used to monitor, process, and transport any amount and type of data from any medical device to any suitable user, such as a healthcare provider.

[0018]Aspects of the present invention also relate to interfaces for patients to access information regarding health care through a health care system interface. Embodiments of the user interface include an interactive voice response system interface, an operator interface, a mobile computer interface, or a mobile telephony interface. Systems and methods for remote patient monitoring according to the present invention provides quick and efficient routing of communications from patients to caregivers so that the patient need not endure a long (and potentially dangerous) wait to discuss a medical issue with a qualified caregiver. This allows more patients to be serviced in less time, and with fewer delays

Problems solved by technology

In large part, health care providers conducted fewer and fewer house calls because it became impractical to bring bulky medical diagnosis and test equipment to the patient.

Likewise, it was not cost effective or intellectually feasible for patients to purchase and operate the complicated and expensive medical machines in a home setting.

Unfortunately, although portable medical devices such as blood glucose meters now allow patients to perform tests outside the context of medical facilities, patients still need to meet with health care providers to discuss the results obtained.

There are drawbacks with these conventional devices.

Because of their complexity and proprietary interfaces, many are very expensive, which reduces the cost-savings benefit of RPM.

Additionally, they often require a land-line connection (such as phone or VPN) to transmit data and / or are physically bulky / heavy and therefore difficult to transport.

Furthermore, conventional systems are often unable to provide data to healthcare providers quickly where data must be manually entered by a patient, which can reduce the level of benefit the patient receives from RPM.

Conventional remote health care approaches such as RPM systems also lack the capability to provide an integrated remote patient care environment, allowing remote monitoring to be seamlessly combined with analysis of patient information and feedback from health care providers.

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