System and method for managing medical facility procedures and records

Abstract

The invention facilitates the efficient administration of medical offices and patient records including visual coordination of room, patient, and task status indicators. The invention also enables improved document review and transcription management.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 905,279, filed on Dec. 23, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates generally to a system and method for the efficient administration of medical offices and patient records. More particularly, the invention relates to web-based, networked software applications for managing medical offices, records, billing, calendaring and physician ordered tasks.BACKGROUND[0003]A routine visit by a patient to a doctor typically involves numerous medical office staff members and a range of procedures and documentation. Management of the myriad tasks and records involved in such visits has long been an involved and difficult process. Doctors have traditionally relied upon staff members to retrieve patient documentation and to obtain x-rays or other information from other offices or labs. Likewise, a doctor's request fo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a web-based office management software application that improves efficiency and communication between physicians, staff members, and lab technicians. The software application allows users to view patient records, order procedures, and schedule follow-up matters without leaving the examination room and without relying on verbal communication or paper requests to staff members. It also allows users to upload documents and images to patient files for review and reduces waiting times for both patients and medical staff while increasing safety by more reliable communication and record keeping.

Problems solved by technology

Management of the myriad tasks and records involved in such visits has long been an involved and difficult process.

The delay and potential for error inherent in such conventional verbal and written communications often results in unnecessary delay for patients and care providers alike.

Additionally, paper records inevitably become incomplete or missing as portions or all of a file is moved between the front desk, examination room, labs, and offsite provider offices.

Paper systems are further deficient in that they require multiple copies for simultaneous viewing of records.

With a paper system or a closed office network, Physicians may not be able to access vital patient information when they are out of the office.

Likewise, prior systems typically provided limited file export capabilities, often requiring accessing and printing from a number of separate software applications or databases.

Paper systems are inherently prone to many types of errors.

Omitted or inaccurate medication records could be potentially life threatening.

For example, an omitted medication on a chart may lead to a harmful drug interaction.

Additionally, omitted or inaccurate billing records may lead to lost charges for services.

Most so called electronic management systems require proprietary client software installed on individual work stations making remote access from home or offsite labs difficult.

Typically, efficient office management requires a number of separate proprietary systems, creating redundancy and incompatibility issues.

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