Method and system for integration of clinical and facilities management systems

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an automated system for regulating the allocation of resources, or the dissemination of information within a healthcare facility. The automated system includes a context providing system capable of determining the state of a parameter and a facilities management system in communication with the context providing system. An integration protocol is configured to facilitate communication between the context providing system and the facilities management system and the facilities management system allocates resources or disseminates information based upon the value of the parameter provided by the context providing system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 61 / 259,313 filed on Nov. 9, 2009, titled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INTEGRATION OF SCHEDULING AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]A variety of facilities employ context providing systems. Context providing systems are systems that include or have access to information that about the operation of the facility or its occupants. Healthcare facilities often include one or more context providing systems examples of which include, electronic record management systems, registration systems, and scheduling systems. These facilities can be quite large and require a substantial amount of energy or other resources when in operation. However, at any given time, only a portion of these facilities may be in use. This can result in substantial waste of energy and other resource...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present patent is about an automated system for regulating the allocation of resources and disseminating information within a healthcare facility. It includes a context providing system and a facilities management system that communicate with each other through an integration protocol. The system can control an HVAC system based on the value of a parameter determined by the context providing system. The patent also describes a system for controlling an HVAC system based on a schedule of use data provided by a scheduling system. The technical effects of the patent are improved efficiency and automation in the allocation of resources and dissemination of information within healthcare facilities, leading to improved patient care and facility management."

Problems solved by technology

These facilities can be quite large and require a substantial amount of energy or other resources when in operation.

This can result in substantial waste of energy and other resources.

Potential adverse health effects of exposure to waste anesthetic gases include loss of consciousness, nausea, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, irritability, drowsiness, problems with coordination and judgment, as well as sterility, miscarriages, birth defects, cancer, and liver and kidney disease.

Additionally, airborne contaminants such as microorganisms may contribute to post operative infections in patients.

This makes operation of an HVAC system much more expensive for a surgical suite than it is for a comparable volume of commercial office space or other space.

Depending on the location of the surgical site infection, it is estimated that healthcare costs can increase to upwards of $20-50,000, resulting in $1-10 billion dollars in healthcare costs for surgical site infections alone per year in the United States.

This results in wasted time as a room is brought to the correct operating conditions.

Also, a user may neglect to setback the system after a surgical procedure is complete.

This results in the operating room being maintained in an “occupied” mode for prolonged periods of time and accruing unnecessary utility costs associated with conditioning changing the air.

Continuous communication between facility staff and clinical staff is not feasible in order to optimally set setback time schedule.

These have had very limited effectiveness due to the frequency that staff enters the room at times other than for a surgical procedure.

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