Information processing method and information processing system

Abstract

To provide an information processing method and an information processing system, capable of displaying, on a smart phone of a nurse, an alert notification according to a nurse call of a patient received by a smart phone of the patient.SOLUTION: In a system, an information processor, a plurality of information processing terminals 2 and a plurality of information processing terminals 3 send and receive information via a network such as the Internet. In the system, a smart phone 2 of each patient displays a nurse call object on a display 25, and sends a type of an alert notification to a server. If an operation to the nurse call object from the server is received, a smart phone 3 of a nurse executes processing of displaying, on a display 35, the alert notification including identification information for identifying a patient having operated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method and an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been active development of technology related to nurse call systems that allow patients to call nurses in facilities such as hospitals. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a nurse call system in which a patient's mobile terminal is registered to correspond to a specific nurse call handset line, and by performing a call operation on the nurse call handset or the patient's mobile terminal of that line, the system calls the nurse call master unit and the staff mobile terminal and allows communication with the person who answered first. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-124312 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the invention of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that a dedicated nurse call master unit and nurse call slave unit must be separately prepared.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is to provide an information processing method, etc., that can display an alert notification in response to a nurse call from a patient received by the patient's smartphone on a nurse's smartphone. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing method according to one aspect is characterized in that a nurse call object is displayed on a first display unit of each patient's smartphone, and when an operation on the nurse call object is received, an alert notification including identification information identifying the patient who performed the operation is displayed on a second display unit of the nurse's smartphone. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In one aspect, an alert notification in response to a nurse call from a patient received by the patient's smartphone can be displayed on a nurse's smartphone. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a nurse call system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a server. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the record layout of a patient DB and a nurse DB. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of the record layout of an alert setting DB and an alert notification management DB. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a patient smartphone and a nurse smartphone. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a nurse call reception screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for an alert notification. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when accepting a nurse call. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for displaying an alert notification. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for periodically notifying an unaddressed alert. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a record layout of an alert setting DB in Modification 1. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a reception screen and a display screen in Modification 1. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a nurse call is received in the first modification. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen for an alert notification in Modification 2. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for broadcasting voice or text. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server in the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a video call screen. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for establishing a video call between a patient and a nurse. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a record layout of a nurse DB in the third embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen for evaluations by each nurse. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for outputting the evaluation of each nurse. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of a nurse call button or an emergency nurse call button. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing steps for sending an alert notification to a nurse smartphone when a button is operated. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a report document output process using a report document output model. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for displaying a report document in response to an alert notification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) The first embodiment relates to a form in which an alert notification in response to a nurse call from a patient, which is received by the patient's smartphone, is displayed on a nurse's smartphone.

[0011] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a nurse call system. The system of this embodiment includes an information processing device 1, multiple information processing terminals 2, and multiple information processing terminals 3, and each device transmits and receives information via a network N such as the Internet.

[0012] The information processing device 1 is an information processing device that processes, stores, and transmits / receives various types of information. The information processing device 1 is, for example, a server device or a personal computer. In the present embodiment, the information processing device 1 will be hereinafter referred to as a server 1 for the sake of simplicity.

[0013] The information processing terminal 2 is a terminal device for patients that receives and transmits nurse calls. The information processing terminal 2 is an information processing device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a wearable device such as a smart watch, a tablet, or a personal computer terminal. For simplicity, the information processing terminal 2 will be referred to as the patient smartphone 2 below.

[0014] The information processing terminal 3 is a terminal device for nurses that receives and displays alert notifications in response to nurse calls from patients. The information processing terminal 3 is an information processing device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a wearable device such as a smart watch, a tablet, or a personal computer terminal. For simplicity, the information processing terminal 3 will be referred to as the nurse smartphone 3 below.

[0015] Typically, there are a variety of alert sounds in medical settings. Because misidentification of similar sounds can lead to medical accidents, nurses must be able to check all alert sounds. To solve this problem, this embodiment displays an alert notification on the nurse smartphone 3 in response to each patient's nurse call.

[0016] Each patient smartphone 2 according to this embodiment displays a nurse call object on the first display unit. When each patient smartphone 2 receives an operation on the nurse call object, it transmits identification information identifying the patient who performed the operation to the server 1. The server 1 receives the identification information transmitted from each patient smartphone 2. The server 1 transmits an alert notification including the received identification information to the nurse smartphone 3. The nurse smartphone 3 receives the alert notification transmitted from the server 1. The nurse smartphone 3 displays the received alert notification on the second display unit.

[0017] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 1. The server 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, a reading unit 14, and a large-capacity storage unit 15. Each component is connected by a bus B.

[0018] The control unit 11 includes an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or a quantum processor. The control unit 11 reads and executes a control program 1P (program product) stored in the storage unit 12, thereby performing various information processing, control processing, and the like related to the server 1.

[0019] It should be noted that the control program 1P can be deployed to run on a single computer, or on multiple computers located at one site, or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communications network.

[0020] 2, the control unit 11 is described as a single processor, but it may be a multi-processor. The control unit 11 may execute various information processes or control processes by the same processor within the server 1, or may execute various processes by different processors within the server 1.

[0021] The storage unit 12 includes memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores the control program 1P or data required for the control unit 11 to execute processing. The storage unit 12 also temporarily stores data required for the control unit 11 to execute arithmetic processing. The communication unit 13 is a communication module for performing communication-related processing, and transmits and receives information to and from the patient smartphone 2 or the nurse smartphone 3 via the network N.

[0022] The reading unit 14 reads a portable storage medium 1a including a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM. The control unit 11 may read the control program 1P from the portable storage medium 1a via the reading unit 14 and store it in the mass storage unit 15. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may download the control program 1P from another computer via a network N or the like and store it in the mass storage unit 15. Furthermore, the control unit 11 may read the control program 1P from the semiconductor memory 1b.

[0023] The mass storage unit 15 includes a recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The mass storage unit 15 includes a patient database (DB) 151, a nurse DB 152, an alert setting DB 153, and an alert notification management DB 154.

[0024] The patient DB 151 stores information about patients. The nurse DB 152 stores information about nurses. The alert setting DB 153 stores setting information including the type or urgency of an alert notification. The alert notification management DB 154 stores management information about alert notifications (notification date and time, response status, etc.).

[0025] In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 and the large-capacity storage unit 15 may be configured as an integrated storage device. Furthermore, the large-capacity storage unit 15 may be configured by a plurality of storage devices. Furthermore, the large-capacity storage unit 15 may be an external storage device connected to the server 1.

[0026] The server 1 may execute various information processing and control processing on a single computer, or may execute the processing in a distributed manner on multiple computers. The server 1 may also be realized by multiple virtual machines provided in a single server, or may be realized by using a cloud server.

[0027] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the record layout of the patient DB 151 and the nurse DB 152. As shown in FIG. The patient DB 151 includes a patient ID column, a name column, and a room number column. The patient ID column stores the patient ID of each patient, which is uniquely specified to identify each patient. The patient ID may be the patient's medical card number. The name column stores the patient's name. The room number column stores the patient's room number. The patient DB 151 may also store information such as the patient's age, sex, name of the attending physician, department, or whether or not the patient uses a wheelchair.

[0028] The nurse DB 152 includes a nurse ID column and a name column. The nurse ID column stores the nurse ID of a nurse that is uniquely specified to identify each nurse. The name column stores the name of the nurse.

[0029] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the record layout of the alert setting DB 153 and the alert notification management DB 154. As shown in FIG. The alert setting DB 153 includes an alert ID column, a type column, an urgency column, and an urgency icon column. The alert ID column stores an alert ID of a uniquely specified alert to identify each alert. The type column stores the type of alert notification. The type of alert notification includes, for example, "emergency," "toilet," or "hospital room."

[0030] The urgency column stores urgency levels indicating the priority of responding to an alert. The urgency levels may be classified into "high," "medium," and "low" depending on the type of alert notification. The urgency icon column stores icons indicating the urgency levels.

[0031] The alert notification management DB 154 includes a management ID column, an alert ID column, a patient ID column, a notification date and time column, a response status column, a responding nurse ID column, and a video data column.

[0032] The management ID column stores the management ID of the management data of the alert notification, which is uniquely specified to identify the management data of each alert notification. The alert ID column stores the alert ID that identifies the alert. The patient ID column stores the patient ID that identifies the patient. The notification date and time column stores the date and time information when the alert was notified.

[0033] The response status column stores the response status of the alert notification. Response status includes, for example, "not responded," "responding," or "responded." The responding nurse ID column stores the nurse ID of the nurse who responded to the alert notification if the response status is "responding" or "responded." The video data column stores video data of the video call between the patient and the nurse who responded to the alert notification.

[0034] The storage format of each DB described above is an example, and other storage formats may be used as long as the relationships between the data are maintained.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the patient smartphone 2 and the nurse smartphone 3. The patient smartphone 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, a display unit 25 (first display unit), an imaging unit 26, a speaker 27, and a reading unit 28. Each component is connected by a bus B.

[0036] The control unit 21 includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU or an MPU, and performs various information processing and control processing related to the patient smartphone 2 by reading and executing a control program 2P (program product) stored in the memory unit 22.

[0037] 5, the control unit 21 is described as a single processor, but may be a multi-processor. The control unit 21 may execute various information processing or control processes by the same processor within the patient smartphone 2, or may execute various information processing or control processes by different processors within the patient smartphone 2.

[0038] The storage unit 22 includes memory elements such as RAM and ROM, and stores the control program 2P or data required for the control unit 21 to execute processing. The storage unit 22 also temporarily stores data required for the control unit 21 to execute arithmetic processing.

[0039] The communication unit 23 is a communication module for performing communication-related processing, and transmits and receives information to and from the server 1, etc. via the network N. The input unit 24 may be a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel integrated with the display unit 25. The display unit 25 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, or the like, and displays various information according to instructions from the control unit 21.

[0040] The imaging unit 26 is an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) camera. The imaging unit 26 may not be built into the patient smartphone 2, but may be externally connected directly to the patient smartphone 2 and configured to be capable of imaging. The speaker 27 is a device that converts an electrical signal into sound.

[0041] The reading unit 28 reads the portable storage medium 2a, which includes a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM. The control unit 21 may read the control program 2P from the portable storage medium 2a via the reading unit 28 and store it in the storage unit 22. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may download the control program 2P from another computer via the network N or the like and store it in the storage unit 22. Furthermore, the control unit 21 may read the control program 2P from the semiconductor memory 2b.

[0042] The nurse smartphone 3 includes a control unit 31, a memory unit 32, a communication unit 33, an input unit 34, a display unit 35 (second display unit), an image capture unit 36, a speaker 37, and a reading unit 38. Each component is connected by a bus B. The configuration of the nurse smartphone 3 is the same as that of the patient smartphone 2, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] Next, the operation of the nurse call system will be described. First, the process of accepting a nurse call from the patient smartphone 2 will be described.

[0044] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a nurse call reception screen. This system has a nurse call mode corresponding to a location, including a hospital room or a toilet, and an emergency mode. The patient smartphone 2 displays a mode selection screen (not shown) that accepts selection of hospital room nurse call mode, toilet nurse call mode, or emergency mode.

[0045] When the patient smartphone 2 receives a switch operation between the hospital room nurse call mode, the toilet nurse call mode, and the emergency mode through the mode selection screen, the patient smartphone 2 switches between the hospital room nurse call mode, the toilet nurse call mode, and the emergency mode and displays them on the display unit 25. For example, when the patient smartphone 2 receives a touch operation of a switch button on the mode selection screen, the patient smartphone 2 switches between the hospital room nurse call mode, the toilet nurse call mode, and the emergency mode and displays them on the display unit 25.

[0046] Fig. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a reception screen in nurse call mode (hospital room), Fig. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a reception screen in nurse call mode (toilet), and Fig. 6C is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a reception screen in emergency mode.

[0047] The reception screen includes a patient name display field 11a, a room number display field 11b, a hospital room nurse call icon 11c, a toilet nurse call icon 11d, an emergency call icon 11e, and a speech bubble icon 11f.

[0048] The patient name display field 11a is a display field that displays the patient's name. The room number display field 11b is a display field that displays the patient's room number. The speech bubble icon 11f is an icon that indicates that an operation (e.g., a touch or double-click) of the hospital room nurse call icon 11c, the toilet nurse call icon 11d, or the emergency call icon 11e has been accepted.

[0049] When in nurse call mode, the patient smartphone 2 displays a nurse call object (hospital room nurse call icon 11c or toilet nurse call icon 11d) on the display unit 25. The hospital room nurse call icon 11c is an icon that accepts a nurse call from a hospital room. The toilet nurse call icon 11d is an icon that accepts a nurse call from a toilet.

[0050] When in emergency mode, the patient smartphone 2 displays an emergency call object (emergency call icon 11e) on the display unit 25. The emergency call icon 11e is an icon for accepting a nurse call in an emergency.

[0051] The display format of the hospital room nurse call icon 11c, the toilet nurse call icon 11d, and the emergency call icon 11e is not limited to icons, and may be, for example, objects such as buttons or images.

[0052] The patient smartphone 2 transmits the patient ID to the server 1. The server 1 acquires the name and room number of the patient from the patient DB 151 based on the patient ID transmitted from the patient smartphone 2. Note that if this system is linked to an external electronic medical record system, the server 1 may acquire the name and room number of the patient from the electronic medical record system based on the patient ID.

[0053] If the patient's name and room number are not stored (registered) in the patient DB 151, the patient smartphone 2 transmits patient information including the patient ID, name, room number, etc. to the server 1. The server 1 stores the patient information transmitted from the patient smartphone 2 in the patient DB 151.

[0054] The server 1 transmits the acquired patient name and room number to the patient smartphone 2. The patient smartphone 2 displays the patient name transmitted from the server 1 in the patient name display field 11a and the room number in the room number display field 11b.

[0055] As shown in Figure 6A, when the patient smartphone 2 receives a touch (click) operation on the hospital room nurse call icon 11c in the hospital room nurse call mode, it sends to the server 1 identification information that identifies the patient who performed the operation (e.g., the patient's name and room number) and the type of alert notification, which is "hospital room."

[0056] As shown in Figure 6B, when the patient smartphone 2 receives a touch operation on the toilet nurse call icon 11d in the toilet nurse call mode, it sends to the server 1 the identification information of the patient who performed the operation and the type of alert notification, which is "toilet."

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6C, when the patient smartphone 2 receives a touch operation on the emergency call icon 11e in emergency mode, it transmits to the server 1 the identification information of the patient who performed the operation and the type of alert notification that is “emergency.”

[0058] Furthermore, when the patient smartphone 2 receives a touch operation on any of the hospital room nurse call icon 11c, the toilet nurse call icon 11d, and the emergency call icon 11e, it displays a speech bubble icon 11f in association with the corresponding call icon. As shown in the figure, the speech bubble icon 11f displays the text "It's Pressing," indicating that the touch operation on the hospital room nurse call icon 11c has been received.

[0059] The text displayed in speech bubble icon 11f is arbitrary and may be an illustration or the like in addition to text. It is not limited to speech bubble icons. For example, when any of hospital room nurse call icon 11c, toilet nurse call icon 11d, and emergency call icon 11e is pressed, the color or size of the corresponding call icon may be changed. Alternatively, when any of hospital room nurse call icon 11c, toilet nurse call icon 11d, and emergency call icon 11e is pressed, the display format of the corresponding call icon may be changed to make it appear as if it is being pressed.

[0060] The server 1 receives the patient identification information and the type of alert notification sent from the patient smartphone 2. The server 1 sends an alert notification including the identification information and the type of alert notification sent from each patient smartphone 2 to the nurse smartphone 3. The nurse smartphone 3 receives multiple alert notifications for patients with different patient identification information sent from the server 1. The nurse smartphone 3 displays the multiple received alert notifications on the display unit 35.

[0061] Next, the process of displaying an alert notification by the nurse smartphone 3 will be described.

[0062] 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an alert notification display screen. The display screen includes a plurality of alert notification display fields 12a, urgency icons 12b, and a message dialog 12c. The alert notification display fields 12a are display fields that display alert notifications. The urgency icons 12b are icons that indicate the urgency of the alert notification. The message dialog 12c is a message dialog that displays a notification to a nurse.

[0063] The server 1 acquires the corresponding alert ID from the alert setting DB 153 according to the type of alert notification sent from the patient smartphone 2. The server 1 acquires the corresponding patient ID from the patient DB 151 based on the patient's identification information. The server 1 stores the patient's alert notification in the alert notification management DB 154. Specifically, the server 1 assigns a management ID. The server 1 associates the acquired alert ID, patient ID, date and time the alert was notified, and the response status of "unhandled" with the assigned management ID and stores them as one record in the alert notification management DB 154.

[0064] The server 1 generates alert notification display information for displaying multiple alert notifications for patients with different identification information. Specifically, the server 1 acquires the alert ID, patient ID, response status, and attending nurse ID for each patient from the alert notification management DB 154 based on the response status of "not responding" or "responding." The server 1 acquires patient identification information, including the patient's name or room number, from the patient DB 151 based on each patient ID. The server 1 acquires the type of alert notification, urgency, and urgency icon from the alert setting DB 153 based on the alert ID corresponding to each patient. The server 1 generates alert notification display information including the acquired identification information, alert notification type, urgency or urgency icon, etc. for each patient.

[0065] The server 1 sends the generated alert notification display information to the nurse smartphone 3. The nurse smartphone 3 receives the alert notification display information sent from the server 1. The nurse smartphone 3 displays the received alert notification display information in the alert notification display field 12a in a predetermined display order. The display order may be, for example, in descending order of urgency or in descending order of the most recent notification date and time.

[0066] As shown in the figure, the alert notification display field 12a displays the type of alert notification, the patient's name, and the room number. Note that the information displayed in the alert notification display field 12a described above is merely an example and is not limited to the type of alert notification, the patient's name, and the room number. For example, if the server 1 transmits information such as the patient's age, the patient's gender, the name of the attending physician, the medical department, or whether or not the patient uses a wheelchair to the nurse smartphone 3, the nurse smartphone 3 may display this information in the alert notification display field 12a.

[0067] The nurse smartphone 3 also displays the urgency icons included in the alert notification display information in the urgency icons 12b in association with each alert notification display field 12a. As shown in the figure, icons with high urgency are indicated by diagonal hatching going up to the right, icons with medium urgency are indicated by cross hatching, and icons with low urgency are indicated by diagonal hatching going down to the right. Note that the display mode of the icons is not limited to the above. The display mode may be changed by changing the figure or design drawn on the urgency icon 12b, or by changing the color or pattern, etc.

[0068] For example, if alert notification is not supported, the display mode of the alert notification display field 12a is shown without hatching.

[0069] When the nurse smartphone 3 receives a touch operation for an alert notification that is to be handled, it changes the display mode of the alert notification to indicate which alert notification the nurse is handling. As shown in the figure, the display mode of the alert notification display field 12a corresponding to the alert notification being handled by the nurse (first nurse) is indicated by diagonal hatching slanting upward to the right.

[0070] In this case, the nurse smartphone 3 updates the response status of the alert notification. Specifically, the nurse smartphone 3 sends the management ID corresponding to the alert notification and the nurse ID of the nurse to the server 1. The server 1 stores the response status of "in response" and the nurse ID of the nurse in response in the alert notification management DB 154, in association with the management ID sent from the nurse smartphone 3.

[0071] Furthermore, among the multiple alert notifications displayed in the alert notification display field 12a, the nurse smartphone 3 changes the display format of the alert notification in which a second nurse, who is different from the first nurse, is in charge. As shown in the figure, the display format of the alert notification display field 12a corresponding to the alert notification in which the second nurse is in charge is indicated by cross-hatching.

[0072] The display mode is not limited to the above-described display mode of the alert notification display field 12a. The display mode may be a change of the figure or design drawn in the alert notification display field 12a, or a change of the color or pattern.

[0073] When the nurse smartphone 3 receives a touch operation for an alert notification during a response by the second nurse, it sends the identification information of the patient corresponding to the alert notification to the server 1. The server 1 receives the patient identification information sent from the nurse smartphone 3. The server 1 acquires information about the second nurse based on the received identification information. The information about the second nurse includes, for example, the nurse ID (hereinafter referred to as the second nurse ID) and name of the second nurse.

[0074] Specifically, based on the received identification information, the server 1 acquires the second nurse ID from the alert notification management DB 154. Based on the acquired second nurse ID, the server 1 acquires the name of the second nurse from the nurse DB 152. The server 1 transmits the acquired second nurse ID and name to the nurse smartphone 3.

[0075] If the alert notification sent to the nurse smartphone 3 includes information about the second nurse currently responding to the alert notification, the nurse smartphone 3 may acquire the second nurse's ID, name, etc. from the alert notification.

[0076] The nurse smartphone 3 receives the second nurse ID and name sent from the server 1. The nurse smartphone 3 displays a message including the received second nurse ID and name in the message dialog 12c. As shown in the figure, as an example, "10015 Taniguchi Jirou is currently assisting" is displayed in the message dialog 12c.

[0077] 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for accepting a nurse call. The control unit 21 of the patient smartphone 2 accepts a switching operation between a nurse call mode (for example, a nurse call mode in a hospital room or a nurse call mode in a toilet) and an emergency mode via the input unit 24 (step S201). The control unit 21 determines whether the switching operation has resulted in the nurse call mode (step S202).

[0078] If the control unit 21 determines that the mode is not the nurse call mode (NO in step S202), it determines whether the mode is the emergency mode due to a switching operation (step S203). If the control unit 21 determines that the mode is not the emergency mode (NO in step S203), it transitions to the processing of step S205 described below.

[0079] When it is determined that the mode is the emergency mode (YES in step S203), the control unit 21 displays an emergency call object (for example, the emergency call icon 11e in FIG. 6) on the display unit 25 (step S204). The control unit 21 proceeds to the process of step S206, which will be described later.

[0080] When determining that the mode is the nurse call mode (YES in step S202), control unit 21 displays a nurse call object (for example, hospital room nurse call icon 11c or toilet nurse call icon 11d in FIG. 6) on display unit 25 (step S205).

[0081] Control unit 21 receives an operation (e.g., touch) of the nurse call object or the emergency call object from input unit 24 (step S206). Control unit 21 displays, via display unit 25, a second object (e.g., speech bubble icon 11f in FIG. 6) indicating that the operation has been received, in association with the nurse call object or the emergency call object (step S207).

[0082] The control unit 21 transmits identification information for identifying the patient who performed the operation (e.g., patient ID, patient name, and room number) and the type of alert notification (e.g., hospital room, toilet, or emergency) to the server 1 via the communication unit 13 (step S208). The control unit 11 of the server 1 receives the patient identification information and the type of alert notification transmitted from the patient smartphone 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S101).

[0083] The control unit 11 stores the alert notification in the alert notification management DB 154 of the mass storage unit 15 (step S102). Specifically, the control unit 11 acquires the corresponding alert ID from the alert setting DB 153 of the mass storage unit 15 based on the type of the received alert notification. The control unit 11 assigns a management ID. The control unit 11 associates the acquired alert ID, patient ID, date and time the alert was notified, and the response status of "unhandled" with the assigned management ID and stores them as one record in the alert notification management DB 154. The control unit 11 then terminates the processing.

[0084] 9 is a flowchart showing the processing steps for displaying an alert notification. The control unit 11 of the server 1 acquires an alert notification for each patient from the alert notification management DB 154 in the mass storage unit 15 (step S103). Specifically, the control unit 11 acquires the alert ID, patient ID, response status, and attending nurse ID for each patient from the alert notification management DB 154 based on the response status being "not responded" or "responding."

[0085] The control unit 11 generates alert notification display information for displaying multiple alert notifications for patients with different identification information (step S104). Specifically, the control unit 11 acquires patient identification information, including the patient's name or room number, from the patient DB 151 of the mass storage unit 15, based on each patient ID. The control unit 11 acquires the type of alert notification, the level of urgency, and the urgency icon from the alert setting DB 153 of the mass storage unit 15, based on the alert ID corresponding to each patient. The control unit 11 generates alert notification display information including the acquired identification information, type of alert notification, the level of urgency or the urgency icon, etc. of each patient.

[0086] The control unit 11 sends the generated alert notification display information to the nurse smartphone 3 via the communication unit 13 (step S105). The control unit 31 of the nurse smartphone 3 receives the alert notification display information sent from the server 1 via the communication unit 33 (step S301). The control unit 31 displays the received alert notification display information in a predetermined display format via the display unit 35 in a predetermined display order (for example, in descending order of urgency or in descending order of notification date and time) (step S302).

[0087] Regarding the display mode, for example, the control unit 31 displays an alert notification whose response status is "not responded" without hatching. Alternatively, if the response status is "responding" and the responding nurse ID is the nurse ID of the nurse in question (first nurse), the control unit 31 displays the alert notification with diagonal hatching sloping upward to the right. Furthermore, if the response status is "responding" and the responding nurse ID is a second nurse ID different from the first nurse, the control unit 31 displays the alert notification with cross hatching.

[0088] The control unit 31 receives an alert notification operation (e.g., touch) via the input unit 34 (step S303). The control unit 31 determines whether the alert notification corresponding to the received operation is an alert notification in which a second nurse is currently responding (step S304). If the alert notification corresponding to the received operation is an alert notification in which a second nurse is currently responding (YES in step S304), the control unit 31 acquires information about the second nurse (second nurse ID, name, etc.) (step S305).

[0089] Specifically, the control unit 31 sends the identification information of the patient corresponding to the alert notification to the server 1. The control unit 11 of the server 1 receives the patient identification information sent from the nurse smartphone 3. Based on the received identification information, the control unit 11 acquires the second nurse ID from the alert notification management DB 154 of the mass storage unit 15. Based on the acquired second nurse ID, the control unit 11 acquires the name of the second nurse from the nurse DB 152 of the mass storage unit 15. The control unit 11 sends the acquired second nurse ID and name to the nurse smartphone 3 via the communication unit 13.

[0090] The control unit 31 displays the acquired information about the second nurse on the display unit 35 (step S306). The control unit 31 ends the process.

[0091] If the alert notification corresponding to the received operation is not an alert notification indicating that the second nurse is currently handling the case (NO in step S304), the control unit 31 receives the handling operation by the nurse via the input unit 34 (step S307).

[0092] The control unit 31 updates the response status of the alert notification that is the target of the operation (step S308). Specifically, the control unit 31 sends the management ID and nurse ID corresponding to the alert notification to the server 1. The control unit 11 of the server 1 stores the response status of "in response" and the nurse ID in response in the alert notification management DB 154, in association with the management ID sent from the nurse smartphone 3. The control unit 31 ends the process.

[0093] Next, the process of periodically notifying unaddressed alerts will be described. When a predetermined date and time arrives, or when a predetermined amount of time has passed since the alert notification, the server 1 extracts unaddressed alerts from the alert notification management DB 154 and transmits the extracted unaddressed alerts to the nurse smartphone 3. The predetermined date and time may be a time (e.g., 9:01, 9:02, 9:03, ...) specified at a predetermined cycle (e.g., once per minute).

[0094] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure when notifying unaddressed alerts periodically. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate the same content as in Fig. 9, and the description thereof will be omitted. The control unit 11 of the server 1 determines whether or not a predetermined date and time has arrived based on the current date and time (step S121). If the predetermined date and time has not arrived (NO in step S121), the control unit 11 waits.

[0095] When the predetermined date and time arrives (YES in step S121), the control unit 11 extracts unhandled alert notifications from the alert notification management DB 154 of the mass storage unit 15 (step S122). Specifically, the control unit 11 acquires the alert ID and the patient ID from the alert notification management DB 154 of the mass storage unit 15 based on the handling status being "unhandled." The control unit 11 executes the process of step S104.

[0096] In this embodiment, transmission and reception between the patient smartphone 2 and the nurse smartphone 3 is performed via the server 1, but this is not limited to this. For example, various information may be transmitted and received directly between the patient smartphone 2 and the nurse smartphone 3. Specifically, patient identification information is stored in advance in the storage unit 32 of the nurse smartphone 3, and when the nurse smartphone 3 receives an alert notification sent from the patient smartphone 2, it associates the patient's identification information stored in the storage unit 32 with each patient and displays multiple alert notifications for patients with different identification information on the display unit 35.

[0097] Alternatively, a distributed ledger technology such as a blockchain network may be used, with the patient smartphone 2 and the nurse smartphone 3 as nodes, to directly send and receive various information between multiple patient smartphones 2 and multiple nurse smartphones 3.

[0098] According to this embodiment, by displaying an alert notification on the nurse smartphone 3 in response to a nurse call from each patient, it is possible to contribute to efficient and flexible management of medical facilities.

[0099] According to this embodiment, by using the patient smartphone 2 and the nurse smartphone 3, there is no need to separately prepare a dedicated nurse call device, which makes it possible to reduce the cost of introducing the equipment.

[0100] According to this embodiment, it is possible to periodically notify the nurse smartphone 3 of unaddressed alerts.

[0101] <Variation 1> The following describes the process of displaying multiple shortcut objects according to patient requests along with a nurse call object on the display unit 25 of the patient smartphone 2. The shortcut objects are objects set according to patient requests. Patient requests include, for example, end of IV drip, IV blockage, pain, ice pack change, phlegm suction, toilet assistance, diaper change, meal end, or infusion end.

[0102] Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the record layout of the alert setting DB 153 in Modification 1. Description of content that overlaps with Fig. 4 will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 11, types of alert notifications are classified according to the patient's request or location, and include, for example, "emergency," "toilet," "hospital room," "end of IV drip," "blocked IV drip," "pain," "ice pack change," "phlegm suction," "toilet assistance," "diaper change," "meal end," or "infusion end."

[0103] Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a reception screen and a display screen in Modification 1. Note that the same reference numerals are used to denote the same contents as in Figs. 6 and 7, and the description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 12A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a nurse call reception screen in Modification 1. The reception screen includes a plurality of shortcut objects 11g.

[0104] The shortcut object 11g is an icon that accepts a nurse call in response to a patient's request. While Fig. 12 shows examples of shortcut objects 11g corresponding to the end of an IV drip, blocked IV drip, pain, ice pack change, phlegm suction, toilet assistance, diaper change, meal end, and infusion end, the present invention is not limited to these. For example, shortcut objects 11g corresponding to requests for meal provision, bed adjustment, or position change may also be provided.

[0105] Furthermore, when the shortcut object 11g is pressed, a speech bubble icon (second object) may be displayed in association with the shortcut object 11g, or the color or size of the shortcut object 11g may be changed. Furthermore, when the shortcut object 11g is pressed, the display format may be changed so that the shortcut object 11g appears to be pressed.

[0106] When the patient smartphone 2 receives a touch operation on the shortcut object 11g, it sends to the server 1 identification information that identifies the patient who performed the operation (e.g., the patient's name and room number) and the type of alert notification corresponding to the shortcut object 11g.

[0107] The server 1 receives the patient identification information and the type of alert notification sent from the patient smartphone 2. The server 1 sends an alert notification including the identification information and the type of alert notification sent from each patient smartphone 2 to the nurse smartphone 3. The nurse smartphone 3 receives multiple alert notifications for patients with different patient identification information sent from the server 1. The nurse smartphone 3 displays the multiple received alert notifications on the display unit 35.

[0108] 12B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an alert notification display screen in Modification 1. The server 1 generates alert notification display information (patient identification information, alert notification type, urgency or urgency icon, etc.) for displaying multiple alert notifications for patients with different identification information. Specifically, the server 1 acquires patient identification information including the patient's name or room number from the patient DB 151 based on each patient ID. The server 1 acquires the alert notification type, urgency, and urgency icon from the alert setting DB 153 based on the alert ID corresponding to each patient. The control unit 11 generates alert notification display information including the acquired patient identification information, alert notification type, urgency or urgency icon, etc.

[0109] The server 1 sends the generated alert notification display information to the nurse smartphone 3. The nurse smartphone 3 receives the alert notification display information sent from the server 1. The nurse smartphone 3 displays the received alert notification display information in the alert notification display field 12a in a predetermined display order (for example, in descending order of urgency). As shown in the figure, the alert notification display field 12a displays the type of alert notification (emergency, toilet, hospital room, end of IV drip, pain, sputum suction or diaper change, etc.), the patient's name, and room number.

[0110] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure when accepting a nurse call in Modification 1. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate the same contents as in Fig. 8, and the description thereof will be omitted. After executing the processing of step S205, the control unit 21 of the patient smartphone 2 displays one or more shortcut objects (shortcut object 11g in Fig. 12A) according to the patient's request on the display unit 25 (step S211). The control unit 21 executes the processing of step S206.

[0111] According to this embodiment, it is possible to display an alert notification on the nurse smartphone 3 according to the shortcut object.

[0112] According to this embodiment, by providing a plurality of shortcut objects 11g in order to flexibly convey the patient's requests to the nurse, it becomes possible to save communication time.

[0113] <Variation 2> The process of simultaneously notifying each patient's smartphone 2 by voice or text from the nurse smartphone 3 will be described.

[0114] 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen for alert notification in Modification 2. The display screen includes a broadcast voice notification button 12d and a broadcast text notification button 12e.

[0115] The voice notification button 12d is a button for simultaneously notifying a voice to a plurality of patient smartphones 2. The text notification button 12e is a button for simultaneously notifying a text to a plurality of patient smartphones 2. The display format of the voice notification button 12d and the text notification button 12e is not limited to a button, and may be, for example, an object such as an icon or an image.

[0116] When the nurse smartphone 3 receives an operation (e.g., a touch) of the voice broadcast button 12d, it receives the input voice. For example, the content of the voice may be, "Everyone, a fire alarm has been activated in the ward. Please evacuate immediately." The nurse smartphone 3 transmits the received voice to the server 1. The server 1 receives the voice transmitted from the nurse smartphone 3. The server 1 transmits the received voice to each patient smartphone 2. Each patient smartphone 2 outputs the voice transmitted from the server 1 through the speaker 27.

[0117] When the nurse smartphone 3 receives an operation (e.g., a touch) of the mass text notification button 12e, it receives the input text. For example, the text may be, "The influenza epidemic is continuing. Please be sure to wash your hands and wear a mask!" The nurse smartphone 3 sends the received text to the server 1. The server 1 receives the text sent from the nurse smartphone 3. The server 1 sends the received text to each patient smartphone 2. Each patient smartphone 2 displays the text sent from the server 1 on the display unit 25.

[0118] 15 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for simultaneous notification of voice or text. The control unit 31 of the nurse smartphone 3 displays, on the display unit 35, a voice notification object (for example, the voice notification button 12d in FIG. 14) for simultaneous notification of voice to multiple patients, and a text notification object (for example, the text notification button 12e in FIG. 14) for simultaneous notification of text to multiple patients (step S321).

[0119] The control unit 31 receives an operation (e.g., a touch) of the voice notification object via the input unit 34 (step S322). The control unit 31 acquires the voice received after the operation of the voice notification object (step S323). The control unit 31 transmits the acquired voice to the server 1 via the communication unit 33 (step S324).

[0120] The control unit 11 of the server 1 receives the voice transmitted from the nurse smartphone 3 via the communication unit 13 (step S121). The control unit 11 transmits the received voice to each patient smartphone 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S122). The control unit 21 of each patient smartphone 2 receives the voice transmitted from the server 1 via the communication unit 23 (step S221). The control unit 21 outputs the received voice via the speaker 27 (step S222).

[0121] The control unit 31 of the nurse smartphone 3 receives an operation (e.g., touch) of the text notification object through the input unit 34 (step S325). The control unit 31 acquires the text received after the operation of the text notification object (step S326). The control unit 31 transmits the acquired text to the server 1 through the communication unit 33 (step S327).

[0122] The control unit 11 of the server 1 receives the text transmitted from the nurse smartphone 3 via the communication unit 13 (step S123). The control unit 11 transmits the received text to each patient smartphone 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S124). The control unit 21 of each patient smartphone 2 receives the text transmitted from the server 1 via the communication unit 23 (step S223). The control unit 21 displays the received text on the display unit 25 (step S224). The control unit 21 ends the process.

[0123] According to this modification, emergency or important information can be shared by simultaneously notifying each patient's smartphone 2 by voice or text from the nurse smartphone 3. (Embodiment 2) The second embodiment relates to a form in which a video (image) call is established between a patient who responds to an alert notification and a nurse. Note that a description of the contents that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0124] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 1 in the second embodiment. Note that the same reference numerals are used to denote the same contents as those in FIG. 2, and the description thereof will be omitted. The mass storage unit 15 includes a symptom output model 155. The symptom output model 155 is an output device that outputs (estimates) information about the patient's symptoms based on video data from a video call with the patient, and is a trained model generated by machine learning. Note that the symptom output model 155 will be described later.

[0125] Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a video call screen. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate the same content as in Figure 7, and the description thereof will be omitted. This screen includes a patient video call field 12g and a nurse video call field 12h.

[0126] The patient video call field 12g and nurse video call field 12h are display fields that display the call room screen for the video call when a video call is established between a patient corresponding to the alert notification and a nurse. Note that if only audio communication is required, the patient video call field 12g and nurse video call field 12h may not display video and only audio communication may be established.

[0127] The patient smartphone 2 sends a video call request to the server 1. The video call request includes, for example, a nurse ID, a patient ID, an alert ID, or connection request information indicating a connection request for a communication session to establish a video call (video communication) between the nurse and the patient. The connection request information includes, for example, network information (such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address) of the nurse smartphone 3, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for the video call, and an ID or authentication key for establishing secure communication.

[0128] The server 1 receives the video call request sent from the patient smartphone 2 and sends the received video call request to the nurse smartphone 3. The nurse smartphone 3 receives the video call request sent from the server 1. The nurse smartphone 3 accepts the selection of an alert notification to be responded to from among multiple alert notifications. In response to the received video call request, the nurse smartphone 3 sends connection response information of permission to establish a video call with the patient smartphone 2 to the server 1 via a confirmation screen (not shown) on the call screen.

[0129] The connection response information includes the response status, network information of the connection source (patient smartphone 2), network information of the connection destination (nurse smartphone 3), and a security token for joining the call. The server 1 performs processing to establish a video call between the patient smartphone 2 and the nurse smartphone 3 in response to the connection response information sent from the nurse smartphone 3. Note that the server 1 may also be configured to establish only voice communication between the patient smartphone 2 and the nurse smartphone 3.

[0130] The process of establishing a video call may utilize a video call system that transmits and receives data in real time between terminals via the Internet, or a technology such as an API (Application Programming Interface) for video calls. When video communication between a nurse and a patient is established in this way, the nurse can visually check the patient's condition and take appropriate action.

[0131] The server 1 records the established video call. After the video call ends, the server 1 stores the response status of "responded" and the video data of the recorded video call in the alert notification management DB 154 in association with the nurse ID, patient ID, and alert ID.

[0132] Furthermore, information about the patient's symptoms can be output based on the video data from the video call. Specifically, the server 1 acquires video data corresponding to the alert notification from the alert notification management DB 154 based on the management ID of the alert notification. The video data includes frame images (video images) and audio data (the content of the conversation during the video call).

[0133] The server 1 inputs the acquired video data into the symptom output model 155 and outputs information about the patient's symptoms. The information about the patient's symptoms includes the presence or absence of fever, cough, headache, fatigue, difficulty breathing, or digestive symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain), or the state of any wounds (e.g., sprains, cuts, or bruises).

[0134] The symptom output model 155 is used as a program module that is part of artificial intelligence software. The symptom output model 155 is a learning model that outputs information about the symptoms of a patient when video data from a video call between a patient and a nurse is input.

[0135] The symptom output model 155 may be generated (constructed) using, for example, a DNN (Deep Neural Network(s)), a CNN (Convolution Neural Network), an RCNN (Regions with Convolutional Neural Network), Fast RCNN, Faster RCNN, an SSD (Single Shot Multibook Detector), a YOLO (You Only Look Once), an SVM (Support Vector Machine), a Bayesian network, a Transformer network, or a regression tree.

[0136] The server 1 generates the symptom output model 155 using the training data. The training data is a combination of video data (frame images and audio data) from a video call between a patient and a nurse, and information about the patient's symptoms (fever, fatigue, etc.) in association with each other. The learning process of the symptom output model 155 is performed by, for example, optimizing parameters based on a large amount of training data so that output data approaches correct data, thereby learning (updating) parameter information included in the symptom output model 155.

[0137] In the present embodiment, an example of the symptom output model 155 constructed based on frame images and audio data included in video data has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The symptom output model 155 may be, for example, a trained model generated based on only either frame images or audio data included in video data.

[0138] In addition, video data may be input into large language models (LLMs) and information about the patient's symptoms may be output using zero-shot learning or few-shot learning of the language model.

[0139] The server 1 transmits information about the patient's symptoms (e.g., coughing or nausea) output from the symptom output model 155 to the nurse smartphone 3. The nurse smartphone 3 receives the information about the patient's symptoms transmitted from the server 1. The nurse smartphone 3 displays the received information about the patient's symptoms on the screen.

[0140] 18 is a flowchart showing the processing steps for establishing a video call between a patient and a nurse. The control unit 21 of the patient smartphone 2 sends a video call request including a nurse ID, a patient ID, an alert ID, or connection request information indicating a connection request for a communication session to establish a video call between the patient and the nurse to the server 1 via the communication unit 23 (step S231).

[0141] The control unit 11 of the server 1 receives the video call request sent from the patient smartphone 2 via the communication unit 13 (step S131) ​​and sends the received video call request to the nurse smartphone 3 (step S132). The control unit 31 of the nurse smartphone 3 receives the video call request sent from the server 1 via the communication unit 33 (step S331).

[0142] The control unit 31 receives a selection of an alert notification to be handled from among the multiple alert notifications via the input unit 34 (step S332). In response to the video call request received via the confirmation screen on the call screen, the control unit 31 transmits connection response information (response status, source or destination network information, etc.) of permission to establish a video call with the patient smartphone 2 to the server 1 via the communication unit 33 (step S333).

[0143] The control unit 11 of the server 1 receives the connection response information sent from the nurse smartphone 3 via the communication unit 13 (step S133). In response to the received connection response information, the control unit 11 performs processing to establish a video call between the patient smartphone 2 and the nurse smartphone 3 (step S134). The control unit 11 records the established video call (step S135).

[0144] The control unit 11 determines whether the video call has ended (step S136). If the video call has not ended (NO in step S136), the control unit 11 returns to the processing of step S135. If the video call has ended (YES in step S136), the control unit 11 stores the response status of "responded" and the video data of the recorded video call in association with the nurse ID, patient ID, and alert ID in the alert notification management DB 154 of the mass storage unit 15 (step S137).

[0145] The control unit 11 inputs the recorded video data to the symptom output model 155 (step S138) and outputs information about the patient's symptoms (fever, fatigue, etc.) (step S139). The control unit 11 transmits the information about the patient's symptoms output from the symptom output model 155 to the nurse smartphone 3 via the communication unit 13 (step S140).

[0146] The control unit 31 of the nurse smartphone 3 receives the information about the patient's symptoms sent from the server 1 via the communication unit 33 (step S334). The control unit 31 displays the received information about the patient's symptoms on the display unit 35 (step S335). The control unit 31 ends the process.

[0147] According to this embodiment, by establishing a video call between a patient who responds to an alert notification and a nurse, the nurse can easily grasp changes in the patient's physical condition.

[0148] According to this embodiment, by using video calls, it is possible to reduce travel time for nurses and improve work efficiency. (Embodiment 3) The third embodiment relates to a form in which an evaluation of each nurse is output according to the number of alert notifications that each nurse has responded to. Note that a description of the contents that overlap with the first and second embodiments will be omitted.

[0149] Fig. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a record layout of the nurse DB 152 in embodiment 3. Description of content that overlaps with Fig. 3 will be omitted. The nurse DB 152 includes a type column and a number of handled cases column. The type column stores the type of alert notification.

[0150] The number of responses column stores the number of responses to alert notifications by nurse for each type of alert notification. The number of responses to alert notifications by each nurse is calculated from the alert notification management DB 154 based on the nurse ID and the number of responses to alert notifications with a response status of "responded."

[0151] Figure 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen for the evaluation of each nurse. The display screen includes a response status graph 13a, a response count display field 13b, and a ranking display field 13c. The response status graph 13a is a graph showing the response status of each nurse to an alert notification. The response count display field 13b is a display field that displays the number of responses to alert notifications by each nurse. The ranking display field 13c is a display field that displays the ranking of each nurse.

[0152] Based on the nurse ID of each nurse, the server 1 acquires the number of alert notifications handled for each type of alert notification from the nurse DB 152. Based on the acquired number of alert notifications handled for each type of alert notification, the server 1 generates a graph showing the status of each nurse's response to alert notifications.

[0153] The server 1 calculates the ranking of each nurse based on the total number of cases handled by each nurse. The ranking of each nurse may also be calculated based on a score obtained by weighting and adding the number of cases handled by each type of alert notification. For example, the weighting coefficient for emergencies is 1.5, the weighting coefficient for toilets is 0.8, and the weighting coefficient for hospital rooms is 0.7. The weighting coefficients may be set according to the urgency or importance of the alert notification. In this case, the score of each nurse is calculated using the formula: "Number of emergency cases handled × 1.5 + Number of toilet cases handled × 0.8 + Number of hospital room cases handled × 0.7." The server 1 calculates the ranking of each nurse based on the calculated score of each nurse.

[0154] The server 1 transmits the generated graph, the name of each nurse, the number of alert notifications for each type of alert notification that have been handled, and the ranking of each nurse, in association with each nurse ID, to, for example, an administrator terminal. Note that instead of the administrator terminal, the server 1 may output this information to a monitor connected to the server 1. The administrator terminal receives the graph, the nurse ID and name of each nurse, the number of alert notifications for each type of alert notification that have been handled, and the ranking of each nurse transmitted from the server 1.

[0155] The administrator terminal displays the received graph on the response status graph 13a. As shown in the figure, the response status graph 13a is displayed in the form of a stacked vertical bar graph. Note that although the response status graph 13a is in the form of a stacked vertical bar graph, it is not limited to this and may be in other graph forms (for example, a stacked horizontal bar graph or a pie chart).

[0156] The horizontal axis of the response status graph 13a shows the names of nurses (for example, Nurse A, Nurse B, and Nurse C), and the vertical axis shows the number of responses to alert notifications by each nurse. The breakdown of the vertical axis of the response status graph 13a is the number of responses to alert notifications corresponding to the types of alert notifications: "emergency," "toilet," and "hospital room." "Emergency" is illustratively represented by a diamond (frame only). "Toilet" is illustratively represented by diagonal hatching sloping upward to the right. "Hospital room" is illustratively represented by vertical hatching.

[0157] As shown in the figure, the response status graph 13a displays the number of responses to alert notifications for each nurse, corresponding to "emergency," "toilet," and "hospital room."

[0158] The administrator terminal displays the total number of alert notifications and the number of alert notifications handled by each type in the handled number display field 13b, in association with the name of each received nurse. The administrator terminal displays the ranking of each nurse in association with the name of each nurse in the ranking display field 13c.

[0159] While FIG. 20 illustrates an example of evaluating each nurse based on the number of alert notifications they have responded to, this is not limiting. For example, a questionnaire may be administered to patients after an alert notification has been responded to. For example, a questionnaire survey may be conducted to collect patient satisfaction scores (e.g., 1 to 5 points) by conducting a survey that includes questions about the nurse's communication skills, attentiveness, and speed at which the nurse responds to patient requests. In this case, the server 1 may output an evaluation of each nurse based on both the aggregated patient satisfaction scores and the number of alert notifications they have responded to. Alternatively, the number of nurses who respond to each ward may be compared to evaluate the level of busyness and use this evaluation to achieve appropriate staffing.

[0160] 21 is a flowchart showing the processing steps for outputting the evaluation of each nurse. The control unit 11 of the server 1 acquires the number of alert notifications that have been handled for each type of alert notification from the nurse DB 152 in the mass storage unit 15 based on the nurse ID of each nurse (step S141). The control unit 11 generates a graph showing the status of each nurse's response to alert notifications based on the acquired number of alert notifications that have been handled for each type of alert notification (step S142).

[0161] The control unit 11 calculates the ranking of each nurse based on the total number of cases handled by each nurse (step S143). The control unit 11 transmits the generated graph, the name of each nurse, the number of handled alert notifications for each alert notification type, and the ranking of each nurse in association with each nurse ID to the manager terminal via the communication unit 13 (step S144).

[0162] The administrator terminal receives the graph, the nurse ID and name of each nurse, the number of alert notifications handled for each alert notification type, and the ranking of each nurse sent from server 1 (step S341). The administrator terminal displays the received graph, the name of each nurse, the number of alert notifications handled for each alert notification type, and the ranking of each nurse (step S342). The administrator terminal ends the processing.

[0163] According to this embodiment, by evaluating each nurse according to the number of alert notifications they respond to, facility managers can appropriately evaluate nurses, thereby enabling appropriate staffing. (Embodiment 4) The fourth embodiment relates to a configuration in which, when a nurse call button or an emergency nurse call button installed in a place including a patient room or a toilet is operated, an alert notification is displayed on the nurse smartphone 3. Note that a description of the contents that overlap with the first to third embodiments will be omitted.

[0164] If the patient does not have the patient smartphone 2 with them in a place such as the bathroom or toilet, or if the patient smartphone 2 cannot be turned on or does not have a radio wave reception, the patient smartphone 2 may be unable to use the nurse call or emergency call functions.

[0165] To ensure patient safety, nurse call buttons (e.g., toilet nurse call buttons or hospital room nurse call buttons) or emergency nurse call buttons are installed in locations including hospital rooms, bathrooms, and toilets. When a patient operates a nurse call button or emergency nurse call button installed in these locations, the server 1 sends an alert notification including the type of button and the patient's identification information to the nurse smartphone 3.

[0166] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of a nurse call button or an emergency nurse call button.

[0167] 22A is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of a normal nurse call button or an emergency nurse call button. As shown in the figure, button 14a is a normal nurse call button or an emergency nurse call button. Button 14a may be, for example, a U-shaped button that can only be partially pressed. Normal area 14b is a frame that indicates the area (region) on the surface of button 14a that can be pressed.

[0168] 22B is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of a covered toilet nurse call button or emergency nurse call button. Button 14a, which is only partially pressable, is covered with cover 14c so that the entire button can be pressed. Cover area 14e is a frame that indicates the area where cover 14c is attached to button 14a.

[0169] FIG. 22C is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of how to make the cover 14c. As an example, in step 1, a urethane cushion sticker 14f is attached to a predetermined location on the surface of the button 14a. The predetermined location is arbitrary and may be the upper right, upper left, or under the normal area 14b, as shown in the figure. In step 2, a cut-out sponge sheet 14g is attached on top of the urethane cushion sticker 14f so as to surround the urethane cushion sticker 14f.

[0170] In step 3, double-sided tape or adhesive is attached to the sponge sheet 14g. If the sponge sheet 14g is a double-sided sticker, step 3 can be omitted. In step 4, a transparent plate 14h that matches the size of the button 14a is attached on top of the button 14a to which the sponge sheet 14g has been attached.

[0171] In this embodiment, either a normal button 14a or a button 14a with a cover 14c attached may be installed in locations including a hospital room, a bathroom, or a toilet.

[0172] 23 is a flowchart showing the processing steps when a button is operated to send an alert notification to the nurse smartphone 3. The button includes a nurse call button or an emergency nurse call button installed in a place including a patient room or a toilet.

[0173] The button to be operated (hereinafter referred to as the operation button) accepts a press operation by the patient (step S951). The operation button transmits the button type (for example, toilet nurse call button, hospital room nurse call button, or emergency nurse call button) and identification information to the server 1 (step S952). The identification information includes the patient's name, room number, etc. The operation button may transmit the button type and identification information to the server 1 via the patient smartphone 2 connected via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless LAN.

[0174] The control unit 11 of the server 1 receives the button type and identification information transmitted from the operation button via the communication unit 13 (step S151). The control unit 11 stores the alert notification in the alert notification management DB 154 of the mass storage unit 15 (step S152).

[0175] Specifically, the control unit 11 determines the type of the received button as the type of alert notification, and based on the type of alert notification, acquires the corresponding alert ID from the alert setting DB 153 of the mass storage unit 15. Based on the received patient identification information, the control unit 11 acquires the corresponding patient ID from the patient DB 151 of the mass storage unit 15. The control unit 11 assigns a management ID. The control unit 11 associates the acquired alert ID, patient ID, date and time the alert was notified, and the response status of "unhandled" with the assigned management ID and stores them as one record in the alert notification management DB 154. The control unit 11 then terminates the processing.

[0176] Thereafter, similar to the processing of the first embodiment, the server 1 generates alert notification display information for displaying multiple alert notifications for patients with different identification information. The alert notification display information includes the button type (type of alert notification) and identification information (patient name, room number, etc.). The alert notification display information may also include an image or icon representing a physical button such as a toilet nurse call button, a hospital room nurse call button, or an emergency nurse call button. The server 1 transmits the generated alert notification display information to the nurse smartphone 3. The nurse smartphone 3 displays the alert notification display information transmitted from the server 1 on the display unit 35.

[0177] According to this embodiment, when a nurse call button or an emergency nurse call button installed in a place including a patient room or a toilet is operated, an alert notification can be displayed on the nurse smartphone 3.

[0178] According to this embodiment, even if the use of the nurse call or emergency call function of the patient smartphone 2 is restricted, it is possible to ensure the safety of the patient. (Embodiment 5) The fifth embodiment relates to a form in which a report document in response to an alert notification is displayed on the nurse smartphone 3. Note that a description of the contents that overlap with the first to fourth embodiments will be omitted.

[0179] Fig. 24 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 1 in embodiment 5. Note that the same reference numerals are used to denote the same parts as in Fig. 16, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The mass storage unit 15 includes a report document output model 156. The report document output model 156 is an output device that outputs a report document based on the response results to the alert notification and the content of the conversation between the patient and the nurse during a video call, and is a trained model generated by machine learning.

[0180] The report document output model 156 is a language generation model constructed by pre-training using large-scale text data (dataset). As the report document output model 156, for example, a large-scale language model (LLM) such as Transformer, ALBERT (A Lite BERT), GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer)-2, GPT-3, GPT-4, LLaVA (Large Language and Vision Assistant), MiniGPT-4, or BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) can be used.

[0181] The nurse smartphone 3 accepts input of the nurse's response results in response to the alert notification. The response results in response to the alert notification include, for example, the patient's symptoms, treatment, examination, prescription issuance, adjustment of medication dosage, nurse information, or response date and time. The nurse smartphone 3 sends the nurse ID, the management ID of the alert notification, and the response results in response to the received alert notification to the server 1.

[0182] The server 1 receives the nurse ID, the management ID of the alert notification, and the response result sent from the nurse smartphone 3. Based on the management ID of the received alert notification, the server 1 obtains the video data of the video call between the patient and the nurse from the alert notification management DB 154.

[0183] The server 1 may analyze the acquired video data using a voice recognition engine or the like and convert the audio data included in the video data into text. To convert the audio data into text, a voice-to-text conversion tool such as Azure Speech API (Application Programming Interface) may be used. Alternatively, the server 1 may convert the audio into text using a trained model based on machine learning such as AI (artificial intelligence).

[0184] The server 1 extracts information about the patient's symptoms (fever, nausea, chest pain, fatigue, etc.) from the text-converted voice data, which is the content of the conversation during the video call. The server 1 may input the acquired video data to the symptom output model 155 and output information about the patient's symptoms.

[0185] The server 1 generates a prompt including the response result to the alert notification and the extracted dialogue content from the video call. The server 1 outputs a report document by providing (inputting) the generated prompt to the report document output model 156.

[0186] 25 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the output process of a report document by the report document output model 156. The report document output model 156 is a language generation model that uses the response results to the alert notification and the content of the dialogue in the video call, and is used as a program module that is part of artificial intelligence software. The report document output model 156 is a pre-constructed language generation model that receives as input a prompt including the response results to the alert notification and the content of the dialogue in the video call, and outputs a report document corresponding to the alert notification.

[0187] Instead of storing the report document output model 156 in the mass storage unit 15, the server 1 may access an external language processing server or language processing platform and read it out.

[0188] A prompt is an instruction or input statement created in a format understandable to the report document output model 156 and given as input to the report document output model 156. The report document output model 156 interprets the input prompt and outputs an appropriate response (e.g., a report document).

[0189] As an example, the report document output model 156 divides the prompt into tokens to convert it into a format that can be processed by the report document output model 156. The report document output model 156 performs context understanding processing by calculating the association of each token with other tokens in the prompt.

[0190] The report document output model 156 generates a response to a prompt based on linguistic knowledge acquired through advance learning and fine-tuning. For example, the report document output model 156 selects the optimal token using a generation method such as greedy decoding, beam search, or sampling. The report document output model 156 decodes the selected token to return it to text format and generates a report document as output data.

[0191] In this embodiment, the prompt includes identification information (such as name and room number) of the patient corresponding to the alert notification, the response results to the alert notification, or report document creation instruction (command) information. The report document creation instruction information includes the report document name (e.g., incident report), format, report document items, or requests (instructions). Report document items include, for example, the content of the conversation during the video call, the nurse ID of the attending nurse, the nurse's name or response date and time, etc. The requests include, for example, a request to identify the patient's symptoms and response status by time period, or an instruction to extract information necessary for creating a summary of the video data.

[0192] As an example, the generated prompt is: “You are an expert medical professional. The alert notification for AAA, whose type is "hospital room" and whose room number is 5B01, has been handled. Video call conversation: Chest pain and fatigue... From this video call, we would like you to identify the patient's symptoms and response status by time period. Using the information above and a summary of the video data from the video call, create a report document that includes patient information, alert notification details, patient symptoms, and response results. Also, the output format for the time period should be in seconds (no milliseconds) for the start and end times.

[0193] The server 1 inputs the generated prompt to the report document output model 156 and outputs the report document. As shown in the figure, the output report document is "Patient Information Patient name:AAA Room number: 5B01 Alert Notification Details Type: Hospital room Nurse: BBB Response date:XXX Patient symptoms Chest pain accompanied by fatigue summary 00:46:14~02:34:22 The patient complained of chest pain and stated that he felt fatigued. 02:50:04~05:20:32 The nurse explained how to perform an electrocardiogram. Response results An electrocardiogram was performed. The electrocardiogram results will be reported to the doctor and additional treatment will be administered if necessary.

[0194] The output report document may include thumbnail images or link information (e.g., URLs) of the video data corresponding to each time period. The output report document may be a file in PDF (Portable Document Format) or the like.

[0195] Based on the nurse ID, the server 1 sends the report document output from the report document output model 156 to the corresponding nurse smartphone 3. The nurse smartphone 3 receives the report document sent from the server 1 and displays the received report document on the screen.

[0196] 26 is a flowchart showing the processing steps for displaying a report document in response to an alert notification. The control unit 31 of the nurse smartphone 3 accepts input of the nurse's response to the alert notification (patient symptoms, treatment, drug dosage adjustment, response date and time, etc.) via the input unit 34 (step S361). The control unit 31 transmits the nurse ID, the management ID of the alert notification, and the response result to the accepted alert notification to the server 1 via the communication unit 33 (step S362).

[0197] The control unit 11 of the server 1 receives the nurse ID, the management ID of the alert notification, and the response result sent from the nurse smartphone 3 via the communication unit 13 (step S161). Based on the management ID of the received alert notification, the control unit 11 acquires video data of the video call between the patient and the nurse from the alert notification management DB 154 in the mass storage unit 15 (step S162). The control unit 11 analyzes the video data using a voice recognition engine or the like, and converts the audio data included in the acquired video data into text (step S163).

[0198] The control unit 11 extracts the content of the conversation during the video call (information about the patient's symptoms, such as fever, nausea, chest pain, or fatigue) from the converted voice data (step S164). The control unit 11 generates a prompt including the response result to the alert notification and the extracted content of the conversation during the video call (step S165). The control unit 11 inputs the generated prompt to the report document output model 156 (step S166) and outputs the report document (step S167).

[0199] Based on the nurse ID, the control unit 11 sends the report document output from the report document output model 156 to the nurse smartphone 3 via the communication unit 13 (step S168). The control unit 31 of the nurse smartphone 3 receives the report document sent from the server 1 via the communication unit 33 (step S363) and displays the received report document on the display unit 35 (step S364). The control unit 31 ends the process.

[0200] According to this embodiment, by displaying a report document in response to an alert notification on the nurse smartphone 3, the patient's condition can be shared with the doctor, making it possible to provide more appropriate treatment.

[0201] The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0202] The matters described in each embodiment can be combined with each other. Furthermore, the independent claims and dependent claims described in the claims can be combined with each other in any and all combinations, regardless of the reference format. Furthermore, the claims use a format in which a claim references two or more other claims (multiple claim format), but this is not limited to this. A multiple claim (multi-multi claim) that references at least one other multiple claim may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0203] 1. Information processing device (server) 11 Control section (third control section) 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department 14 Reading unit 15 Mass storage 151 Patient DB 152 Nurse DB 153 Alert Settings DB 154 Alert notification management DB 155 Symptom Output Model 156 Report document output model 1a Portable storage media 1b semiconductor memory 1P control program 2. Information processing terminal (patient smartphone) 21 control unit (first control unit) 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 24 Input section 25 Display section (1st display section) 26 Photography Department 27 Speaker 28 Reading unit 2a Portable storage media 2b Semiconductor memory 2P control program 3. Information processing terminal (nurse smartphone) 31 Control unit (second control unit) 32 Storage section 33 Communications Department 34 Input section 35 Display section (second display section) 36 Photography Department 37 Speaker 38 Reading unit 3a Portable storage media 3b Semiconductor memory 3P control program

Claims

1. Displaying a nurse call object on the first display unit of each patient's smartphone; When an operation of the nurse call object is accepted, an alert notification including identification information for identifying the patient who performed the operation is displayed on the second display unit of the nurse's smartphone. Information processing methods.

2. A plurality of alert notifications for patients with different identification information are displayed on a second display unit of the nurse's smartphone. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

3. In the plurality of alert notifications displayed on the second display unit, the display form of an alert notification being handled by a second nurse different from the first nurse is made different from the display form of the alert notification. The information processing method according to claim 2 .

4. When an operation for the alert notification being handled is received, information about the second nurse who is responding to the alert notification being handled is displayed. The information processing method according to claim 3 .

5. When the selection of the alert notification and the operation of the video call object are accepted, a video call is established between the patient corresponding to the alert notification and the nurse.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

6. Obtaining video data from the video call; The acquired video data is input into a learning model that has been trained to output information about the patient's symptoms when video data from a video call is input, and the acquired information about the patient's symptoms is displayed on a second display unit of the nurse's smartphone. The information processing method according to claim 5 .

7. When a switching operation between a nurse call mode according to a location including a hospital room or a toilet and an emergency mode is received, the first display unit of the patient's smartphone switches between the nurse call mode and the emergency mode and displays the mode; In the nurse call mode, the nurse call object is displayed on the first display unit; In the emergency mode, an emergency call object is displayed on the first display unit.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

8. When an operation of the nurse call object or the emergency call object is accepted, a second object indicating a state in which the operation has been accepted is displayed in association with the nurse call object or the emergency call object. The information processing method according to claim 7.

9. displaying a plurality of shortcut objects according to requests from the patient together with the nurse call object on the first display unit; When the selection of the shortcut object is accepted, an alert notification including the identification information corresponding to the accepted shortcut object is displayed on a second display unit of the smartphone of the nurse.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The nurse's smartphone is periodically notified of any outstanding alerts.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The number of responses to the alert notification by each nurse is stored in the memory unit. Output the evaluation of each nurse according to the number of cases handled 3. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

12. A report document obtained by providing a language model with the response result to the alert notification and the content of the conversation between the patient and the nurse during the video call is displayed on a second display unit of the nurse's smartphone.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

13. When a nurse call button or an emergency nurse call button installed in a patient room or a place including a toilet is operated, an alert notification including the type of button and the identification information is displayed on a second display unit of the nurse's smartphone.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

14. a voice notification object for simultaneously notifying a plurality of patients of voice on a second display unit of the smartphone of the nurse; The voice received after operating the voice notification object is output through the speaker of each patient's smartphone.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

15. displaying a text notification object for simultaneously notifying a plurality of patients of text on a second display unit of the nurse's smartphone; The text received after the operation of the text notification object is displayed on the first display unit of each patient's smartphone.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1 or 2.

16. An information processing system comprising: a plurality of smartphones of patients each having a first display unit and a first control unit; a smartphone of a nurse each having a second display unit and a second control unit; and an information processing device each having a third control unit, The first control unit of each patient's smartphone displaying a nurse call object on the first display unit; When an operation of the nurse call object is accepted, identification information for identifying the patient who performed the operation is transmitted to the information processing device; The third control unit is receiving the identification information transmitted by the first control unit; sending an alert notification including the received identification information to the nurse's smartphone; The second control unit is receiving an alert notification transmitted by the third control unit; The received alert notification is displayed on the second display unit. Information processing system.

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