Biometric information input system

Abstract

To provide a biological information input system capable of suppressing contact with a person to be measured.SOLUTION: The biological information inputting system includes a first terminal and a second terminal different from the first terminal. The first terminal has a communication function capable of communicating with a measuring device and a display function. The measurement device is capable of measuring biological information of a measurement subject and has a communication function. The first terminal is assigned to the individual measurement subject in association with a bed on which the measurement subject is present. The first terminal is associated with the measurement subject. The biological information measured by the measuring device is input to the first terminal via the communication function. After a first person having an authority to approve the biological information is authenticated by the second terminal, a screen for approving first information including the biological information and information on the subject is displayed on the second terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a biometric information input system. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, hospitals and other medical facilities routinely measure patients' vital signs and other biometric information and enter it into electronic medical records. In recent years, it has been proposed to measure a patient's biometric information using a measuring device equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality, transfer the information via NFC to a terminal device placed at the patient's bedside, and register the information in the electronic medical record. However, because only pre-registered medical personnel are permitted to operate the terminal device used to register the biometric information, a medical personnel must visit the patient's location each time the biometric information is measured and registered.

[0003] In recent years, the shortage of medical professionals has become a serious social problem. Furthermore, if a patient is suffering from an infectious disease, it is preferable for even medical professionals to reduce opportunities for contact with the patient. For this reason, visiting a patient's home solely to measure and register vital signs increases the burden on medical professionals and may lead to the spread of infection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6793225 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a biometric information input system that can reduce contact with a subject. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A biometric information input system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first terminal device and a second terminal device different from the first terminal device. The first terminal device has a communication function for communicating with a measurement device and a display function. The measurement device is capable of measuring the biometric information of the person being measured and has a communication function. The first terminal device is assigned to the person being measured in association with the bed in which the person is occupying. The first terminal device is associated with the person being measured. The biometric information measured by the measurement device is input to the first terminal device via the communication function. After a first person having authority to approve the biometric information is authenticated by the second terminal device, a screen for approving first data including the biometric information and information about the person being measured is displayed on the second terminal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a biometric information input system that can reduce contact with a subject can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a biometric information input system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a biometric information input method according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the actions of a medical professional in the biometric information input method according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the behavior of a patient in the biometric information input method according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the biometric information input system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the biometric information input system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the biometric information input system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the biometric information input system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the biometric information input system according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the biometric information input system according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the biometric information input system according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the biometric information input system according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the biometric information input system according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the biometric information input system according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by the biometric information input system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a biometric information input system according to this embodiment.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, a biometric information input system 1 according to this embodiment includes a measuring device 10, a bedside terminal 20 (first terminal device), a station terminal 30 (second terminal device), and a server 40.

[0011] In this embodiment, the biometric information input system 1 is installed in a hospital. An electronic medical record 100 is installed in the hospital separately from the biometric information input system 1. Only pre-registered individuals, such as doctors and nurses working at the hospital (hereinafter collectively referred to as "medical professionals"), have the authority to operate the electronic medical record 100. The electronic medical record 100 is a type of electronic medical system. In this specification, the term "electronic medical system" refers to a system that is electronically installed, manages medical information, and is only available to pre-registered individuals. On the other hand, the biometric information input system 1 does not restrict who can input biometric information; for example, the subject can input the information themselves. On the other hand, the person who has the authority to approve the information input to the biometric information input system 1 is limited to pre-registered individuals, such as medical professionals working at the hospital.

[0012] The measuring device 10 is a device that measures biological information of a human body. The biological information is, for example, a vital sign value, and includes at least one parameter of body temperature, pulse rate, and blood pressure. The biological information may also include at least one parameter of respiratory rate, arterial oxygen saturation (SPO2), and blood glucose level. The biological information may also include parameters other than those mentioned above. A person to be measured can measure their own biological information by operating the measuring device 10. The person to be measured is, for example, a patient hospitalized in the hospital. The measuring device 10 also has a communication function. The communication function is, for example, a short-range communication function, such as NFC (Near Field Communication).

[0013] In the following, in this embodiment, NFC will be described as an example of a communication function possessed by the measuring device 10 and the bedside terminal 20. Because the communication distance of NFC is on the order of several mm to several cm, it is preferable to bring the transmitting device and receiving device into contact with each other in order to communicate, but this is not necessarily required and they can simply be held close together. In this embodiment, the term "contact" will be used to collectively refer to both bringing the devices into contact and holding them together. Use of communication functions other than NFC will be described later.

[0014] Body temperature can be measured, for example, by a thermometer. In this case, the measuring device 10 is a thermometer with a short-range communication function. Pulse rate and blood pressure can be measured, for example, by a sphygmomanometer. In this case, the measuring device 10 is a sphygmomanometer with a short-range communication function. Arterial oxygen saturation (SPO2) can be measured, for example, by a pulse oximeter. In this case, the measuring device 10 is a pulse oximeter with a short-range communication function. Blood glucose level can be measured, for example, by a self-monitoring blood glucose monitor. In this case, the measuring device 10 is a self-monitoring blood glucose monitor with a short-range communication function.

[0015] The bedside terminal 20 is installed near a specific patient. For example, a certain patient occupies a specific bed 200, and the bedside terminal 20 is attached to this bed 200 or installed near this bed 200. The bedside terminal 20 is also associated with this patient. For example, the bedside terminal 20 is associated with this patient via the installation location number of the bed 200. Note that the method of associating the bedside terminal 20 with the patient is not limited to the method via the installation location number of the bed 200; for example, a barcode displayed on the patient's wristband may be read with a barcode reader, or the patient's ID (Identity Document) may be entered.

[0016] The bedside terminal 20 is provided with, for example, a touch panel 21 and a communication unit 22. The touch panel 21 displays a screen for the patient and a screen for the medical professional, and information can be input via each screen. The communication unit 22 can electronically input the biometric information measured by the measuring device 10 and the time of measurement to the bedside terminal 20 by contacting the measuring device 10. The communication unit 22 also authenticates the medical professional by, for example, contacting the medical professional's ID card. The bedside terminal 20 may also authenticate the medical professional by inputting the medical professional's ID and password into the touch panel 21. The communication unit 22's function of communicating with the measuring device 10 and its function of authenticating the medical professional may be realized by separate hardware.

[0017] The station terminal 30 is installed in a location different from the bedside terminal 20, for example, in a staff station of the hospital. The staff station is, for example, a nurse station. The station terminal 30 is not operated by the patient.

[0018] The station terminal 30 is provided with, for example, a display 31, a keyboard 32, a mouse 33, and an authentication unit 34. The authentication unit 34 authenticates the medical professional, for example, by contacting the medical professional's ID card. The station terminal 30 may also authenticate the medical professional by inputting the medical professional's ID and password via the keyboard 32.

[0019] The server 40 is connected to the bedside terminal 20 and the station terminal 30. The bedside terminal 20, the station terminal 30, and the server 40 frequently exchange data with each other. The server 40 can also be connected to an electronic medical record 100.

[0020] When biological information and measurement time are input from the measuring device 10 via the bedside terminal 20, the biological information input system 1 generates first data by adding the time when the biological information was transferred from the measuring device 10 to the bedside terminal 20 and information about the patient to the biological information and measurement time. The first data is stored in the server 40, for example.

[0021] The biometric information input system 1 can display the first data on the bedside terminal 20 and can also display it on the station terminal 30, in response to a request from a medical professional. The medical professional can approve the first data via the bedside terminal 20 and can also approve the first data via the station terminal 30.

[0022] Before a medical professional, i.e., a person authorized to approve the first data, approves the first data, the biometric information input system 1 identifies the first data as being in a "provisionally registered state" and stores it. When the medical professional approves the first data, the biometric information input system 1 adds information about the medical professional who approved the first data to the first data to create second data, and stores this data in the server 40. In practice, the server 40 may identify the biometric information, etc., stored as the first data as being in a "fully registered state" and make it part of the second data. The fully registered second data is then output to the electronic medical record 100.

[0023] Next, the operation of the biometric information input system described above, that is, the biometric information input method according to this embodiment, will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the biometric information input method according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the actions of a medical professional in the biometric information input method according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the behavior of a patient in the biometric information input method according to this embodiment. 5 to 15 are diagrams showing screens displayed by the biometric information input system according to this embodiment. 2 to 4, biological information is expressed as "VS" (vital sign). The screens shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 15 are examples, and the layout of each screen is arbitrary.

[0024] First, a situation that is a premise for the biometric information input method according to this embodiment will be described. The patient to be measured is hospitalized in a hospital and occupies a specific bed 200 installed in a specific hospital room. A bedside terminal 20 is placed near the bed 200. A measuring device 10 is also placed near the bed 200. A server 40 stores information about the patient and medical professionals. The server 40 associates the patient information with the bedside terminal 20. When no patient is associated with the bedside terminal 20, a blank screen 51 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the touch panel 21.

[0025] Next, we will explain the case where a medical professional is present in a patient's room. 1 and 2, in the biometric information input system 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "system 1"), the bedside terminal 20 displays information about the patient associated with this bedside terminal 20 on the touch panel 21. For example, the bedside terminal 20 displays a screen 52 shown in Fig. 6. The screen 52 displays the patient's name 301, medical information 302 about the patient, information 303 about the medical professional in charge of the patient, etc.

[0026] As shown in step S31 of Fig. 3, the medical professional performs medical professional authentication by touching his / her ID card to the communication unit 22 of the bedside terminal 20. This allows the medical professional to operate the bedside terminal 20 as a medical professional. Alternatively, the medical professional may perform medical professional authentication by displaying the login screen 53 shown in Fig. 7 on the touch panel 21 and entering his / her ID and password on the login screen 53, without using the communication unit 22.

[0027] The system 1 proceeds to step S13 via step S12 in Fig. 2 and displays a screen for medical professionals. The screen for medical professionals displays the name 304 of the authenticated medical professional in addition to information about the patient, as in screen 54 shown in Fig. 8, for example.

[0028] Next, the system 1 proceeds to step S14 and displays a screen 55 for biometric information registration shown in Fig. 9. On the screen 55, parameters of the biometric information to be input are displayed.

[0029] Next, the medical professional or patient measures the patient's biological information using the measuring device 10. Then, the medical professional or patient touches the measuring device 10 to the communication unit 22 of the bedside terminal 20. This causes the measured biological information and the time the biological information was measured to be input from the measuring device 10 to the bedside terminal 20. Note that the screen 54 may be switched to screen 55 by touching the measuring device 10 to the communication unit 22 while screen 54 is displayed.

[0030] The system 1 proceeds from step S15 to step S16 in FIG. 2, where it creates first data including the measurement value of the biological information, the measurement time of the biological information, the transfer time of the biological information, and information about the patient, and displays the first data on the touch panel 21 of the bedside terminal 20. For example, the bedside terminal 20 displays a screen 56 shown in FIG. 10. The screen 56 displays the first data, i.e., the measured biological information 305, the measurement time 306, and the patient's name 301. The screen 56 also displays a "Register" button 307.

[0031] As shown in step S32 of FIG. 3, the medical professional checks the first data displayed on screen 56 (FIG. 10). If there are no problems, the medical professional presses the "Register" button 307 as shown in step S33. The medical professional can also correct the contents of biological information 305 or measurement time 306 and then press the "Register" button 307. In this case, the corrected first data is registered.

[0032] The "time" included in the first data may include three types of time: the measurement time 306 of the biological information stored in the measuring device 10, the time when the medical professional pressed the "Register" button 307, and, if the medical professional inputs a time after pressing the "Register" button, the input time.

[0033] The system 1 proceeds from step S17 to step S18 in Fig. 2, and creates second data by adding information about the medical professional who registered the first data to the first data, and stores it on the server 40. At this time, a code indicating "full registration" is assigned to the second data. Alternatively, the second data is stored in a data table different from the first data.

[0034] 2, the system 1 outputs the second data stored in the server 40 and identified as "main registration" to the electronic medical record 100. This completes the input of the biometric information.

[0035] Next, we will explain what happens when no medical staff is present in the patient's room. As shown in step S11 of FIG. 2, the system 1 displays a screen 52 (FIG. 6) on the touch panel 21 of the bedside terminal 20.

[0036] As shown in step S41 in FIGS. 1 and 4, the patient uses the measuring device 10 to measure his or her own biological information at a predetermined time or when instructed remotely by a medical professional.

[0037] 1 and 4, the patient then brings the measuring device 10 into contact with the communication unit 22 of the bedside terminal 20. This causes the measured biological information and the time at which the biological information was measured to be electronically input from the measuring device 10 to the bedside terminal 20.

[0038] At this time, the bedside terminal 20 has not yet authenticated the medical professional, so the system 1 proceeds from step S11 to step S12, and then to step S21. Then, because the measuring device 10 has contacted the communication unit 22 of the bedside terminal 20, the system 1 proceeds to step S22, and displays the measurement value 305 of the biological information on the touch panel 21. For example, the touch panel 21 displays screen 57 (FIG. 11). The "Register" button is not displayed on screen 57, but rather a "Close" button 308 is displayed.

[0039] As shown in step S43 of FIG. 4, the patient checks the measurement values ​​of the biological information on screen 57. After checking, when the patient presses the "Close" button 308 or when a specified time has elapsed, the screen of the bedside terminal 20 returns to screen 52 (see FIG. 6) showing the patient information. This completes the work that the patient must do. The patient is not permitted to modify the measurement values ​​of the biological information.

[0040] As shown in step S23 of Fig. 2, the system 1 creates first data including the measurement value of the biological information, the time of measurement of the biological information, the time of transfer of the biological information, and information about the patient, and stores the first data in the server 40. At this time, the system 1 assigns a code representing "provisional registration" to the first data. Alternatively, the system 1 stores the first data in a data table for "provisional registration."

[0041] Meanwhile, the station terminal 30 displays a screen 58 (FIG. 12) on the display 31. The names 301 of multiple patients are displayed on the screen 58. The names 301 of patients whose biometric information is in a provisional registration state may be highlighted by, for example, surrounding them with a thick frame.

[0042] As shown in step S31 of Figure 3, the medical professional touches their ID card to the authentication unit 34 of the station terminal 30 to authenticate themselves as a medical professional. This allows the medical professional to operate the station terminal 30. At this time, the medical professional may be authenticated by displaying a login screen 53 (Figure 7) on the station terminal 30 and having the medical professional enter their own ID and password. Once the medical professional is authenticated, the station terminal 30 displays a screen 59 (Figure 13). The name 310 of the authenticated medical professional is displayed on screen 59.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 14, when a medical professional selects a specific patient from screen 59 and presses button 311 to confirm the provisional registration, system 1 proceeds from step S24 to step S16, and displays screen 60 shown in Fig. 15 on display 31 of station terminal 30. Screen 60 displays first data 312 including the patient's measured biometric information. Screen 60 also displays a "Register" button 313.

[0044] At this time, if there is an abnormality in the first data, the system 1 can also display it on the station terminal 30. For example, if there is a time difference of a certain amount or more between the time when the measuring device 10 measured the biological information and the time when the data was transferred from the measuring device 10 to the bedside terminal 20, the system 1 may display a warning on the station terminal 30. In this case, the warning is not displayed on the bedside terminal 20.

[0045] The medical professional checks the first data 312 displayed on the display 31, as shown in step S32 of Figure 3. If there are no problems, the medical professional presses the "Register" button 313, as shown in step S33. As mentioned above, the medical professional can also correct the contents of the first data 312 and then press the "Register" button.

[0046] When the "Register" button 313 is pressed, the system 1 proceeds from step S17 to step S18 in Fig. 2, adds information about the medical professional to the first data to create second data, and saves this on the server 40. At this time, a code representing "full registration" is assigned to the saved second data. Alternatively, the second data is saved in a data table for "full registration."

[0047] 2, the system 1 outputs the stored second data to the electronic medical record 100. This completes the input of the biological information.

[0048] 3 may be performed via the bedside terminal 20. For example, when a medical professional visits a patient for a medical procedure other than measuring biological information, the medical professional may perform the operations shown in steps S31 to S33.

[0049] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. According to this embodiment, patients can measure their own biometric information. At this time, information is transmitted from the measuring device 10 to the bedside terminal 20 via a communication function, which makes it possible to prevent erroneous input compared to when patients manually input biometric information values. Furthermore, after a medical professional checks the provisionally registered biometric information and other information, they can approve the information and register it officially. The registered information is then output to the electronic medical record 100, ensuring the reliability of the information entered into the electronic medical record 100.

[0050] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the timing when the patient measures their vital signs and the timing when the medical professional approves and officially registers them can be separated in time. Furthermore, the medical professional can approve the provisionally registered vital signs for multiple patients at the same time via the station terminal 30. This allows the medical professional to be free from constraints regarding the timing of vital signs measurement, improving the freedom of action of the medical professional. This reduces the burden on the medical professional.

[0051] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, medical professionals do not need to visit patients just to measure their vital signs. This reduces the burden on medical professionals. Also, if the patient has an infectious disease, the risk of infection can be reduced.

[0052] In this embodiment, the communication function is NFC, but this is not limiting. For example, the communication function may be wired communication. In this case, the measurement values ​​of biological information can be transferred by connecting the measuring device 10 to the bedside terminal 20 via a wired connection. The communication function may also be wireless communication with a communication distance of approximately 10 to 100 m, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). In this case, the patient can measure their biological information while lying in bed 200, and the results can be transferred to the bedside terminal 20 installed in the same hospital room. In this case, however, it is preferable to associate the measuring device 10 with the patient on a one-to-one basis and pair the measuring device 10 with the bedside terminal 20 to prevent confusion with the biological information of other patients in the same or nearby hospital rooms.

[0053] Furthermore, in the biometric information input system according to this embodiment, a mobile terminal may be provided in addition to the bedside terminal 20 and the station terminal 30, or instead of the station terminal 30. The mobile terminal may be carried by a medical professional, who may use the mobile terminal to approve provisionally registered biometric information, etc. This allows the medical professional to perform approval work even when not at the staff station, further freeing them from location constraints. Furthermore, the medical professional may approve the first data using the server 40.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the station terminal 30 and the server 40 are configured as separate pieces of hardware, but the station terminal 30 and the server 40 may also be configured as a single piece of hardware. For example, one of the multiple station terminals 30 may have the server function. Alternatively, in a small-scale hospital, for example, only one computer may be provided that serves as both a station terminal and a server. Alternatively, the bedside terminal 20, the station terminal 30, and the server 40 may be realized by a single computer.

[0055] In addition, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the subject of biological information measurement is a patient hospitalized in a hospital, but this is not limited to this. For example, the subject may be an outpatient. In this case, the bedside terminal 20 may be installed in the patient's home and connected to the server 40 installed in the hospital via a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or the like.

[0056] The subject may also be a care-requiring person residing in a care facility. In this case, the electronic medical system may be a care support system or a care record system established in the care facility. The person authorized to operate the electronic medical system may be, for example, a caregiver working at the care facility. The person authorized to approve biometric information, etc. in system 1 may also be, for example, a caregiver working at the care facility.

[0057] The above-described embodiments and their modifications are examples of realizing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and modifications. For example, the present invention also includes the addition, deletion, or modification of some components or steps in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1: Biometric information input system 10: Measuring equipment 20: Bedside terminal (first terminal device) 21: Touch panel 22: Communications Department 30: Station terminal (second terminal device) 31: Display 32: Keyboard 33: Mouse 34: Authentication section 40: Server 51~60: Screen 100: Electronic medical records 200:Bed 301:Patient's name 302: Medical Information 303: Information about medical professionals 304: Name of medical professional 305: Biometric information 306:Measurement time 307: "Register" button 308: "Close" button 310: Name of medical professional 311: Button to confirm provisional registration 312: First Data 313: "Register" button

Claims

1. a first terminal device that has a display function and a communication function for communicating with a measuring device that can measure the biological information of the person being measured and has a communication function, and that is assigned to the person being measured in association with the bed in which the person being measured is occupying, and that is associated with the person being measured and into which the biological information measured by the measuring device is input via the communication function; a second terminal device different from the first terminal device; Equipped with A biometric information input system that displays a screen on the second terminal device for approving first data including the biometric information and information about the subject after a first person who has the authority to approve the biometric information is authenticated by the second terminal device.

2. The measurement time of the biological information is also input from the measurement device to the first terminal device, The biometric information input system according to claim 1 , wherein the first data also includes the measurement time.

3. 3. The biometric information input system according to claim 1, wherein when the first person approves the first data, second data is stored, the second data being the first data plus information about the approving first person.

Images