Automatic analyzer and alarm notification method for automatic analyzer

Abstract

Provided is an automatic analysis device that notifies, on the basis of the status of examination work, a user of a non-urgent alarm using a time and a notification method that are suitable for the user. This automatic analysis device stores therein notification priority data 203d indicating the notification priority set for alarms and notification control time period data 203c indicating a notification control time period during which the alarm notification method is controlled for an alarm for which a predetermined notification priority is set. Using the notification priority data, the automatic analysis device determines whether or not an alarm corresponding to a detected abnormality is the alarm for which the predetermined notification priority is set. If the alarm is determined to be the alarm for which the predetermined notification priority is set, the automatic analysis device controls the notification method for the alarm depending on whether the time is within or outside the notification control time period for the alarm indicated by the notification control time period data.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer and an alarm notification method for an automatic analyzer. [Background technology]

[0002] In automated analyzers that quantitatively and qualitatively analyze specific components in samples such as blood and urine, if an abnormality occurs during operation, the abnormality is notified by displaying a warning on the device screen and activating a warning sound or light.

[0003] As an example of technology related to alarm notification in an automatic analyzer, Patent Document 1 (WO 2017 / 145601) discloses that, based on information about the device status of the automatic analyzer and predetermined criteria, at least two alarms are planned for each abnormality item detected by the abnormality detection unit: an abnormality occurrence alarm that notifies the user when an abnormality occurs, and a handleable alarm that notifies the user when the device status becomes such that the abnormality can be handled. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 145601 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Generally, alarms issued by automated analyzers are classified into levels such as emergency stop, measurement impossible, and caution, depending on the degree to which the abnormality affects the device and the measurement. When an alarm is issued due to an emergency stop or measurement impossible level abnormality, sample measurement cannot be continued and immediate action is required. On the other hand, when an alarm is issued due to a caution level abnormality, the device will not stop operating, and the user must decide whether to continue the measurement.

[0006] Some caution-level alarms do not require the user to stop the sample measurement in order to respond. However, when an alarm is issued, the user must stop what they are doing to check the alarm contents. During busy testing hours, interrupting the user's work with a non-urgent alarm notification can lead to a decrease in work efficiency.

[0007] The automatic analyzer disclosed in Patent Document 1 sets in advance for each alarm criteria for determining whether the device is in a state where it can deal with the abnormality, and issues alarm notifications in two stages: when an abnormality occurs and when it is possible to deal with the abnormality, allowing the user to deal with the alarm in a timely manner.

[0008] However, there is a problem in that the user's situation at the time of alarm notification and the urgency of each alarm are not taken into consideration. For example, during busy hours for testing, the user needs to deal with alarms that affect the continuation of measurements as soon as possible. Since alarms with low urgency can be dealt with at a time that is convenient for the user, if notifications are sent during non-busy hours, the number of alarms during busy hours can be reduced, allowing the user to focus on testing work.

[0009] Furthermore, if an alarm occurs while a user who is not familiar with using the device is using the device, the user will not be able to deal with the alarm and may have to interrupt their inspection work by making an inquiry to another user, etc. Therefore, for alarms with low urgency, notification can be sent during the working hours of a user who is able to deal with the alarm, reducing the hassle of unnecessary inquiries, etc.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that notifies a user of low-urgency alarms at a timing and in a notification method appropriate for the user based on the status of testing work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic analyzer for quantitatively and qualitatively analyzing specific components in a sample, the automatic analyzer comprising: an abnormality detection unit for detecting abnormalities; an alarm control unit for controlling alarm notification for abnormalities detected by the abnormality detection unit; an alarm notification unit for notifying a user of the alarm; and a memory unit for storing data for the alarm control unit to control alarm notification, the memory unit stores notification priority data indicating the notification priority set for the alarm; and notification control time zone data indicating the notification control time zone, which is a time zone for controlling the alarm notification method for alarms for which a predetermined notification priority has been set; and when the alarm control unit determines that an alarm corresponding to an abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit is an alarm for which a predetermined notification priority has been set according to the notification priority data, the alarm control unit controls the notification method of the alarm by the alarm notification unit depending on whether the alarm is within or outside the notification control time zone for the alarm indicated in the notification control time zone data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, low-urgency alarms can be notified at a timing and in a manner appropriate for the user based on the status of the testing work, thereby improving the work efficiency of the entire testing room. Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an automatic analyzer. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the operation unit PC. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an alarm list screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an alarm notification priority setting screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an alarm notification control setting screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an alarm notification control time period setting screen. [Figure 7]10 is a flowchart illustrating a process from abnormality detection to alarm notification when alarm notification control is enabled. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user information setting screen. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process from abnormality detection to alarm notification when alarm notification restriction is enabled. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings used in this specification, the same or similar reference numerals are used to designate the same or corresponding components, and repeated description of these components may be omitted.

[0015] First, an automatic analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the automatic analyzer according to this embodiment. The automatic analyzer 100 comprises a sample loading section 101, a sample information reading section 102, a transport line 103, an analyzing section 104, a sample storage section 105, an operating section PC 106, etc.

[0016] The sample loading section 101 is a unit in the automatic analyzer 100 that loads sample containers containing patient samples, control samples, and quality control samples onto a sample rack.

[0017] Each specimen container is provided with a barcode or RFID tag indicating identification information, and the specimen is identified by reading the identification information in the specimen information reading unit 102. The read specimen information is sent to the operation unit PC 106.

[0018] The transport line 103 is a unit that transports sample racks supplied from the sample loading section 101 to the target analysis section 104 in accordance with an analysis request from a user, and transports samples after analysis is complete to the sample storage section 105.

[0019] The analysis unit 104 is a unit that performs sample analysis and is composed of analysis devices that perform biochemical analysis, immunological analysis, electrolyte analysis, etc. In this embodiment, an automatic analyzer equipped with one analysis device will be described as an example, but any automatic analyzer that includes one or more analysis devices will suffice. Furthermore, the configuration of the analysis unit 104 is not particularly limited, and when it is composed of multiple analysis devices, the analysis devices may be the same or a combination of different analysis devices.

[0020] The sample storage unit 105 is a unit that stores samples after analysis is completed.

[0021] The operation unit PC 106 is a computer equipped with a CPU, memory, etc. The operation unit PC 106 is communicably connected to each device of the automatic analyzer 100 via a wired or wireless network line, and controls the operation of each device of the automatic analyzer 100 based on programs and data input by the user, and monitors the device status and the analysis status of samples. The operation unit PC 106 may also be connected to a host system that controls the entire hospital or laboratory system, or to a terminal such as a PC, tablet, or mobile device held by a user who operates the automatic analyzer 100.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of the operation unit PC 106 provided in the automatic analyzer 100. Fig. 2 shows only the parts of the operation unit PC 106 that are related to the alarm function, and omits other control functions. The operation unit PC 106 is composed of an input unit 201, a display unit 202, a memory unit 203, a predictive calculation unit 204, an abnormality detection unit 205, an alarm control unit 206, an alarm notification unit 207, etc.

[0023] The input unit 201 is a device such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel that allows a user to input instructions and information to the automatic analyzer 100 .

[0024] The display unit 202 is a display that displays various operation screens, alarm information, etc. If the display unit 202 is a touch panel type, it also functions as the input unit 201.

[0025] The memory unit 203 stores a program for controlling the automatic analyzer 100, measurement history data 203a, busyness data 203b, notification control time zone data 203c, notification priority data 203d, notification method data 203e, required skill data 203f, and user data 203g. The measurement history data 203a is data such as the reading date and reading time of a sample read by the sample information reading unit 102 of the automatic analyzer 100. The busyness data 203b is data on the busyness and busy time zone for each time period predicted by the predictive calculation unit 204 (described later). The notification control time zone data 203c is data on the notification control time zone set based on the busy time zone predicted by the predictive calculation unit 204 or the notification control time zone set by the user. The notification priority data 203d is data on the notification priority set for each alarm. The notification method data 203e is data on the alarm notification method set by the user. The required skill data 203f is data on the skills required to deal with alarms set by the user. The user data 203g is data on the user ID, user name, working days, working hours, possessed skills, etc. of the user who uses the automatic analyzer 100.

[0026] The prediction calculation unit 204 predicts the busyness of each time period from the measurement history data 203a stored in the storage unit 203, and sets busy time periods for testing work from the predicted busyness. The method for predicting the busyness will be described later.

[0027] The abnormality detection unit 205 detects abnormalities in the automatic analyzer 100 based on information from sensors and the like attached to the automatic analyzer 100 .

[0028] The alarm control unit 206 determines the time and method of alarm notification based on the information stored in the storage unit 203 for each abnormality item detected by the abnormality detection unit 205.

[0029] The alarm notification unit 207 notifies the user of the alarm by displaying an alarm screen on the display unit 202 to notify the user of the occurrence of an abnormality, by emitting a warning sound from a speaker provided in the automatic analyzer 100, or by turning on a warning light.

[0030] The method for predicting busyness using the prediction calculation unit 204 will now be described. The number of samples measured in the past is tallied by day of the week and time period from the measurement history data 203a stored in the memory unit 203, and the predicted number of samples for each time period for each day of the week is calculated from the average value. The time period predicted to have the greatest number of samples in a day is set to a busyness of 100%. The number of samples in the time period predicted to have the greatest number of samples is compared with the predicted number of samples for each time period to calculate the busyness (%). The busyness is calculated using the following formula: Busyness (%) = predicted number of specimens in a certain time period / number of specimens in the time period with the highest predicted number of specimens in a day x 100 For example, if the predicted number of specimens during the time period with the highest number of specimens is 300, and the predicted number of specimens from 12:00 to 13:00 is 150, the busyness level from 12:00 to 13:00 is calculated to be 50%.

[0031] The information used for the prediction is not limited to the number of samples measured in the past, and factors that may affect the busyness level may also be reflected in the results calculated above.

[0032] As an example, we will explain the case where the number of workers performing testing work is used as a factor that can affect the busyness level. Generally, laboratories often use a shift system for work, and the number of workers can vary depending on the time of day. Therefore, by reflecting the number of workers at each time in the busyness level predicted from the number of samples, it becomes possible to make a prediction that is more in line with the actual situation in the laboratory. The number of workers at each time can be calculated from the working hours of users stored in the user data 203g of the memory unit 203.

[0033] For example, suppose there are two workers working from 7:00 to 8:00 and four workers working from 8:00 to 9:00. Assuming that 100 samples are handled during each time period, the workload per worker from 7:00 to 8:00 is 50 samples, while the workload per worker from 8:00 to 9:00 is 25 samples. The workload per worker for the former is twice that of the latter. Therefore, a coefficient is set according to the number of workers. For example, if the coefficient is 1 when four workers are working, the coefficient is 2 when two workers are working. By multiplying the number of samples per hour by the coefficient, the number of samples per hour reflecting the number of workers can be calculated as follows: 7:00-8:00 (when working with two people): 100 x 2 = 200 samples 8:00-9:00 (4 people working): 100 x 1 = 100 samples From the above, the busyness level from 8:00 to 9:00 is calculated to be 50% of the busyness level from 7:00 to 8:00. Similarly, by multiplying the predicted number of samples for each hour by a coefficient corresponding to the number of workers, the busyness level can be reflected to reflect the impact of changes in workload due to the number of workers.

[0034] Information that can affect the busy status is not limited to the above examples, and various other examples are included.

[0035] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an alarm list screen. The alarm list screen 300 shown in Fig. 3 is a screen that displays all alarms notified by the automatic analyzer 100. The alarm list screen 300 has an alarm list section 301, an alarm category selection section 302, an alarm content display section 303, and an alarm notification priority setting screen display button 304.

[0036] The alarm list section 301 displays the alarm code, alarm level, and alarm message for all alarms notified by the automatic analyzer 100. The alarm code is a code for uniquely identifying the alarm. The alarm level is a level set according to the importance of the alarm. The alarm message is a message displayed on the display section 202 to notify the user of the situation. Alarms are also categorized by related function, and the user can check alarms in each category by switching tabs in the alarm category selection section 302. In this example, alarms are categorized into four categories: "Analysis," "Reagent," "Maintenance," and "System." This allows the user to efficiently search for the desired alarm from among the numerous alarms. When the user selects an alarm for which they wish to check the details, the alarm code, alarm level, alarm message, details, and countermeasures for that alarm are displayed in the alarm content display section 303.

[0037] When the user presses alarm notification priority setting screen display button 304, the alarm notification priority setting screen is displayed. An example of the alarm notification priority setting screen is shown in Fig. 4. The alarm notification priority setting screen 400 has an alarm list section 401, an alarm category selection section 402, a notification priority setting section 403, a required skill setting section 404, an alarm content display section 405, and a save button 406.

[0038] The alarm list section 401 displays alarms output by the automatic analyzer 100 for which the user can set notification priorities. Here, alarms for which the user can set notification priorities are alarms at a caution level for which there is no need to stop sample measurement even if an abnormality occurs, and for which the user must decide whether to continue the analysis. The alarm list section 401 displays the alarm code, alarm level, and alarm message for alarms at a caution level. The user can check alarms in each category by switching tabs in the alarm category selection section 402. When the user selects an alarm for which they want to check the details, the alarm code, alarm level, alarm message, details, and countermeasures for that alarm are displayed in the alarm content display section 405.

[0039] The notification priority of an alarm can be set for each alarm in the notification priority setting unit 403. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the notification priority of an alarm is set to one of two priorities, “normal” or “low,” based on the urgency of the alarm. When an alarm occurs in the automated analyzer 100, an alarm with a notification priority set to “normal” is immediately notified to the user. For an alarm with a notification priority set to “low,” the alarm control unit 206 determines the notification time and notification method for the alarm based on the notification control time period and notification method set in the alarm notification control setting screen (described later). The default setting for the notification priority may be set to “normal,” and the notification priority setting for each alarm may be changed as needed. Furthermore, while the example shown in FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which the user sets the notification priority for each alarm individually, a button or the like may be provided that allows the user to set the notification priority for all alarms in a specific category at once to reduce the user's configuration effort.

[0040] The user sets the notification priority to "low" for alarms for which the user does not want to receive notifications during certain time periods or for which the notification method is to be restricted. For example, the user sets the notification priority to "low" for alarms that the user considers to be of low urgency because they do not affect sample measurement. Examples of alarms that do not affect measurement include alarms that are notified when the amount of data stored in the operation unit PC 106 reaches a reference value and alarms that recommend maintenance. Since neither of these alarms will immediately shut down the device or interrupt measurement, they are alarms that can be handled at a time that is convenient for the user's work.

[0041] The user sets the skill level required to deal with each alarm in the required skill setting section 404. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the skill level is set in three stages (the larger the number, the higher the level), but the format of the skill level classification is not particularly limited.

[0042] Save button 406 is a button for saving the settings entered by the user on alarm notification priority setting screen 400. Pressing save button 406 executes a process of saving the information set in notification priority setting unit 403 as notification priority data 203d in storage unit 203, and the information set in required skill setting unit 404 as required skill data 203f in storage unit 203.

[0043] 5 is a diagram showing an example of an alarm notification control setting screen. The alarm notification control setting screen 500 is a screen for setting the notification control time period and notification method for alarms that are set to low notification priority. The alarm notification control setting screen 500 has an alarm notification control switching section 501, an alarm notification control time period setting screen display button 502, a notification control time period list section 503, a notification method setting section 504, and a save button 505.

[0044] The alarm notification control switching unit 501 is a button that the user uses to switch between enabling and disabling alarm notification control. Here, alarm notification control is enabled when the user checks the checkbox, and disabled when the user unchecks it. Alarm notification control refers to controlling whether to notify the user of an alarm that has been set to a low notification priority according to the set notification control time period and notification method. When alarm notification control is disabled, the user is notified of the alarm immediately, regardless of the notification priority setting.

[0045] When the user presses the alarm notification control time period setting screen display button 502, an alarm notification control time period setting screen is displayed, allowing the user to set the alarm notification control time period. The alarm notification control time period setting screen will be described later. The days of the week, start times, and end times of all notification control time periods set on the alarm notification control time period setting screen are displayed in the notification control time period list section 503. The number of notification control time periods that can be set needs to be one or more.

[0046] The notification method setting unit 504 selectively sets a notification method from multiple predefined options when an alarm with a low notification priority occurs during a notification control time period. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which either "notify outside the notification control time period" or "display only on the screen (no notification sound)" is selected for alarms with a low notification priority. For example, if the notification method is set to "notify outside the notification control time period," when an alarm with a low notification priority occurs during a notification control time period, the automated analyzer 100 withholds notification of the alarm during the notification control time period and notifies the alarm after the notification control time period. If multiple alarms occur during a notification control time period, they are notified together. If the notification method is set to "display only on the screen (no notification sound)," when an alarm with a low notification priority occurs during a notification control time period, the automated analyzer 100 notifies the alarm with both a notification sound and a visual display outside the notification control time period, but instead displays a screen on the display unit 202 to notify the occurrence of the alarm without a notification sound. Note that the notification method is not limited to the above example and includes various other examples.

[0047] The save button 505 is a button for saving the notification control time period and notification method set on the alarm notification control setting screen 500. By pressing the save button 505, a process is executed in which the notification control time period information set on the alarm notification control time period setting screen is saved as notification control time period data 203c in the storage unit 203, and the information set in the notification method setting unit 504 is saved as notification method data 203e in the storage unit 203.

[0048] 6 is a diagram showing an example of an alarm notification control time period setting screen. The alarm notification control time period setting screen 600 has a day of the week selection section 601, a busyness prediction display section 602, a busyness threshold setting section 603, a notification control time period display section 604, a user setting section 605, and a decision button 606.

[0049] The day of the week selection section 601 is used to switch the screen for setting the notification control time period for each day of the week. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the notification control time period is set for Monday.

[0050] The busyness prediction display unit 602 displays the busyness level predicted by the prediction calculation unit 204 so that the busyness level for each time period can be easily recognized. This allows the user to set a busyness level threshold while checking the busyness status for each time period in the busyness level threshold setting unit 603 described below. Here, the change in busyness level for each time period is displayed as a line graph, but the display format is not limited to the format shown in FIG. 6.

[0051] The user sets a busyness threshold in the busyness threshold setting unit 603. The prediction calculation unit 204 determines that a time period in which the predicted busyness value exceeds the set threshold is a busy time period. In this example, the busyness threshold is set to 60%, and 8:30 to 12:00 is the busy time period. Although FIG. 6 shows a case in which there is only one busy time period, there may be multiple busy time periods. If a busyness threshold is not set, the busy time period is not calculated.

[0052] The time periods determined to be busy time periods are displayed as notification control time periods in the notification control time period display section 604. By setting the busy time periods predicted from past measurement history as notification control time periods, the notification control time period is automatically reset even if the trend in the number of specimens increases or decreases changes, saving the user the trouble of changing the settings. In addition, by predicting busy conditions for each day of the week, it is possible to accommodate cases where the testing work or number of specimens varies depending on the day of the week.

[0053] The user setting section 605 is used when the user sets the notification control time period. The user inputs the start time and end time of the notification control time period into the user setting section 605.

[0054] The decision button 606 is a button for registering the notification control time period set on the alarm notification control time period setting screen 600 in the notification control time period list section 503 of the alarm notification control setting screen 500. Furthermore, when the user presses the decision button 606, the alarm notification control time period setting screen 600 is closed and the screen returns to the alarm notification control setting screen 500.

[0055] The procedure for setting the notification control time period using the alarm notification control setting screen 500 and the alarm notification control time period setting screen 600 is as follows.

[0056] First, the user presses the alarm notification control time period setting screen display button 502 on the alarm notification control setting screen 500 to display the alarm notification control time period setting screen 600 .

[0057] (1) When setting the busy time period as the notification control time period The user sets a busyness threshold in busyness threshold setting section 603. Once the busyness threshold is set, the time periods determined to be busy by prediction calculation section 204 are displayed as notification control time periods in notification control time period display section 604. After that, when enter button 606 is pressed, alarm notification control time period setting screen 600 is closed, and the notification control time period is registered in notification control time period list section 503 of alarm notification control setting screen 500.

[0058] (2) When setting the notification control time period in the user settings The user inputs the start time and end time of the notification control time period into the user setting section 605. After that, when the user presses the decision button 606, the notification control time period input into the user setting section 605 is registered in the notification control time period list section 503 of the alarm notification control setting screen 500.

[0059] The notification control time period can be set to the busy time period or the user-defined notification control time period, and it is also possible to set only one or both.

[0060] The flow from abnormality detection to alarm notification when alarm notification control is enabled in the automatic analyzer 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0061] When the abnormality detection unit 205 detects an abnormality that has occurred in the automatic analyzer 100 (S701), the alarm control unit 206 acquires the notification priority data 203d stored in the memory unit 203 for the alarm corresponding to the abnormality, and proceeds to the notification priority determination step (S703).

[0062] (1) When notification priority is normal alarm As a result of the determination of the notification priority (S703), if the notification priority is normal, the alarm control unit 206 sends alarm information to the alarm notification unit 207 to notify the user of the alarm (S704).

[0063] (2) Alarms with low notification priority If the notification priority is determined to be low (S703), the process proceeds to a step of acquiring notification control time period information (S705), where the alarm control unit 206 acquires notification control time period data 203c stored in the storage unit 203. Next, the process proceeds to a step of determining the notification control time period (S706). If the alarm occurs outside the notification control time period in step S706, the alarm control unit 206 sends alarm information to the alarm notification unit 207 and notifies the user of the alarm (S704). On the other hand, if the alarm occurs within the notification control time period in step S706, the alarm control unit 206 acquires notification method data 203e stored in the storage unit 203 (S707). The alarm control unit 206 then determines the alarm notification time and notifies the alarm according to the set notification method (S708).

[0064] This allows the user to be notified of alarms with low notification priority at a time and by a method appropriate for the user by setting the notification control time period and notification method for alarms with low notification priority. This allows the user to focus on the inspection work without being bothered by alarms with low notification priority, thereby improving the work efficiency of the inspection work.

[0065] Next, an example of controlling alarm notification based on the skills possessed by the user will be described.

[0066] For example, if an alarm occurs while a user who is not familiar with using the device is using the device, the user may not be able to deal with the alarm and may need to inquire with another user, etc. Therefore, for alarms with low urgency, setting restrictions according to the skills possessed by the user on duty can be expected to reduce the effort of unnecessary inquiries, etc.

[0067] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a user information setting screen. A user information setting screen 800 has a user information registration section 801, an alarm notification restriction switching section 802, and a save button 803.

[0068] The user registers the user ID, user name, working days, working hours, and possessed skills of the user who will use the automatic analyzer 100 in the user information registration section 801 .

[0069] The alarm notification restriction switching unit 802 is used to switch between enabling and disabling the alarm notification restriction based on the skills possessed by users who are working. For example, when a user checks a checkbox, the notification restriction is enabled, and when the user unchecks the checkbox, the notification restriction is disabled. When the notification restriction is enabled and an alarm with a low notification priority occurs, the alarm control unit 206 compares the required skills set for the alarm with the skills possessed by registered users to determine whether a user who can handle the alarm is at work and decides whether to postpone notification of the alarm. For example, if a person possessing the skills required to handle the alarm is outside of working hours, the alarm control unit 206 postpones notification of the alarm until the next working hours of the person possessing the skills required to handle the alarm.

[0070] Notification restrictions will be explained using the example user information shown in Figure 8. For example, if an alarm for required skill 3 occurs at 5:00 on Monday, the user who is working at that time has skill "1" and therefore cannot handle the alarm. The next working hours for the user who has skill 3 are from 7:00 to 17:00 on Monday, so the alarm will be notified after 7:00 on Monday.

[0071] The save button 803 is a button for executing a process of saving the information set on the user information setting screen 800 in the user data 203 g of the storage unit 203 .

[0072] The flow from anomaly detection to alarm notification when notification restrictions based on user skills are enabled will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0073] When the abnormality detection unit 205 detects an abnormality that has occurred in the automatic analyzer 100 (S901), the alarm control unit 206 acquires the notification priority data 203d stored in the memory unit 203 for the alarm corresponding to the abnormality, and proceeds to the notification priority determination step (S903).

[0074] (1) When notification priority is normal alarm As a result of the determination of the notification priority (S903), if the notification priority is normal, the alarm control unit 206 sends alarm information to the alarm notification unit 207 to notify the user of the alarm (S904).

[0075] (2) Alarms with low notification priority If the notification priority is determined to be low (S903), the process proceeds to a step of acquiring required skills set for the alarm (S905), in which the alarm control unit 206 acquires the required skills for the alarm from required skill data 203f stored in the storage unit 203. Next, the process proceeds to a step of acquiring user information (S906), in which the alarm control unit 206 acquires the user's working days, working hours, and possessed skills from user data 203g stored in the storage unit 203. Thereafter, the process proceeds to a step of determining whether a user possessing the skills required to deal with the alarm (hereinafter referred to as a skill-possessing user) is within working hours (S907). If the skill-possessing user is within working hours, the process proceeds to a step of acquiring notification control time zone information, in which the alarm control unit 206 acquires the notification control time zone from notification control time zone data 203c stored in the storage unit 203 (S909). If the skill-holding user is outside of working hours, the process is suspended until the skill-holding user's next working hour (S908), and then the process proceeds to a step of acquiring notification control time period information (S909). Next, in a step of determining the notification control time period (S910), if the time at which the alarm is to be notified is outside of the notification control time period, the alarm control unit 206 sends alarm information to the alarm notification unit 207 and notifies the user of the alarm (S904). If the time at which the alarm is to be notified is within the notification control time period, the alarm control unit 206 acquires the notification method data 203e stored in the memory unit 203 (S911). Thereafter, the alarm control unit 206 determines the alarm notification time and notifies the alarm according to the set notification method (S912).

[0076] In this way, by limiting alarm notifications based on the user's skills, alarms can be notified at a time when the user is able to respond to them, thereby reducing the burden on the user and improving the work efficiency of inspection work.

[0077] The effects of this embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0078] When an alarm is notified, the user must stop what they are doing to check the content of the alarm. During busy periods of testing or when users who are not familiar with using the equipment are using the equipment, notifications of low-urgency alarms are a burden to the user and cause a decrease in work efficiency.

[0079] In contrast, in this embodiment, the user sets the alarm notification priority, notification control time period, notification method, etc. in accordance with the operations of each facility. Then, if an alarm occurs during the notification control time period, the alarm control unit determines the notification time and notification method based on the alarm notification priority. This allows alarm notifications to be made in accordance with the operations of each facility, so that alarms can be notified to users at timings and by notification methods appropriate for the users. Furthermore, since users no longer need to interrupt their examination work to deal with low-urgency alarms, the work efficiency of the entire examination room can be improved.

[0080] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. For example, if only one notification control method is applied during the notification control time period (e.g., if alarm notification is only suspended), there is no need to store notification method data 203e in storage unit 203. Furthermore, while this embodiment describes an example in which information for controlling alarm notification is set and registered in operation unit PC 106, this is not limiting. When multiple automated analyzers are installed in a clinical laboratory and their operation is managed, this data may be stored from a management server connected to the operation unit PC of each automated analyzer. In this case, the content of the stored data may be changed depending on the operation of the clinical laboratory. For example, the working dates and times and skills of users working in the clinical laboratory may be registered as user data 203g without specifying the automated analyzer.

[0081] It is also possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment, or to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 100...automatic analyzer, 101...specimen loading section, 102...specimen information reading section, 103...transport line, 104...analysis section, 105...specimen storage section, 106...operation section PC, 201...input section, 202...display section, 203...storage section, 203a...measurement history data, 203b...busyness data, 203c...notification control time period data, 203d...notification priority data, 203e...notification method data, 203f...required skill data, 203g...user data, 204...predictive calculation section, 205...abnormality detection section, 206...alarm control section, 207...alarm notification section, 300...alarm list screen, 301...alarm list section, 302...alarm category selection section, 303...alarm content display section, 304...alarm notification priority setting screen display button, 400...alarm notification priority setting screen, 401...alarm list section, 402...alarm category selection section, 403...notification priority setting section, 404...required skill setting section, 405...alarm content display section, 406...save button, 500...alarm notification control setting screen, 501...alarm notification control switching section, 502...alarm notification control time period setting screen display button, 503...notification control time period list section, 504...notification method setting section, 505...save button, 600...alarm notification control time period setting screen, 601...day of week selection section, 602...busyness forecast display section, 603...busyness threshold setting section, 604...notification control time period display section, 605...user setting section, 606...decision button, 800...user information setting screen, 801...user information registration section, 802...alarm notification restriction switching section, 803...save button.

Claims

1. In an automatic analyzer that quantitatively and qualitatively analyzes specific components of a sample, a prediction calculation unit that sets busy time periods; an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality; an alarm control unit that controls notification of an alarm regarding an abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit; an alarm notification unit that notifies a user of an alarm; the alarm control unit has a storage unit that stores data for controlling alarm notification, the storage unit stores measurement history data indicating a past measurement history, notification priority data indicating a notification priority set for an alarm, and notification control time period data indicating a notification control time period that is a time period during which an alarm notification method is controlled for an alarm for which a predetermined notification priority is set, the prediction calculation unit predicts a busyness level for each time period based on the measurement history data, and determines a busy time period from the busyness level; When it is determined that an alarm corresponding to the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit is an alarm for which the predetermined notification priority is set by the notification priority data, the alarm control unit controls a notification method of the alarm by the alarm notification unit depending on whether the alarm is inside or outside a notification control time period of the alarm indicated in the notification control time period data, The automatic analyzer sets the time period determined to be the busy time period as the notification control time period of the notification control time period data.

2. In claim 1, When the alarm control unit determines that the alarm corresponding to the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit is an alarm for which the specified notification priority is set based on the notification priority data, the alarm control unit suspends notification of the alarm to the user during the notification control time period for the alarm, and causes the alarm notification unit to notify the user of the alarm outside the notification control time period for the alarm.

3. In claim 1, the storage unit stores notification method data indicating a notification method for an alarm to which the predetermined notification priority is set during the notification control time period; When the alarm control unit determines that the alarm corresponding to the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit is an alarm for which the predetermined notification priority is set based on the notification priority data, the alarm control unit causes the alarm notification unit to notify the user of the alarm using a notification method indicated in the notification method data during the notification control time period of the alarm, which is different from the notification method used outside the notification control time period of the alarm.

4. (delete)

5. In claim 1, The predictive calculation unit predicts the busyness level from the number of samples predicted for each time period for each day of the week based on the measurement history data, and determines that the time period when the busyness level is above a predetermined threshold is the busy time period.

6. In claim 1, When alarm notification control is set to disabled, the alarm control unit of the automatic analysis device does not control alarm notifications according to whether the alarm is inside or outside the notification control time period for the alarm indicated in the notification control time period data, even if it is determined that the alarm corresponding to the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit is an alarm for which the specified notification priority is set based on the notification priority data.

7. In claim 1, the storage unit stores required skill data indicating a required skill level set as a skill level required for dealing with an alarm, and user data indicating user information including at least a working day of the week, working hours, and possessed skills of a user; When the alarm control unit determines that the alarm corresponding to the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit is an alarm for which the predetermined notification priority is set based on the notification priority data, the automatic analysis device suspends notification of the alarm to the user until the working hours of the user who possesses skills that satisfy the required skill level set for the alarm.

8. In claim 1, The predetermined notification priority is a notification priority for an alarm that does not require the sample measurement to be stopped, and is a notification priority that is evaluated as having low urgency.

9. 1. An alarm notification method for an automatic analyzer that quantitatively and qualitatively analyzes a specific component of a sample, comprising: The device stores in advance measurement history data indicating past measurement history, notification priority data indicating notification priorities set for alarms, and notification control time period data indicating notification control time periods that are time periods for controlling the alarm notification method for alarms for which a predetermined notification priority is set, predicting a busyness level for each time period based on the measurement history data, and determining a busy time period from the busyness level; determining whether an alarm corresponding to the detected abnormality is an alarm to which the predetermined notification priority is set using the notification priority data; When it is determined that the alarm corresponding to the detected abnormality is an alarm for which the predetermined notification priority is set, a notification method for the alarm is controlled depending on whether the alarm is within or outside a notification control time period indicated in the notification control time period data. The alarm notification method, wherein the time period determined to be the busy time period is set as the notification control time period of the notification control time period data.

10. In claim 9, When it is determined that the alarm corresponding to the detected abnormality is an alarm for which the predetermined notification priority is set, notification of the alarm to the user is withheld during the notification control time period of the alarm, and the alarm is notified to the user outside the notification control time period of the alarm.

11. In claim 9, notification method data indicating a notification method for an alarm to which the predetermined notification priority is set during the notification control time period is stored in advance; When it is determined that the alarm corresponding to the detected abnormality is an alarm for which the specified notification priority is set, the alarm notification method notifies the user of the alarm during the notification control time period of the alarm by a notification method indicated in the notification method data that is different from the notification method used outside the notification control time period of the alarm.

12. (delete)

13. In claim 9, pre-stored required skill data indicating a required skill level set as a skill level required for dealing with an alarm, and user data indicating user information including at least the user's working days, working hours, and possessed skills; When it is determined that the alarm corresponding to the detected abnormality is an alarm for which the predetermined notification priority is set, notification of the alarm to the user is withheld until the working hours of a user who possesses skills that satisfy the required skill level set for the alarm.

14. In claim 9, An alarm notification method, wherein the predetermined notification priority is a notification priority for an alarm that does not require sample measurement to be stopped and is a notification priority that is evaluated as having low urgency.

15. In claim 9, An alarm notification method that predicts the busyness level from the number of samples for each time period for each day of the week predicted based on the measurement history data, and determines that a time period when the busyness level is above a predetermined threshold is the busy time period.

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