Programs and medical information management systems

Abstract

To provide a program and a medical information management system which can reduce a work load of a medical staff required for associating a patient, the medical staff and a medical device with each other.SOLUTION: A program causes a processor of an information terminal 30 to execute: selection processing of selecting a patient ID included in a beacon b2 having the maximum signal intensity in the plurality of beacons b2 that are received and selecting a medical device ID included in a beacon b1 having the maximum signal intensity in the plurality of beacons b1 that are received from the same type of medical devices 10; and transmission processing of transmitting the patient ID and the medical device ID to a medical information management server device 20 in such a state that the patient ID selected in the selection processing is associated with the medical device ID selected in the selection processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program and a medical information management system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a management system for managing the state of a medical pump has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The management system described in Patent Document 1 above includes a plurality of medical pumps for delivering a chemical solution to a patient and a plurality of information terminals that can be carried by medical staff. The medical pump includes a pump detection unit and a pump storage unit. The pump storage unit stores identification information of the medical pump and a pump communication unit that transmits the state of the medical pump detected by the pump detection unit via wireless communication. The information terminal includes a terminal communication unit that communicates with the medical pump via wireless communication and a terminal display unit that displays the identification information of the medical pump and the state of the medical pump received from the medical pump via the terminal communication unit. In addition, patient information is stored in the pump storage unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When using a management system as described in Patent Document 1 above, it is necessary to store patient information in advance for each medical pump. However, the patients using the medical pumps change daily. In this case, it is necessary to perform an operation of associating the medical pump with the patient information in the management system.

[0006] For example, medical staff could manually input patient information into a management system using a keyboard or buttons, but this would increase the workload and increase the risk of input errors. To prevent input errors, a barcode reader could be installed in the management system. However, barcodes may become unreadable due to poor attachment or printing defects. Therefore, even with a reader installed in the management system, manual input may still be necessary. Furthermore, since the reading process must be performed manually by medical staff, even with a reader installed in the management system, the workload for medical staff who handle many patients each day remains significant.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a program and a medical information management system that can reduce the workload of medical staff required to associate patients with medical devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, a program according to a first aspect of this disclosure is a communication unit that receives a radio signal, and is a program that causes a computer processor equipped with a communication unit that communicates with a server device to execute processing, comprising: a first reception process that receives a first radio signal containing patient identification information from one or more first transmitting terminals; a second reception process that receives a second radio signal containing medical device identification information from one or more second transmitting terminals; and, in the first reception process, the first radio signal containing the strongest signal strength among the received first radio signals. The processor is made to execute a first selection process for selecting the patient's identification information; a second selection process, when the second reception process receives a second radio signal from a plurality of second transmitting terminals and a plurality of second radio signals containing the identification information of the same type of medical device are received, for selecting the medical device identification information included in the second radio signal with the greatest signal strength among the plurality of second radio signals; and a transmission process, which associates the patient's identification information selected in the first selection process with the medical device identification information selected in the second selection process and transmits this information to a server device that manages medical device information.

[0009] The medical information management system according to the second embodiment comprises one or more first transmitting terminals that transmit a first radio signal containing patient identification information, one or more second transmitting terminals that transmit a second radio signal containing medical device identification information, a server device that manages medical device information, and an information terminal equipped with a communication unit that receives the first radio signal from the one or more first transmitting terminals and receives the second radio signal from the one or more second transmitting terminals, and communicates with the server device, wherein when the information terminal receives the first radio signal from the plurality of first transmitting terminals by the communication unit, it selects the most signal-strongest of the plurality of first radio signals received. The system selects the patient identification information contained in the first radio signal with the strongest signal strength, and when the communication unit receives second radio signals from multiple second transmitting terminals, and when it receives a second radio signal containing identification information for the same type of medical device, it selects the medical device identification information contained in the second radio signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple second radio signals, associates the selected patient identification information with the selected medical device identification information, and transmits it to a server device that manages medical device information, and the server device stores the patient identification information received from the information terminal in association with the medical device identification information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] With the above configuration, patient identification information and medical device identification information can be automatically acquired via wireless communication, eliminating the need for manual input. Furthermore, unlike when identification information is read using barcodes, wireless communication eliminates the need for manual reading. In addition, even if the communication unit receives multiple first wireless signals and multiple second wireless signals from the same type of medical device, the first wireless signal with the strongest signal strength and the second wireless signal with the strongest signal strength will be selected. This eliminates the need to select the identification information of one patient from the identification information of multiple patients, and the need to select the identification information of one medical device from the identification information of multiple medical devices of the same type. As a result, the workload of medical staff required to associate patients with medical devices can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a medical information management system 100 according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the medical information management system 100. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the blood glucose meter 10b, which is part of the medical device 10. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the infusion pump 40, which is part of the medical device 10. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the beacon terminal 50. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server device 20. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram (1) illustrating the medical information database 22a. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram (2) illustrating the medical information database 22a. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a diagram (3) illustrating the medical information database 22a. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram (4) illustrating the medical information database 22a. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a diagram (5) illustrating the medical information database 22a. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information terminal 30. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a flowchart (1) of the control processing by the medical information management system 100. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a flowchart (2) of the control processing by the medical information management system 100. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a flowchart (3) of the control processing by the medical information management system 100. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a flowchart (4) of the control processing by the medical information management system 100. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a flowchart (5) of control processing by the medical information management system 100. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a flowchart (6) of control processing by the medical information management system 100. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a diagram (1) showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a diagram (2) showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a diagram (3) showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30. [Figure 22] Figure 22 is a diagram (4) showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a diagram (5) showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30. [Figure 24] Figure 24 is a diagram (6) showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30. [Figure 25] Figure 25 is a diagram (7) showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30. [Figure 26] Figure 26 is a diagram (8) showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30. [Figure 27] Figure 27 is a diagram (9) showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30. [Figure 28] Figure 28 is a diagram (10) showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30. [Figure 29] Figure 29 is a flowchart (1) of control processing of a medical information management system according to a modification of an embodiment. [Figure 30] Figure 30 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel 34 according to a modification of an embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and design modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of satisfying the configuration of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in the following description, the same reference numerals are used in common across different drawings for identical parts or parts having similar functions, and repeated explanations will be omitted. Also, the configurations described in the embodiments and modifications may be combined or modified as appropriate. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, the configurations in the drawings referenced below are simplified or schematic, and some components are omitted.

[0013] [Overview of Medical Information Management System 100] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the general configuration of the medical information management system 100 (hereinafter referred to as "System 100") according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram of System 100.

[0014] System 100 is a system for managing medical information. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, System 100 is a system for exchanging medical information with the electronic medical record server device 101. This System 100 may be provided for each medical facility, such as a hospital, or for each group of hospitals (hospitals).

[0015] Here, "medical information" includes treatment or injection order information, medical device setting information, patient identification information (hereinafter referred to as "patient ID"), name, age, gender, disease name, symptoms, test results, prescription history and treatment history for the patient, and identification information of the medical staff in charge of the patient (hereinafter referred to as "staff ID").

[0016] "Treatment or injection order information" includes details of the treatment to be administered to the patient, the prescription, and the date and time of administration. For example, if an intravenous infusion is to be administered, the treatment or injection order information will include the drug name, the planned dosage, and the flow rate.

[0017] The "medical device settings information" includes the settings configured in the medical device 10 and information about the status of the medical device 10. For example, if the medical device 10 is an infusion pump 40, the "medical device settings information" includes information about the planned dose setting, the flow rate setting, and the status information of the infusion pump 40 (e.g., running, stopped, abnormally stopped, etc.).

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the medical devices include, for example, a thermometer 10a, a blood glucose meter 10b, and an infusion pump 40. In the following description, when the thermometer 10a, blood glucose meter 10b, and infusion pump 40 are not distinguished, they will be referred to as "medical device 10". Although not shown, medical device 10 may also include other medical devices used to treat or diagnose the human body, such as a blood pressure monitor, a hemodialysis machine, and a pulse oximeter. In this embodiment, each of the multiple medical devices 10 includes a communication unit 11 that transmits a beacon b1a, b1b, or b1c. Each beacon b1a to b1c contains a medical device ID that can identify the medical device 10. The difference in the codes of beacons b1a, b1b, and b1c means that they are beacons transmitted from different types of medical devices 10. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, beacons b1a, b1b, and b1c will be referred to collectively as "beacon b1". Here, beacon b1, and beacons b2 and b3 described later, are, for example, beacons in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication, which is a type of communication compliant with the Bluetooth® standard.

[0019] In this embodiment, the system 100 is configured to determine whether a received beacon is a medical device ID (see Figure 10), a patient ID (see Figure 7), or a staff ID (see Figure 11) by referring to the medical information database 22a (see Figure 6) based on the IDs contained in beacons b1 to b3. The system 100 is also configured to determine which type of medical device ID (see Figure 10) a received beacon is by referring to the medical information database 22a (see Figure 6) based on the IDs contained in beacons b1a, b1b, and b1c. This disclosure is not limited to this example, and the system 100 may be configured so that, by having beacons b1, b2, and b3 be configured as radio waves in different frequency bands, the system 100 can determine whether a received beacon contains a medical device ID, a patient ID, or a staff ID by detecting the frequency of the received radio wave (beacon). Furthermore, by configuring beacons b1, b2, and b3 as radio waves conforming to different standards, system 100 may be configured to determine whether the received radio wave is a medical device ID, a patient ID, or a staff ID based on the type of standard to which it conforms. Alternatively, by configuring beacons b1a, b1b, and b1c as radio waves in different frequency bands, system 100 may be configured to determine which type of medical device 10 the received radio wave (beacon) originated from by detecting the frequency of the received radio wave (beacon). Furthermore, by configuring beacons b1a, b1b, and b1c as radio waves conforming to different standards, system 100 may be configured to determine which type of medical device 10 the received radio wave (beacon) originated from based on the type of standard to which it conforms.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the system 100 comprises a medical information management server device 20 (hereinafter referred to as "server device 20") and a plurality of information terminals 30. The server device 20 is a device for storing and managing medical information. A medical information database 22a (see Figures 7 to 11) containing medical information is constructed on the server device 20. The server device 20 may be configured as an on-premise server located within a medical facility such as a hospital, or it may be configured as a virtual server (cloud server) configured on a cloud consisting of a group of multiple servers.

[0021] The information terminal 30 is a device for associating medical device IDs with patient IDs and staff IDs. The information terminal 30 receives wireless signals (beacons) from multiple beacon terminals 50 and medical devices 10, and transmits the patient IDs and staff IDs included in the wireless signals received from the multiple beacon terminals 50 to the server device 20, associating them with the medical device IDs included in the wireless signals received from the medical devices 10. Furthermore, when medical staff use the information terminal 30, it becomes a terminal for confirming treatment or injection order information. That is, the information terminal 30 acquires treatment or injection order information from the server device 20 and displays the treatment or injection order information on the information terminal 30, allowing medical staff to confirm the treatment or injection order information. "Medical staff" refers to employees belonging to a medical facility, such as nurses, nursing assistants, technicians, doctors, and other medical facility staff.

[0022] The information terminal 30 may be configured as, for example, a smartphone, a smartwatch, or a tablet device. The information terminal 30 may be held (carried) by a medical staff member. The information terminal 30 may also be configured to be wearable (attachable) to the medical staff member's body (for example, their arm). The information terminal 30 may also be placed on each bed or bedside where the patient is lying. In other words, in this embodiment, the information terminal 30 may be used while being held or worn by a medical staff member, or it may be used while placed on the bed or bedside. In this embodiment, the term "patient" is described as a patient hospitalized in a medical facility, but this disclosure is not limited to this, and may also refer to an outpatient or a patient transported by ambulance.

[0023] The multiple beacon terminals 50 include multiple patient terminals 50a and multiple staff terminals 50b. Each of the multiple staff terminals 50b is either carried by a medical staff member or worn on the medical staff member's body (e.g., arm). Each of the multiple patient terminals 50a is either worn on the patient's body (e.g., arm) or placed on the bed or bedside where the patient lies. For example, the patient terminal 50a is configured as a wristband. Each staff terminal 50b is provided for each medical staff member and transmits a beacon b3 containing the staff ID, which is the identification information of the medical staff member. Each patient terminal 50a is provided for each patient and transmits a beacon b2 containing the patient ID, which is the identification information of the patient.

[0024] An overview of an example of medical staff performing a procedure on a patient will be explained with reference to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, (1) multiple medical devices 10 each emit beacons b1. Also, multiple patient terminals 50a emit beacons b2. Also, multiple staff terminals 50b emit beacons b3. The information terminal 30 then receives beacons b1 to b3. Note that the information terminal 30 repeatedly receives beacons b1 to b3 even during the following processing.

[0025] (2) The medical staff launches the application program on the information terminal 30. The staff ID associated with the beacon b3 with the strongest signal strength is displayed on the information terminal 30 (see Figure 19). In other words, the staff ID associated with the beacon b3 with the strongest signal strength is automatically selected. (3) The medical staff then enters a password to log in. The information terminal 30 determines that identity verification has been successful if the password associated with the staff ID in beacon b3 is entered, and that identity verification has failed if a password different from the password associated with the staff ID is entered. The information terminal 30 completes the login if identity verification is successful.

[0026] (4) The patient ID associated with the beacon b2 with the strongest signal strength is displayed on the information terminal 30 (see Figure 21). In other words, the patient ID associated with the beacon b2 with the strongest signal strength is automatically selected. (5) The information terminal 30 requests the server device 20 for treatment or injection order information associated with the patient ID included in beacon b2. The server device 20 transmits the treatment or injection order information to the information terminal 30. The information terminal 30 receives the treatment or injection order information and displays it on the information terminal 30. The medical staff configures the medical device 10 or performs treatment on the patient according to the treatment or injection order information. The configuration information of the medical device 10 is then transmitted from the medical device 10 to the server device 20.

[0027] (6) The information terminal 30 displays the medical device ID included in the beacon b1 with the strongest signal strength among the beacons b1 from the same type of medical device 10 (see Figure 25). In other words, the medical device ID included in the beacon b1 with the strongest signal strength is automatically selected. Here, "same type of medical device 10" refers to medical devices intended for the same treatment and medical devices that diagnose the same items. For example, if beacons b1 are received from multiple infusion pumps 40 (same type of medical device 10), the medical device ID included in the beacon b1 with the strongest signal strength among these beacons b1 will be displayed. When beacons b1 are received from multiple thermometers 10a, multiple blood glucose meters 10b, and multiple infusion pumps 40 (medical devices 10 of different types), the information terminal 30 displays the medical device ID included in the beacon b1 with the strongest signal strength among the beacons b1 received from the multiple thermometers 10a, the medical device ID included in the beacon b1 with the strongest signal strength among the beacons b1 received from the multiple blood glucose meters 10b, and the medical device ID included in the beacon b1 with the strongest signal strength among the beacons b1 received from the multiple infusion pumps 40. In other words, a medical device ID is displayed (selected) for each type of medical device 10. The server device 20 transmits the configuration information of the medical device 10 to the information terminal 30. The information terminal 30 compares the contents of the treatment or injection order information with the configuration information of the medical device 10. (8) If the comparison is successful, the information terminal 30 transmits the patient ID and staff ID, associated with the medical device ID, to the server device 20. The server device 20 stores patient IDs and staff IDs, associating them with medical device IDs.

[0028] According to the above configuration, the information terminal 30 can automatically acquire patient IDs, staff IDs, and medical device IDs via wireless communication (beacons). The patient IDs and staff IDs are then transmitted to the server device 20, associated with the medical device IDs. This eliminates the need to manually input patient IDs, staff IDs, and medical device IDs, as well as the need to read barcodes, etc. As a result, the workload on medical staff required to associate patient IDs, staff IDs, and medical device IDs can be reduced. Since the information terminal 30 can automatically acquire patient IDs, staff IDs, and medical device IDs via wireless communication, manual input is unnecessary. Furthermore, by using wireless communication, unlike when reading identification information using barcodes, reading work is unnecessary. In addition, even when multiple beacons b1, multiple beacons b2, or multiple beacons b3 are received, the ID contained in the beacon with the strongest signal strength is selected. This eliminates the need to select one from multiple patient IDs, one from multiple staff IDs, or one from multiple medical device IDs. As a result, the workload on medical staff required to associate patients with medical equipment can be reduced.

[0029] Furthermore, in hospitals and other medical facilities, medical staff may perform procedures at the head of the patient's bed while medical equipment 10 is positioned at the patient's feet. In this case, the distance between the beacon terminal 50 (medical staff or patient) and the medical equipment 10 is between 1m and 3m. In such cases, short-range communication using RFID, which only reaches within a range of less than 1m, makes it difficult for the information terminal 30 to receive wireless signals from both the beacon terminal 50 and the medical equipment 10. Also, with LAN-based communication, numerous wireless signals are received from all patients, medical staff, and medical equipment within the medical facility, increasing the effort required to select one person from a large number of patients, one medical staff member, and one medical device from a large number of identical medical devices. In contrast, with the above configuration, the beacon transmitted via BLE communication is transmitted within a 3m range from the transmitting terminal. As a result, the information terminal 30 can receive wireless signals from both the beacon terminal 50 and the medical equipment 10. Furthermore, since it does not receive beacons from a distance of more than 3 meters, it can prevent the reception of numerous radio signals, thereby reducing the effort required for selection as described above.

[0030] [Configuration of each part of a medical information management system] As shown in Figure 2, the system 100 comprises a server device 20 and a plurality of information terminals 30. The server device 20 and each of the plurality of information terminals 30 can communicate via network N. Furthermore, the server device 20 and the electronic medical record server device 101 can communicate via network N. Also, the server device 20 and the infusion pump 40 can communicate via network N. Within the hospital (medical facility), a local area network (LAN) can be used as network N, and for communication with outside the hospital (outside the medical facility), the internet can be used.

[0031] (Composition of medical devices) Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the blood glucose meter 10b, which is part of the medical device 10. Note that, regarding the configuration shown in Figure 3, the configuration of the thermometer 10a is the same as that of the blood glucose meter 10b, except for the configuration of the sensor unit 13, so the explanation of the thermometer 10a is omitted. The blood glucose meter 10b includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, a sensor unit 13, a display unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The control unit 12 includes a control circuit that performs control processing for the blood glucose meter 10b. The sensor unit 13 has the function of converting biological information (blood glucose level) into an electrical signal. The storage unit 15 includes, for example, ROM and RAM. The storage unit 15 stores the medical device ID. The communication unit 11 is a communication interface for performing BLE communication. The communication unit 11 transmits a beacon b1 containing the medical device ID at predetermined time intervals. That is, in this embodiment, the medical device 10 has a built-in beacon terminal.

[0032] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the infusion pump 40, one of the medical devices 10. The infusion pump 40 includes a LAN communication unit 41, a BLE communication unit 42, a control unit 43, a flow rate adjustment mechanism unit 44, an abnormality sensor 45, an operation unit 46, and a storage unit 47. The LAN communication unit 41 is a communication interface for communicating with the server device 20 via the network N. The BLE communication unit 42 is an interface for Bluetooth communication. The control unit 43 includes a control circuit that performs control processing for the infusion pump 40. The flow rate adjustment mechanism unit 44 includes a motor. The motor is driven in response to commands from the control unit 43 to control the flow rate and dosage of the drug administered to the patient. The abnormality sensor 45 is a sensor that detects abnormalities such as air bubbles and blockages in the infusion tube (not shown). The operation unit 46 accepts input operations from medical staff. For example, the operation unit 46 is an operation button or a touch panel. In response to operations performed on the operation unit 46, the control unit 43 sets the flow rate and the planned dosage. The memory unit 47 includes, for example, ROM and RAM. The memory unit 47 stores the medical device ID. The BLE communication unit 42 transmits a beacon b1 containing the medical device ID of the infusion pump 40 at predetermined time intervals. In other words, in this embodiment, the infusion pump 40 has a built-in beacon terminal.

[0033] The control unit 43 then transmits information on the set flow rate and the planned amount to be administered, associated with the medical device ID of the infusion pump 40, to the server device 20 via the LAN communication unit 41. The control unit 43 also transmits information (status information) on whether the infusion pump 40 is operating, stopped, or experiencing an abnormality to the server device 20 via the LAN communication unit 41. The server device 20 stores the setting information of the medical device 10 (infusion pump 40) that it has received from the medical device 10.

[0034] (Configuration of the beacon terminal) Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the beacon terminal 50. The beacon terminal 50 includes a transmitting unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a control unit 53. The control unit 53 includes a control circuit that performs control processing for the beacon terminal 50 (transmitting unit 51). The transmitting unit 51 is a communication interface that transmits beacons in BLE communication. The storage unit 52 includes, for example, ROM and RAM. When the beacon terminal 50 is a patient terminal 50a, the storage unit 52 stores the patient ID. When the beacon terminal 50 is a patient terminal 50a, the transmitting unit 51 transmits a beacon b2 containing the patient ID at predetermined time intervals in response to a command from the control unit 53. When the beacon terminal 50 is a staff terminal 50b, the storage unit 52 stores the staff ID. When the beacon terminal 50 is a staff terminal 50b, the transmitting unit 51 transmits a beacon b3 containing the staff ID in response to a command from the control unit 53.

[0035] (Server configuration) Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server device 20. As shown in Figure 6, the server device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The control unit 21 includes a processor that performs control processing by executing a program. The communication unit 23 is a communication interface configured to be wirelessly or wiredly connected to the network N (see Figure 2). The storage unit 22 includes, for example, ROM and RAM. A medical information database 22a is constructed in the storage unit 22.

[0036] Figures 7 to 11 are diagrams illustrating the medical information database 22a. As shown in Figure 7, the medical information database 22a stores, for example, patient ID, patient name, treatment or injection order information, medical device ID, medical device configuration information, and staff ID, all of which are associated with each other. The server device 20 acquires treatment or injection order information associated with patient IDs from the electronic medical record server device 101 via the network N at any time.

[0037] For example, in the example in Figure 7, the patient ID "0001" is associated with the patient name "Patient Taro" and the treatment or injection order information "Drug A, planned amount 1000 mL, flow rate 100 mL / h". When a medical staff member selects a medical device 10 to perform the treatment or injection order and completes the settings for the medical device 10, the medical staff member uses the information terminal 30 to associate the patient ID with the medical device ID of the configured medical device 10 and registers it in the medical information database 22a. Figure 8 shows the medical information database 22a after registration. The medical device ID associated with the patient ID, the medical device settings information, and the staff ID are stored.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the medical information database 22a stores multiple treatment or injection order information associated with the patient ID. Also, as shown in Figure 10, the medical information database 22a stores medical device setting information obtained from each of the multiple medical devices 10, associated with the medical device ID. Also, as shown in Figure 10, the medical information database 22a stores information about the type of medical device 10, associated with the medical device ID. This allows the information terminal 30 and the server device 20 to determine the type of medical device 10 corresponding to the medical device ID based on the medical device ID. In the example shown in Figure 10, type "001" indicates that it is an infusion pump 40. Also, as shown in Figure 11, the medical information database 22a stores the password for logging in (accessing) the application program and the name of the staff member, associated with the staff ID.

[0039] (Configuration of information terminals) Figure 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information terminal 30. The information terminal 30 comprises a control unit 31, a BLE communication unit 32, a LAN communication unit 33, a touch panel 34, and a storage unit 35. The control unit 31 is configured to execute various control processes in the information terminal 30. The control unit 31 includes a processor that executes control processes by executing a program 35a stored in the storage unit 35. The LAN communication unit 33 is a communication interface configured to be able to connect to the network N wirelessly or via a wired connection.

[0040] The memory unit 35 stores a program 35a that causes the processor of the control unit 31 to execute control processing. Program 35a is an application program that causes the information terminal 30 to execute the processing shown in Figures 13 to 18 and the display shown in Figures 19 to 28. The touch panel 34 is configured to display text information, images, and videos based on commands from the control unit 31, and to accept touch operations from the operator (person in charge or patient). The BLE communication unit 32 is a communication interface for performing BLE communication. The BLE communication unit 32 receives beacons b1 to b3 from multiple beacon terminals 50 and medical devices 10. The control unit 31 performs control to detect the magnitude of the signal strength of beacons b1 to b3. The information terminal 30 may also be equipped with a display panel and an operation unit (operation buttons, etc.) instead of the touch panel 34.

[0041] (Control flow and screen examples) Next, with reference to Figures 13 to 28, the control processing and screen examples of the system 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 13 to 18 are flowcharts of the control processing by the system 100. Figures 19 to 28 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the information terminal 30. Note that not all of the control processing by the system 100 needs to be performed within the information terminal 30; some of the control processing (for example, the password verification process in step S38) may be performed by the server device 20.

[0042] As shown in Figure 13, in step S1, the application program is launched in response to an operation by the medical staff. In step S2, the information terminal 30 receives beacons b1 to b3. In step S3 (see Figure 14), a medical staff member is selected. In step S4 (see Figure 15), a patient is selected. In step S5 (see Figure 16), a treatment or injection order is selected. In step S6, a medical device 10 is selected. In step S7, the treatment or injection order information is compared with the configuration information of the medical device 10. In step S8, the medical device ID associated with the patient ID is sent to the server device 20. The medical device ID associated with the patient ID is registered in the server device 20. Note that if a medical device 10 that does not communicate with the server device 20 (for example, a thermometer 10a) is selected in step S6, step S7 is not executed and the process proceeds to step S8.

[0043] As shown in Figure 14, step S3 (staff selection process) includes steps S31 to S39. In step S31, the signal strength of each received beacon b3 is extracted. In step S32, the staff ID included in the beacon b3 with the strongest signal strength among the received beacons b3 is set as a candidate for selection.

[0044] Then, in step S33, the selected candidate is displayed in the "Staff ID" field P1a of the example screen shown in Figure 19. Figure 19 shows an example where the staff ID "1001" is displayed. The password is entered by the medical staff in the password field P1b. In step S34, it is determined whether the "Confirm" button P1c is selected or not. If the "Confirm" button P1c is not selected, in step S35, it is determined whether the "Manual Selection" button P1d is selected or not. If the "Manual Selection" button P1d is not selected, the process returns to step S34. If the "Manual Selection" button P1d is selected, the process proceeds to step S36.

[0045] In step S36, the staff IDs included in all beacons b3 except the one with the strongest signal strength are added to the candidates. Then, as shown in Figure 20, a list of the candidate staff IDs and the names of the staff members associated with each staff ID is displayed on the touch panel 34. In addition, an icon image P2a indicating the staff ID with the strongest signal strength and the signal strength P2b of the beacon b3 containing that staff ID are displayed. In Figure 20, the signal strength P2b is displayed as "strong," "medium," or "weak," but it may also be displayed as a numerical value or meter. Although not shown in Figure 14, if "list update" P2c is selected, the signal strength of the currently received beacon b3 is extracted and the list is updated. In step S37, when one medical staff member is selected from the list (candidates), the selected staff ID is entered into the staff ID field P1a in Figure 19, and the process proceeds to step S38.

[0046] If the "Confirm" button P1c is selected in step S34, the password is verified in step S38. For example, the medical information database 22a shown in Figure 11 is referenced. Then, in step S39, it is determined whether the password corresponding to the staff ID is correct or not. If it is correct (verification is successful), the process proceeds to step S4; otherwise, it returns to step S38.

[0047] As shown in Figure 15, step S4 (patient selection process) includes steps S41 to S47. In step S41, the signal strength of each received beacon b2 is extracted. In step S42, the patient ID included in the beacon b2 with the strongest signal strength among the received beacons b2 is set as a candidate for selection.

[0048] Then, in step S43, the selected candidates are displayed in the "Patient ID" field P3a of the example screen shown in Figure 21. Figure 21 shows an example where the patient ID "0001" and the patient's name and personal information associated with that patient ID are displayed. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 21, the screen may also display the information of the staff selected in step S3 (such as the staff ID and the staff's name) P3b.

[0049] In step S44, it is determined whether the "OK" button P3c is selected. If the "OK" button P3c is not selected, in step S45, it is determined whether the "Manual Selection" button P3d is selected. If the "Manual Selection" button P3d is not selected, the process returns to step S44. If the "Manual Selection" button P3d is selected, the process proceeds to step S46.

[0050] In step S46, patient IDs included in all beacons b2 except the one with the strongest signal strength are added to the candidates. Then, as shown in Figure 22, a list of candidate patient IDs and the patient names associated with each patient ID is displayed on the touch panel 34. In addition, an icon image P4a indicating the patient ID with the strongest signal strength and the signal strength P4b of the beacon b2 containing that patient ID are displayed. Although not shown in Figure 15, if "List Update" P4c is selected, the signal strength of the currently received beacon b3 is extracted and the list is updated.

[0051] According to the processing in steps S45 and S46, if the medical staff selects the "manual selection" button P3d, the patient IDs contained in beacon b2 other than the beacon b2 with the strongest signal strength can be set as candidates to be associated with the medical device ID.

[0052] In step S47, when one patient is selected from the list (candidates), the selected patient ID is displayed in the "Patient ID" field P3a in Figure 21, and the process proceeds to step S5. Also, in step S44, when the "Confirm" button P3c is selected, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0053] As shown in Figure 16, step S5 (treatment or injection order selection process) includes steps S51 to S54. In step S51, a signal requesting the transmission of treatment or injection order information is sent from the information terminal 30 to the server device 20. For example, when "treatment or injection order information selection" P5a shown in Figure 23 is selected by the medical staff, a request signal is sent from the information terminal 30 to the server device 20 requesting the transmission of treatment or injection order information associated with the selected patient ID (the patient ID displayed in the patient ID field P5b). In response to the request signal, the server device 20 transmits the treatment or injection order information associated with the patient ID (see Figure 9) to the information terminal 30. Then, in step S52, the information terminal 30 receives the treatment or injection order information. In step S53, as shown in Figure 24, a list of treatment or injection order information is displayed on the touch panel 34. The displayed treatment or injection order information includes, for example, the details of the treatment or injection order (order ID, drug name, flow rate, planned amount, start time, etc.). In step S54, it is determined whether either the displayed treatment or injection order information has been selected. This determination is repeated until a treatment or injection order information is selected, at which point the process proceeds to step S6.

[0054] As shown in Figure 17, step S6 (medical device selection process) includes steps S61 to S67. In step S61, the type of medical device 10 is determined from the received beacons b1, based on the medical device ID contained in each beacon b1. Also in step S61, the signal strength of each received beacon b1 is extracted. In step S62, if the received beacons b1 contain multiple beacons b1 from the same type of medical device 10, the medical device ID contained in the beacon b1 with the strongest signal strength among the beacons b1 from the same type of medical device 10 is set as a candidate for selection.

[0055] Then, in step S63, the selected candidate is displayed in the "Medical Device ID" field P6a of the example screen shown in Figure 25. Figure 25 shows an example where the medical device ID "0101" and the pump name and setting information associated with that medical device ID are displayed. Also, as shown in Figure 25, the screen may display the staff ID (P6b) selected in step S3, and the treatment or injection order information P6c. Note that in Figure 25, only the medical device ID of one type of medical device 10 is displayed, but if beacons b1 are received from multiple types of medical devices 10, the medical device IDs for each type will be displayed. For example, if beacons b1 are received from an infusion pump 40 and a thermometer 10a, the medical device ID of the infusion pump 40 and the medical device ID of the thermometer 10a will be displayed.

[0056] In step S64, it is determined whether the "OK" button P6d is selected. If the "OK" button P6d is not selected, in step S65, it is determined whether the "Manual Selection" button P6e is selected. If the "Manual Selection" button P6e is not selected, the process returns to step S64. If the "Manual Selection" button P6e is selected, the process proceeds to step S66.

[0057] In step S66, medical device IDs included in all beacons b1 except the one with the strongest signal strength are added to the list of candidates. Then, as shown in Figure 26, a list of medical device IDs included in the candidates is displayed on the touch panel 34. In addition, an icon image P7a indicating the medical device ID with the strongest signal strength and the signal strength P7b of the beacon b1 containing that medical device ID are displayed. Although not shown in Figure 17, if "List Update" P7c is selected, the signal strength of the currently received beacons b1 is extracted again and the list is updated.

[0058] In step S67, when one medical device is selected from the list (candidates), the selected medical device ID is displayed in the "Medical Device ID" column P6a in Figure 25, and the process proceeds to step S7. Also, if the "Confirm" button P6d is selected in step S64, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0059] As shown in Figure 18, step S7 (matching process) includes steps S71 to S78. In step S71, a request signal is sent from the information terminal 30 to the server device 20 requesting the transmission of medical device configuration information. For example, configuration information for medical device 10 associated with the medical device ID selected in step S6 is requested. In response to the request signal, the server device 20 transmits the configuration information for the medical device associated with the selected medical device ID (see Figure 10) to the information terminal 30. Then, in step S72, the information terminal 30 receives the medical device configuration information. In step S73, as shown in Figure 27, the medical device configuration information P8b is displayed on the touch panel 34 together with the treatment or injection order information P8a. The displayed medical device configuration information includes, for example, the medical device ID, medical device name, flow rate, planned amount, and status. As shown in Figure 27, the patient ID (P8c) selected in step S4 and the staff ID (P8d) selected in step S3 may also be displayed on the touch panel 34.

[0060] In step S74, the contents of the treatment or injection order information are compared with the settings information of the medical device. In step S75, it is determined whether the comparison between the contents of the treatment or injection order information and the settings information of the medical device was successful. For example, it is determined whether the flow rate and planned volume in the treatment or injection order information match the flow rate and planned volume in the settings information of the medical device. If the comparison is successful (the contents of the treatment or injection order information and the settings information of the medical device match), the process proceeds to step S76. If the comparison fails (the contents of the treatment or injection order information and the settings information of the medical device do not match), the process proceeds to step S78.

[0061] In step S76, the "Settings Complete" button P8e is displayed, as shown in Figure 27. This means that the settings can only be completed if the verification is successful. As a result, setting errors can be prevented. In step S77, it is determined whether the "Settings Complete" button P8e has been selected. If the "Settings Complete" button P8e has been selected, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0062] Furthermore, if the matching fails, in step S78, a message P9a prompting resetting will be displayed on the touch panel 34, as shown in Figure 28. For example, a message such as "Please reset the settings to match the order" will be displayed. In addition, the touch panel 34 will display P9b indicating the parts of the medical device's setting information that do not match the content of the treatment or injection order information. This allows medical staff to reset the settings to the correct content.

[0063] According to the control process described above, the information terminal 30 can automatically acquire the patient ID, staff ID, and medical device ID via wireless communication (beacon). The patient ID, associated with the medical device ID, is then transmitted to the server device 20. This eliminates the need to manually input the patient ID, staff ID, and medical device ID. Furthermore, because wireless communication is used, which does not require barcodes, problems such as poor attachment or printing errors are eliminated, unlike when identification information is read using barcodes. As a result, the workload on medical staff required to associate patient IDs with medical device IDs can be reduced.

[0064] [Differentiation] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative examples for implementing this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it is possible to implement the embodiments described above by modifying them as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

[0065] (1) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the patient ID and staff ID are transmitted from the information terminal 30 to the server device 20 in association with the medical device ID, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the staff ID may not be transmitted from the information terminal 30 to the server device 20, and only the patient ID may be transmitted in association with the medical device ID. In this case, the staff selection process in step S3 shown in Figure 14 may be omitted.

[0066] (2) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a patient terminal 50a, a staff terminal 50b, and an information terminal 30 are provided, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, if each medical staff member possesses or wears an information terminal, a staff terminal may not be provided if the staff ID is stored in the memory of the information terminal. In this case, the staff selection process in step S3 shown in Figure 14 may be omitted.

[0067] (3) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the control processing shown in Figure 13 is executed by an application program on the information terminal 30, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the information terminal may have browser software (e.g., a web browser) installed instead of dedicated application software. The system of the disclosure may be configured so that the information terminal accesses the server device to obtain information and images provided by the server device. In this case, steps S3 to S8 of the control processing shown in Figure 13 are performed by the server device.

[0068] (4) In the above embodiment, an example of matching treatment or injection order information with medical device setting information has been shown, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, after the medical device selection process in step S6 shown in Figure 13, the content of the treatment or injection order information may be automatically set for the selected medical device. That is, the selected medical device may be configured to receive treatment or injection order information from a server device and automatically perform settings that match the treatment or injection order information.

[0069] (5) In the above embodiment, an example using BLE communication was shown, but other short-range wireless communication methods may also be used. For example, if it is easy to bring the information terminal close to the patient terminal, staff terminal, and medical equipment each time a wireless signal is received, RFID may be used.

[0070] (6) In the above embodiment, setting information for an infusion pump 40 was shown as an example of setting information for a medical device, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, setting information for an artificial dialysis machine may be included in the setting information for a medical device.

[0071] (7) The above embodiments show an example in which a beacon terminal is built into a medical device, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the contents of the disclosure are applicable even when a beacon terminal is not provided in the medical device. For example, a beacon terminal formed separately from the medical device and storing the medical device ID of the medical device may be placed near the medical device or attached to the medical device.

[0072] (8) In the example shown in Figure 17 of the above embodiments, an example is shown in which one type of medical device 10 (medical device ID) is selected in the medical device selection process, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as in the modified system shown in Figures 29 and 30, multiple types of medical devices 10 (medical device IDs) may be selected in the medical device selection process. For example, if the medical device ID of the infusion pump 40 and the medical device ID of the blood glucose meter 10b are selected in the medical device selection process, the patient ID is associated with both the medical device ID of the infusion pump 40 and the medical device ID of the blood glucose meter 10b. The patient ID associated with both the medical device ID of the infusion pump 40 and the medical device ID of the blood glucose meter 10b is then transmitted from the information terminal to the server device. The server device then stores the patient ID in association with the medical device ID of the infusion pump 40 and the medical device ID of the blood glucose meter 10b.

[0073] For example, if an information terminal is simultaneously receiving multiple beacons b1b and multiple beacons b1c (see Figure 1), in step S161 shown in Figure 29, the type of medical device is determined, and the strengths of beacon b1b and beacon b1c are extracted. Then, in step S162, one of the determined types is selected. For example, as shown in Figure 30, the touch panel 34 displays "From multiple types of medical devices" A message P10a prompting a selection, such as "Beacon received. Please select the type of medical device to link," is displayed, along with options P10b to P10d for the type of medical device 10 determined in step S161. Figure 30 illustrates an example where options P10b and P10c are selected, and P10d is not selected. In this example, when the confirmation button P10e is pressed, it is determined to select one medical device ID from the medical device IDs of multiple infusion pumps 40, which are medical devices corresponding to option P10b, and to select one medical device ID from the medical device IDs of multiple blood glucose meters 10b, which are medical devices corresponding to option P10c. Subsequently, steps S62 to S67 are executed, and for example, one medical device ID is selected from the medical device IDs of multiple infusion pumps 40. Then, in step S163, it is determined whether there are any other types of medical devices that need to be selected. For example, if a single medical device ID has not yet been selected from the medical device IDs of multiple blood glucose meters 10b, the process returns to step S62, and steps S62 to S67 are executed to select a single medical device ID from the medical device IDs of multiple blood glucose meters 10b. This makes it possible to select multiple types of medical device IDs, categorized by type.

[0074] This disclosure can also be explained as follows:

[0075] The program relating to the first configuration is a communication unit that receives wireless signals, and is a program that causes the processor of a computer equipped with a communication unit that communicates with a server device to execute processing, and causes the processor to execute the following: a first reception process that receives a first wireless signal containing patient identification information from one or more first transmitting terminals; a second reception process that receives a second wireless signal containing medical device identification information from one or more second transmitting terminals; a first selection process that, when a first wireless signal is received from multiple first transmitting terminals in the first reception process, selects the patient identification information contained in the first wireless signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple received first wireless signals; a second selection process that, when a second wireless signal is received from multiple second transmitting terminals in the second reception process and multiple second wireless signals containing identification information for the same type of medical device are received, selects the medical device identification information contained in the second wireless signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple second wireless signals; and a transmission process that transmits the patient identification information selected in the first selection process to a server device that manages medical device information, with the medical device identification information selected in the second selection process associated with the patient identification information selected in the first selection process (first configuration).

[0076] According to the first configuration, patient identification information and medical device identification information can be automatically acquired via wireless communication, eliminating the need for manual input. Furthermore, unlike when identification information is read using barcodes, wireless communication eliminates the need for manual reading. In addition, even if the communication unit receives multiple first wireless signals and multiple second wireless signals from the same type of medical device, the first wireless signal with the strongest signal strength and the second wireless signal with the strongest signal strength are selected. This eliminates the need to select the identification information of one patient from the identification information of multiple patients, and the need to select the identification information of one medical device from the identification information of multiple medical devices of the same type. As a result, the workload of medical staff required to associate patients with medical devices can be reduced.

[0077] In the first configuration, the program may be configured to cause the processor to further execute a first candidate setting process in response to user input, which sets patient identification information contained in the first radio signals other than the first radio signal with the strongest signal strength among a plurality of first radio signals received in the first reception process as candidates to associate with medical device identification information. The first selection process may include a process to select one patient's identification information from among the candidates to associate with medical device identification information or the patient identification information contained in the first radio signal with the strongest signal strength (second configuration).

[0078] In this case, the user may wish to associate a patient identification information different from the patient identification information contained in the first radio signal with the strongest signal strength with the medical device identification information. According to the second configuration, if the user performs an input operation, the patient identification information contained in the first radio signals other than the first radio signal with the strongest signal strength can be set as a candidate to be associated with the medical device identification information. Then, in the selection process, the user can select the desired patient identification information from among the candidates.

[0079] In the first or second configuration, the program may be configured to cause the processor to further execute a second candidate setting process in response to user input, which sets the identification information of medical devices contained in the second radio signals other than the second radio signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple second radio signals received in the second reception process as candidates to associate with patient identification information. The second selection process may include a process to select the identification information of one medical device from among the candidates to associate with patient identification information or the identification information of medical devices contained in the second radio signal with the strongest signal strength (third configuration).

[0080] According to the third configuration, when a user performs an input operation, the identification information of medical devices contained in the second radio signal (excluding the second radio signal with the strongest signal strength) can be set as candidates to be associated with the patient's identification information. Then, in the selection process, the user can select the desired medical device identification information from among the candidates.

[0081] In any one of the first to third configurations, the program may be configured to cause the processor to further perform a third receiving process, which receives a third radio signal containing medical staff identification information from one or more third transmitting terminals, and a third selection process, which, if the third receiving process receives third radio signals from multiple third transmitting terminals, selects the medical staff identification information contained in the third radio signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple received third radio signals. The transmission process may include a process of transmitting to a server device the identification information of the medical device selected in the second selection process, the identification information of the medical staff selected in the third selection process, and the identification information of the patient selected in the first selection process, in association with each other (fourth configuration).

[0082] According to the fourth configuration, the task of selecting the identification information of one medical staff member from the identification information of multiple medical staff members becomes unnecessary. As a result, when associating patients with medical staff and medical devices, the workload on medical staff required to associate patients with medical staff and medical devices can be reduced.

[0083] In any one of the first to fourth configurations, the server device may store treatment or injection order information associated with patient identification information. The program may further cause the processor to execute a first request process that requests the server device to transmit treatment or injection order information associated with the patient identification information selected in the first selection process, and a treatment or injection order information reception process that receives the treatment or injection order information. (Fifth configuration)

[0084] According to the fifth configuration, treatment or injection order information associated with the identification information of the patient selected in the selection process can be obtained.

[0085] In the fifth configuration, the server device may be configured to communicate with the medical device. The server device may be configured to receive configuration information from the medical device and store the configuration information associated with the identification information of the medical device. The program may be configured to cause the processor to further execute a second request process that requests the server device to transmit the configuration information of the medical device associated with the identification information of the medical device selected in the second selection process; a configuration information reception process that receives the configuration information of the medical device; and a matching process that compares the configuration information of the medical device received in the configuration information reception process with the treatment or injection order information received in the treatment or injection order information reception process. The transmission process may include, if the matching is successful in the matching process, a process that transmits the identification information of the patient selected in the first selection process, associated with the identification information of the medical device selected in the second selection process, to the server device (sixth configuration).

[0086] According to the sixth configuration, the setting information of the medical device received in the setting information reception process can be compared with the treatment or injection order information received in the treatment or injection order information reception process. As a result, it is possible to prevent the settings of the medical device from being in a state different from the treatment or injection order information.

[0087] The medical information management system according to the seventh configuration comprises one or more first transmitting terminals that transmit a first radio signal containing patient identification information, one or more second transmitting terminals that transmit a second radio signal containing medical device identification information, a server device that manages medical device information, and an information terminal equipped with a communication unit that receives a first radio signal from one or more first transmitting terminals and a second radio signal from one or more second transmitting terminals, and communicates with the server device, wherein when the information terminal receives a first radio signal from multiple first transmitting terminals via the communication unit, the most signaled of the multiple first radio signals received... If the communication unit receives a second radio signal from multiple second transmitting terminals and the second radio signal contains identification information for the same type of medical device, it selects the identification information for the medical device contained in the second radio signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple second radio signals. The selected patient identification information is then associated with the identification information for the selected medical device and transmitted to a server device that manages medical device information. The server device then stores the patient identification information received from the information terminal, associated with the identification information for the medical device (configuration 7).

[0088] According to the seventh configuration, it is possible to provide a medical information management system that can reduce the workload of medical staff required to associate patients with medical devices.

[0089] In the seventh configuration, one or more first transmitting terminals may be configured to transmit a first beacon using Bluetooth Low Energy communication, which is a type of communication compliant with the Bluetooth standard. One or more second transmitting terminals may be configured to transmit a second beacon using Bluetooth Low Energy communication. When the information terminal receives first beacons from multiple first transmitting terminals via the communication unit, it may be configured to select patient identification information contained in the first beacon with the strongest signal strength among the multiple received first beacons, and when the communication unit receives second beacons from multiple second transmitting terminals, it may be configured to select medical device identification information contained in the second beacon with the strongest signal strength among the multiple received second beacons (eighth configuration).

[0090] In hospitals and other medical facilities, medical staff may perform procedures at the head of the patient's bed while medical equipment is positioned at the foot of the patient's bed. In this case, the distance between the first transmitting terminal (patient) and the second transmitting terminal (medical equipment) is between 1m and 3m. In such cases, short-range communication using RFID, which transmits wireless signals within a range of less than 1m, makes it difficult for the information terminal to receive wireless signals from both the first and second transmitting terminals. Furthermore, communication using a LAN would result in receiving numerous wireless signals from all patients, medical staff, and medical equipment within the medical facility. In contrast, according to the eighth configuration described above, beacons using Bluetooth Low Energy communication, which conforms to the Bluetooth standard, are transmitted within a 3m range from the transmitting terminal. As a result, the information terminal can receive wireless signals (beacons) from both the first and second transmitting terminals. Moreover, since it does not receive beacons from locations further than 3m, it is possible to prevent receiving numerous wireless signals.

[0091] In the seventh or eighth configuration, the medical information management system may further include one or more third transmitting terminals that transmit third radio signals containing identification information of medical staff. The communication unit may be configured to receive third radio signals from one or more third transmitting terminals. When the communication unit receives third radio signals from multiple third transmitting terminals, the information terminal may be configured to select the identification information of medical staff contained in the third radio signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple received third radio signals, and transmit the selected medical device identification information, along with the selected medical device identification information and the selected patient identification information, to the server device. The server device may be configured to store the medical device identification information and patient identification information received from the information terminal, along with the medical device identification information (ninth configuration).

[0092] According to the ninth configuration, the task of selecting the identification information of one medical staff member from the identification information of multiple medical staff members becomes unnecessary. As a result, when associating patients with medical staff and medical devices, the workload on medical staff required to associate patients with medical staff and medical devices can be reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 10...Medical equipment, 20...Medical information management server device, 30...Information terminal, 31...Control unit, 32...BLE communication unit, 33...LAN communication unit, 35a...Program, 40...Infusion pump, 50...Beacon terminal, 50a...Patient terminal, 50b...Staff terminal, 100...Medical information management system

Claims

1. A communication unit that receives wireless signals, and a program that causes the processor of a computer equipped with a communication unit that communicates with a server device to execute processing, A first receiving process that receives a first wireless signal containing patient identification information from one or more first transmitting terminals, A second receiving process that receives a second radio signal containing medical device identification information from one or more second transmitting terminals, In the first receiving process, if a first radio signal is received from multiple first transmitting terminals, a first selection process is performed to select the patient identification information contained in the first radio signal with the greatest signal strength among the multiple received first radio signals. In the second reception process, if a second radio signal is received from multiple second transmitting terminals, and multiple second radio signals containing identification information for the same type of medical device are received, a second selection process is performed to select the identification information for the medical device contained in the second radio signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple second radio signals. A program that causes the processor to execute a transmission process, which involves associating the identification information of the patient selected in the first selection process with the identification information of the medical device selected in the second selection process, and then transmitting the identification information of the patient selected in the first selection process to a server device that manages information on medical devices.

2. In response to user input, the processor is further instructed to perform a first candidate setting process, which sets patient identification information contained in the first radio signals other than the first radio signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple first radio signals received in the first reception process as candidates to associate with the medical device identification information. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first selection process includes a process of selecting one patient's identification information from among candidates to associate with the identification information of the medical device or patient's identification information included in the first radio signal with the greatest signal intensity.

3. In response to user input, the processor is further instructed to perform a second candidate setting process, which sets the identification information of medical devices contained in the second radio signals other than the second radio signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple second radio signals received in the second reception process as candidates to associate with the patient's identification information. The program according to claim 1, wherein the second selection process includes a process of selecting the identification information of one medical device from among candidates to associate with the patient's identification information or the identification information of a medical device included in the second radio signal with the greatest signal strength.

4. A third receiving process that receives a third radio signal containing identification information of medical staff from one or more third transmitting terminals, In the third receiving process, if a third radio signal is received from multiple third transmitting terminals, the processor is further instructed to perform a third selection process, which selects the identification information of the medical staff included in the third radio signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple received third radio signals. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmission process transmits to the server device the identification information of the medical staff selected in the third selection process and the identification information of the patient selected in the first selection process, with the identification information of the medical device selected in the second selection process associated with the identification information of the medical staff selected in the third selection process and the identification information of the patient selected in the first selection process.

5. The server device stores treatment or injection order information associated with the patient's identification information. A first request process that requests the server device to transmit the treatment or injection order information associated with the patient identification information selected in the first selection process, The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further causing the processor to perform a procedure or injection order information receiving process for receiving the procedure or injection order information.

6. The server device is configured to communicate with medical equipment, The server device receives configuration information from the medical device, stores the configuration information of the medical device in association with the identification information of the medical device, A second request process which requests the server device to transmit the configuration information of the medical device associated with the identification information of the medical device selected in the second selection process, A setting information reception process that receives setting information for the aforementioned medical device, The processor is further instructed to perform a matching process that compares the setting information of the medical device received in the setting information receiving process with the treatment or injection order information received in the treatment or injection order information receiving process. The program according to claim 5, wherein the transmission process includes, if the matching process is successful, transmitting the patient identification information selected in the first selection process to the server device in association with the medical device identification information selected in the second selection process.

7. One or more first transmitting terminals that transmit a first wireless signal containing patient identification information, One or more second transmitting terminals that transmit a second wireless signal containing medical device identification information, A server device that manages information on medical devices, An information terminal comprising: a first communication unit that receives a first radio signal from one or more first transmitting terminals and a second radio signal from one or more second transmitting terminals; and a second communication unit that communicates with the server device, The aforementioned information terminal is When the first communication unit receives a first radio signal from multiple first transmitting terminals, it selects the patient identification information contained in the first radio signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple received first radio signals. When the first communication unit receives a second radio signal from multiple second transmitting terminals, and when it receives a second radio signal containing identification information for the same type of medical device, it selects the identification information for the medical device contained in the second radio signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple second radio signals. The identification information of the selected medical device is associated with the identification information of the selected patient, and the identification information of the selected patient is transmitted to the server device that manages the medical device information. The server device is a medical information management system that stores the patient identification information received from the information terminal in association with the identification information of the medical device.

8. The one or more first transmitting terminals transmit a first beacon using Bluetooth Low Energy communication, which is a type of communication compliant with the Bluetooth standard. The one or more second transmitting terminals transmit a second beacon via Bluetooth Low Energy communication. The aforementioned information terminal is When the first communication unit receives a first beacon from multiple first transmitting terminals, it selects the patient identification information contained in the first beacon with the strongest signal strength among the multiple received first beacons, The medical information management system according to claim 7, wherein when the first communication unit receives a second beacon from a plurality of second transmitting terminals, it selects the identification information of the medical device contained in the second beacon with the greatest signal strength among the plurality of received second beacons.

9. The system further comprises one or more third transmitting terminals that transmit a third wireless signal containing identification information of medical staff, The first communication unit receives a third radio signal from one or more third transmitting terminals. When the information terminal receives a third radio signal from a plurality of third transmitting terminals via the first communication unit, it selects the identification information of the medical staff contained in the third radio signal with the strongest signal strength among the plurality of received third radio signals. The identification information of the selected medical device is associated with the identification information of the selected medical staff and the identification information of the selected patient, and then transmitted to the server device. The medical information management system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the server device stores the identification information of the medical staff and the identification information of the patient received from the information terminal in association with the identification information of the medical device.

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