System and method for processing patient-specific data and treatment-specific data in a medical treatment center

Abstract

The invention relates to a particularly flexible, resource-sparing system (110) that is attuned to patient interests and serves to process patient-specific data and treatment-specific data in a medical treatment center (111) that has a plurality of medical treatment devices (113), which may be used by a plurality of patients (107) and may be occupied at assigned treatment times, said system comprising: • a presence detection system (114) for acquiring presence data containing current presences or absences of patients (107) and medical staff (106) in the treatment center (111), • a status detection system (115) for acquiring status data containing a current device status for the respective treatment device (113), the status data containing a value that is preferably updated continually, characteristic for the duration or remaining duration of a planned or already started treatment and provided by the respective treatment device (113), • a report system (116) for acquiring procedure data containing delays and / or requirements relevant to the treatment, reported by the patients (107) and / or by the medical staff (106), • a patient database (117) having patient data that contain a treatment regime for the respective patient (107) and used to control the respective assigned treatment device (113), and • an electronic data processing unit (109) with a scheduler (118) which, taking account of presence data, status data, optionally procedure data, and / or patient data, independently and in automated fashion creates and / or updates and / or optimizes a schedule containing an assignment of treatment devices (113), patients (107) and treatment times and optionally the medical staff (106) to one another, or makes an appropriate suggestion.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] System and method for processing patient and treatment-specific data in a medical treatment center

[0003] This patent application relates to a system for processing patient- and treatment-specific data in medical treatment centers and to a corresponding method.

[0004] Medical treatment centers, especially dialysis centers, face the challenge of managing a multitude of medical treatment devices and ensuring optimal scheduling for a large number of patients. Current technology tends to provide rather static scheduling procedures that cannot always respond flexibly to unforeseen events and special patient needs.

[0005] Such a disruption of the process may occur, for example, but not exclusively, due to one or more of the following events:

[0006] • Change in capacity utilization

[0007] More patients are coming than expected, for example due to emergencies.

[0008] Fewer patients are coming than expected, due to illness, for example.

[0009] • Change in treatment capacity due to equipment failure or similar.

[0010] • Delays in treatment periods

[0011] Patients arrive late for treatment.

[0012] Patients require higher treatment intensity and therefore a longer treatment time.

[0013] Previous solutions in medical treatment centers primarily use fixed time slots and often rely on manual scheduling. These static approaches don't always account for disruptive factors such as changes in patient workload, equipment failures, or delays in treatment times. Medical staff often have to keep track of appointments or actively seek information about changes, which is particularly challenging given the shortage of skilled workers and a rotating staff.

[0014] The problem underlying the invention is therefore to ensure flexible and efficient appointment scheduling in medical treatment centers that adapts to patient needs, takes unexpected disruptions into account, and ensures optimal resource utilization. It is desirable to find a way to optimize the treatment process, minimize waiting times, and improve patient care.

[0015] In other words, the object of the invention is to develop a system for processing patient- and treatment-specific data and a corresponding method that enables dynamic, automated, and adaptable appointment scheduling in medical treatment centers. The goal is a time and resource planning method that can be used to plan the capacity or occupancy of, for example, dialysis machines according to capacity. The planning method should also take disruptive influences into account and support staff in problem-solving.

[0016] With regard to the device, the object is achieved according to the invention by a system for processing patient- and treatment-specific data in a medical treatment center with the features of claim 1. In a preferred specific embodiment, this is to be understood as an administration system for scheduling appointments or is comprised by the system.

[0017] Accordingly, a system is provided for processing patient- and treatment-specific data, particularly for appointment scheduling, in a medical treatment center with a plurality of medical treatment devices that can be accessed by a plurality of patients and used during assigned treatment periods. The system comprises:

[0018] • an attendance recording system for recording attendance data containing the current presence or absence of patients and medical staff in the treatment center,

[0019] • a status recording system for recording status data containing a current device status for the respective treatment device, wherein the status data contain a value characteristic of the duration or remaining duration of a planned or already started treatment, preferably continuously updated, which is preferably provided by the respective treatment device,

[0020] • a reporting system for recording expiry data containing delays and / or treatment-related requests reported by patients and / or medical staff,

[0021] • a patient database with patient data containing a treatment regimen for the respective patient, which is used to control the respective assigned treatment device, and

[0022] • an electronic data processing unit with an appointment planner which, taking into account attendance data, status data, expiry dates if applicable, and / or patient data, automatically creates and / or updates and / or optimises an appointment plan containing an allocation of treatment devices, patients and treatment periods to one another, or makes a corresponding suggestion.

[0023] The corresponding method is defined analogously in claim 15. The steps mentioned therein can be performed in any order. The objects, features, properties, and advantages mentioned below for the device apply analogously to the method and vice versa.

[0024] The subject of the invention is thus a system and a method for optimal resource planning within a treatment center, specifically a dialysis center, taking into account treatment-specific processes and machine status information. In short, the solution consists of a system of cooperating software and hardware components that records patient and medical staff attendance data, status data from treatment devices, and, if necessary, reports of delays or special requirements. It uses patient data to create and update an optimized schedule. Such an assistive / notifying system is particularly advantageous in light of the shortage of skilled workers and a rotating workforce.

[0025] The status recording system is preferably sensor-based in the sense that the current device status for the respective treatment device is recorded by sensors and reported to a central data processing device ("central computer") via associated data channels. The data is therefore preferably recorded by sensors. The attendance recording system is also preferably sensor-based, for example, in that a patient registration and / or a staff registration using an ID card or RFID tag is recorded by a sensor-based card reader or an RFID sensor and reported to a central data processing device via associated data channels. Similarly, the reporting system is preferably sensor-based. In all of the aforementioned cases, in addition to or alternatively to sensory data recording, input-based data recording and transmission can also take place through user input via input terminals, touchscreens, or the like.

[0026] The input to the central system then consists, for example, of patient registration (registration as mentioned, e.g., using a patient ID card) and the recording of specific data from the individual treatment devices, which allow conclusions to be drawn about their status and / or availability. This can be used to generate instructions for the respective treatment device or machine, for example, to initiate steps to prepare for a subsequent treatment, such as disinfection steps and / or rinsing steps, as well as feedback to the central computer if and / or when the process is completed. For example, this can result in the central computer sending a signal to the treatment device to activate a light element as visual confirmation of a process or status on the treatment device.A core component of the invention is a so-called smart scheduler, which assigns appointments to patients based on the available treatment spaces and the therapy (e.g., type of therapy, duration, interval), taking into account other variable factors. These may include, for example, the attribute of being an infectious patient (HIV, COVID-19, or similar), severe obesity (requiring special couches, transfer aids), or a tendency toward poor blood coagulation (requiring longer follow-up time).

[0027] The patient profile stored in the patient data (particularly in an electronic patient record) can be used to determine which device-specific and personnel capacities are likely to be required at what time. Availability can be determined from attendance data, particularly those recorded by sensors and / or confirmed by input, and from the status data provided by the treatment devices. These data may be supplemented by specific messages from patients and medical staff via dedicated reporting channels. Using this information, different treatment rooms / therapy devices can be assigned to a patient.

[0028] If desired, special circumstances, such as respiratory infectious diseases, can also be considered in the selection process. This advantageously takes into account not only the equipment utilization but also the spatial conditions. This also allows for increased expenditure (such as special disinfection, etc.) to be factored in.

[0029] In a preferred application, the treatment devices are dialysis machines, and the treatment center is a dialysis center or dialysis station. This also covers or encompasses hospitals with dialysis stations. Dialysis centers or stations are complex medical infrastructure facilities where precise scheduling is crucial. The present invention is specifically tailored to the needs of these facilities. However, other medical treatments can also be managed and scheduled in this way. For example, the treatment devices can be imaging devices such as X-ray machines or MRI scanners, or even dental treatment chairs.

[0030] Particularly in the case of dialysis machines, further technical effects or interactions between the components of the system may exist as follows:

[0031] • Selection of a disinfection procedure (after treatment) based on patient-specific data (e.g. infectious diseases such as hepatitis, ...).

[0032] • Feedback to a water treatment plant regarding additional purified water / permeate requirements due to patient-specific treatment procedures.

[0033] • Feedback to an optional central concentrate mixing system or to a central proportioning of a dialysis fluid mixture based on the patient-specific treatment process.

[0034] • Introduction of specific time stamps (e.g. confirmation steps by users, e.g. in preparation by scanning tags and / or pressing a confirmation button).

[0035] It is particularly advantageous if the attendance recording system, the status recording system, if applicable, the reporting system, and / or the patient database have an interface to at least one terminal and / or to mobile devices carried by the patients and / or medical staff, so that the terminal and / or the mobile devices act as input devices for the aforementioned systems. This means that the administration system can be operated via the aforementioned interfaces to terminals and mobile devices and supplied with operationally relevant input information, which is advantageous for both medical staff and patients in terms of ease of use. Users can use these interfaces – possibly automatically – to transmit attendance data, retrieve and provide (additional) status data, and report delays if necessary.This interaction enables effective communication and contributes to the accurate updating of the appointment schedule. In an advantageous design, the appointment scheduler is implemented as a priority-driven scheduling algorithm. This algorithm can be designed to prioritize patients with certain health-related (e.g., high treatment frequency or intensity) or process-related (e.g., regular patient) attributes to ensure their needs are met. This contributes to better patient care and allows for the consideration of individual requirements.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the scheduler includes an analytics function that leverages historical data to suggest optimized schedules and resource allocations. Using historical data can help build future schedules based on proven patterns and experiences.

[0037] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the scheduler comprises a machine learning and / or artificial intelligence unit and / or an interface to such a unit and uses their calculations and outputs in its schedule creation or optimization. These technologies can contribute to continuously improving the scheduling algorithm and making more precise predictions.

[0038] In general, existing resource optimization algorithms such as the "Greedy Algorithm", the "Genetic Algorithm" or optimization algorithms such as the "Branch-and-Bound Algorithm" can be adapted and extended to meet the specific requirements of the system.

[0039] When developing the scheduling algorithm, various optimization concepts can be considered: Heuristic methods, for example, enable rapid solution approaches that do not necessarily guarantee optimal solutions, but are well suited to creating a feasible schedule. Genetic algorithms are based on biological principles such as mutation and cross-breeding. They can be used to generate various schedules and select the best ones. The dynamic programming approach can be used to find optimal scheduling solutions, taking status and attendance data into account. The use of machine learning models and artificial intelligence can help identify patterns in the data and continuously optimize scheduling.

[0040] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the patient data contained, for example, in an electronic patient record includes health-related information such as vaccination status, body weight, chronic illnesses and / or current illnesses, and / or process-related information such as regular patient status, preferred treatment times, and / or preferred neighbors. This comprehensive patient data enables more precise and personalized appointment scheduling.

[0041] In a beneficial further development, the management system includes a location recording system for recording location data containing the current location of medical staff within the treatment center. The appointment scheduler takes the location data into account when creating, updating, and / or optimizing the appointment schedule. This contributes to optimizing the spatial allocation of patients, staff, and treatment equipment and increasing efficiency. In particular, it can be determined whether a member of the medical staff is still in another treatment room caring for patients or operating treatment equipment there, and is therefore not currently available for other purposes. Under certain circumstances, walking distances for staff can also be minimized.

[0042] For example, the location detection system can automatically capture location data of medical personnel using RFID technology—without manual user interaction. The respective person then carries an RFID transponder, for example, and is automatically detected or located near stationary sensor units and assigned to the corresponding room or room area. It is also advantageous if the appointment scheduler takes into account the allocation of treatment devices to various treatment rooms in the treatment center when creating, updating, and / or optimizing the appointment schedule, particularly by assigning patients with a specific health-related or procedure-related attribute noted in the patient data to a specific treatment room.For example, patients with similar treatment needs can be scheduled in the same room to increase efficiency and improve the quality of care. Patients with infectious diseases or similar conditions can also be assigned to a special treatment room (isolation room).

[0043] The status data expediently contains a value characteristic of the duration or remaining duration of a planned or already initiated treatment, preferably a continuously updated value, which is preferably provided by the respective treatment device. For this purpose, the treatment device can be equipped with suitable sensors and / or provide feedback on the current treatment status through a partially or fully autonomous control routine. This information is crucial for identifying and responding to delays or deviations in the course of treatment. The appointment scheduler can be designed to react dynamically to such status changes and adjust the appointment schedule accordingly.

[0044] In detail, for example, the following machine data are meaningful for dialysis machines and are used individually or in combination to sensorily detect and identify delays in the treatment process in order to estimate the remaining treatment time:

[0045] Setting parameters on the dialysis machine:

[0046] • Therapy time

[0047] • Ultrafiltration rate (UF rate)

[0048] • Ultrafiltration volume (UF volume) Environmental parameters:

[0049] • Dialyzer urea clearance

[0050] • Patient weight

[0051] The machine data can be used individually or in combination to provide a qualitative and / or quantitative statement on the planned completion of the treatment period.

[0052] Examples of combinable machine data are:

[0053] • Dialysis duration = time until end of treatment [h]

[0054] • Ultrafiltration rate = volume flow of the UF pump (how much “water” should be removed from the patient [ml / h])

[0055] • Ultrafiltration volume = volume that should be removed from the patient through therapy [ml]

[0056] • Dialyzer urea clearance = Dialyzer cleaning rate [ml / h]

[0057] • Patient weight = normal weight of the patient (also “dry weight”) [kg] + accumulated “water” [kg]

[0058] If the UF rate (measured via flow sensors) is lower than planned (e.g., changed during therapy due to patient symptoms), the dialysis duration is extended because more time is needed to achieve the necessary fluid removal.

[0059] The current patient weight (dry weight + water to be delivered) can also have a positive or negative impact on the ultrafiltration volume. Together with the ultrafiltration rate, this also results in an interaction with the therapy time or the remaining therapy time. The efficiency of the dialysis depends on the dialyzer used and the duration of dialysis. Using different dialyzers with different urea clearance values ​​can lead to adjustments in the therapy time or the remaining therapy time. This can also interact with the UF rate and the UF volume. In summary, it can be stated that the volume flow of the dialysis pump, especially the ultrafiltration pump (measured using a volume flow sensor), and the measured time or previous dialysis duration (measured, for example,These are basic measurements of the dialysis machine (using a quartz crystal) and can be used together with setting and environmental parameters to determine the remaining treatment time. The remaining treatment time determined in this way is then incorporated into capacity and occupancy planning as described above.

[0060] In an advantageous embodiment, the management system includes a notification function that notifies medical staff and / or patients about changes in the schedule and / or procedures and, if applicable, about disinfection requirements. In other words, individual notifications are preferably provided in the form of data transmission to individual network participants (devices and / or patients and / or staff), including feedback of status messages from people operating the devices. This ensures that all relevant personnel are always up to date and can orient themselves on the current plans.

[0061] Advantageously, a patient app that runs on a patient's mobile device allows patients to send appointment requests to the management system, for example, to request preferred treatment times or to swap treatment times with other patients. Such an app promotes interaction and communication between patients and medical staff and enables more personalized scheduling.

[0062] The data processing unit advantageously contains a master schedule containing the assignments of all treatment devices, treatment periods, treatment regimes, patients and / or medical personnel.

[0063] This master schedule can, for example, be in the form of a (multidimensional) table or database. Advantageously, the system is configured to generate simplified appointment lists and / or calendar entries for each patient, each member of the medical staff, and / or each treatment device (possibly with associated device programming). In other words, in addition to the individual time slots for the patients, the system can create an appointment list for the medical staff in order to schedule them, for example, at the beginning and end of a treatment, and at specific intervals for the patients. Such appointment lists can, for example, be displayed on the mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) of the persons involved. In addition, a display on stationary terminals or display devices can be provided, such as a monitor in a central waiting area.

[0064] When processing patient- and treatment-specific data, the dialysis regime (in particular containing information on the type of treatment, duration, UF rate, etc.) is advantageously sent from a central or decentralized network instance to the respective treatment device.

[0065] When recording patient or staff attendance data, stationary terminals in the treatment center and / or these individuals' mobile devices can be used for data entry. Furthermore, the registration process can be carried out using an app, a QR code, and / or an (RFID) card at the terminal, etc.

[0066] When recording status data that contains a current device status for the respective treatment device, the remaining treatment time is advantageously retrieved from the treatment device.

[0067] When collecting expiration data containing delays and / or treatment-related requests reported by patients and / or medical staff, status messages from medical staff, for example, transmitted to the system via mobile devices, may be recorded and processed. This particularly applies to messages such as "device prepared," "device defective," "device not yet available," etc.

[0068] Preferably, the reported processing data include or include internal operational delays, i.e. delays in the operational process within the treatment center due to internal circumstances, such as equipment failures, treatment delays, staff shortages, internal travel distances, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the reported and considered delays may include external travel delays for patients and / or staff on their way to the treatment center.

[0069] When providing patient data containing a treatment regimen for the respective patient, audible and / or visual notifications may continue to be sent to a patient's mobile device and / or to a monitor in the treatment center to inform the patient.

[0070] The step of automatically creating and / or updating and / or optimizing an appointment schedule may also include sending the appointment schedule and / or notifying the affected patients and / or medical staff via audible and / or visual notifications to a mobile device and / or to a monitor.

[0071] Furthermore, treatment devices that have completed treatment and require disinfection may be placed in a "blocked" state until they have been disinfected. The blocked devices will not be available for use until they are released again, which will be taken into account by the appointment scheduling staff.

[0072] In summary, the present invention offers, among other things, the following advantages:

[0073] The system enables optimal use of medical treatment equipment and facilities by incorporating real-time attendance data, equipment status data, and patient data. This minimizes bottlenecks and idle time. The system can account for unforeseen events and delays and adjust the schedule accordingly. This leads to improved patient care and enables medical staff to respond quickly to changes. This provides a high degree of flexibility and adaptability. In particular, patient prioritization is possible. The intelligent scheduling algorithm then prioritizes patients based on their health data and special requirements. This ensures that urgent cases are treated appropriately and a high quality of care is maintained.

[0074] The continued integration of medical staff location data enables effective allocation of tasks and resources within the treatment center. Through an integrated notification function, the system notifies patients and medical staff of changes to the schedule and procedures. This improves communication and transparency within the treatment center. If necessary, the system can specifically consider disinfection requirements and ensure that the relevant steps are followed.

[0075] Furthermore, it should be noted that dialysis machines that are on hold cannot be switched off and thus cause increased power consumption. Through efficient management of patient-related workflows as defined in the present application, the machines need to be in the active / standby state for less time and can instead be temporarily switched off. Thus, fewer resources are required, and energy consumption is minimized. Energy waste can also be reduced with an optimally timed daily routine, as lights, air conditioning, water treatment systems, concentrate mixers, etc., can be temporarily switched off or, if necessary, switched to a power-saving mode with appropriate planning.

[0076] Overall, the invention leads to a significant increase in efficiency, quality, and patient satisfaction in medical treatment centers. It offers a modern solution to the complex challenges of appointment scheduling in healthcare and contributes to optimizing patient care. A key aspect is the adjustment or rescheduling of individual appointments or linked appointment slots and / or device assignments (here specifically: dialysis machines) to maintain optimal utilization of the treatment center's workflow without requiring user interaction. The primary optimization is capacity / availability.

[0077] It should also be noted that dialysis patients cannot spontaneously cancel appointments or postpone them for several days, as periodic renal replacement therapy is essential for patient health. All available patients must always be treated, and this must be done as consistently as possible. To achieve this goal, appointment slots are swapped and / or adjusted depending on the current patient and / or staffing situation.

[0078] An embodiment of the invention is discussed below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

[0079] FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of a medical treatment center, namely a dialysis center,

[0080] FIG. 2 shows a schedule of a dialysis machine, and

[0081] FIG. 3 shows a medical staff member's schedule.

[0082] FIG. 1 shows a medical treatment center 111 with a plurality of medical treatment devices 113 intended for the same type of treatment, which are distributed across several treatment rooms 102, 104, 105. Specifically, the example is a dialysis center with dialysis machines 103. A computer-based management system 110, described below, with a data processing unit 109 supports the operator in scheduling appointments and occupancy. Also shown purely schematically are a patient 107 and a medical staff member 106, both carrying mobile devices 119 in the form of smartphones or the like, which can interact with the management system 110.

[0083] An appointment scheduler 118 implemented in the data processing unit 109 creates an individual schedule for each dialysis machine 103. This schedule is shown, for example, in FIG. 2. The data processing unit 109 assigns patients 107 to the dialysis machine 103 with the designated time slot. The dialysis regimen (treatment type, duration, UF rate, etc.) is also loaded onto the dialysis machine 103. In this example, the medical personnel 106 receives a notification (see FIG. 3) that the dialysis machine 103 in treatment room 1 - 102 needs to be prepared.

[0084] Patient 107 confirms their presence at terminal 108 after entering the center and proceeds to waiting room 100. Once the machine is ready, medical staff 106 confirms this on their device (e.g., smartphone, smartwatch, or similar). Patient 107 is then instructed by monitor 101 to proceed to treatment room I - 102 to the dialysis machine 103.

[0085] Should there be a delay in the treatment of a patient 107 at the dialysis machine 103 (e.g., the puncture site does not stop bleeding, the patient needs to stay longer for observation, the patient needs to be dialyzed more intensively or for a longer time, etc.), the data processing system 109 assists the staff 106 by scheduling the second patient 107 at a free, prepared dialysis machine 103. If no further dialysis machine 103 is prepared, an available medical employee of the medical staff 106 is also ordered to this dialysis machine 103 to prepare it.

[0086] Patient 107, who is in waiting room 100, is informed about the delay or the newly assigned dialysis place via monitor 101.

[0087] Should additional patients 107 unexpectedly arrive or be registered on that day, the data processing system 109 will distribute the patients 107 among the various treatment rooms 102, 104, 105. Should medical personnel 106 be unavailable (due to illness, another patient's emergency, etc.), the duties of the unavailable medical personnel 106 will be redistributed among the available personnel.

[0088] The system applies a prioritization approach to scheduling appointments. For example, regular patients 107 receive their regular time slots and dialysis machines when possible; patient interval checks are more important than preparing a machine; breaks can be flexibly moved forward or backward by 30 minutes, etc.

[0089] Terminal 108 can be implemented as an input device, where patient 107 can enter additional data (e.g., anticyclic medication, body weight, current illnesses, etc.). This data can be loaded directly onto treatment device 113 or the treatment protocol / digital patient record. In the case of existing illnesses, patient 107 can also be directed or scheduled on-site to a separate treatment room (here: 105). The corresponding dialysis machine 103 or all devices in the room (depending on the reason for isolation) can then be blocked until disinfection has been performed by an assigned member of the medical staff 106.

[0090] Patients 107 also optionally have a direct connection to the data processing unit 109, e.g., via an app on their mobile devices 119. This allows patients 107 to cancel their scheduled appointment in case of illness and receive an alternative appointment directly through the system. Patient 107 can also send a request to the system to exchange treatment time slots within the day with other willing patients (permanently or on a one-off basis).

[0091] The data processing system can advantageously detect delays in the process by the connected dialysis machine 103 still being in operation, the medical staff 106 reporting a delay (e.g. via app), the medical staff 106 being in the room longer than planned (detected, for example, via triangulation of devices, RFID readers, airtags, or similar).

[0092] More generally, the electronic data processing unit 109 comprises an appointment scheduler 118, also referred to as a "smart scheduler," to which input information is fed via various channels, preferably in real time. First, this is attendance data of patients 107 and / or medical staff 106, which is recorded and transmitted by an attendance recording system 114. For example, the terminal 108, at which patients 107 and / or staff register, can be part of the attendance recording system 114. Alternatively, registration or deregistration is possible via mobile devices 119. Second, the dialysis machines 103, or more generally, the treatment devices 113, transmit current status information on the device status and / or program sequence via a status recording system 115.Thirdly, a reporting system 116 for delays and / or special treatment requirements can be implemented, which is independent of the first two channels and which patients 107 and / or staff 106 can access directly, for example, via their mobile devices 119 or via terminals 108. Fourthly, the appointment scheduler 118 receives input information from a patient database 117, which can be implemented either in the data processing unit 109 or in a separate data processing unit accessed via a suitable interface. Fifthly, a location detection system 120 can be provided for the medical staff 106, and possibly also for the patients 107, which detects and transmits the current location or whereabouts of the respective person (for example, in one of the treatment rooms 102, 104, 105) within the treatment center 111, for example by means of RFID chips carried by the persons and associated sensors 121, which, for example,installed at the passageways or in the rooms concerned.

[0093] From all of this input information, the scheduler 118 then creates / updates / optimizes a schedule that contains an assignment of treatment devices 113, patients 107, and treatment periods, as well as, if applicable, the medical personnel 106, to one another. From this "master schedule," individual schedules for patients 107, personnel 106, and treatment devices 113 are extracted, as shown by way of example in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0094] List of reference symbols

[0095] 100 Waiting room / waiting area

[0096] 101 Monitor

[0097] 102 Treatment Room I

[0098] 103 Dialysis machine

[0099] 104 Treatment Room II

[0100] 105 Treatment Room III (Isolation Room)

[0101] 106 Medical personnel

[0102] 107 patients

[0103] 108 Terminal

[0104] 109 Data processing unit

[0105] 110 Management system

[0106] 111 Treatment Center

[0107] 113 Treatment device

[0108] 114 Attendance recording system

[0109] 115 Status recording system

[0110] 116 Reporting system

[0111] 117 patient database

[0112] 118 appointment planners

[0113] 119 Mobile device

[0114] 120 Location detection system

[0115] 121 RFID sensor

Claims

Claims 1 . A system for processing patient- and treatment-specific data in a medical treatment center (111) having a plurality of medical treatment devices (113) that can be visited by a plurality of patients (107) and used for assigned treatment periods, comprising: • an attendance recording system (114) for recording attendance data containing the current presence or absence of patients (107) and medical personnel (106) in the treatment center (111), • a status recording system (115) for recording status data containing a current device status for the respective treatment device (113), wherein the status data contain a value characteristic of the duration or remaining duration of a planned or already started treatment, preferably a continuously updated value, which is provided by the respective treatment device (113), • a reporting system (116) for recording expiration data containing delays and / or treatment-related requests reported by patients (107) and / or medical staff (106), • a patient database (117) with patient data containing a treatment regime for the respective patient (107), which is used to control the respectively assigned treatment device (113), and • an electronic data processing unit (109) with an appointment planner (118) which, taking into account attendance data, status data, if applicable expiry dates, and / or patient data, creates an appointment plan which allocates treatment devices (113), patients (107) and treatment periods as well as, if applicable, the medical personnel (106) to each other, automatically creates and / or updates and / or optimises or makes a corresponding suggestion.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the treatment devices (113) are dialysis machines (103) and the treatment center (111) is a dialysis center.

3. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the presence detection system (114), the status detection system (115), optionally the reporting system (116) and / or the patient database (117) has an interface to at least one terminal (108) and / or to mobile devices (119) carried by the patients (107) and / or by the medical staff (106), so that the terminal (108) and / or the mobile devices (119) act as input devices for said systems.

4. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a priority-controlled scheduling algorithm is implemented in the scheduler (118).

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the scheduling algorithm is configured to prioritize patients (107) with a corresponding health-related or process-related attribute stored in the patient data, for example to ensure that certain patients (107) receive certain treatment periods or certain treatment devices (113) can be assigned.

6. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the scheduler (118) includes an analysis function that uses historical data to suggest optimized schedules and resource allocations.

7. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the scheduler (118) comprises a machine learning and / or artificial intelligence unit and / or an interface to such a unit and uses its calculations and outputs.

8. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the patient data contains health-related information such as vaccination status, body weight, chronic diseases and / or chronic illnesses and / or process-related information such as regular patient status, preferred treatment times and / or preferred treatment neighbors.

9. System according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a location detection system (120) for detecting location data containing a current location of the medical personnel (106) within the treatment center (111), wherein the appointment scheduler (118) takes the location data into account when creating and / or updating and / or optimizing the appointment schedule.

10. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the appointment planner (118) takes into account an allocation of treatment devices (113) to different treatment rooms (102, 104, 105) in the treatment center (111) when creating and / or updating and / or optimizing the appointment schedule.

11. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the appointment scheduler (118) assigns patients (107) with a specific health-related or procedure-related attribute noted in the patient data to a specific treatment room (105).

12. System according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises a notification function which notifies the medical staff (106) and / or the patients (107) of changes in the schedule and / or procedure and, if applicable, of requirements for disinfection.

13. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a patient app executable on a patient’s mobile device (119) enables patients (107) to send appointment requests to the management system (110) in order to For example, to request preferred treatment times or to exchange treatment times with other patients.

14. Medical treatment center (111) with a system according to one of the preceding claims.

15. A method for processing patient- and treatment-specific data in a medical treatment center (111) having a plurality of medical treatment devices (113) that can be visited by a plurality of patients (107) and used for assigned treatment periods, comprising the following steps: • Recording attendance data containing current presence or absence of patients (107) and medical staff (106) in the treatment center (111), • Recording status data containing a current device status for the respective treatment device (113), wherein the status data contain a value characteristic of the duration or remaining duration of a planned or already started treatment, preferably a continuously updated value, which is provided by the respective treatment device (113), • Recording expiry data containing delays and / or treatment-related requests reported by patients (107) and / or medical staff (106), • Providing patient data containing a treatment regimen for the respective patient (107), which is used to control the respective associated treatment device (113), and • automated creation and / or updating and / or optimisation of an appointment schedule which contains an allocation of treatment devices (113), patients (107) and treatment periods and, if applicable, the medical personnel (106) to one another, taking into account attendance data, status data, if applicable expiry dates, and / or patient data.

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