585 results about "Caregiver person" patented technology

A technique for detecting and indicating an internal anatomical obstacle encountered during insertion of a medical device into the body of a patient, comprising an elongated member such as a tube, catheter, guidewire, or other device, having a location indicating element, such as a permanent magnet, flexibly coupled to its distal end, and an external detector that tracks and displays the location and orientation of the location indicating element. The flexible coupling has sufficient stiffness to maintain the orientation of the location indicating element against the forces from both gravity and flowing blood within a patient's vasculature, but allows the location indicating element to change orientation if it encounters an obstacle during insertion. The medical caregiver monitors the detector's display and determines encounters with obstacles by observing changes in the orientation of the location indicating element.

The information management system disclosed enables caregivers to make better decisions, faster, using aggregated genetic and phenotypic data. The system enables the integration, validation and analysis of genetic, phenotypic and clinical data from multiple subjects who may be at distributed facilities. A standardized data model stores a range of patient data in standardized data classes that encompass patient profile information, patient symptomatic information, patient treatment information, and patient diagnostic information including genetic information. Data from other systems is converted into the format of the standardized data classes using a data parser, or cartridge, specifically tailored to the source system. Relationships exist between standardized data classes that are based on expert rules and statistical models. The relationships are used both to validate new data, and to predict phenotypic outcomes based on available data. The prediction may relate to a clinical outcome in response to a proposed intervention by a caregiver. The statistical models may be inhaled into the system from electronic publications that define statistical models and methods for training those models, according to a standardized template. Methods are described for selecting, creating and training the statistical models to operate on genetic, phenotypic and clinical data, in particular for underdetermined data sets that are typical of genetic information. The disclosure also describes how security of the data is maintained by means of a robust security architecture, and robust user authentication such as biometric authentication, combined with application-level and data-level access privileges.

A mobile personal computing and communications device provides for secure, reliable, accurate and up-to-date point-of-care medical information for rendering sound medical care to a patient. The mobile personal device may be used by either the patient and / or by caregivers to furnish, access and / or acquire and store the patient's medical records using wireless communications, to provide a treatment, to facilitate compliance with a treatment plan, to facilitate patient care, to facilitate collaboration on treatment for the patient's condition, and to proffer an authenticated medical directive, among other mobile medical services.

A system for management of a chronic medical condition generally comprises a plurality of networked physical and / or virtual elements configured to cooperate to aid in management of a chronic medical condition of a patient. The system is configured to provide a primary caregiver with current data relating to the patient's medical condition, and to allow the caregiver to provide appropriate changes to the patient's treatment via an analyte detection meter. The meter is generally configured to calculate a treatment dosage by combining a plurality of patient-affected and caregiver-affected variables. One embodiment relates to a system for management of a diabetic condition in which the primary caregiver is provided with glucose concentration data as well as other information relating to a diabetic condition. The primary caregiver can then make appropriate changes to correction factors to be implemented in an analyte detection meter which is configured to calculate an insulin dosage.

The invention provides a method and system for communicating a vehicle user's medical information stored in a key device to medical caregivers via a wireless communications network. The method comprises receiving vehicle user medical information in a key device, transmitting the medical information from the key device to a storage unit within a vehicle and transmitting the stored medical information from a telematics unit to a call center responsive to an emergency event.

An orthopaedic element has an information storage portion. A transmitter portion and an internal power source portion may be associated with the body of the orthopaedic element. Information, such as data related to the orthopaedic element, patient or caregiver can be stored in the information storage portion. The transmitter portion is coupled to the information storage portion and the internal power source portion. The stored information is selectively transmitted to an external receiver and data interpretation device.

A system and method for monitoring, managing and controlling medication delivery from a central location is provided. A central computer displays medication orders and ongoing medication administrations for a health care facility. The central computer checks medication delivery against a database of medication administration guidelines, including guidelines for medication interactions with other medications and with patient conditions and provides an indication of any detected incompatibilities. A clinician at the central location may adjust the medication administration parameters in response to detected incompatibilities and communicate with a caregiver at the point of care to provide decision support. In one embodiment, the central location is a pharmacy at the healthcare facility.

Systems and methods for monitoring the performance of a caregiver are disclosed. The systems may be configured to monitor the movement of each caregiver in a network of caregivers. One such system includes a plurality of strips adhered in spaced-apart relation on a mattress pad, upon which a subject is positioned. One or more transmitter is provided coupled to the plurality of strips. A processor in connected to the one or more transmitter. The processor is provided with operating software to record and report caregiver activity or both caregiver activity and subject activity.

An alarm system (52) for a medical pump (50) associated with delivering a fluid (54) to a patient in connection with treatment of the patient is provided. The alarm system (52) comprises an alarm (60) associated with at least one treatment parameter. The alarm (60) includes a first alarm state (1) associated with a first event relating to the treatment parameter and a second alarm state (2) associated with a second event. The second alarm state (2) is discernable from the first alarm state (1), which will allow each of the events to be treated differently by a caregiver.

An injector is automatic in that the needle is inserted into the injection site (e.g., a patient's skin) with user or caregiver assistance, the delivery is automatically initiated upon needle insertion, and the needle is retracted automatically after the end of delivery. Preferably the needle is not seen by the user prior to, during or after injection. Prior to and after injection, the needle is hidden in the device so as to avoid any potential injury or health risk to the user or health care provider. The injector includes a housing and a shield arranged to slide relative to the housing and a driver moving during drug delivery. The housing and shield form a cartridge enclosure. The cartridge is shielded and locked after delivery is completed. A needle-locking mechanism can be used in any number of pen-like injectors or safety needles.

The present invention is directed to a method and system for managing patient care in order to minimize caregiver error. The system may be driven by machine readable identifiers. The identifiers may include bar codes. The system is also task-based so as to minimize caregiver input and the possibility of caregiver error. The system includes a caregiver portable information device having a scanning device. The system additionally includes a patient machine readable identifier and a medication machine readable identifier. The system further includes a dynamically generated patient task list for an identified patient, the task list including instructions for administration of at least one medication, wherein the task list becomes available upon scanning of the patient machine readable identifier by the scanning device.

This patent document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods for enhancing detection of pulmonary edema using, in addition to thoracic impedance, one or a combination of: physiologic information about a subject, at least one statistical parameter, a user-programmable detection level, at least one parameter associated with a previous pulmonary edema event, and patient symptom information about the subject. In one example, a (base) thoracic impedance threshold is modified to an adjusted thoracic impedance threshold. The adjusted thoracic impedance threshold provides an increased sensitivity of pulmonary edema detection as compared to the base thoracic impedance threshold. In another example, an alert is provided to a subject, a caregiver, or other user based on a pulmonary edema indication determined by the present systems, devices, and methods. In a further example, a therapy (provided to the subject) is adjusted or initiated in response to the pulmonary edema indication.

A system and methods is provided for facilitating, monitoring and recording caregiver and patient compliance with established hospital hand hygiene protocols. The system comprises a 3-D imaging and monitoring assembly and an optional intelligent programmable monitor / sanitizer. Three dimensional imagery tracks a caregiver's movements and location while generating a representative image value. Information acquired by the imaging system determines the proximity of a caregiver to the patient and / or contamination source and determines if the sanitizers provided have been utilized and if so, at an appropriate time and distance from the patient per hospital protocol. While being monitored, a representative Avatar based on physical characteristics derived from three dimensional images of the caregiver and patient may be generated so as to maintain anonymity of both unless a violation of institutional protocol occurs which may be forensically recorded in real-time for analysis.

The invention provides a method and system for communicating a vehicle user's medical information stored in a key device to medical caregivers via a wireless communications network. The method comprises receiving vehicle user medical information in a key device, transmitting the medical information from the key device to a storage unit within a vehicle and transmitting the stored medical information from a telematics unit to a call center responsive to an emergency event.

The child safety seat includes a seat body that is attached to a base that is held in place by the vehicle seat belt. The base provides for movement of the seat body around at least one axis. A turntable allows the seat body to be rotated from a safe-riding position to face the car door to facilitate positioning the child in the seat or to make it easier to grasp and maneuver a separable child carrier with the child in it. Inadvertent rotation of the turntable is prevented by a locking mechanism that remains engaged until released by the parent or caregiver. In one embodiment, a second axis of movement allows the seat body to be reclined so that the child's head is supported when he or she falls asleep. The reclining adjustment is a motorized motion which can be remotely controlled by the parent or caregiver sitting in the front of the vehicle via wires connected to a remote control.

A medication management system (MMS) includes a medication management unit (MMU) associated with a medical device. The MMU downloads a medication order to the medical device only if information from a first input matches information from a second input. The medical device receives delivery information only from the MMU. The medication order is performed only after delivery data validation. The MMU also determines drug-drug incompatibility. The MMU can modulate (start, stop, and dynamically adjust) medication order performance. The medical device wirelessly receives a patient ID to automatically associate with the patient. During delivery, the medical device caches an updated drug library to replace an existing one. The medical device displays a patient picture for validation. The MMU evaluates the performance of medical devices and caregivers based medical device feedback. The MMU adjusts the output of medical device information conveyed to a caregiver.

Methods and apparatus for storing health records in a secured manner are disclosed. Access to a patient's online health record is controlled by the patient (or the patient's caregiver). Specifically, a patient may choose to either grant or deny access rights to an individual such as a healthcare provider. Access rights may include read, write, and forwarding privileges.

A medication management system (MMS) includes a medication management unit (MMU) associated with a medical device. The MMU downloads a medication order to the medical device only if information from a first input matches information from a second input. The medical device receives delivery information only from the MMU. The medication order is performed only after delivery data validation. The MMU also determines drug-drug incompatibility. The MMU can modulate (start, stop, and dynamically adjust) medication order performance. The medical device wirelessly receives a patient ID to automatically associate with the patient. During delivery, the medical device caches an updated drug library to replace an existing one. The medical device displays a patient picture for validation. The MMU evaluates the performance of medical devices and caregivers based medical device feedback. The MMU adjusts the output of medical device information conveyed to a caregiver.

The present embodiments provide an integrated patient room having multiple features designed to enhance the safety, satisfaction and / or outcomes for a patient and / or caregiver. In one embodiment, the integrated patient room comprises at least one bed and at least one chair. The bed and the chair can each assume a wide range of positions, and can be pre-programmed into preferred positions. Further, the bed, chair, and / or other components in the patient room may be automatically synchronized with one another to facilitate transfer of a patient. A touch screen monitor with an intuitive graphical user interface may be employed as a communication portal. The functions of the bed, chair and / or other components in the room may be accessed and / or controlled through the communication portal.

There is provided herein a sensor for use in patient monitoring, wherein the level of patient activity in a chair or bed is tracked to determine whether or not that patient has exhibited sufficient activity to merit eliminating a scheduled assisted relocation to a new position. The instant device senses the time since a patient last relocated into a different sitting or lying position. If the patient has not moved during some predetermined time period, the nursing staff will be notified that it is time to manually reposition the patient. On the other hand, if the patient has significantly changed position, the device will not signal to the caregiver that a move is necessary, thereby eliminating the need in some cases to rouse the patient from an otherwise sound sleep.

The drug compliance monitoring system provides a patient with a portable medication dispenser programmed with medication-taking data. The dispenser alerts the patient to take a dose of medication and gathers compliance data relating to the medication-taking data. The compliance data is accessible to a physician, or other caregiver, etc., via a network database.

The computerized system provides a method to track Alzheimer's patients and other diseases that affect the patient's ability to contact and communicate their location or vital information to their caregivers. The system applies an electronic tag to each patient of a multiplicity of patients or only to non-confined patients and employs a computer to maintain information about their location and well being. Use is made of a global positioning system to locate a lost patient as well as to track movements of the patient. A history of the movement of the patient may also be plotted on a map. Additional components of the tag gather and relay information about the patient's condition and other environmental data. In addition, the use of a an additional external transmitter keeps the wearable tag in a low power “sleep” mode when it is in range, preserving the internal battery and only consuming power when the tag moves out of range of the external transmitter.

The present invention provides a system and method for controlling home health care services while improving the consistency and reliability of such services. The present invention also improves the productivity of the caregivers so that costs are reduced and care is improved. Such improvements reduce costs and provide more time with the patient. Indirect costs are also reduced because a more reliable home health care service allows a greater proportion of patients to be treated in their homes at a much lower cost than if they were still receiving inpatient services. During an emergency event, emergency responders have the ability to identify patients most at risk based on proximity to the event and based on the patient's medical condition.

A medication management system (MMS) includes a medication management unit (MMU) associated with a medical device. The MMU downloads a medication order to the medical device only if information from a first input matches information from a second input. The medical device receives delivery information only from the MMU. The medication order is performed only after delivery data validation. The MMU also determines drug-drug incompatibility. The MMU can modulate (start, stop, and dynamically adjust) medication order performance. The medical device wirelessly receives a patient ID to automatically associate with the patient. During delivery, the medical device caches an updated drug library to replace an existing one. The medical device displays a patient picture for validation. The MMU evaluates the performance of medical devices and caregivers based medical device feedback. The MMU adjusts the output of medical device information conveyed to a caregiver.

Absorbent articles comprising one or more sensors capable of detecting the presence of a body waste in the absorbent article are described. In particular, the absorbent articles comprise at least one chemiresistor capable of detecting the presence of volatile organic compounds associated with a body waste. When a body waste is detected, an indicator means signals a caregiver and / or a user of the absorbent article that an insult has occurred

An intelligent patient management system collects data from a variety of sources, processes that information, and provides relevant information to an appropriate caregiver in context at the proper time. The system has multiple information sources available from which to gather additional information based upon conclusions drawn or issues identified from the patient data.

The present invention is directed to a method and system for managing patient care in order to minimize caregiver error and to accommodate ad hoc entry of orders. The system may be driven by machine readable identifiers. The identifiers may include bar codes. The system may include a portable computing device having an identifier recognition mechanism and a patient machine-readable identifier. The system may additionally include a patient task list for an identified patient, wherein the task list becomes automatically available upon recognition of the patient machine readable identifier. The system may also include recognition tools for determining if an entered task is a recognized task that is consistent with any task contained within the patient task list. The portable computing device may include a user interface mechanism for allowing an authorized caregiver to enter a new order including an unrecognized task. A method of the invention may include recognizing a patient machine-readable identifier, matching the patient machine-readable identifier with a patient task list, determining whether an entered task request is consistent with any task on the patient task list, and allowing entry of an order including an unrecognized task by an authorized caregiver.

A system, for facilitating independent living of one or more individuals who has a health status and is located in a predetermined living area, that is adapted to communicate with one or more caregivers, that generally comprises: a first subsystem that monitors the activity levels of an individual and determines whether the activity level is indicative of a decline in said individual's health status; a second subsystem that can be selectively activated by the individual to alert caregivers that assistance is needed; a third subsystem that automatically alerts caregivers that assistance is needed based at least in part on determination of the first subsystem; and a fourth subsystem that monitors whether the individual is exhibiting wandering activity.