Cloud System for Automated Patient Discharge Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current patient discharge process is inefficient and time-consuming due to the manual search for suitable long-term care facilities and service providers, lack of communication between facilities, and compliance with privacy regulations, leading to delayed and costly hospital stays.

Innovation Solution

A cloud-computing system that securely processes discharge information to identify suitable service providers, automates the discharge and acceptance process, and ensures compliance with patient privacy laws by encrypting data and verifying licensing status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual search and coordination methods are used to find suitable long-term care facilities and service providers, then patient privacy can be protected through physical documentation handling, but the discharge process becomes extremely time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient privacy protectionVSAvoiddischarge process duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A cloud-based computing environment acts as an intermediary between discharging facilities, LTCFs, and other service providers. This intermediary system enables automated matching and coordination while maintaining HIPAA compliance through encrypted data transmission, thus resolving the contradiction between privacy protection and process efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (physical documentation handling, phone calls, in-person tours) with automated electronic systems that perform matching, communication, and coordination functions, dramatically reducing discharge time while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of service providers are involved in patient discharge (LTCF, pharmacy, medical devices, therapists), then comprehensive care can be provided, but the complexity of coordinating all providers increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive care coverageVSAvoidcoordination system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud-based system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a matching engine, communication hub, data repository, and coordination platform for all types of service providers, reducing overall system complexity despite the multi-provider requirement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system handles different service provider types (LTCF, pharmacy, medical devices, therapists) as separate but integrated components, allowing each to be managed independently while maintaining coordinated operation through the central platform

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If patients remain in the original facility during the discharge search process, then continuous care is maintained, but costs increase significantly compared to LTCF rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous care qualityVSAvoiddischarge-related costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary matching and coordination activities before discharge to identify suitable LTCFs and service providers in advance, enabling patients to transition to lower-cost facilities sooner while maintaining care continuity through pre-arranged services

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If HIPAA privacy requirements are strictly enforced between facilities, then patient data security is maintained, but direct communication and data sharing between facilities is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient data securityVSAvoidinter-facility communication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud-based computing environment serves as a HIPAA-compliant intermediary that enables secure data exchange between facilities through encrypted transmission and controlled access, maintaining both security and communication capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12119106B1System and method for facilitating multi-provider patient discharge with the aid of a digital computer

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 HEALTH CARE SOLUTIONS

AI summary

Data from a plurality of parties involved in a discharge of the patient is securely processed in a cloud-computing environment. The cloud-computing environment identifies service providers suitable for the patient using a plurality of matching criteria and information derived at least in part from discharge information provided by the facility from which the patient is being discharged, and can contact the service providers to determine whether the service providers are willing to start caring for the patient. The decision to discharge the patient to a care of a particular suitable care provider and the decision by the care provider to accept such patient to the provider's care can be also be automated. The cloud-computing environment can further update the discharge information based on a request from the service providers. The cloud-computing environment securely stores the data received from all parties.