Electronic Greaseboard for Patient Data Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional hand-written greaseboards in hospitals expose patient information to non-staff members, violating privacy and not allowing for efficient communication of patient needs to caregivers, while electronic greaseboards lack the ability to construct and route messages.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that receives relevant patient data, presents it to users, and enables users to construct and route outgoing messages through a networked system comprising a data source, transaction table device, electronic greaseboard, and message generator, allowing for efficient communication among hospital staff.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional hand-written greaseboards are used to display patient information, then patient information is readily accessible to hospital staff, but patient privacy is compromised and information is exposed to non-staff members

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of patient information to staffVSAvoidpatient privacy exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electronic greaseboard as an intermediary device between the patient information database and the hospital staff. This electronic display system mediates information access by showing only relevant patient data to authorized personnel through controlled interfaces, while preventing unauthorized access by visitors and non-staff members, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and privacy protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical hand-written greaseboard system with an electronic display system connected to a database. This substitution enables dynamic control over information display, allowing the system to present different information to different users based on their authorization levels, thereby protecting patient privacy while maintaining staff accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If electronic greaseboards are used to display patient information, then patient privacy is protected through discrete location, but the ability to construct and route messages to caregivers is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient privacy protectionVSAvoidefficiency of communicating patient needs to caregivers
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the electronic greaseboard system to perform multiple functions: it displays patient information to protect privacy while simultaneously serving as a messaging platform. The system can construct and route messages to responsible caregivers, combining information display and communication functions in a single integrated system, thus resolving the contradiction between privacy protection and communication efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the electronic greaseboard not only displays information but also enables two-way communication. Caregivers can receive alerts about patient needs and provide responses, creating a feedback loop that enhances communication efficiency while maintaining privacy protection through the discrete electronic display system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If traditional greaseboards are used, then no message routing capability is needed, but immediate alerting of caregivers to patient needs cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of system structureVSAvoidresponse time to patient needs
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the electronic greaseboard system with message routing capabilities and caregiver contact information. When patient needs are identified, the system can immediately construct and route alerts to the appropriate caregivers without delay, eliminating the time loss associated with manual communication methods while maintaining reasonable system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7526529B2Apparatus and method for presenting data and sending a message
Publication Date: 2009.04.28 ASCOM SWEDEN
  • US7526529B2 patent drawing
  • US7526529B2 patent drawing
  • US7526529B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus and method for receiving relevant data, presenting the relevant data to users, and enabling users to construct and route an outgoing message. Using this apparatus and method, hospitals can provide efficient and personalized service by viewing up-to-date information about each admitted patient and, if necessary, routing relevant portions of the information, via a text message, to those responsible for patient care.