Patient EMR Access via Rule-Based Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic medical record (EMR) systems isolate patients from their own medical data to maintain data integrity, limiting patient involvement and communication with healthcare providers due to concerns about data accuracy, privacy, and professional oversight.

Innovation Solution

A programmable access system that allows patients to securely access and input data into their EMR, using administrator-defined rules to control and interpret data access, ensuring accuracy and privacy, while integrating patient-sourced data with professional validation and trend analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If patients are prevented from entering data into the EMR, then data validity and reliability are preserved, but patient involvement and communication are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEMR data validityVSAvoidpatient involvement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments data entry and validation functions by introducing distinct data sources (patient-sourced data marked with specific flags) separate from provider-entered data. This allows patients to contribute data while maintaining systematic control over data integrity through marking and flagging mechanisms that preserve EMR reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary validation layer where patient-sourced data is processed through automated algorithms and reviewed by healthcare providers before being integrated into the EMR. This intermediary process maintains data reliability by filtering and validating patient inputs while still enabling patient involvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If patients are given access to their EMR data, then communication and patient satisfaction improve, but data privacy and security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient accessVSAvoiddata privacy risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different access and display qualities to different portions of EMR data based on sensitivity and relevance. Patients can access and view their own data with appropriate permissions while sensitive information remains protected. The patent implements granular control where data display quality and access rights vary by data type and patient authorization status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of information

If medical data is made accessible to patients, then patient understanding and engagement improve, but confusion and alarm from unintelligible data increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient understandingVSAvoidpatient confusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary translation and explanation layer that converts complex medical data into patient-friendly formats. Automated algorithms and provider reviews interpret and contextualize medical information before presenting it to patients, ensuring clarity and understanding while avoiding confusion or unnecessary alarm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where patient-sourced data is processed and returned with contextual information, trend analyses, and comparisons to expected ranges. This feedback loop helps patients understand their data in context while maintaining accuracy through automated validation against EMR standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8428968B2Interactive system for patient access to electronic medical records
Publication Date: 2013.04.23 EPIC SYST CORP (US)
  • US8428968B2 patent drawing
  • US8428968B2 patent drawing
  • US8428968B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A programmable rules-based interface between a patient and an electronic medical record EMR allows controlled patient access to the EMR allowing increased patient participation in the healthcare process.