EMR Text Messaging Integration with Read Receipts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current EMR systems lack integrated communication tools for secure text messaging with read receipt capabilities, leading to inefficiencies in administrative tasks and language barriers for multicultural patient populations.

Innovation Solution

A system integrating text messaging notifications with EMR systems, enabling secure messaging directly stored in patient records, with read and delivery receipt confirmations, using middleware layers and APIs to connect with mobile devices and support multilingual communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If current EMR systems use manual calling and emailing for patient communication, then staff can directly contact patients, but it is time-consuming and labor-intensive to manage calls and manually update patient records

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidtime for administrative tasks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an automated messaging system as an intermediary between clinic staff and patients. This system handles communication tasks automatically, eliminating the need for staff to manually make calls or send emails. The messaging system acts as a mediator that can send messages, track delivery, and update patient records without direct human intervention for each communication task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The messaging system provides self-service capabilities by automatically sending messages to patients, tracking read receipts, and updating EMR records without requiring staff to perform these repetitive tasks. The system serves itself by managing the entire communication workflow autonomously, from message composition to record updating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If current SMS systems are used for patient communication, then messaging can be sent to mobile phones, but read receipt capability is not supported and messages cannot be securely stored in patient charts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessaging capabilityVSAvoidread receipt information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the messaging functionality with the EMR system into a unified platform. The messaging system is integrated directly with the electronic medical record system, allowing messages to be sent, read receipts to be captured, and all communication data to be stored securely within the same system that manages patient health information. This merging eliminates the gap between communication and record-keeping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by capturing read receipts from patients' mobile devices and automatically updating the EMR with this information. The feedback loop ensures that the system knows whether a message has been read and when, providing real-time status updates without requiring manual confirmation from staff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If staff manually update patient records with communication details, then records can be kept current, but the process requires logging in, searching for charts, entering updates, and logging out

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecord accuracyVSAvoidoperational steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The messaging system performs self-service by automatically updating patient records with communication details. When a message is sent and read, the system autonomously creates and updates the corresponding record entries without requiring staff to log in, search for patient charts, manually enter information, and log out. This eliminates repetitive manual operations while maintaining record accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional communication methods are used with multicultural patient populations, then English can be used for communication, but language barriers exist for non-English speaking patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidlanguage accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The messaging system provides multi-functionality by supporting multiple languages within a single unified platform. It can detect patient language preferences and automatically translate messages into appropriate languages, making the system universally accessible to diverse patient populations regardless of their native language. This eliminates the need for separate communication systems for different language groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230049313A1System and method of integrating text messaging read notification with an EMR system

Publication Date: 2023.02.16 TELEDACT INC

AI summary

A system and method for integrating a text messaging notification system with an electronic medical record (EMR) system. A messaging notification system that provides for secure text messaging to a mobile phone is integrated with an EMR system wherein the text messages are stored as medical records in the EMR system. No data is saved on the message notification system but stored directly in the EMR system. The EMR system is integrated with the mobile device operating system to support acknowledgement of read and delivery receipts.