Automated Patient Bed Search System Using Configurable Scoring Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current healthcare information systems fail to automate the matching of patient clinical and non-clinical needs with available beds, relying on manual intervention and user expertise, which leads to delays in finding suitable beds for patients, especially in hospitals operating near or over capacity.
Innovation Solution
An automated patient bed search system that uses a bed management processor to provide a ranked list of candidate beds based on clinical and non-clinical requirements, using a score value derived from configurable rules, and includes a user interface to display the candidate list, allowing for efficient selection and prioritization of beds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual bed matching is used with user expertise, then bed allocation can be customized to patient needs, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service bed allocation by having the bed management processor automatically match patient requirements with bed attributes without manual intervention. The processor retrieves patient data, compares it against bed inventory, and generates allocations autonomously, eliminating the need for users to manually search and match beds while maintaining customized matching quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of bed matching is replaced with an automated electronic system. The bed management processor uses computerized algorithms to compare patient clinical and non-clinical requirements with bed attributes, substituting human manual work with automated information processing and decision-making capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive bed attribute tracking is implemented, then precise patient-bed matching is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bed management processor serves multiple functions within a single system: it tracks bed attributes, retrieves patient requirements, performs matching algorithms, generates allocations, and updates bed status. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems for each function, managing complexity while enabling precise matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The bed management processor acts as an intermediary between patient data and bed inventory data. It retrieves information from both sources, processes the matching logic, and produces allocation decisions, serving as a mediating layer that manages the complexity of interacting with multiple data sources and requirements.
3Reliability
If real-time bed status monitoring is implemented, then bed availability accuracy is improved, but data collection delays persist
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively monitoring bed status and anticipating availability changes before they are formally recorded. The bed management processor continuously queries bed status and patient discharge/transfer information, preparing allocation decisions in advance so that when beds become available, allocations can be made immediately without waiting for manual status updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring of bed status and patient information rather than relying on periodic or manual updates. The bed management processor continuously retrieves data, processes matching criteria, and maintains an up-to-date view of bed availability, ensuring that the useful action of bed allocation can proceed without interruption or delay.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated search system uses data indicating clinical and non-clinical needs of a patient to provide a ranked list of candidate beds, status of beds and availability of a specific type of bed having a particular set of clinical attributes, using a score value derived using configurable rules for comparing patient requirements with bed characteristics. A patient bed search system includes at least one repository including bed information for multiple beds in a healthcare facility comprising multiple clinical attributes including current availability for individual beds of the multiple beds. A bed management processor automatically employs the bed information in providing data representing a candidate list of beds for a particular patient in response to clinical and non-clinical requirements associated with the particular patient and a request to allocate a bed for the particular patient. A user interface generates data representing at least one display image presenting the candidate list of beds for a particular patient.