Patient-Device Association via Parameter Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hospitals face challenges in associating patient data with healthcare devices due to the lack of patient identification in de-identified data collected by these devices, limiting the utilization of this data for providing effective care.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that correlate patient de-identified data from healthcare devices with patient identified data from independent sources, such as order entry systems, using extrinsic and intrinsic attributes of the devices to establish patient-device associations without the need for additional hardware or input from healthcare professionals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If healthcare devices collect data without patient identification, then device complexity and ease of operation are improved, but data utility and measurement precision deteriorate because the data cannot be associated with specific patients
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary association between devices and patients by matching device parameters (intrinsic attributes) with patient characteristics from orders (extrinsic attributes) before data collection. This preliminary action establishes the patient-device link in advance, allowing devices to operate without real-time identification input while ensuring data can be properly associated with patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary association mechanism that uses device parameters as mediators to connect de-identified device data with patient records. By correlating intrinsic device attributes with extrinsic order attributes, the system creates an indirect but reliable link between devices and patients without requiring direct patient identification at the device level.
2Loss of information
If patient identification is added to device data collection, then data utility improves, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to additional hardware or professional input requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing devices to automatically provide their identification parameters without requiring additional hardware components or manual input from healthcare professionals. The device's intrinsic attributes serve as its own identification mechanism, eliminating the need for external identification systems while maintaining data associability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies universality by using the same device parameters for multiple purposes: both for device operation control and for patient identification association. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate identification hardware, as the existing device attributes serve dual roles in both operation and data linkage.
3Measurement precision
If manual patient identification input is required, then measurement precision improves, but productivity and ease of operation worsen due to additional time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical process of manual identification input with an automated information processing system. Instead of healthcare professionals manually entering patient identifiers, the system automatically correlates device parameters with patient records using computational matching, thereby eliminating manual effort while maintaining or improving identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing device parameters with patient order attributes and automatically adjusting associations based on matching results. This automated feedback loop ensures high measurement precision through systematic verification while maintaining high productivity by eliminating manual intervention in the association process.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for associating a patient with a device may include a memory and a processor. The memory may be configured to store a plurality of orders and a set of parameters, wherein each of the plurality of orders comprises order attributes and each of the plurality of orders identifies one of a plurality of patients. The processor may be configured to receive the plurality of orders from an order entry system, receive the set of parameters from a device, correlate the set of parameters with an order of the plurality of orders based on the order attributes of the plurality of orders, associate the device with the patient identified by the order that correlates with the set of parameters, and provide, to the device, an indication of the patient associated with the device.