Patient Mobile Device for Hospital Navigation and Data Entry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients face confusion, frustration, and inefficiencies in navigating medical facilities due to unclear directions, error-prone data entry, mixed-up records, language barriers, and difficulty accessing communication tools during medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device with a display, tracking system, and bi-directional communication capabilities that provides patients with personalized directions, updates location-based instructions, and allows direct input of information, emergency alerts, and language translation, linked to a patient information system for streamlined navigation and care.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If patients manually complete information forms and employees input data into central database, then patient information can be recorded, but the process is error-prone and requires redundant data entry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoiddata entry process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Patients use mobile devices to self-input and self-manage their own information forms, eliminating the need for employee data entry and reducing errors associated with manual transcription

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual paper form handling and employee data entry with automated electronic systems, where mobile devices communicate wirelessly with the central database, eliminating redundant mechanical processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If patients navigate medical facility using traditional methods, then patients can move through the facility, but patients become lost and frustrated, thereby delaying procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenavigationVSAvoidprocedure delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device provides real-time location tracking and dynamic direction updates to patients, continuously adjusting navigation instructions based on patient movement and current position within the facility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Patients receive pre-calculated directions and location information before needing to navigate, allowing them to plan their route in advance and avoid getting lost during the actual navigation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If care providers use paper files for patient records, then patient information can be stored, but records may be inadvertently intermingled, requiring additional time to sort through confusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecord accuracyVSAvoidrecord sorting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical paper file systems with an electronic database system that automatically associates patient records with unique identifiers, eliminating the physical handling and potential mixing of paper files

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates and maintains digital copies of patient records that are automatically linked to the correct patient through unique identifiers, allowing instant retrieval without physical sorting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Ease of operation

If patients need to contact medical personnel during procedures, then emergency communication can occur, but patients may not be able to find or access telephones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency accessVSAvoidemergency response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device serves multiple functions including navigation, information display, and emergency communication, consolidating what would otherwise require separate facilities (telephones) into a single universal device that patients always have access to

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device acts as an intermediary communication tool between patients and medical personnel, providing a reliable communication channel that does not depend on fixed telephone infrastructure within the facility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7843330B2Interactive patient management system and method

Publication Date: 2010.11.30 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a mobile device configured to instruct and direct a patient within a medical care facility. The medical device may include a main housing configured to be conveyed by the patient within the medical care facility, a display positioned on the main housing, a tracking device configured to be tracked by a patient information system, a processor in communication with the display, and a transceiver allowing bi-directional communication between the mobile device and the patient information system. The transceiver may be configured to receive patient-specific directions and instructions regarding a medical care event that are transmitted from the patient information system. The processor is operable to show the patient-specific directions and instructions on the display.