Patient Rounding Detection via Activator and Timer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In healthcare environments, existing methods for monitoring and recording patient care tasks, such as nurse rounding, are inefficient and prone to errors due to the time-consuming process of manual logging and the need for frequent secure system logins, leading to incomplete records and reduced compliance with scheduled tasks.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a 'rounding button' associated with each patient that resets a timer when activated, allowing nurses to easily indicate task completion without manual recording, using a display to show timer status and reduce the need for electronic system logins, with the system potentially integrated with RTLS for location tracking and secure data handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual logging methods are used to record patient care tasks, then task completion can be tracked, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-logging of patient care tasks through sensors and RFID technology. When a caregiver interacts with a patient (e.g., approaching the bedside, touching the patient), the system automatically detects and records the task completion without requiring manual data entry, thus eliminating time loss while maintaining reliable tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical logging processes with automated electronic sensing systems. RFID tags, weight sensors in beds, and proximity detectors automatically capture task completion data, substituting the time-intensive manual writing or typing process with instantaneous electronic detection and recording
2Reliability
If secure system logins are required to access health records platform, then patient privacy is protected, but the process becomes time-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication by pre-establishing secure connections and authorizing caregivers before they begin patient care tasks. RFID cards or biometric data are validated in advance, allowing automatic identification and authorization during patient interactions without requiring repeated login processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic authentication where the caregiver's identity and authorization level are automatically recognized through RFID cards, biometric sensors, or mobile device proximity detection, eliminating the need for manual login while maintaining security through pre-configured access controls
3Loss of information
If paper logs are used for task completion, then records can be maintained, but digitization becomes difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces paper-based logging with direct electronic data capture through sensors, RFID tags, and automated detection systems. Task completion information is immediately converted into digital format and stored in the health records platform, eliminating the need for subsequent digitization processes and associated costs
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates automatic digital copies of task completion data through sensor detection and RFID identification. Each patient interaction generates an immediate digital record that is stored and transmitted electronically, replacing the need for physical paper copies and manual transcription processes
4Reliability
If frequent monitoring of patient care tasks is implemented, then task completion can be ensured, but caregiver workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic monitoring through sensors that detect caregiver presence, patient weight changes, and interaction patterns. This self-monitoring capability provides continuous task completion tracking without requiring additional caregiver effort or manual checking, thus maintaining high compliance while preserving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to caregivers through mobile devices or display screens, automatically notifying them when tasks are due or have been completed. This automated feedback mechanism ensures task compliance without requiring caregivers to actively monitor or manage their own workloads, reducing operational burden while maintaining reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provided herein facilitate the monitoring and management of regular healthcare tasks for patients in a healthcare system, e.g., “nurse rounding” tasks. These embodiments include providing a button or other activator that is associated with a patient and a timer that is associated with the patient and that represents the time since a rounding task was last performed for the patient. Activation of the activator by a nurse or other healthcare provider causes the patient's timer to reset. The status of the timers for a number of patients can be provided on a display, e.g., at a nurse station, to allow nurses or other healthcare providers to know at a glance which patients are currently, or likely to soon become, in need of another rounding care visit. The activator output can also be automatically registered in order to monitor performance of rounding tasks for the patient over time.