Virtual Care Module for Hospital Video Conferencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional video conferencing platforms face challenges in healthcare settings due to difficulties in tethering and charging hospital tablets, patient health limitations, clinician requirements for user IDs, lack of integration with Electronic Health Records (EHR), and the need for separate devices and monitoring, which hinder effective communication and increase the risk of infectious disease spread.
Innovation Solution
A virtual care platform integrating commercial video communication platforms into a secure healthcare setting, using servers to parse data for seamless video signal transmission through in-room devices, allowing patients control over their feed, reducing disinfection needs, and providing a modular, all-in-one solution for care delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional video conferencing platforms are used in hospital settings, then communication between patients, providers, and family members is enabled, but the risk of infectious disease spread increases due to the need for physical carts and frequent disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the patient's existing in-room television as a copy of a video conferencing device, eliminating the need for separate physical carts or tablets. The TV is already present in every patient room, so copying its functionality for video conferencing purposes allows immediate access without introducing new physical objects that require disinfection.
Solution Approach 2:
The in-room television is designed to serve multiple functions: traditional entertainment, educational content delivery, and now video conferencing. By making the TV universal, the system eliminates the need for dedicated video conferencing equipment, reducing the number of devices that need to be disinfected while maintaining communication capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate devices and monitors are mounted in patient rooms for video conferencing, then video call functionality is provided, but device complexity and the need for mounting, powering, and networking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the in-room television universal by integrating video conferencing capabilities into an existing multi-functional device. The TV already handles entertainment and education, so adding communication functionality leverages the existing infrastructure rather than introducing separate specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the video conferencing function with the existing television system by integrating the video conferencing application into the TV's interface. This combines multiple functions (entertainment, education, communication) into a single unified system, eliminating the need for separate devices, mounts, and power sources.
3Ease of operation
If hospital tablets are used for video conferencing, then patients can communicate virtually, but the tablets are difficult to tether to beds, hold steady, and keep charged
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using portable tablets that require tethering and charging, the patent copies the video conferencing functionality to the stationary in-room television. The TV is already powered and positioned in the room, eliminating the need for tablets and their associated power and stability management challenges.
4Ease of operation
If traditional video conferencing platforms are used, then communication is enabled, but integration with EHR to track patient location and initiate calls is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by integrating the video conferencing system with the EHR. The system continuously receives patient location data from the EHR and uses this feedback to automatically determine which television to initiate calls on, ensuring calls are routed to the correct patient room without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the video conferencing platform with the existing EHR system, combining communication functionality with patient management. This integration allows the EHR to provide patient location information and the video conferencing system to use that information for automatic call routing, eliminating the need for clinicians to manually enter patient details.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for facilitating video conferencing is provided. The method includes creating communication interface channels for receiving patient-related data from the transmission platform. The method includes receiving, through the communication interface channel, a message containing patient-related data from the transmission platform. The method includes authenticating the message. The method includes parsing the patient-related data contained in the authenticated message. The parsing includes converting the patient-related data into one or more data objects having a format compatible with the system. The method includes transmitting the standardized patient-related data to one or more in-room devices. The method includes configuring a connection between the in-room device and the transmission platform.