Visual Charting Method for Electronic Medical Documents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional text-based approaches for creating medical documentation are time-consuming and inefficient, requiring repetitive entry of unchanged patient information across multiple records and lacking coordination between healthcare providers, leading to inefficiencies in workflow and documentation processes.
Innovation Solution
A visual charting method that uses images as synonyms for complex medical concepts, allowing practitioners to select symbols and sequences to create medical documents efficiently, without the need for text entry, and enabling storage as Key/Value pairs in databases or XML representations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If text-based approaches are used for creating medical documentation, then detailed information can be recorded, but documentation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the parameter of information representation from text-based to image-based. Medical concepts are represented as visual icons or images rather than text descriptions, fundamentally changing how information is encoded and processed. This parameter change allows rapid selection of medical concepts through visual interface elements, dramatically reducing documentation time while preserving complete medical information through the visual representation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy or representation system where medical concepts are copied into standardized image icons. Instead of typing text descriptions, practitioners select from pre-defined visual representations of medical concepts, procedures, and findings. This copying mechanism enables rapid documentation by reusing standardized visual elements across different patient records, maintaining information completeness while reducing entry time.
2Reliability
If the same patient information is re-asked and redocumented in each visit, then current records are complete, but workflow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal visual vocabulary that can represent the same medical concepts across multiple records and visits. Standardized image icons serve as universal representations for patient information such as allergies, family history, and immunization status. This universality allows the same visual elements to be reused across different records and visits, maintaining record completeness while eliminating repetitive documentation of unchanged information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining visual representations for common medical concepts and patient information. Instead of creating new text descriptions each visit, the system has pre-prepared visual icons for standard medical concepts. This preliminary preparation of visual elements enables rapid selection and reuse during patient visits, improving workflow efficiency while ensuring consistent and complete documentation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple records are maintained for different hospital entities, then specific departmental needs are met, but coordination between providers decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a common visual language across all departmental records. The same image icons represent medical concepts in physician orders, nursing notes, pharmacy records, and laboratory results. This universal visual representation system enables seamless coordination between different healthcare providers and departments, as each can interpret the same visual elements consistently, preventing information loss and improving communication while maintaining departmental customization needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of creating medical documentation uses selection of images representing synonyms for complex medical concepts. The images can be of two types, one corresponding to a parameter or Key in a Key/Value pair and the other corresponding to possible values of the selected parameter or Key. The user first selects an image or portion thereof corresponding to the parameter they wish to record observations, such as the heart or a valve of the heart. A set of images representing possible values of the parameter is then displayed e.g., images representing possible murmurs the selected valve may have. The user selects the image representing the value corresponding to the observation of the patient. A document is created by recording either the Key/Value image pairs or, alternative, text representing the synonyms for the images. Other methods of recording the document are possible, such as instantiating a set of class objects.