Web Application Hub for Automated Physician Escalation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems in healthcare settings, especially after hours, are inefficient due to the need for manual phone calls to locate and contact on-call physicians, which can be slow and unreliable, particularly in emergency situations where timely communication is critical.
Innovation Solution
A web-based interactive communication system that acts as a hub for nurses and physicians, allowing secure and rapid transmission of patient information across multiple channels (email, SMS, automated calls) and enabling automatic notification of back-up physicians if the primary is unavailable, with user-specific access levels and scheduling management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If manual phone calls are made to locate and contact on-call physicians, then communication can be established, but the process is slow and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple communication channels and recipient lists before emergencies occur. When a message is sent, the system automatically routes it through email, SMS, and automated calling systems without requiring manual intervention to locate contact information or initiate communication sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated communication system as an intermediary between nurses and physicians. This system manages the complex task of locating and contacting on-call physicians by automatically searching databases, attempting multiple communication channels, and escalating to backup contacts if needed, eliminating the need for manual phone tree navigation.
2Reliability
If multiple communication channels are used to ensure delivery, then reliability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication channels (email, SMS, automated phone calling) into a single unified communication system. The system automatically manages the complexity of coordinating these different channels by integrating them into one automated workflow, where the system can switch between or use multiple channels without requiring manual management of each separate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single platform: it can send emails, text messages, make automated calls, track delivery status, and manage recipient databases. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each communication method while maintaining high reliability through channel diversity.
3Loss of time
If automatic notification of back-up physicians is implemented, then response time improves, but communication system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures backup physician lists and notification protocols in advance. When the primary physician is unavailable or does not respond within a specified time frame, the system automatically escalates the notification to backup contacts without requiring manual intervention to determine who should be notified next or how to contact them.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors response status from primary physicians and uses this feedback to automatically trigger notifications to backup physicians when needed. The system tracks whether messages have been delivered and responded to, and automatically adjusts the notification sequence based on this feedback, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and escalation.
Data Source
AI summary
An interactive system, centered around a web application, securely hosted on one or more secured servers and connected to the internet, designed to facilitate and expedite critical communications among a group or groups of individuals. The web application maintains the capacity to send automated text messages to an individual's mobile phone regarding an urgent matter or emergency. The recipient is afforded the ability to respond securely via a mobile version of the web application, preferably to indicate the best course of action pertaining to the matter to the sender. In the event that a response is not achieved, or other rules are followed, the present invention automatically escalates notification to a back-up individual to address the matter. The present invention is preferably intended or best suited to function within a clinical setting, such as a hospital or nursing home.