Workflow Stratification Server for Hospital Event Prioritization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hospitals face challenges in efficiently integrating and analyzing event messages from various medical devices, ADT systems, RTLS systems, and nurse call systems to dynamically adjust workflows, leading to underutilization of staff and potential safety risks due to static workflows that do not adapt to changing conditions.

Innovation Solution

A workflow stratification system that includes a communication network, nurse call server, and a workflow stratification server capable of receiving and analyzing event messages to determine relevant conditions, prioritize responses, and adjust workflows dynamically, incorporating machine learning and user feedback to refine workflows and allocate resources effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a nurse call system is implemented to alert staff of patient needs, then staff can be notified of patient conditions, but there is no overall high-level view of data from multiple medical devices and systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestaff notification reliabilityVSAvoidloss of integrated event data

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges data from multiple independent systems (nurse call system, ADT system, RTLS system, and medical devices) into a unified workflow management platform. The workflow stratification server consolidates event messages from all these sources, creating an integrated view that allows staff to be notified of patient needs while maintaining context from all relevant systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The workflow management server serves multiple functions: it receives and processes event messages from various systems, evaluates current states, determines applicable conditions, analyzes trigger events, and manages workflows. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate systems while maintaining comprehensive monitoring and notification capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If static workflows are used in the hospital, then system simplicity is maintained, but workflows do not adapt to changing conditions leading to underutilization of staff and safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow system complexityVSAvoidworkflow adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic workflows that automatically adjust based on real-time conditions. The system evaluates the current state by clustering event messages, determines relevant applicable conditions for trigger events, and analyzes events to determine priority for responding. This allows workflows to adapt to changing patient conditions, staff availability, and hospital operations while maintaining systematic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The workflow management system continuously monitors event messages from multiple sources, evaluates current states, and adjusts workflows based on feedback from the environment. The system determines applicable conditions and analyzes trigger events to dynamically modify workflow execution, ensuring that workflows remain appropriate for current hospital conditions while maintaining structured management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Quantity of substance

If event messages from multiple systems are collected without integration, then data from all sources is captured, but related events cannot be efficiently linked to adjust workflows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantity of event dataVSAvoidworkflow adjustment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The workflow stratification server acts as an intermediary between multiple event sources and the workflow management system. It receives event messages from the nurse call system, ADT system, RTLS system, and medical devices, then processes and links related events by evaluating current states and determining applicable conditions. This intermediary function enables efficient workflow adjustments while maintaining comprehensive data collection from all sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11482323B2Enhancing patient care via a structured methodology for workflow stratification

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 RAULAND BORG CORP

AI summary

A system, device and method are provided for modifying workflows in a hospital environment. The system includes a workflow stratification server configured to receive and analyze event messages from a nurse call system and interface devices. The workflow stratification server determines a current state of the hospital environment and relevant applicable conditions for each event message identified as a trigger event. That way, the workflow stratification server prioritizes the trigger events and provides responses to the trigger events in a manner that takes into account resources in the hospital environment.