Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to measure, record, analyze, and report cumulative radiation exposure to the patient population and provide automated feedback and recommendations to ordering clinicians and consultant radiologists. The data provided from this “radiation scorecard” would in turn be automatically recorded into a centralized data repository (radiation database), which would be independent to the acquisition site, technology employed, and individual end-user. Retrospective analysis can also be performed using a set of pre-defined scorecard data points tied to the individual patient's historical medical imaging database, thereby allowing for comprehensive (both retrospective and prospective) medical radiation exposure quantitative analysis.

Abstract: A method for the imaging of protein expression and location in biological samples using optical segmentation is provided. The steps comprise acquiring a fluorescent image of a biological sample, analyzing the image and generating a masking pattern corresponding to a specific structure within the biological sample, transforming the masking pattern into the spatial coordinates of a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) which may then be projected onto the biological sample and obtaining a masked fluorescent image. Also provided is an image analysis system for imaging of protein expression and location in biological samples using optical segmentation.

Abstract: A healthcare provisioning system improves efficiency in providing healthcare services. Healthcare supply and demand models are analyzed by a healthcare provisioning system to efficiently allocate healthcare supply resources to satisfy healthcare demand. Healthcare supply resources are allocated so as to avoid tipping points that can result in increased costs and negative patient outcomes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining options for reducing spend and/or trend for a prescription drug plan are provided. Based on an analysis of spend and/or trend for the prescription drug plan, a prescription drug spend and/or trend application may determine that an option is available to reduce spend and/or trend. For example, an option may be provided that addresses a primary component of spend and/or trend as determined by the spend and trend application. In another example, an option may be provided that addresses a deviation by the prescription drug plan from a selected performance metric. In yet another example, an option may be provided that addresses a status change for a drug in a marketplace. The spend and/or trend application may optionally project an impact of an option on the prescription drug plan (e.g., financial impact, member impact) using a related model.

Abstract: A personalized electronic healthcare management system and computer-implemented method thereof. The system includes a user interface configured to receive user profile information associated with a user as input by the user, and a server interfacing with the user interface. The server retrieves healthcare information from at least one external source, and provides the retrieved healthcare information to the user at the user interface. The healthcare information may be personalized to the user's needs. The server further retrieves social service program information from at least one host site, provides the retrieved social service program information to the user, and applies to at least one social service program of the at least one host site using the user profile information, when desired by the user, and retrieves interactive information to be presented to the user at the user interface.

Abstract: A health care cost management marketplace brings together health care payers and health care cost management vendors. The health care cost management vendors bid on lots of single-claims or multiple claims. Health care cost reduction contracts are awarded to vendors whose bids project the greatest net health care cost reduction savings. Auctions are timed and vendors may change their bids while time remains. Bids include a vendor fee percentage, and, for single claim lots, may further include an estimated cost savings amount. For the single-claim lots, vendors which fail to achieve actual cost reduction savings above a predetermined threshold compared to estimated savings can be penalized.

Abstract: A computer based method and system for masked data record access are presented in which data masks are applied to sensitive personal information so that non-masked portions of that information can be used in the selection of products, services and service providers for a consumer. In one application the method and system are utilized in the selection of healthcare products, services and providers based on pangenetic (genetic and epigenetic) and non-pangenetic information associated with the consumer.

Abstract: A site computer includes a database for manipulating and handling health care records. A communication device, coupled to the site computer and the database, receives commands, which are provided to the site computer and the database to perform various functions, including creating, displaying, modifying, and initiating organization of the health care records. The health records can be automatically transmitted to interested persons upon creation of the health records. Upon detection of the occurrence of threshold events as indicated in the health records, the site computer automatically transmits notifications to interested persons.

Abstract: A system for weight loss or weight management of a person may include a monitoring unit and remote computing system. The monitoring unit includes a transducer arranged to generate a signal representative of the patient's weight. It further includes a processor operatively coupled to the transducer and to a memory device. Further, an output device and an input device are operatively coupled to the processor. The memory device is programmed with a set of instructions causing the processor to cooperate with the output device to present questions directed toward weight loss and to cooperate with the input device to receive answers to the questions. The remote computing system is in communication with the monitoring unit. The remote computing system is programmed to receive the answers provided by the person and to receive the signal representative of the person's weight. The remote computing system generates an alert on the basis thereof.

Abstract: In cooperation with a first database, a problem preparation supporting unit supports the preparation of nursing problem items for patients. Based on the nursing problem items prepared, a plan preparation supporting unit supports the preparation of nursing care plans by conducting search through a second database. In cooperation with a third database, a specification unit specifies an implementation of nursing items contained in the prepared nursing care plan. When a communication unit receives an implementation result of the nursing items, the communication unit outputs the result to a recording unit. A nurse enters an evaluation of the implementation result of the nursing items to an operation apparatus. The evaluation entered is recorded in the recording unit.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and article of manufacture for providing individuals with notifications pertaining to use of health records. In one embodiment, a network-accessible storage repository is configured to store a plurality of electronic health records regarding a plurality of individuals. Requests to access selective records of the plurality of individuals are received over a data communications network. For each individual whose respective records are accessed, a report is generated describing the access. The reports may then be provided to the respective individuals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus which quantifies radiation safety in medical imaging through the creation and analysis of objective data for each individual imaging procedure with respect to acquisition parameters, calculated radiation dose, and clinical data related to imaging examination selection and performance. The present invention also calculates a cumulative radiation dose based upon an individual patient's entire medical record, along with occupational and environmental exposures, to calculate a dynamic cumulative radiation-induced carcinogenesis risk. The present invention provides reforms to improve patient safety, quality and accountability, by creating a technology which simultaneously records and tracks objective data referable to radiation safety, medical imaging quality, and accountability among the various stakeholders and technologies in use.

Abstract: A rules-base patient care method for managing the care of a plurality of pregnant patients from a remote command center for use in healthcare locations using patient-specific rules for each of the plurality of pregnant patients. A patient rules generator creates rules for the patients. Performance measures indicative of the ability of a rule to predict changes in the condition of the patient are acquired by the rules generator. A determination is made from the rules performance measures whether to revise the rule. A rules engine applies a rule to selected data elements stored in the database to produce an output indicative of a change in the medical condition of a pregnant patient and/or a fetal patient. The output from the rules engine is used to determine when intervention is warranted.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely supervising and verifying pharmacy functions performed by a non-pharmacist at an institutional pharmacy. The institutional pharmacy and a remotely located pharmacist are linked via wired and/or wireless telecommunication systems in a manner that enables the pharmacist to remotely supervise and verify the correct performance of pharmacy functions by non-pharmacist personnel. Images of the pharmacy work performed may be captured using any of a number of types image capture devices. Captured images and corresponding documentation may be transmitted from institutional pharmacy to the remotely located pharmacist, either directly or via a web site accessible to both. After verifying that the pharmacy work was correctly performed, the remote pharmacist may provide the institutional pharmacy with an initialed copy the captured image(s), or other documentation, indicating such verification.

Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus includes a unit configured to analyze a target medical image a unit configured to register information representing an aptitude of each doctor with respect to interpretation of a specific lesion and a modality used by each doctor, and a unit configured to, when the analysis result includes information associated with a lesion, decide an assigned doctor based on information representing the aptitude of each doctor with respect to interpretation of the specific lesion, and, when the analysis result includes no information associated with a lesion, decide an assigned doctor based on the modality.

Abstract: A method for interactive defining and managing of a controlled diet, prescribed to a patient by a doctor/dietician, includes the asynchronous execution of at least two different operational cycles. A first operational cycle is effected through an interactive terminal and includes a step, in which the foods to be consumed in a given meal are chosen from a first food data base, quantifying the chosen food and assessing the congruity of the choices with what is prescribed and transmitting the data to a central processing unit. A second operational cycle executed by the doctor/dietician on a central processing unit, includes acquiring the data related to the quantities and to the composition of the foods chosen by this patient and comparing this data with the dietary order, and if possible acquiring updated orders and transmitting the updated orders to the patient's interactive terminal.

Abstract: Delivery of health information to a patient suffering from a chronic condition is personalized by displaying the health information directly on a customized image of a body. The patient's medical record, standards of care for the condition, prescribed treatments, and patient input are applied to a generalized health model of a disease to generate a personalized health model of the patient. The personalized health model comprises an HTML file encoding an image map of a body. The body image illustrates the health condition of the individual patient. Preferably, data is collected from health provider sources and stored in a database on a server at a service provider site. The data is processed at the server, and is displayed in the patient's home using a TV connected to a multimedia processor. The multimedia processor connects the television set to a communications network such as the Internet. Applications include preventive care of chronic diseases such as diabetes and asthma.

Abstract: Systems and methods implement a rules-based decision engine that identifies vehicles with a high total loss potential based on vehicle details and damage information. This can be done by applying weights to the various criteria and comparing a sum of the applied weights to a threshold. An update mode allows for the subsequent update of the determination of whether the vehicle is a likely total loss based on additionally acquired information.

Abstract: A system for providing expert care to a basic care medical facility (OPCL) from a remote location. The system facilitates real-time, continuous assessment of patients receiving care in an OPCL that is not generally equipped to provide expert medical care on a twenty-four basis. Patient monitoring equipment acquires monitored data elements from a patient monitoring station and transmits the monitoring data over a network to a remote command center. The remote command center also receives other patient data to the extent available from the OPCL. Alternatively, the patient monitored data is sent to a remote command center along with patient data at a pre-established time or when requested by remote command center. The delivery of stored monitoring data and patient data may be expedited if an urgent consultation is warranted.

Abstract: Media devices containing instructions which can allow patients to enroll and participate in time release messaging programs can be provided to patients by doctors who record personalized messages which are played when the devices are used. These media devices (or instructions from those devices stored on a user computer) can communicate with external systems to receive updates, both in terms of content and timing of information.