Abstract: A patient-worn monitoring system and method for geographically dispersed health care locations. A patient-worn monitoring system comprises a network, a body-worn monitoring station, a monitoring station server, a remote command center, and a rules engine. The network comprises a first sub-network and a second sub-network. The body-worn monitoring station comprises monitoring equipment. The body worn monitoring station monitors data elements from a patient assigned to a health care location and sends monitored data elements to a monitoring station server via the first sub-network. The monitoring station server receives the monitored data elements from the body worn monitoring station and relays the monitored data elements to the remote command center via the second sub-network.

Abstract: A rules-base patient care system for use in healthcare locations. 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 the patient. The output from the rules engine is used to determine if intervention is warranted.

Abstract: A system and method for observing patients in geographically dispersed health care locations. A patient is assigned to a health care location comprising a patient visual monitoring system, a patient audio receiver, and a patient controller. The visual monitoring system is responsive tri-axially to command signals received via a patient controller connected to the network. The patient controller sends patient imaging data and patient audio data to a remote command center via the network. A computerized patient care management system comprising the remote command center monitors patient data, patient imaging data, and patient audio data determines from the patient data, the patient imaging data, and the patient audio data if intervention with the selected patient is warranted.

Abstract: A communications network for providing continuous patient monitoring to provide critical care services from a remote location. A plurality of patient monitoring stations with associated patient monitoring instrumentation is connected over a communications network to a command center to which data flows continuously for analysis. A standardized series of guideline algorithms for treating a variety of critical care conditions are prompted to provide critical care by caregivers who monitor the progress of individual patients at remote patient monitoring stations. A smart alert system that can be flexibly set from the command center provides for patient-specific rules to be established to alert the caregivers to potential patient problems so that intervention can occur in a timely fashion. A data storage/data warehouse function analyzes individual patient information from a plurality of command centers and provides updated algorithms and critical care support to the remote command centers.

Abstract: A system for providing expert care to a basic care medical facility (BCMF) from a remote location. The system facilitates real-time, continuous assessment of patients receiving care in a BCMF 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 BCMF. 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: A rules-base patient care system for use in healthcare locations. 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 the patient. The output from the rules engine is used to determine if intervention is warranted.

Abstract: A system for determining a treatment plan for a patient comprises a database of patient data elements indicative of a medical condition associated with a patient. A predictive model is applied to patient assessment data and used to prepare a treatment plan. A rules engine applies a patient rule consistent with the treatment plan to selected data elements stored in the database to produce an output indicative of a change in the medical condition of the patient. The output from the rules engine is used to determine if intervention is warranted. The predictive model is applied continuously to determine whether to update the treatment plan and, if necessary, the patient rule.

Abstract: An order evaluation system for use in a healthcare location evaluates an order against a first set of patient assessment data elements to determine whether the order should be issued. If the order is issued, a rules generator generates a patient-specific rule that is consistent with the order. The patient-specific rule is continuously applied to a second set of patient assessment data to determine whether the rule has been contravened. If the rule is contravened, an alert is issued. An alert may direct changes in, or cancellation of, an order.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying a health status of hospitalized patients. Patient data associated with hospitalized patients is selected according to display rules. A display module selects selected patient data, applies display rules to the selected patient data, and displays the selected patient data. A smart alert module generates and applies patient specific rules to other selected patient data elements. If a patient-specific rule for a hospitalized patient has been contravened, an alert is issued from the remote command center. Graphical attributes may be assigned to patients for whom an alert has been issued and to selected patient data elements that fall outside of an acceptable range. The graphical attributes determine how selected patient data appear on a display screen.

Abstract: A system and method for standardizing care in a hospital environment. Information concerning the latest care and practice standards for a given condition is provided to a decision support module. The decision support module comprises decision support algorithms that reflect a standardize guideline of practice for a particular medical condition. The general categories of cardiovascular, endocrinology, general, gastrointestinal, hematology, infectious diseases, neurology, pharmacology, pulmonary, renal, surgery, toxicology, trauma all have guidelines and practice standards associated with them. Patient data and user input are inputted to the decision support algorithm. The user may be prompted for user input, and an assessment is made of the patient so as provide patient care advice for the patient. Examples of patient care advice are a diagnosis, a method of treatment, and a laboratory protocol.

Abstract: A remote command center for providing services to geographically dispersed hospitalized patients. A datastore accessible to the remote command center receives patient data from geographically dispersed hospitalized patients. Monitored data elements of geographically dispersed hospitalized patients are also received at the remote command center and stored in the datastore. A smart alert module generates and applies patient specific rules to selected data elements. If a patient-specific rule for a hospitalized patient has been contravened, an alert is issued from the remote command center. A patient care module displays selected data elements of the hospitalized patients at the remote command center. A decision support module applies decision support algorithms to selected data elements of a hospitalized patient and to user input to provide patient care advice. Patient care advice comprises a diagnosis, a method of treatment, and a laboratory protocol.

Abstract: A patient-worn monitoring system and method for geographically dispersed health care locations. A patient-worn monitoring system comprises a network, a body-worn monitoring station, a monitoring station server, a remote command center, and a rules engine. The network comprises a first sub-network and a second sub-network. The body-worn monitoring station comprises monitoring equipment. The body worn monitoring station monitors data elements from a patient assigned to a health care location and sends monitored data elements to a monitoring station server via the first sub-network. The monitoring station server receives the monitored data elements from the body worn monitoring station and relays the monitored data elements to the remote command center via the second sub-network.

Abstract: A communications network for providing continuous patient monitoring to provide critical care services from a remote location. A plurality of patient monitoring stations with associated patient monitoring instrumentation is connected over a communications network to a command center to which data flows continuously for analysis. A standardized series of guideline algorithms for treating a variety of critical care conditions are prompted to provide critical care by caregivers who monitor the progress of individual patients at remote patient monitoring stations. A smart alert system that can be flexibly set from the command center provides for patient-specific rules to be established to alert the caregivers to potential patient problems so that intervention can occur in a timely fashion. A data storage/data warehouse function analyzes individual patient information from a plurality of command centers and provides updated algorithms and critical care support to the remote command centers.

Abstract: A video visitation system and method for dispersed health care locations. A patient data server, a teleconferencing server, a patient visual monitoring system and a visitor visual monitoring system are connected to a network. A patient data server receives patient data indicative of the condition of a patient and serves the patient data continuously and in real time to the teleconferencing server. The patient visual monitoring system acquires patient imaging data from a patient location and conveys the patient imaging data to the teleconferencing server. The visitor visual monitoring system acquires visitor imaging data from a visitor location and conveys the visitor imaging data to the teleconferencing server. The patient visual monitoring system displays the visitor imaging data and the visitor visual monitoring system simultaneously displays patient imaging data and the continuous real time feed of the patient data.

Abstract: A system and method for providing continuous expert network critical care services from a remote location. A plurality of healthcare locations with associated patient monitoring instrumentation is connected over a network to a command center which is manned by intensivists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The intensivists are prompted to provide critical care by a standardized series of guideline algorithms for treating a variety of critical care conditions. Intensivists monitor the progress of individual patients at remote intensive care units. A smart alarm system provides alarms to the intensivists to alert the intensivists to potential patient problems so that intervention can occur in a timely fashion. A data storage/data warehouse function analyzes individual patient information from a plurality of command centers and provides updated algorithms and critical care support to the command centers.

Abstract: A system and method for observing patients in geographically dispersed health care locations. A patient is assigned to a health care location comprising a patient visual monitoring system, a patient audio receiver, and a patient controller. The visual monitoring system is responsive tri-axially to command signals received via a patient controller connected to the network. The patient controller sends patient imaging data and patient audio data to a remote command center via the network. A computerized patient care management system comprising the remote command center monitors patient data, patient imaging data, and patient audio data determines from the patient data, the patient imaging data, and the patient audio data if intervention with the selected patient is warranted.

Abstract: A system and method for observing patients in geographically dispersed health care locations. A portable monitoring station is associated with a patient assigned to a health care location. The portable monitoring station comprises monitoring equipment that monitors physiological measures of the patient. A remote command center receives the monitored data elements, accesses patient data elements indicative of a medical condition associated with the patient, and applies a patient-specific rule to selected data elements to determine whether the patient-specific rule has been contravened. The monitored equipment may further comprise video and audio equipment that captures patient video data and patient audio data and provides these data to the central command center.

Abstract: A system and method for accounting and billing patients in a hospital environment. A hospitalized patient is associated with a patient identifier. Billable services provided to the hospitalized patient are associated with the patient identifier. If the billable service is provided by a physician, a physician identifier is also associated with the billable service. The hospitalized patient is scored and a current procedural terminology (CPT) assignment manager assigns CPT codes to the billable service. A bill generator receives the patient data, patient insurance information, physician insurance information, and CPT codes and generates a bill for the billable services provided to the hospitalized patient.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying a health status of hospitalized patients. Patient data associated with hospitalized patients is selected according to display rules. A display module selects selected patient data, applies display rules to the selected patient data, and displays the selected patient data. A smart alert module generates and applies patient specific rules to other selected patient data elements. If a patient-specific rule for a hospitalized patient has been contravened, an alert is issued from the remote command center. Graphical attributes may be assigned to patients for whom an alert has been issued and to selected patient data elements that fall outside of an acceptable range. The graphical attributes determine how selected patient data appear on a display screen.

Abstract: A remote command center for providing services to geographically dispersed hospitalized patients. A datastore accessible to the remote command center receives patient data from geographically dispersed hospitalized patients. Monitored data elements of geographically dispersed hospitalized patients are also received at the remote command center and stored in the datastore. A smart alert module generates and applies patient specific rules to selected data elements. If a patient-specific rule for a hospitalized patient has been contravened, an alert is issued from the remote command center. A patient care module displays selected data elements of the hospitalized patients at the remote command center. A decision support module applies decision support algorithms to selected data elements of a hospitalized patient and to user input to provide patient care advice. Patient care advice comprises a diagnosis, a method of treatment, and a laboratory protocol.