Abstract: An inventory management system provides automated management of medical item inventory and maintenance of a digital chain of custody for medical items. Medical items are labeled with an RFID-encoded tag that also displays a 2D barcode. The RFID tag and the 2D barcode both encode the same serialized Electronic Product Code (EPC) data for each specific item. Reading of the RFID tag is performed using a fixed or handheld RFID reader. Reading of the 2D barcode is performed using a handheld mobile device, such as a tablet or smart phone. The two-technology label allows for the digital chain of custody to be updated by means of RFID scanning in locations where RFID readers are available and by using a smart phone or tablet to read the 2D barcode in locations where RFID readers are unavailable.

Abstract: At the time of manufacture of medical items that are to be consumed during patient care, a unique identification number is assigned to each item and the number is encoded in an RFID tag attached to the item. The manufacturer registers the unique identification number for each individual medical item in a Unique Device Identification (UDI) Serialized Tracking Database. The UDI Serialized Tracking Database maps each unique identification number to each item's UDI number that has been assigned by the Food and Drug Administration. As each item is consumed during medical treatment and its cost is billed to payers, the unique identification number of the item is reported and verified. This provides for detection of certain types of fraud in the dispensing of medical items by validating that necessary supplies were actually used during patient care.

Abstract: An inventory management system provides automated management of medical item inventory and maintenance of a digital chain of custody for medical items. Medical items are labeled with an RFID-encoded tag that also displays a 2D barcode. The RFID tag and the 2D barcode both encode the same serialized Electronic Product Code (EPC) data for each specific item. Reading of the RFID tag is performed using a fixed or handheld RFID reader. Reading of the 2D barcode is performed using a handheld mobile device, such as a tablet or smart phone. The two-technology label allows for the digital chain of custody to be updated by means of RFID scanning in locations where RFID readers are available and by using a smart phone or tablet to read the 2D barcode in locations where RFID readers are unavailable.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method identifies insurance risk adjustment opportunities for healthcare expenses of healthcare insurance program enrollees. The method includes providing inputs for each enrollee to a machine learning network. The inputs may include Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hierarchical Condition Category (CMS-HCC) values, an enrollee claims history, and enrollee historical spending amounts. Based on the inputs, the machine learning network is trained to predict future healthcare spending for the enrollees. After training, the machine learning network identifies enrollees having predicted future healthcare spending that differs from an amount determined based on a base risk score.

Abstract: An inventory management system manages information regarding medical items dispensed to a patient in a medical facility. Inventory sensors sense removal of medical items from an inventory space to be dispensed to the patient. Software instructions associate item information with patient information that identifies the patient, determine billing codes associated with the dispensed items, generate billing information including the patient information and the billing codes, and generate an invoice directed to the patient's medical insurance provider. The instructions also verify that the billing codes are associated with medical items appropriate for treatment of the patient's condition indicated by diagnostic codes included in the billing information, and generate an alert message if the billing codes are associated with medical items that are not reimbursable or are inappropriate for treatment of the diagnosed condition.

Abstract: At the time of manufacture of medical items that are to be consumed during patient care, a unique identification number is assigned to each item and the number is encoded in an RFID tag attached to the item. The manufacturer registers the unique identification number for each individual medical item in a Unique Device Identification (UDI) Serialized Tracking Database. The UDI Serialized Tracking Database maps each unique identification number to each item's UDI number that has been assigned by the Food and Drug Administration. As each item is consumed during medical treatment and its cost is billed to payers, the unique identification number of the item is reported and verified. This provides for detection of certain types of fraud in the dispensing of medical items by validating that necessary supplies were actually used during patient care.

Abstract: An inventory management system provides automated management of medical item inventory and maintenance of a digital chain of custody for medical items. Medical items are labeled with an RFID-encoded tag that also displays a 2D barcode. The RFID tag and the 2D barcode both encode the same serialized Electronic Product Code (EPC) data for each specific item. Reading of the RFID tag is performed using a fixed or handheld RFID reader. Reading of the 2D barcode is performed using a handheld mobile device, such as a tablet or smart phone. The two-technology label allows for the digital chain of custody to be updated by means of RFID scanning in locations where RFID readers are available and by using a smart phone or tablet to read the 2D barcode in locations where RFID readers are unavailable.

Abstract: At the time of manufacture of medical items that are to be consumed during patient care, a unique identification number is assigned to each item and the number is encoded in an RFID tag attached to the item. The manufacturer registers the unique identification number for each individual medical item in a Unique Device Identification (UDI) Serialized Tracking Database. The UDI Serialized Tracking Database maps each unique identification number to each item's UDI number that has been assigned by the Food and Drug Administration. As each item is consumed during medical treatment and its cost is billed to payers, the unique identification number of the item is reported and verified. This provides for detection of certain types of fraud in the dispensing of medical items by validating that necessary supplies were actually used during patient care.

Abstract: An apparatus tracks medical items through various transition points in a medical facility and maintains a chain of custody for each item through each transition point, indicating who is responsible for each item at any particular time. The apparatus also generates messages directed to various medical facility personnel who are responsible for the medical items at the various transition points, which messages prompt the personnel to take appropriate action with regard to the medical items depending on the particular transition point.

Abstract: Medical item identification information is stored in association with information indicating locations at which medical items are placed in a medical item tray. An RFID reader acquires tray identification information from an RFID tag on the tray. An RFID reader also acquires item identification information from an RFID tag on the medical item to be placed in the tray. A database stores medical item identification information in association with tray identification information and tray zone information. The tray zone information indicates particular zones of the tray in which particular items are to be placed. A computer processor processes the medical item identification information, the tray identification information and the tray zone information, and executes instructions to generate a first image depicting a type of medical item tray as indicated by the tray identification information, and a second image that depicts a zoomed in portion of the first image as indicated by the tray zone information.

Abstract: An inventory management system provided by an inventory management service provider senses removal of medical items from inventory to be dispensed to a patient. The system processes billing information to identify the patient's medical insurance provider, to identify a medical item supplier that is the preferred biller for the patient's medical insurance provider, and to determine whether the inventory management service provider is the identified preferred biller. If the inventory management service provider is the preferred biller, the system generates an invoice from the inventory management service provider to bill the patient's medical insurance provider.

Abstract: At the time of manufacture of medical items that are to be consumed during patient care, a unique identification number is assigned to each item and the number is encoded in an RFID tag attached to the item. The manufacturer registers the unique identification number for each individual medical item in a Unique Device Identification (UDI) Serialized Tracking Database. The UDI Serialized Tracking Database maps each unique identification number to each item's UDI number that has been assigned by the Food and Drug Administration. As each item is consumed during medical treatment and its cost is billed to payers, the unique identification number of the item is reported and verified. This provides for detection of certain types of fraud in the dispensing of medical items by validating that necessary supplies were actually used during patient care.

Abstract: An apparatus senses and records consumption of medical items during performance of a medical procedure. The medical items are enclosed in wrappers having RFID tags in which medical item information is encoded. The apparatus includes a shielded enclosure that attenuates radio frequency signals emanated from RFID tags disposed outside the shielded enclosure to levels that are substantially undetectable within the internal space. RFID antennas inside the shielded enclosure receive radio frequency signals emanated from RFID tags on wrappers that are removed from used items and placed inside the enclosure. An RFID reader decodes the medical item information encoded in the RFID tags. A computer processor executes a medical item inventory module including instructions for generating a post-op list of medical items consumed during the medical procedure. Item billing information and usage trend information may be derived from the post-op list.

Abstract: A shielded enclosure receives REID-tagged packaging from consumed medical items. The enclosure includes a housing and a lid. An opening in the lid receives the packaging into an internal space. A chute surrounds the opening and extends downward into the internal space. The chute has front, left, right, and rear walls. A hood attached to the lid surrounds the opening. An aperture in the hood allows passage of the packaging into the lid opening. The hood includes rear, right, left, and top walls. RF absorbing material covers inside surfaces of the chute and hood, including a front panel on the chute front wall, a rear panel on the hood rear wall and the chute rear wall, a left side panel on the hood left side wall and the chute left side wall, a right side panel on the hood right side wall and the chute right side wall, and a top panel on the hood top.

Abstract: Medical item identification information is stored in association with information indicating locations at which medical items are placed in a medical item tray. An RFID reader acquires tray identification information from an RFID tag on the tray. An RFID reader also acquires item identification information from an RFID tag on the medical item to be placed in the tray. A database stores medical item identification information in association with tray identification information and tray zone information. The tray zone information indicates particular zones of the tray in which particular items are to be placed. A computer processor processes the medical item identification information, the tray identification information and the tray zone information, and executes instructions to generate a first image depicting a type of medical item tray as indicated by the tray identification information, and a second image that depicts a zoomed in portion of the first image as indicated by the tray zone information.

Abstract: An inventory management system provides automated management of medical item inventory and maintenance of a digital chain of custody for medical items. Medical items are labeled with an RFID-encoded tag that also displays a 2D barcode. The RFID tag and the 2D barcode both encode the same serialized Electronic Product Code (EPC) data for each specific item. Reading of the RFID tag is performed using a fixed or handheld RFID reader. Reading of the 2D barcode is performed using a handheld mobile device, such as a tablet or smart phone. The two-technology label allows for the digital chain of custody to be updated by means of RFID scanning in locations where RFID readers are available and by using a smart phone or tablet to read the 2D barcode in locations where RFID readers are unavailable.

Abstract: A shielded enclosure receives REID-tagged packaging from consumed medical items. The enclosure includes a housing and a lid. An opening in the lid receives the packaging into an internal space. A chute surrounds the opening and extends downward into the internal space. The chute has front, left, right, and rear walls. A hood attached to the lid surrounds the opening. An aperture in the hood allows passage of the packaging into the lid opening. The hood includes rear, right, left, and top walls. RF absorbing material covers inside surfaces of the chute and hood, including a front panel on the chute front wall, a rear panel on the hood rear wall and the chute rear wall, a left side panel on the hood left side wall and the chute left side wall, a right side panel on the hood right side wall and the chute right side wall, and a top panel on the hood top.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling negative pressure wound therapy includes a microcontroller that controls means for maintaining reduced air pressure based on a pressure signal from a pressure sensor. The means for maintaining reduced air pressure may include a vacuum pump and valve. The system includes a mobile communication device having a microprocessor, touchscreen display, data storage device, GPS module, and wireless transceiver. The microprocessor generates control signals sent to the microcontroller to control the means for maintaining reduced air pressure to provide continuous or intermittent reduced air pressure. The microprocessor monitors the pressure signal and generates a closed-system alarm, leak-detected alarm or open-system alarm. The closed-system alarm indicates an air pressure leak rate below a closed-system threshold. The leak-detected alarm indicates an air pressure leak rate above a leak-detected threshold and below an open-system threshold.

Abstract: An inventory management system manages information regarding medical items dispensed to a patient in a medical facility. Inventory sensors sense removal of medical items from an inventory space to be dispensed to the patient. Software instructions associate item information with patient information that identifies the patient, determine billing codes associated with the dispensed items, generate billing information including the patient information and the billing codes, and generate an invoice directed to the patient's medical insurance provider. The instructions also verify that the billing codes are associated with medical items appropriate for treatment of the patient's condition indicated by diagnostic codes included in the billing information, and generate an alert message if the billing codes are associated with medical items that are not reimbursable or are inappropriate for treatment of the diagnosed condition.

Abstract: An apparatus tracks medical items through various transition points in a medical facility and maintains a chain of custody for each item through each transition point, indicating who is responsible for each item at any particular time. The apparatus also generates messages directed to various medical facility personnel who are responsible for the medical items at the various transition points, which messages prompt the personnel to take appropriate action with regard to the medical items depending on the particular transition point.