Abstract: Techniques for providing information regarding healthcare performance in real-time using augmented reality are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving input data generated in real-time during performance of a healthcare procedure by a user, including video captured of the user during the performance of the healthcare related procedure. The method further includes determining descriptive information characterizing the performance based on the input data, wherein the descriptive information characterizes at least actions performed by the user during the procedure, and determining whether an aspect of one of the actions currently being performed by the user deviates from a defined protocol for the healthcare related procedure based on comparison of the descriptive information with reference descriptive parameters for the healthcare related procedure.

Abstract: Techniques for determining issues associated with a current state of an area of a healthcare facility are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method comprises identifying an area of a healthcare facility included in image data captured of the healthcare facility, and characterizing aspects of a current state of the area of the area based on analysis of the image data, including determining object information characterizing objects included in the area. The method further comprises determining whether one or more of the aspects of the current state of the area deviate from a defined requirement for the area based on evaluation of the object information. Based on a determination that an aspect of the current state of the area deviates from the defined requirement for the area, the method can further comprise generating feedback information regarding the deviating aspect of the current state of the area.

Abstract: Techniques for determining issues associated with a current state of an area of a healthcare facility are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method comprises identifying an area of a healthcare facility included in image data captured of the healthcare facility, and characterizing aspects of a current state of the area of the area based on analysis of the image data, including determining object information characterizing objects included in the area. The method further comprises determining whether one or more of the aspects of the current state of the area deviate from a defined requirement for the area based on evaluation of the object information. Based on a determination that an aspect of the current state of the area deviates from the defined requirement for the area, the method can further comprise generating feedback information regarding the deviating aspect of the current state of the area.

Abstract: A system and method to track time and attendance of an individual at a workplace is provided. The system includes a location tracking system that detects a presence of a portable electronic device carried by the individual, a time clock system that records a registration time of the individual at the workplace, and a main controller. If the main controller receives an electronic communication indicative that the portable electronic device is at the workplace, and if the main controller does not detect recording of the individual registration time at the time clock system, and if the main controller detects a current time at or later than a start time of a scheduled work shift time period of the individual at the workplace, then main controller automatically causes an alert at the portable electronic device prompting the individual to transmit a feedback signal acknowledging need to record the registration time.

Abstract: Techniques for determining issues associated with a current state of an area of a healthcare facility are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method comprises identifying an area of a healthcare facility included in image data captured of the healthcare facility, and characterizing aspects of a current state of the area of the area based on analysis of the image data, including determining object information characterizing objects included in the area. The method further comprises determining whether one or more of the aspects of the current state of the area deviate from a defined requirement for the area based on evaluation of the object information. Based on a determination that an aspect of the current state of the area deviates from the defined requirement for the area, the method can further comprise generating feedback information regarding the deviating aspect of the current state of the area.

Abstract: Techniques for providing information regarding healthcare performance in real-time using augmented reality are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving input data generated in real-time during performance of a healthcare procedure by a user, including video captured of the user during the performance of the healthcare related procedure. The method further includes determining descriptive information characterizing the performance based on the input data, wherein the descriptive information characterizes at least actions performed by the user during the procedure, and determining whether an aspect of one of the actions currently being performed by the user deviates from a defined protocol for the healthcare related procedure based on comparison of the descriptive information with reference descriptive parameters for the healthcare related procedure.

Abstract: A system and method to track time and attendance of an individual at a workplace is provided. The system includes a location tracking system that detects a presence of a portable electronic device carried by the individual, a time clock system that records a registration time of the individual at the workplace, and a main controller. If the main controller receives an electronic communication indicative that the portable electronic device is at the workplace, and if the main controller does not detect recording of the individual registration time at the time clock system, and if the main controller detects a current time at or later than a start time of a scheduled work shift time period of the individual at the workplace, then main controller automatically causes an alert at the portable electronic device prompting the individual to transmit a feedback signal acknowledging need to record the registration time.

Abstract: A system and method to track time and attendance of an individual at a workplace is provided. The system includes a location tracking system that detects a presence of a portable electronic device carried by the individual, a time clock system that records a registration time of the individual at the workplace, and a main controller. If the main controller receives an electronic communication indicative that the portable electronic device is at the workplace, and if the main controller does not detect recording of the individual registration time at the time clock system, and if the main controller detects a current time at or later than a start time of a scheduled work shift time period of the individual at the workplace, then main controller automatically causes an alert at the portable electronic device prompting the individual to transmit a feedback signal acknowledging need to record the registration time.

Abstract: A system and method to track time and attendance of an individual at a workplace is provided. The system includes a location tracking system that detects a presence of a portable electronic device carried by the individual, a time clock system that records a registration time of the individual at the workplace, and a main controller. If the main controller receives an electronic communication indicative that the portable electronic device is at the workplace, and if the main controller does not detect recording of the individual registration time at the time clock system, and if the main controller detects a current time at or later than a start time of a scheduled work shift time period of the individual at the workplace, then main controller automatically causes an alert at the portable electronic device prompting the individual to transmit a feedback signal acknowledging need to record the registration time.

Abstract: A system and method to track time and attendance of an individual at a workplace is provided. The system includes a location tracking system that detects a presence of a portable electronic device carried by the individual, a time clock system that records a registration time of the individual at the workplace, and a main controller. If the main controller receives an electronic communication indicative that the portable electronic device is at the workplace, and if the main controller does not detect recording of the individual registration time at the time clock system, and if the main controller detects a current time at or later than a start time of a scheduled work shift time period of the individual at the workplace, then main controller automatically causes an alert at the portable electronic device prompting the individual to transmit a feedback signal acknowledging need to record the registration time.

Abstract: A system and method to track time and attendance of an individual at a workplace is provided. The system includes a location tracking system that detects a presence of a portable electronic device carried by the individual, a time clock system that records a registration time of the individual at the workplace, and a main controller. If the main controller receives an electronic communication indicative that the portable electronic device is at the workplace, and if the main controller does not detect recording of the individual registration time at the time clock system, and if the main controller detects a current time at or later than a start time of a scheduled work shift time period of the individual at the workplace, then main controller automatically causes an alert at the portable electronic device prompting the individual to transmit a feedback signal acknowledging need to record the registration time.

Abstract: A system that monitors use of resources by healthcare employees includes a plurality of resource identification devices located adjacent different resources, such as pieces of plumbing fixture, medical equipment, documents and hospital rooms. Each resource identification device emits a wireless signal containing a resource identifier. A plurality of healthcare employees carry separate data acquisition devices which receive the wireless signal when nearby a resource identification device. Upon receiving a wireless signal, the data acquisition device records the date and time of day and the resource identifier carried by the wireless signal. The information stored in each data acquisition device along with an employee identifier are employed to monitor the activity and use of resources by employees, and create reports about activity and use of the resources by the healthcare employees.

Abstract: A system that monitors use of resources by healthcare employees includes a plurality of resource identification devices located adjacent different resources, such as pieces of plumbing fixture, medical equipment, documents and hospital rooms. Each resource identification device emits a wireless signal containing a resource identifier. A plurality of healthcare employees carry separate data acquisition devices which receive the wireless signal when nearby a resource identification device. Upon receiving a wireless signal, the data acquisition device records the date and time of day and the resource identifier carried by the wireless signal. The information stored in each data acquisition device along with an employee identifier are employed to monitor the activity and use of resources by employees, and create reports about activity and use of the resources by the healthcare employees.

Abstract: A procedure is provided by which a worker is able to alter his or her work schedule using a computer system. The worker accesses work shift positions that have been designated as being alterable and chooses one as a selected work shift position. That selection may also specify a wage at the worker is willing to be compensated for staffing the selected work shift position. The computer system determines whether the worker is qualified to perform the tasks associated with the selected work shift position. If qualified, the worker is scheduled into the selected work shift position. The computer system also may provide a mechanism by which two workers can trade previously scheduled work shift positions.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence and concentration of components in serum includes the steps of providing a serum sample, performing optical analysis of the serum sample using a spectrometer to provide spectral data based on optical properties of the serum sample, determining the concentrations of albumin, globulins and hemoglobin in the serum sample based on comparisons of the spectral data with reference spectra and outputting the determined concentrations of the albumin, globulins and hemoglobin. The invention can be used to accurately determine the concentration of albumin, globulins and hemoglobin in blood serum and can form the basis of initial cancer screening and to gauge a patient's response to treatment.

Abstract: Healthcare services at a patient's residence are monitored by placing an identification device in the residence and by a healthcare worker carrying a data acquisition device. Whenever proximate to the residence, the data acquisition device receives a wireless signal that carries an identifier from the identification device. The data acquisition device responds to receipt of that wireless signal by recording the identifier and measuring the amount of time that the signal continues to be received. At some later point in time, the information acquired by the data acquisition device is transferred to a computer system for processing and preparation of records about the quality and security of patient care and the time and attendance of the healthcare worker.

Abstract: A monitoring system in a medical facility provides an identification device to a patient and a data acquisition device to a health-care worker. The identification device wirelessly emits a first signal that identifies the patient and the data acquisition device emits a second signal. A determination is made in response to the first signal and the second signal, whether the health-care worker is absent from being near the patient. For example, absence of the health-care worker is determined when a data reader receives only the first signal. This system detects when a patient requiring continuous observation is not in the presence of a health-care worker. In that case, an alarm message is sent to supervisory personnel.

Abstract: A monitoring system in a medical facility provides identification devices to patients and a data acquisition device to health care workers. The data acquisition device receives a signal from the identification device which identifies the associated patient and measures an amount of time that the patient is being treated by the health care worker associated with the given data acquisition device. A data interrogator reads data from the data acquisition devices which identify associated health care worker the patients that were treated and the amount of time each treatment. The data read from the data acquisition devices can be used to prepare reports specifying the amount of treatment each patient received and the amount of treatment each health care worker provided.

Abstract: A procedure is provided by which a worker is able to alter his or her work schedule using a computer system. The worker accesses work shift positions that have been designated as being alterable and chooses one as a selected work shift position. That selection may also specify a wage at the worker is willing to be compensated for staffing the selected work shift position. The computer system determines whether the worker is qualified to perform the tasks associated with the selected work shift position. If qualified, the worker is scheduled into the selected work shift position. The computer system also may provide a mechanism by which two workers can trade previously scheduled work shift positions.

Abstract: An identification badge is provided for issuance to a transient person requiring temporary access to a facility for a defined period of time. The badge includes a picture of the transient person, an element that encodes machine readable data identifying the transient person, and a designation of a class of transient people, such as a visitor or temporary worker for example. A facility access system that employs the badge has devices for reading the element and using the data obtained thereby to unlock doors or record the arrival and departure of the person. An indicia on the badge visibly changes in appearance after the defined period of time to indicate expiration of the badge.