Abstract: A hand-held scanner appliance is employed to capture and display status of various types of catheter devices that have been inserted in hospital patients. The nurse scans his or her staff ID coded device, then scans the patient's ID wrist bracelets, and scans a catheter-unique identification coded tag on the catheter device. When the nurse performs a catheter insertion, and the catheter is scanned, a data entry is recorded with the patient identity, presence of catheter, and time of insertion. An intelligent rules engine computes the target removal time for the catheter device, which is also displayed. An alert for each catheterization occurs prior to the target removal time. The appliance is synchronized to the hospital server, and the catheterization status of the hospital patients is displayed for the medical practitioner. This process aids in preventing hospital-acquired infections.

Abstract: An automated system for credentialing physicians or practitioners in other professions employs a databank of verified practitioner data on a central computer server. The file for each practitioner can include education, employment history, board certification record, and derogatory information, such as disciplinary proceedings, if any. A remote computer station can access the central computer server to download a credentialing profile on the computer screen. The computer station can have an RFID reader for inputting a practitioner identity code that uniquely identifies the respective practitioner. There may be RFID tags embedded in diplomas or certificates to aid in verifying authenticity.

Abstract: A gravity flow IV set up for administering fluids intravenously to a patient has a main, low-rate flow branch line and a shunt, high-rate flow branch line, and an auxiliary line above a junction of the main and shunt flow lines which can be used for a second or supplemental source of blood or an IV fluid. In order to ensure that there is no reflux of fluid from one of the main and shunt lines into the other, ball check valves are positioned in each line below the respective drip chamber and above the lower junction of the two lines. The ball check valves can withstand relatively high back pressures without danger of rupture or leakage.