Abstract: A system and method is described for managing the release of information from a personal electronic health record (EHR). A central data warehouse maintains at least a part of the HER along with at least a copy of a patient's permission plan for the release of data to others in the health care system. Requests for information may be made by addressees, each addressee possessing credentials. The system and method compares the credentials of the addressee with the personal permissions plan and releases the information permitted by the permissions plan. Where information is denied by the plan, the patient may be offered the opportunity to modify profiles of the plan so as to permit the release of information. The patient may be provided with background information on the need for release of the data, and legal aspects of the release of the data so as to make an informed choice.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating patient risk factors and managing the care of patients with risk factors or symptoms of cardiovascular disease is described. A form-based data entry device is used to retrieve medical history data of a patient, to enter updated data, and to request further medical tests and studies. A rule-based analysis engine is used to process the data so as to permit a user to interact with the system so as to determine a suitable care path for either long-term or acute situations. The rule-based engine may be modified to reflect the capabilities and diagnostic equipment suite available at a specific medical facility, and to implement a version of an approved medical protocol consistent with the local constraints. Some of the form-based data may be entered by emergency personnel while the patient is in transit to the treatment facility.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing neurological syndromes is described. A form-based data entry device is used to collect data about the current state of the patient, and the data is supplemented by such data as may be available for a patient history medical data base. A rule-based analysis engine is used to process the data so as to produce a diagnosis of one of ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or other non-stroke syndrome, and a suitable care path recommended. The rule-based engine may be modified to reflect the capabilities and diagnostic equipment suite available at a specific medical facility, and to implement a version of an approved medical protocol consistent with the local constraints. The diagnosis is linkable to a suitable care path plan. Some of all of the form-based data may be entered by emergency personnel while the patient is in transit to the treatment facility.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing status of a care plan is described, the method including defining a care plan as worksteps associated by a rule-based process. Historical data is collected for a plurality of worksteps for such attributes as diagnosis, clinical outcome and cost. The data may be analyzed by data mining techniques so as to discover the optimum relationships between the patient symptoms, the worksteps and a success criteria. The success criteria may include correct diagnosis, equipment use efficiency, cost, and successful clinical outcome. The rule-based process may be modified to take account of the optimum relationships. A patient presenting with a constellation of symptoms may have the symptoms compared with care plans success ranking to determine an optimum care plan.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating patient risk factors and managing the care of patients with risk factors for neurological syndromes is described. A form-based data entry device is used to retrieve medical history data of a patient, to enter updated data, and to request further medical tests and studies. A rule-based analysis engine is used to process the data so as to permit a user to interact with the system so as to determine a suitable care path for either long-term or acute situations. The rule-based engine may be modified to reflect the capabilities and diagnostic equipment suite available at a specific medical facility, and to implement a version of an approved medical protocol consistent with the local constraints. Some of all of the form-based data may be entered by emergency personnel while the patient is in transit to the treatment facility.

Abstract: A system and method updates the status of an individual care plan to be performed at different locations. Worksteps of the care plan may be performed at a number dispersed medical facilities and/or specialists. Data regarding a workstep may be locally entered at the facility that performs the workstep. A data base of the individual care plan may then be updated, and subsequently remotely accessed via a communications network by other medical facilities to view the current status of the care plan. For instance, before a current workstep is performed, medical personnel may view textual information detailing and images acquired during the performance of a previous workstep performed at a different facility. As a result, an effective and efficient means of transferring information regarding the patient and care plan among medical facilities is provided.

Abstract: A system and method dynamically update the status of a care plan to be performed at different locations. Worksteps of the care plan may be performed at a number dispersed medical facilities and/or specialists. Data regarding a workstep may be locally entered at the facility that performs the workstep. A virtual representation of the care plan may then be updated, and subsequently remotely accessed via a communications network by other medical facilities to view the current status of the care plan. For instance, before a current workstep is performed, medical personnel may view textual information detailing and images acquired during the performance of a previous workstep performed at a different facility. As a result, an effective and efficient means of transferring information regarding the patient and care plan among medical facilities is provided. Additionally, the performance of each medical facility and individual specialist may be evaluated and the results displayed.

Abstract: A system and method develop and distribute model descriptions for benchmarked and optimized clinical workflows. Benchmarked clinical workflows may be developed and a corresponding database built. The database may be remotely searchable via a search engine over a communications network, such as the Internet. Remote health institution customers may remotely access and download virtual representations of benchmarked clinical workflows. The benchmarked clinical workflows may be modified or optimized to account for the characteristics and/or restrictions of a remote health institution. The savings associated with the benchmarked or optimized clinical workflows may be automatically derived and quantified with respect to manpower, money, and time. In one aspect, the benchmarked clinical workflows may have associated interactive software applications or include modifications to existing software applications that may operate on a customer's local workstation.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for acquisition and evaluation of image data of an examination subject that are to be created with at least one imaging medical imaging apparatus, generation of a whole-body overview image of the examination subject is generated and selection of an anatomical region in the whole-body overview image is selected. A point in the selected anatomical region is established that forms the origin of a whole-body coordinate system relating to the examination subject, and establishment of an associated, subject-related coordinate system is established/Upon a later examination with a medical imaging apparatus, a whole-body overview image and/or a partial image containing the origin and/or another marker point is/are generated, and examination (diagnostic) images of the examination subject (S3), are generated.

Abstract: In a method to transfer and/or to provide personal electronic data of an owner, in particular health-related electronic data of a patient, the personal electronic data are transferred and/or provided in a form stored on a data medium, at least partially encrypted, together with at least one decryptor for at least partial decryption, as well as at least one mechanism to present and/or to access and/or to enable the presentation of and/or the access to at least one part of the personal electronic data.

Abstract: A method and system for inventory management of pharmacies and for detecting trends includes a pharmacy search and order service that receives information on prescriptions and communicates the prescription information to the pharmacies. The pharmacy search and order service also receives patient information, such as patient demographic data. The prescription information and patient information received by the pharmacy search and order service is transferred to a self-learning service where a rule database analyzes the information to detect trends in usage of medical items. The pharmacy search and order service determines which pharmacies have requested medical items in inventory and provides user output information indicating availability of the medical items at the pharmacies or indicates a nearest pharmacy having the items. An option provides for confirmation from the pharmacy of the item in inventory.

Abstract: A system and appertaining method are provided for authorizing and transmitting patient medical data by an owner of the data to a third party. Accordingly, a consent request module that is provided with information related to the third party via which the owner enters information related to user authorization data that may be used by the third party. A contract module is utilized to enter contractual information related to terms, conditions and compensation for providing the medical data to the third party. Finally, a search and filter module comprises rules for filtering the medical data and a mechanism for accessing the filtered medical data from the owner medical data store. A communications link permits access to the filtered medical data by the third party.

Abstract: A method for dispensing medical items designated in a prescription, such as an electronic prescription, including providing the electronic prescription to a server, and the server providing the electronic prescription to a pharmacy or other agent that fills the prescription and provides the medical items to the patient. A consent statement is provided by the patient for permission to the pharmacy to receive and fill the prescription and for permission to the server to receive and forward the prescription. Secure communications are provided for key communications to establish trust of identity of the parties and entities.

Abstract: In a method for locating and for display of information in an information system of a medical facility, in particular a hospital, with a number of input and display apparatuses communicating via a network, input data defining in their entirety at least one procedure to be implemented are linked by the information system with procedure information, a procedure-related user interface is generated dependent on the procedure information, and the user interface is displayed on a stationary or mobile input and display apparatus.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance system and method for checking the positioning of an examination subject, with an image acquisition unit that acquires images of an examination subject by means of nuclear magnetic resonance, an image processing unit automatically searches the acquired images of the examination subject for geometric figures in the examination subject that could result in closed current loops in the examination subject, and an information unit automatically informs operating personnel of the magnetic resonance system when the image processing unit has detected a geometric figure that could lead to closed current loops in the acquired images.

Abstract: In a method for extraction and display of medical data for a specific medical problem of a specific patient, an electronic health record data base is provided having a plurality of health records for a plurality of patients. A user index and rules data base is provided storing a plurality of health care professional user specific profiles, and also rules for controlling a retrieval engine. A patient index is provided storing patient demographic information along with medical problem codes for a plurality of patients. The retrieval engine is connected with a display. With the retrieval engine, data from the electronic health data base is retrieved for the specific patient and for the specific medical problem according to a specific healthcare professional user profile and according to the medical problem codes stored in the patient index. A behavior of the retrieval engine is controlled by the rules stored in the user index and rules data base.

Abstract: A method for identifying a patient for later access to an electronic patient record for the patient using a communication device belonging to an inquiring person. The patient record is stored in a database using a primary key which serves to identify the patient and which has at least one unambiguously associated secondary key, where the secondary key used to identify a patient is at least one subscriber information item which characterizes a subscriber in a wireless communication network. The secondary key for identification is transmitted between a mobile terminal used for communication in the wireless communication network and a portal via the at least one communication network.

Abstract: An MR tomography apparatus has a system for contrast optimization of MRT images, with: an input unit for measurement parameters such as, for example, TR, TE, FOV, matrix size, flip angle, . . . etc. a unit for establishment of the anatomical area to be examined in the examination subject; a unit for combination of a plurality of MRT images acquired with various measurement parameters; and a unit for visualization and generation of a DICOM header for selected MRT image combinations. The tomography apparatus also has a storage unit in which predetermined experiential values for parameters of equations for combination of a number of various MRT images are stored with regard to a number of selectable anatomical areas of an examination subject; and an acquisition unit for generation of MRT images under selective consideration of the experiential values for measurement parameters that are stored for the anatomical structure to be examined.

Abstract: A broker service facilitates the provision of health-related information to an interested third party. The broker enters into an agreement with one or more health care institutions to obtain at least some access to health-related information stored on a server. In response to a request by the third party, the broker may construct a search filter to find relevant information stored on the server. The broker then may forward at least some of the results to the third party. The broker may install a plug-in software program on the server to facilitate access to the health-related information and/or limit the information based on local health care regulations.

Abstract: An electronic health card (EHC), system containing the EHC and a terminal, and method of promoting use of the EHC are provided. The EHC contains information that promotes the use of the EHC. This information may include personal information of the owner, authorization information that enables access to distributed sources of personal health records, and one or more health care benefits associated with the owner. The benefit may be selectable from individual incentives or predetermined bundles of incentives. The benefit may be conferred only if the owner uses the EHC when being provided with or when providing health care. Data communicated through contact or contactlessly between the EHC and terminal, and between the terminal and external databases, allows the owner to be provided with the benefit.