ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD WEB-BASED PLATFORM
A server for facilitating an electronic health record system. Each patient has a unique smart card. A processor: associates a security token with a patient; generates a one-time-use security code for storage based upon a security token; provides the one-time-use security code to the patient for storage on the smart card; applies two-factor authentication with the one-time-use security code for each login to a personal health record website presented by the processor; imports and exports the electronic health records associated with the patient based upon a request from the patient received through the personal health record website; generates a new one-time-use security code after each patient session based upon the respective security token; and provides the new one-time-use security code to the patient for storage on the smart card so that the personal health record website is accessed therewith.
This application is a continuation of U.S. NonProvisional patent application Ser. No. 13/316,778 filed Dec. 12, 2011 (pending), which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/421,816 filed Dec. 10, 2010, the contents of which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThe subject disclosure relates to methods and systems for storing and accessing electronic health records via a distributed computing network, and more particularly to improved methods and systems for allowing consumers to have control over and portability of their personal health information.
2. Background of the Related ArtCurrently, a person's health information is distributed amongst each service provider. Thus, a person's doctor from 10 years ago may have certain information valuable to the current caregiver, but due to a lack of portability or ownership by the patient, such information is unavailable or difficult to obtain in a timely manner. As the world continues to spread the information revolution, access to vast informational resources and support systems becomes ubiquitous. Sitting in the glow of a computer screen, an individual can instantaneously access information on the opposite side of the planet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAs computing and interconnected communication capabilities continue to integrate into the daily activities of individuals, there is a need for a new and useful electronic medical record system that leverages new technologies.
In view of the above, a need exists for an electronic medical record system that quickly and easily provides patients with their full medical history in such a manner that the patient owns the information and can distribute the information in a timely manner. Preferably, the system is an open platform so that information can be leveraged by patients and providers equally.
The present disclosure is directed to a server for facilitating an electronic health record system that stores electronic health records related to a plurality of patients. Each patient has a unique smart card, alternatively referred to herein as a security card. A processor: associates a security token with a patient; generates a one-time-use security code for storage based upon a security token; provides the one-time-use security code to the patient for storage on the smart card; applies two-factor authentication with the one-time-use security code for each login to a personal health record website presented by the processor; imports and exports the electronic health records associated with the patient based upon a request from the patient received through the personal health record web site; generates a new one-time-use security code after each patient session based upon the respective security token; and provides the new one-time-use security code to the patient for storage on the smart card so that the personal health record website is accessed therewith.
Preferably, a client communicates in a network in the electronic health record system and is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a computer workstation, a laptop computer, a server computer, a mainframe computer, a handheld tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, and combinations thereof. The unique smart card can include emergency contact information for the respective patient. The patients may be people, animals, and legal entities such as corporations, partnerships, and non-profit organizations. Proxy requests for the patient from a caregiver can provide the caregiver with access similar or the same as the patient. The processor may also populate a patient's medical profile data using data received from multiple sources including the patient and a caregiver of the patient. The smart card can also be tied to a royalty rewards program based on points that can be redeemed for related merchandise to provide incentive for participation.
It should be appreciated that the subject technology can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, a method for applications now known and later developed or a computer readable medium. These and other unique features of the system disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed system appertains will more readily understand how to make and use the same, reference may be had to the following drawings.
The subject technology overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with electronic health records. The advantages, and other features of the system disclosed herein, will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth representative embodiments of the present invention and wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements.
Referring now to the
The environment 10 includes one or more servers 11 which communicate with a distributed computer network 12 via communication channels, whether wired or wireless, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. In an example embodiment, the distributed computer network 12 is the Internet or a private intranet. For simplicity, the following description refers to a single server 11 although several that function as a unit are shown. Server 11 hosts multiple Web sites and houses multiple databases necessary for the proper operation of the electronic health record system in accordance with the subject technology.
The server 11 is any of a number of servers known to those skilled in the art that are intended to be operably connected to a network so as to operably link to a plurality of clients 14 via the distributed computer network 12. As illustration, the server 11 typically includes a central processing unit including one or more microprocessors such as those manufactured by Intel or AMD, random access memory (RAM), mechanisms and structures for performing I/O operations, a storage medium such as a magnetic hard disk drive(s), and an operating system for execution on the central processing unit. The hard disk drive of the server 11 may be used for storing data, client applications and the like utilized by client applications. The hard disk drive(s) of the server 11 also are typically provided for purposes of booting and storing the operating system, other applications or systems that are to be executed on the server 11, paging and swapping between the hard disk and the RAM. It is envisioned that the server 11 can utilize multiple servers in cooperation to facilitate greater performance and stability of the subject invention by distributing memory and processing as is well known.
Distributed computer network 12 may include any number of network systems well known to those skilled in the art. For example, distributed computer network 12 may be a combination of local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), or, as is well known, the Internet. For the Internet, the preferred method of accessing information is the World Wide Web because navigation is intuitive and does not require technical knowledge.
The environment 10 also includes a plurality of computers or clients 14 such as desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants, tablets, cellular telephones and the like. The clients 14 allow users to access information on the server 11. For simplicity, only four clients 14 are shown. The clients 14 have displays and an input device(s) as would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art (as would the server 11). The display may be any of a number of devices known to those skilled in the art for displaying images responsive to outputs signals from the computers 14. Such devices include but are not limited to cathode ray tubes (CRT), liquid crystal displays (LCDS), plasma screens and the like. Although a simplified diagram is illustrated in
Clients 14 typically provide consumer access to the environment. A plurality of users typically can share the same client 14 and cookie technology can be utilized to facilitate access to the environment 10. A plurality of users can utilize the environment 10 simultaneously. The clients 14 are also preferably equipped with an input device(s) (such as data input device 52 shown in
The clients 14 also typically include a central processing unit including one or more micro-processors such as those manufactured by Intel or AMD, random access memory (RAM), mechanisms and structures for performing I/O operations (not shown), a storage medium such as a magnetic hard disk drive(s), a device for reading from and/or writing to removable computer readable media and an operating system for execution on the central processing unit. According to one embodiment, the hard disk drive of the clients 14 is for purposes of booting and storing the operating system, other applications or systems that are to be executed on the computer, paging and swapping between the hard disk and the RAM and the like. In one embodiment, the application programs reside on the hard disk drive for performing the functions in accordance with the electronic health records system. In another embodiment, the hard disk drive simply has a browser for accessing an application hosted within the distributed computing network 12. The clients 14 can also utilize a removable computer readable medium such as a CD or DVD type of media that is inserted therein for reading and/or writing to the removable computer readable media.
Preferably, the graphical user interfaces (also referred to as “screens”) used by the electronic health record system incorporate user-friendly features and fit seamlessly with other operating system interfaces, that is, in a framed form having borders, multiple folders, toolbars with pull-down menus, embedded links to other screens and various other selectable features associated with animated graphical representations of depressible buttons. These features can be selected (i.e., “clicked on”) by the user via connected mouse, keyboard, voice command or other commonly used tool for indicating a preference in a computerized graphical interface.
Referring now to
In a preferred embodiment, a company, a country, an association, or the like (not shown) hosts a Web site using the environment 10 to provide access for the electronic health record system. Further, the environment provider may maintain banner advertisements and links to related Web sites as well as offer related products and services, whether or not co-branded, as a source of additional revenue. Preferably, the electronic health record system is established by a government in association with a national health plan by paying a fee to one or more technology, maintenance and service providers. In one embodiment, the government pays a fee for each user enrolled in the electronic medical record system. In another embodiment, the environment provider is an association of veterinary doctors and hospitals to provide the electronic health record system for pets and their owners. In one embodiment, banner advertisements and links are associated with national and local vendors of medical related goods and services and the company receives a further fee based upon referrals.
It is envisioned that the hosted electronic health record system provides for administration and security maintenance. At step S1 of the process 100, a user requests enrollment in the electronic health record system. In order to enroll, the personal information of the user is required. The personal information may be a social security number or related identifier issued to every citizen by a government entity, name, date of birth, address, telephone number as well as specific medical information such as health and pre-exiting conditions and like information. Enrollment information can be entered, e.g., via the interactive interface 50 shown in
At step S2, a security card 18 is provisioned and mailed to the enrolled users. A front of an example security card 18 is shown in
Referring again to
In one embodiment, the subject technology uses two-factor authentication with the security token and one-time-use security code. Upon authentication, the electronic health record system provides another one-time-use code for the next login. Optionally, each one-time-use security code is stored on the security card 18 by swiping the card through a read/write device associated with the client 14. The server 11 hosting the personal health record website creates a record associated the one-time-use security codes with the respective users.
As can be seen at steps S5 and S6, the user may access their health profile, e.g., via the interactive interface 50, through the hosted Web site by using an Internet connected computer or a mobile device.
The electronic health record system not only allows provisioning of an individual login for each user to access his or her personal electronic health data but also supports individual-owned data. Thus, a user may import and export data freely, e.g., via the interactive interface 50, provided proper authentication occurs. By having the user own their respective health profile, the user can easily provide such information to caregivers, insurance companies, the Internal Revenue Service and the like.
At step S7, the user uploads legacy data in their profile. This can be done, e.g., via the interactive interface 50. The profile information is uploaded to the application either by the individual via manual data entry, or by a variety of back-end healthcare provider integrations associated with physicians, specialists, pharmacists, veterinarians and the like. All information gathered can be freely exported by the individual user. The individual must have the security card 18 in their possession in order to provide/obtain the security token and the one-time-use security code to gain access to the site. As noted above, a new code is generated on the security card 18 for each time the user logs into the secure website. The application allows the uploading, e.g., via the interactive interface 50, of patient lab/test results, photos, diagnostic images, paper records and other electronic documents/files and/or health information.
The electronic health record system contains data that is user owned and provider agnostic. In an example embodiment, this is possible because the records stored by each provider adhere to interoperable standards such as CCR/CCD and HL7. Particular providers, platforms, and electronic health applications are not favored over others. At step S8, the user initiates integration with provider, hospitals and doctors so that all platforms, providers, and existing electronic health applications are supported and information can be passed from multiple sources to the user's online record, which can be viewed, e.g., via the interactive interface 50 shown in
In an example embodiment, referring to
The computerized interactive interface also can receive a second request from the patient to view health records associated with the patient, the second request being subsequent to the first request. After receiving the second request, the computerized interactive interface can receive third and fourth authentication data associated with the patient. In this example embodiment, at least one of the third and fourth authentication data is a second one-time-use security code displayed through the digital window 38 of the security card 18. In response to receiving the third and fourth authentication data following the second request, the health records of the patient are provided.
In another example embodiment, referring to
If a caregiver desires access to the user's electronic health record, the user can provide the caregiver with proxy access or download and provide the desired information. For example, as shown in step S9, the user generates a chronological timeline of major medical events for analysis. For another example, as shown in step S10, the user exports or prints a health summary to a new healthcare provider. Such caregivers may pay a subscription fee to the entity hosting the electronic medical record system. In some examples, a health care provider of the patient can be provided with a unique logon identifier (ID) to access health records of a given patient, the logon ID of the healthcare provider being different from the logon ID. As a benefit, the caregivers need for data retention and technology supporting the same is alleviated. Further, as users switch between caregivers, by having user control and ownership of the information, lost or incomplete data histories are reduced if not eliminated.
The caregivers can also further benefit from having additional goods and services paired with health plan benefits. For example, employees enrolled in a dental plan for a monthly fee can receive points for usage, participation and performance. The points could be redeemed at merchants or with the entity hosting the electronic health record system for related and unrelated merchandise to provide incentive for participation.
The electronic health record system may also cross-sell products via the hosted web site (e.g., using the interactive interface 50 corresponding to the hosted Web site) and other advertising such as co-branded marketing. An example of a system utilizing the Internet for cross-selling is U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,681 to Burke et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Burke et al. disclose a shopping assistant system designed to provide consumers with information about a product of interest. The consumer uses a portable device to receive the desired information based on information associated with the user. The subject technology can utilize these same cross-selling techniques at a desirable cost. Still another example of applicable technology is U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,606 to Bell et al. which is incorporated herein by reference. Bell et al. provide a method for cross-marketing products by providing hyperlinks to a related merchant's Web site from a vendor's Web site. The vendor Web site also uses artwork to identify the Web site as associated with the vendor and banner advertisements for presenting offers.
It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art that the functions of several elements may, in alternative embodiments, be carried out by fewer elements, or a single element. Similarly, in some embodiments, any functional element may perform fewer, or different, operations than those described with respect to the illustrated embodiment. Also, functional elements (e.g., modules, databases, interfaces, computers, servers and the like) shown as distinct for purposes of illustration may be incorporated within other functional elements in a particular implementation.
For example, the subject technology can be beneficially used in the United States, Europe, Eurasia, in Gulf Coast States such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, among other countries in the world. The subject technology has wide application to various fields such as dentistry, animal related health information, personal credit history information and so on. For example in a credit history application, certain specified bureaus or entities could have similar or even the same access level as the users to update a credit record based upon relevant activity. Such bureau updates would not be subject to change by the user associated therewith out prior acceptance through, for example, an administrative appeal process.
To access the technology, a secure log on alone can be used or with any additional applications to the security that tie into various technology such as the web, platforms accessible from anywhere, and the like now known and later developed.
The subject technology also includes, but is not limited to a three in one embodiment of: secure log in card for electronic medical records; loyalty card redeemed against product or services and also with offers tailored to the buying habits of each individual customer; and/or insurance by which customers pay a premium and are covered to agreed limits for all necessary treatments and health care, on a contributory basis (the policy pays an agreed percentage of the total cost) and/or a Membership Scheme/plan by which customers choose an appropriate schedule of treatments, and pay monthly.
While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. In particular, each of the claims can be combined in any manner as well as included in part and whole with other information described herein to create a large number of variations of application of the subject technology.
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. A system for managing health records, comprising:
- a computerized interactive interface in communication with a network and adapted to:
- receive a first request from a patient or a proxy of the patient to view health records associated with the patient;
- receive, after receiving the first request, first and second authentication data associated with the patient, at least one of the first and second authentication data being a security code displayed on a security card; and
- provide, in response to receiving the first and second authentication data, health records of the patient, at least some of the health records being provided to the system by: (i) one or more health care providers associated with the patient; (ii) by the patient; (iii) by the proxy of the patient; or (iv) a combination of (i), (ii) and/or (iii), the computerized interactive interface providing the health records of the patient without approval of the first request by the one or more health care providers.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the security code is a one-time-use security code.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the security code is a first one-time-use security code, and wherein the computerized interactive interface is further adapted to:
- receive a second request from the patient or the proxy of the patient to view health records associated with the patient, the second request being subsequent to the first request;
- receive, after receiving the second request, third and fourth authentication data associated with the patient, at least one of the third and fourth authentication data being a second one-time-use security code displayed on the security card; and
- in response to receiving the third and fourth authentication data following the second request, providing health records of the patient.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the computerized interactive interface is further adapted, in response to receiving the first one-time-use security code following the second request, to not provide the health records of the patient.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein the security code is displayed in a digital display window of the security card, and wherein the security card is adapted to communicate via the network.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the security code is a multi-digit number.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the security card includes information associated with the patient, the information including one or more of: emergency contact information, allergy information, and medical condition information.
16. The system of claim 9, wherein the security card comprises a button, wherein the security code is a first one-time-use security code, and wherein pressing of the button generates a second one-time-use security code that is displayed on the security card and is different from the first one-time-use security code.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the security card is wallet sized.
18. The system of claim 9, wherein the health records are stored on one or more databases in communication with the network.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the health records include all records associated with the patient that are generated by all health care providers of the patient.
20. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more health care providers include one or more doctors, dentists, or hospitals.
21. The system of claim 9, wherein the computerized interactive interface is further adapted to display one or more media objects.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the one or media objects include at least one commercial advertisement.
23. The system of claim 21, wherein the one or more media objects includes at least one selectable commercial offer.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the at least one selectable commercial offer is tailored to one or more buying habits of the patient.
25. The system of claim 21, wherein the computerized interactive interface is adapted to facilitate a purchase by the patient using rewards points associated with the security card.
26. The system of claim 9, wherein the security card is associated with a health insurance provider, and wherein the patient pays the health insurance provider for health insurance.
27. The system of claim 9, wherein one of the first and second authentication data is a first logon ID.
28. The system of claim 27, wherein at least one of the health care providers is associated with a second logon ID, the second logon ID being different from the first logon ID, and wherein in response to receiving at least the second logon ID, the computerized interactive interface provides the health records of the patient.
29. The system of claim 9, wherein the patient is one of a person, an animal, or a legal entity.
30. The system of claim 9, wherein the health records are provided to the system by at least one or more health care providers associated with the patient and the patient.
31. The system of claim 9, wherein the health records provided by the computerized interactive database include one or more of diagnostic images, test results, lab results, and operative reports.
32. The system of claim 9, wherein the computerized interactive interface is further adapted to provide a timeline of major medical events associated with the patient.
33. A system for managing health records, comprising:
- at least one storage device in communication with a network, the at least one storage device adapted to receive and store first and second sets of elements of health records associated with a patient, the first set of elements being provided to the system by the patient or a proxy of the patient, and the second set of elements being provided to the system by one or more health care providers associated with the patient; and
- a computerized interactive interface in communication with the network and adapted to: receive the first set of elements from the patient or the proxy of the patient; receive the second set of elements from the one or more healthcare providers; and in response to a request from the patient or the proxy of the patient, provide to the patient or the proxy of the patient the first set of elements and the second set of elements.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein the interactive interface is further adapted to receive first and second authentication data associated with the patient, at least one of the first and second authentication data being a one-time-use security code displayed on a security card.
35. The system of claim 34, wherein the security card comprises a button, wherein the security code is a first one-time-use security code, and wherein pressing of the button generates a second one-time-use security code that is displayed on the security card and is different from the first one-time-use security code.
36. The system of claim 34, wherein the first set of elements are provided to the system by the user after the user or the proxy of the user provides the one-time-use security code to the computerized interactive interface.
37. The system of claim 33, wherein the patient is one of a person, an animal, or a legal entity.
38. The system of claim 33, wherein the first set of elements include one or more of diagnostic images, test results, lab results, and operative reports.
39. The system of claim 33, wherein the computerized interactive interface is further adapted to, in response to a request from a first of the one or more health care providers, provide to the first of the one or more health care providers the first set of elements and the second set of elements.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 7, 2017
Publication Date: Nov 23, 2017
Inventor: Gail B. Lese (Nahant, MA)
Application Number: 15/670,475