Abstract:
A method and system employed by emergency responders to an emergency incident in the management of individuals injured in emergency incidents. An injured patient is tagged with a triage tag that has a bar code and an RFID inlay that identify the patient. At least one of the bar code and RFID inlay are scanned by a portable optical/electronic unit. As the patient is moved through various zones in which the condition of the patient is evaluated and, if necessary, the condition of the patient is treated, patient evaluation data is recorded in the in the portable optical/electronic unit and a command computer in association with patient identification data.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates, in general, to services performed by responders to emergency incidents and, in particular, to a method and system employed by responders to an emergency incident in the management of individuals injured in emergency incidents. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Emergency incidents, such as a fire, a building collapse, or a bombed building, whether caused by an act of nature, human error, or an act of a terrorist, are of tremendous concern at the present time. One major aspect of this concern is the management of individuals injured in the emergency incident. 
         [0003]    Currently, there are many different procedures practiced and equipment employed by responders to an emergency incident in the management of individuals injured in the incident. The management of an individual injured in an emergency incident requires a quick and accurate assessment of the condition of the individual and, if necessary, quick and proper treatment of the condition. In addition, of major importance is keeping track of the injured individual, his or her condition, and his or her location. 
         [0004]    It is apparent that the tasks of the responders to an emergency incident, in managing individuals injured in the incident, become more difficult the greater the number of injured individuals. Consequently, there is an ongoing effort to improve the procedures and systems that are practiced and used by the responders. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to the present invention, a patient, injured in an emergency incident, is managed by emergency responders that use a system that includes a plurality of wireless electronic transmitter/receiver communications units placed at selected locations in the site of an emergency incident to establish a wireless electronic communications network. A triage tag, having a bar code and an RFID inlay, with each containing patient identity data that identifies a selected patient in the selected area, is placed on the selected patient while the patient is in a patient identification zone. A first patient evaluation of the condition of the selected patient is conducted by an emergency responder and, if necessary, the condition of the selected patient is treated. First patient evaluation data is recorded on the triage tag by the emergency responder. The emergency responder, using a wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader, scans at least one of the bar code and the RFID inlay of the triage tag of the selected patient and records the patient identity data and the first patient evaluation data in the reader. The patient identity data and the first patient evaluation data are transmitted from the reader to a transmitter/receiver in a command computer via the communications units of the communications network and are recorded in the command computer. When a second patient evaluation of the condition of the selected patient is conducted by a second emergency responder in a patient treatment zone, a second wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader receives from transmitter/receiver of the command computer via the communications units of the communications network, the patient identity data and the first patient evaluation data. After a second patient evaluation is conducted and the condition of the selected patient is treated, second patient evaluation data is recorded on the triage tag and in the second reader and the patient identity data and the second patient evaluation data are transmitted from the reader to the transmitter/receiver of the command computer via the communications units of the communications network and are recorded in the command computer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart of a preferred embodiment of a method for managing a patient injured in an emergency incident according to the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of a preferred embodiment of a system for managing a patient injured in an emergency incident according to the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are front and back views, respectively, of a triage tag particularly useful in the system illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0009]      FIGS. 4A through 4F  illustrate examples of drop-down menus that can be incorporated in wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver readers used in the  FIG. 2  system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of an RFID inlay that can be incorporated in a triage tag used in the method and system for managing a patient injured in an emergency incident according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a patient, injured in an emergency incident, is managed by emergency responders according to the present invention by first placing a plurality of wireless electronic transmitter/receiver communications units at selected locations in the site of an emergency incident to establish a wireless electronic communications network. This is represented by step  102  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1  and the transmitter/receiver communications units  202  in  FIG. 2 . These transmitter/receiver units can be of conventional construction and operation, such as the commercially available units known as BreadCrumbs® sold by Rajant Corporation. 
         [0012]    A triage tag  204 , shown in  FIG. 2 , is placed on the selected patient while the patient is in a patient identification zone, commonly referred to as the “hot zone.” This is represented by step  104  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0013]    Triage tags in use at the present time, such as EMS Disaster Tags sold by Disaster Management Systems, Inc., have a unique bar code that contains patient identity data that identifies a selected patient in the selected area. In other words, each such bar code represents unique data that is individually associated with a selected patient injured in an emergency incident and this unique data serves to identify the selected patient. The bar code is scanned by a wireless optical transmitter/receiver reader to record the patient identity data. 
         [0014]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a triage tag  204  that is used in the present invention has front and back sheets  204   a  and  204   b , respectively. A bar code  204   c  is printed on a plurality of separable parts. Triage tag  204  has, in addition to bar code  204   c , an RFID inlay  204   d , shown by dotted lines, that is disposed between the front and back sheets  204   a  and  204   b  and contains the same unique data as in the bar code, thereby serving as another source of patient identity data that identifies the selected patient when either the bar code or the RFID inlay is scanned by a wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader. This is represented by step  106  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1  and readers  206  in  FIG. 2 . Reader  206  can be of conventional construction and operation, such as Symbol RFID Barcode Mobile Scanners made by Motorola, Inc., that are programmed with software appropriate for the particular application. It will be understood that it is not necessary to scan both the RFID inlay and the bar code to record the patient identity data. The preferred mode of operation is to scan the RFID inlay in the first instance and scan the bar code if the RFID inlay scanning operation fails. 
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of an RFID inlay  204   d  that can be incorporated in triage tag  204 . RFID inlay  204   d  in  FIG. 5  can be of standard design that includes a chip  204   d   1  and an antenna  204   d   2  connected to the chip. 
         [0016]    While the selected patient is in the patient identification area, a patient evaluation of the condition of the selected patient is conducted by an emergency responder and, if necessary, the condition of the selected patient is treated. This is represented by step  108  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0017]    Patient evaluation data is recorded on triage tag  204  in  FIG. 2  by the emergency responder and in reader  206  by the emergency responder. If desired, the  FIG. 2  system can be arranged to record patient treatment data that represents the treatment provided the patient if treatment has been provided. This is represented by step  110  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0018]    The recorded patient identity data and the recorded first patient evaluation data (along with recorded first patient treatment, if any) are transmitted from reader  206  to a transmitter/receiver in a command computer  208  via the communications units  202  of the communications network. The data transmitted to command computer  208  is recorded in the command computer. This is represented by steps  112  and  114  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0019]    When a second patient evaluation of the condition of the selected patient is conducted, the reader has, or receives from the transmitter/receiver of command computer  208  via communications units  202  of the communications network, the patient identity data and the first patient evaluation data, along with patient treatment data if available and desired. This is represented by step  116  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . Preferably, the patient identity data, the first patient evaluation data, and the first patient treatment data, if available and desired, are accessed from reader  206  or received from command computer  208  prior to conducting a second patient evaluation of the patient and administering further treatment, if necessary, to the patient. 
         [0020]    As represented by step  118  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 , a second evaluation of the condition of the selected patient can be conducted and, if necessary, the condition of the selected patient is treated further. The second patient evaluation data is recorded on triage tag  204  and in reader  206 . This is represented by step  120  in the flow chart of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0021]    The patient identity data and the second patient evaluation data are transmitted from reader  206  to the transmitter/receiver of command computer  208  via the communications units  202  of the communications network and are recorded in the command computer. If the  FIG. 2  system is arranged to record patient treatment data, second patient treatment data also can be transmitted to command computer  208  and recorded in the command computer. This is represented by steps  122  and  114  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0022]    After the selected patient has been identified and the condition of the selected patient has been evaluated and, if necessary, treated, the selected patient is moved from the patient identification zone to a patient treatment zone, commonly referred to as the “triage zone, where the condition of the selected is treated, if further treatment is necessary. This is represented by step  124  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0023]    A second emergency provider, having a second wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader  206 , manages the selected patent in the patient treatment zone. The second emergency provider scans at least one of the RFID inlay and the bar code of triage tag  204  of the selected patient with the second reader to record in the second reader the patient identity data. This is represented by step  126  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0024]    By accessing command computer  208  prior to treating the selected patient in the patient treatment zone, the patient evaluation data and the patient treatment data, if any, recorded in the command computer is received in second reader  206 . This is represented by step  128  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0025]    The second emergency provider conducts a patient evaluation of the condition of the selected patient in the patient treatment zone and, if necessary, treats the condition of the selected patient in the patient treatment zone. This is represented by step  130  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0026]    The patient evaluation data developed from the patient evaluation conducted in the patient treatment zone is recorded on the triage tag and in the second reader  206  and the patient identity data and this patient evaluation data are transmitted from second reader  206  to the transmitter/receiver of command computer  208  via communications units  202  of the communications network for recording in the command computer. If the  FIG. 2  system is arranged to record patient treatment data representative of the treatment received by the selected patient in the patient treatment zone, patient treatment data is recorded in second reader  206  and transmitted to the transmitter/receiver of command computer  208  and via communications units  202  of the communications network for recording in the command computer. This is represented by steps  132 ,  134 , and  114  of the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0027]    After the selected patient has been evaluated and treated in the patient treatment zone, the selected patient is moved to a patient staging zone from where the selected patient is transported to a remote destination for further treatment. This is represented by step  136  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . It should be understood that, if the evaluation of the selected patient in the patient identification zone leads to the conclusion that the selected patient does not require treatment, the selected patient can be moved directly from the patient identification zone to the patient staging zone if the users of the system contemplate such flexibility in their management of patients. 
         [0028]    A third emergency provider, having a third wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader  206 , manages the selected patent in the patient staging zone. The third emergency provider scans at least one of the bar code and the RFID inlay of triage tag  204  of the selected patient with the third reader to record in the third reader the patient identity data. This is represented by step  138  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0029]    By accessing command computer  208  prior to transporting the selected patient to a remote location, patient evaluation data and patient treatment data, if any has been recorded, is received in third reader  206 . This is represented by step  140  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0030]    The selected patient then is transported to a remote destination which is represented by step  142  of the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . Patient destination data of the remote destination to which the selected patient is transported and patient transport data of the transport means (e.g., ambulance identification) by which the patient is being transported to the remote destination is recorded in third reader  206 . This is represented by step  144  in the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0031]    The patient identity data, patient destination data, and patient transport data are transmitted from third reader  206  to the transmitter/receiver of the command computer  208  via the communications units  202  of the communications network. This is represented by step  146  of the flow chart in  FIG. 1 . The patient identity data, patient destination data and patient transport data are recorded in command computer  208  as represented by step  114  of the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0032]    Data recorded in command computer  208  can be transmitted to a central location or headquarters, such as a city hall, for recording. This is represented by steps  148  and  150  of the flow chart of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]    It should be understood that labeling the patient evaluations and patient treatments in numerical sequence is done more to present the manner in which the present invention can be implemented rather than presenting how the present invention is practiced in all instances. As indicated above, if the evaluation of the selected patient in the patient identification zone is such that the selected patient does not require treatment, the selected patient can be moved directly from the patient identification zone to the patient staging zone. Likewise, if no further treatment of the selected patient in the patient identification zone is conducted, the second patient treatment, if necessary, will be performed in the patient treatment zone. The present invention is best implemented by providing the users, namely emergency responders, with equipment and methodology that has the most features and greatest flexibility to enable them to perform their tasks. 
         [0034]    Preferably, each wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader  206  includes means for displaying drop-down menus having a plurality of data entry selections that display options for entering data associated with the selected patient, means for selecting a data entry option, and means for entering data associated with the selected patient selecting options. It will be understood that, in the following description of the entry of data into a wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader, the reader under consideration at any particular time is that reader being operated by the emergency responder at the particular location within the site of the emergency event (i.e., “Patient Identification Zone” or “Patient Treatment Zone” or “Patient Staging Zone”) where the data is being entered. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a user interface screen of a wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader of the data entry options available to an emergency responder for entering data about the selected patient. Upon activation of the “Pull Trigger To Read Tag” block by the emergency responder by engaging an appropriate control on the reader, the scanning by the reader of the RFID inlay in the triage tag (i.e., “patient identity data”) is automatically entered in this block. 
         [0036]    When the emergency responder engages the appropriate character(s) on the key pad of the wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader that correspond to the “(1) Triage Type” option, the “Triage Category Options” screen illustrated in  FIG. 4B  appears on the reader. The “Triage Category Options” “(1) Immediate” or “(2) Delayed” or “(3) Minor” or (4) Morgue”) that are displayed on the reader screen correspond to the “EVIDENCE” options on triage tag  204  illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The emergency responder enters data of the triage category option (i.e., “patient evaluation data”) by engaging the appropriate character(s) on the key pad of the reader that correspond to the triage category option that is selected. 
         [0037]    When the emergency responder engages the appropriate character(s) on the key pad of the wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader that correspond to the “(2) Gender” option, the “Gender Options” screen illustrated in  FIG. 4C  appears on the reader. The emergency responder enters the gender of the selected patient (i.e., “patient identity data”) by engaging the appropriate character(s) on the key pad of the reader that correspond to the gender of the selected patient. 
         [0038]    When the emergency responder engages the appropriate character(s) on the key pad of the wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader that correspond to the “(3) Age” option, the “Age Data” screen illustrated in  FIG. 4D  appears on the reader. The emergency responder enters the age of the selected patient (i.e., “patient identity data”) by manually entering the age of the selected patient by engaging the character(s) on the key pad of the reader that correspond to the age of the selected patient. 
         [0039]    When the emergency responder engages the appropriate character(s) on the key pad of the wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader that corresponds to the “(4) Injury” option, the “Injury Options” screen illustrated in  FIG. 4E  appears on the reader. The emergency responder enters the nature of the injury sustained by the selected patient (i.e., “patient evaluation data”) by engaging the character(s) on the key pad of the reader that correspond to the nature of the injury sustained by the selected patient. 
         [0040]    When the emergency responder engages the appropriate character(s) on the key pad of the wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader that corresponds to the “(5) Amb. #” option, the “Ambulance Options” screen illustrated in  FIG. 4F  appears on the reader. With a listing of the ambulance services that operate in the geographical area in which the emergency incident occurred, the emergency responder enters the particular ambulance service by which the selected patient is being transported to the remote location (i.e., “patient transport data”) by engaging the appropriate character(s) on the key pad of the reader that correspond to particular ambulance service and the emergency responder manually enters the number of the ambulance in which the selected patient is being transported to the remote destination by engaging the appropriate character(s) on the key pad of the reader that correspond to the ambulance number. 
         [0041]    When the emergency responder engages the appropriate character(s) on the key pad of the reader that corresponds to the “(6) Hospital Destination” option, the “Hospital Destination Options” screen illustrated in  FIG. 4G  appears on the reader. With a listing of the hospitals that operate in the geographical area in which the emergency incident occurred, the emergency responder enters the particular hospital to which the selected patient is being transported (i.e., “patient destination data”) by engaging the appropriate character(s) on the key pad of the reader that correspond to the particular hospital. 
         [0042]    After data has been entered into a wireless optical/electronic transmitter/receiver reader at a particular location (i.e., “Patient Identification Zone” or “Patient Treatment Zone” or “Patient Staging Zone”), that data is transmitted to the command computer by engaging the appropriate character(s) on the key pad of the reader corresponding to the “(8) Send Data” option that appears on all of the screens described above and illustrated in the drawings. 
         [0043]    Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.