System and method for locating equipment in a healthcare facility

An equipment locating system includes a plurality of medical apparatuses required for patient treatment and having equipment tags. A real-time locating system is configured to determine a location of each of the plurality of medical apparatuses by receiving a signal from the equipment tags. The caregiver selects a medical apparatus from an apparatus list when the medical apparatus is acquired so that the medical apparatus is tagged as being checked out.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for a real-time locating system in a healthcare facility. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for locating equipment with a real-time locating system in a healthcare facility.

BACKGROUND

During rounds at a healthcare facility, caregivers are required to perform multiple tasks for multiple patients. Organizing the tasks can be challenging for caregivers. Complicating these challenges, the equipment required for each task may be at any location within the healthcare facility. Caregivers spend significant time and resources locating equipment required for patient care. Often, the required equipment is in use or otherwise unavailable. Caregivers require a system to optimize the ability to locate equipment related to tasks at the healthcare facility.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an equipment locating system may include a plurality of medical apparatuses required for patient treatment and having equipment tags. A real-time locating system may be configured to determine a location of each of the plurality of medical apparatuses by receiving a signal from the equipment tags. A display may be configured to display a caregiver menu to select a type of caregiver. The display may display a patient menu listing patients under the care of the type of caregiver selected from the caregiver menu. The display may display a task menu listing tasks associated with a patient selected from the patient menu. A medical apparatus of the plurality of medical apparatuses may be required for the task. The display may display an apparatus list listing the medical apparatus required for the task along with a corresponding location of the medical apparatus as provided by the real-time locating system. The caregiver may select the medical apparatus from the apparatus list when the medical apparatus is acquired so that the medical apparatus is tagged as being checked out.

In this aspect, the real-time locating system may include a high-accuracy locating system such as an ultra-wideband (UWB) locating system, radio detection and ranging (RADAR) equipment or cameras and/or other imaging equipment or other high-accuracy locating technologies. The medical apparatuses may include, but are not limited to, a mobile lift, a walker, a patient bed, a scanner, for example, a bladder scanner, a glucometer, a respiratory therapy, a VSM, a PCA pump, an spO2 monitor, a language translator, or a fall camera. The display may include a touchscreen display or a display having user inputs, for example, buttons.

In some embodiments of this aspect, the medical apparatus may include a bar code and the caregiver may scan the bar code to tag the medical apparatus as being checked out. The type of caregiver may include at least one of a doctor, a nurse, a technician, or a housekeeper. The medical apparatus of the plurality of medical apparatuses may include more than one medical apparatus. Each of the more than one medical apparatus may be displayed in the apparatus list. The display may list the location of the medical apparatus that is closest to the caregiver. The location of the caregiver may be determined by the real-time locating system.

Optionally, in this aspect, a caregiver tag may be provided. The real-time locating system may determine the location of the caregiver based on a signal received from the caregiver tag. The caregiver tag may be at least one of a lanyard or a bracelet. The display may list the location of the medical apparatus that is closest to the patient's room. Each medical apparatus of the plurality of medical apparatuses may be tagged as at least one of checked in, checked out, or requires cleaning. The apparatus list may include medical apparatuses that are tagged as checked in. The caregiver may tag the medical apparatus as checked in when the caregiver is finished using the medical apparatus. The caregiver may tag the medical apparatus as requires cleaning when the caregiver is finished using the medical apparatus.

It may be desired, in this aspect, that the apparatus list includes a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that is located near the first medical apparatus. The display may list a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that are located in the same room. The display may list a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that are located in the same area of a healthcare facility.

According to a second aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an equipment locating system may include a caregiver tag coupled to a caregiver in a healthcare facility. A real-time locating system may be configured to determine a location of the caregiver based on a signal received from the caregiver tag. A display may be configured to notify the caregiver of a task for a patient when the caregiver is determined by the real-time locating system to be within a predetermined proximity of a patient's room. The display may display an apparatus list listing a medical apparatus required for the task along with a corresponding location of the medical apparatus as provided by the real-time locating system. The caregiver may select the medical apparatus from the apparatus list when the medical apparatus is acquired so that the medical apparatus is tagged as being checked out.

In this aspect, the real-time locating system may include a high-accuracy locating system such as an ultra-wideband (UWB) locating system, radio detection and ranging (RADAR) equipment or cameras and/or other imaging equipment or other high-accuracy locating technologies. The medical apparatuses may include, but are not limited to, a mobile lift, a walker, a patient bed, a scanner, for example, a bladder scanner, a glucometer, a respiratory therapy, a VSM, a PCA pump, an spO2 monitor, a language translator, or a fall camera. The display may include a touchscreen display or a display having user inputs, for example, buttons.

In some embodiments of this aspect, the caregiver tag may be at least one of a lanyard or a bracelet. The apparatus list may include a medical apparatus that is closest to the caregiver. The apparatus list may include a medical apparatus that is closest to the patient's room. The apparatus list may include a medical apparatus that is tagged as being checked in. The caregiver may tag the medical apparatus as being checked in when the caregiver is finished using the medical apparatus. The caregiver may tag the medical apparatus as requires cleaning when the caregiver is finished using the medical apparatus.

Optionally, in this aspect, the apparatus list may display more than one medical apparatus. The apparatus list may include a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that is located near the first medical apparatus. The apparatus list may include a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that are located in the same room. The apparatus list may include a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that are located in the same area of a healthcare facility.

According to a third aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an equipment locating system may include a plurality of medical apparatuses required for patient treatment. A caregiver tag may be coupled to a caregiver in a healthcare facility. A real-time locating system may be configured to determine a location of the caregiver based on a signal received from the caregiver tag. The real-time locating system may determine a location of each of the plurality of medical apparatuses. A display may be configured to notify the caregiver of a task for a patient when the caregiver is determined by the real-time locating system to be within a predetermined proximity to a patient's room. The display may display an apparatus list listing a medical apparatus required for the task along with a corresponding location of the medical apparatus as provided by the real-time locating system. The caregiver may select the medical apparatus from the apparatus list when the medical apparatus is acquired so that the medical apparatus is tagged as being checked out.

In this aspect, the real-time locating system may include a high-accuracy locating system such as an ultra-wideband (UWB) locating system, radio detection and ranging (RADAR) equipment or cameras and/or other imaging equipment or other high-accuracy locating technologies. The medical apparatuses may include, but are not limited to, a mobile lift, a walker, a patient bed, a scanner, for example, a bladder scanner, a glucometer, a respiratory therapy, a VSM, a PCA pump, an spO2 monitor, a language translator, or a fall camera. The display may include a touchscreen display or a display having user inputs, for example, buttons.

In some embodiments of this aspect, the medical apparatus may include an equipment tag that sends a signal to the real-time locating system. The caregiver tag may be at least one of a lanyard or a bracelet. The apparatus list may include a medical apparatus that is closest to the caregiver. The apparatus list may include a medical apparatus that is closest to the patient's room. The apparatus list may include a medical apparatus that is tagged as checked in. The caregiver may tag the medical apparatus as being checked in when the caregiver is finished using the medical apparatus. The caregiver may tag the medical apparatus as requires cleaning when the caregiver is finished using the medical apparatus.

Optionally, in this aspect, the apparatus list may include more than one medical apparatus. The apparatus list may include a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that is located near the first medical apparatus. The apparatus list may include a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that are located in the same room. The apparatus list may include a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that are located in the same area of a healthcare facility.

Accordingly a fourth aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a method of locating equipment in a healthcare facility may include displaying a caregiver menu to select a type of caregiver. The method may also include displaying a patient menu listing patients under the care of the type of caregiver selected from the caregiver menu. The method may also include displaying a task menu listing tasks associated with a patient selected from the patient menu, wherein a medical apparatus is required for the task. The method may also include displaying an apparatus list listing the medical apparatus required for the task along with a corresponding location of the medical apparatus as provided by a real-time locating system. The method may also include selecting the medical apparatus from the apparatus list when the medical apparatus is acquired so that the medical apparatus is tagged as being checked out.

In this aspect, the real-time locating system may include a high-accuracy locating system such as an ultra-wideband (UWB) locating system, radio detection and ranging (RADAR) equipment or cameras and/or other imaging equipment or other high-accuracy locating technologies. The medical apparatuses may include, but are not limited to, a mobile lift, a walker, a patient bed, a scanner, for example, a bladder scanner, a glucometer, a respiratory therapy, a VSM, a PCA pump, an spO2 monitor, a language translator, or a fall camera. The display may include a touchscreen display or a display having user inputs, for example, buttons.

In some embodiments of this aspect, the medical apparatus may include an equipment tag that sends a signal to the real-time locating system. The medical apparatus may include a bar code. The method may also include scanning the bar code to tag the medical apparatus as being checked out. The type of caregiver may include at least one of a doctor, a nurse, a technician, or a housekeeper. The medical apparatus may include more than one medical apparatus. The method may also include displaying each of the more than one medical apparatus in the apparatus list. The method may also include displaying the location of the medical apparatus that is closest to the caregiver. The method may also include determining the location of the caregiver with the real-time locating system.

Optionally, in this aspect, a caregiver tag may be provided. The method may also include determining the location of the caregiver based on a signal received from the caregiver tag. The caregiver tag may be at least one of a lanyard or a bracelet. The method may also include displaying the location of the medical apparatus that is closest to the patient's room. The method may also include displaying a medical apparatus that is tagged as checked in. The method may also include tagging the medical apparatus as checked in when the caregiver is finished using the medical apparatus. The method may also include tagging the medical apparatus as requires cleaning when the caregiver is finished using the medical apparatus.

It may be contemplated, in this aspect, that the apparatus list includes a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that is located near the first medical apparatus. The method may also include displaying a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that are located in the same room. The method may also include displaying a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that are located in the same area of a healthcare facility.

According to a fifth aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an equipment locating system may include a plurality of medical apparatuses required for patient treatment and having equipment tags. A real-time locating system may be configured to determine a location of each of the plurality of medical apparatuses by receiving a signal from the equipment tags. The real-time locating system may include a plurality of receivers mounted at fixed locations and in wireless communication with the equipment tags. The real-time locating system may also include at least one computer communicatively coupled to the plurality of receivers. The equipment tags, the plurality of receivers, and the at least one computer may cooperate to form a high-accuracy locating system operable to determine a location of the equipment tags. A display on a caregiver device may be configured to display a caregiver menu to select a type of caregiver. The display may display a patient menu listing patients under the care of the type of caregiver selected from the caregiver menu. The display may display a task menu listing tasks associated with a patient selected from the patient menu. A medical apparatus of the plurality of medical apparatuses may be required for the task. The display may display an apparatus list listing the medical apparatus required for the task along with a corresponding location of the medical apparatus as provided by the real-time locating system. The caregiver may select the medical apparatus from the apparatus list when the medical apparatus is acquired so that the medical apparatus is tagged as being checked out.

In this aspect, the real-time locating system may include a high-accuracy locating system such as an ultra-wideband (UWB) locating system, radio detection and ranging (RADAR) equipment or cameras and/or other imaging equipment or other high-accuracy locating technologies. The medical apparatuses may include, but are not limited to, a mobile lift, a walker, a patient bed, a scanner, for example, a bladder scanner, a glucometer, a respiratory therapy, a VSM, a PCA pump, an spO2 monitor, a language translator, or a fall camera. The display may include a touchscreen display or a display having user inputs, for example, buttons.

In some embodiments of this aspect, the medical apparatus may include a bar code and the caregiver may scan the bar code to tag the medical apparatus as being checked out. The type of caregiver may include at least one of a doctor, a nurse, a technician, or a housekeeper. The medical apparatus of the plurality of medical apparatuses may include more than one medical apparatus. Each of the more than one medical apparatus may be displayed in the apparatus list. The display may list the location of the medical apparatus that is closest to the caregiver. The location of the caregiver may be determined by the real-time locating system.

Optionally, in this aspect, a caregiver tag may be provided. The real-time locating system may determine the location of the caregiver based on a signal received from the caregiver tag. The caregiver tag may be at least one of a lanyard or a bracelet. The display may list the location of the medical apparatus that is closest to the patient's room. Each medical apparatus of the plurality of medical apparatuses may be tagged as at least one of checked in, checked out, or requires cleaning. The apparatus list may include medical apparatuses that are tagged as checked in. The caregiver may tag the medical apparatus as checked in when the caregiver is finished using the medical apparatus. The caregiver may tag the medical apparatus as requires cleaning when the caregiver is finished using the medical apparatus.

It may be desired, in this aspect, that the apparatus list includes a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that is located near the first medical apparatus. The display may list a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that are located in the same room. The display may list a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that are located in the same area of a healthcare facility.

According to a sixth aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an equipment locating system may include a caregiver tag coupled to a caregiver in a healthcare facility. A real-time locating system may be configured to determine a location of the caregiver based on a signal received from the caregiver tag. The real-time locating system may include a plurality of receivers mounted at fixed locations and in wireless communication with the caregiver tag. The real-time locating system may also include at least one computer communicatively coupled to the plurality of receivers. The caregiver tag, the plurality of receivers, and the at least one computer may cooperate to form a high-accuracy locating system operable to determine a location of the caregiver tag. A display on a caregiver device may be configured to notify the caregiver of a task for a patient when the caregiver is determined by the real-time locating system to be within a predetermined proximity of a patient's room. The display may display an apparatus list listing a medical apparatus required for the task along with a corresponding location of the medical apparatus as provided by the real-time locating system. The caregiver may select the medical apparatus from the apparatus list when the medical apparatus is acquired so that the medical apparatus is tagged as being checked out.

In this aspect, the real-time locating system may include a high-accuracy locating system such as an ultra-wideband (UWB) locating system, radio detection and ranging (RADAR) equipment or cameras and/or other imaging equipment or other high-accuracy locating technologies. The medical apparatuses may include, but are not limited to, a mobile lift, a walker, a patient bed, a scanner, for example, a bladder scanner, a glucometer, a respiratory therapy, a VSM, a PCA pump, an spO2 monitor, a language translator, or a fall camera. The display may include a touchscreen display or a display having user inputs, for example, buttons.

In some embodiments of this aspect, the caregiver tag may be at least one of a lanyard or a bracelet. The apparatus list may include a medical apparatus that is closest to the caregiver. The apparatus list may include a medical apparatus that is closest to the patient's room. The apparatus list may include a medical apparatus that is tagged as being checked in. The caregiver may tag the medical apparatus as being checked in when the caregiver is finished using the medical apparatus. The caregiver may tag the medical apparatus as requires cleaning when the caregiver is finished using the medical apparatus.

Optionally, in this aspect, the apparatus list may display more than one medical apparatus. The apparatus list may include a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that is located near the first medical apparatus. The apparatus list may include a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that are located in the same room. The apparatus list may include a first medical apparatus and a second medical apparatus that are located in the same area of a healthcare facility.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1and2, an equipment locating system100of a healthcare facility is configured to identify equipment101required for care of a patient112by identifying the necessary equipment101on a device103of a caregiver114. The device103may be a handheld device, for example, a phone or a tablet, in some embodiments. The system100determines a location of the caregiver114and enables the caregiver114to select a patient112near the caregiver114on the device103. In some embodiments, the caregiver114is able to select any patient112on the device103. After selecting a patient112, the device103displays a task associated with the patient112. The caregiver114uses the device103to select a task and populate a list of equipment101required for the task. The system100identifies a location of the necessary equipment101and displays the location on the device103.

The illustrated equipment101may be any mobile medical apparatus required for the task. For example, the equipment101may be a mobile lift, a walker, a patient bed, a scanner, for example, a bladder scanner, a glucometer, a respiratory therapy, a VSM, a PCA pump, an spO2 monitor, a language translator, or a fall camera, in some embodiments. As will be appreciated, any portable medical device known or contemplated in the future may be contemplated by the equipment101. Although the equipment101is illustrated in the room adjacent the patient room, it will be appreciated that the equipment101may be located anywhere in the healthcare facility.

The overall system100is subdivided into sub-systems which are themselves, also referred to herein as “systems.” For example, system100includes a locating system, sometimes referred to as a real time locating system (RTLS) in the art, that determines the locations of caregivers114and equipment101throughout the healthcare facility. In some embodiments, the locating system is embodied as a high-accuracy locating system such as an ultra-wideband (UWB) locating system, but this need not be the case in other embodiments of high-accuracy locating systems such as those using radio detection and ranging (RADAR) equipment or cameras and/or other imaging equipment or other high-accuracy locating technologies.

The illustrative locating system includes a plurality of receivers or transceivers104positioned throughout the healthcare facility such as in the patient room, in the hallway of the healthcare facility, and in other locations throughout the healthcare facility (e.g, staff break rooms, bathrooms, pharmacy, treatment rooms, operating rooms, imaging rooms, laboratories, cafeteria, etc.) at the discretion of the system designer. Transceivers104each include a receiver and a transmitter. However, in some embodiments, receivers104receive wireless transmissions but do not send wireless transmissions. In either case, receivers104and transceivers104, as the case may be, are each configured to receive wireless transmissions. Transceivers104and receivers104are each communicatively coupled to other components of the locating system such as by use of wired connections like Ethernet cables or other cables.

The transceivers104or receivers104, as the case may be, receive wireless transmissions from caregiver locating tags102that are worn by respective caregivers114and from equipment tags102that are attached to various pieces of equipment such as patient beds110. Thus, when tag102is worn or carried by a caregiver, it is considered to be a caregiver locating tag102and when tag102is attached to equipment, it is considered to be an equipment locating tag102. Similarly, when tag102is worn or carried by a patient, it is considered to be a patient locating tag102. In the example ofFIG.1, the caregiver locating tag102is coupled to the clothing of the caregiver114, such as with a clip, and the equipment locating tag102is attached to the equipment101such as with a fastener (e.g., bolt, screw, snap, hook-and-loop fastener, adhesive, magnet, etc.). Caregiver locating tags102may instead be worn around the respective caregivers' necks on a necklace or lanyard or attached to the caregivers' wrists on a wristband or bracelet, for example.

In some embodiments, the tags102receive a signal from the transmitter circuitry of one or more of the transceivers104and, in response, transmit a return signal to at least one of the transceivers104. The return signal includes a tag identification (ID) which is unique to each tag102. Such an arrangement preserves battery life of tags102because transmissions of tag ID's are only made by the tags102when in communicative proximity of one or more transceivers104and after receiving a request signal from at least one of the transceivers104. In other embodiments, tags102operate to transmit their respective tag ID's on a periodic basis for receipt by receivers104or transceivers104, as the case may be. In still other embodiments, short range wireless beacons or infrared transmitters are mounted at fixed locations throughout the healthcare facility and send a signal with a location ID to the tags102that are in the vicinity of the short range beacons and, in response to receipt of the signal, the tags102transmit their respective tag ID's and the location ID's to transceivers104or receivers104. In each of these embodiments, transceivers104or receivers104transmit the received tag ID or tag ID's if multiple tags are present, to an RTLS server106of the locating system along with a respective transceiver ID and, if applicable, the location ID.

In some embodiments, the transceiver ID's or receiver ID's correlate to particular locations in the healthcare facility. Thus, the RTLS server106determines the locations of tags102within the healthcare facility by correlating the tag ID's with the transceiver or receiver ID's (and/or the location ID's, if applicable) and, ultimately, with the location correlated with the transceiver or receiver ID's and/or location ID's. RTLS server106also correlates the tag ID's with the respective caregivers wearing tags102and with the equipment to which tags102are attached, as the case may be. In some embodiments, patients112also have tags102for determining the whereabouts of the patients112throughout the healthcare facility as alluded to above. Thus, in some embodiments, the locating system of overall system100includes tags102, transceivers104(or receivers104), and RTLS server106. Tags102are sometimes referred to as “badges” and so the terms “tag” and “badge” are used interchangeably herein.

System100includes network infrastructure which is designated diagrammatically as network108inFIG.2. Network108is intended to represent the infrastructure (e.g., wireless access points, Ethernet jacks such as RJ-45 connectors, wires, routers, gateways, etc.) provided in a healthcare facility and the various computer devices (e.g., personal computers, servers, laptop computers, patient care equipment, etc.) that are coupled to the infrastructure. The various subsystems described herein include components that may communicate with each other using portions of network108. In the illustrative example, transceivers104or receivers104communicate with RTLS server106via portions of network108. In the description that follows, the term transceiver104will be used but the description is equally applicable to embodiments having receivers104unless specifically noted otherwise.

In some embodiments, tags102communicate wirelessly with transceivers104using infrared (IR) technology. In such embodiments, line of sight between tags102and one or more of transceivers104needs to remain unobstructed in order for communication to be established between the tags102and one or more of the transceivers104to determine the location of the tags102in the healthcare facility. Thus, the IR signals cannot pass through walls, equipment, and people located in the room. In general, locating systems that use IR communication between tags102and transceivers104are able to reliably determine that the tags102are located inside a particular room, but are not able to determine the exact location, within a relatively small accuracy threshold, of the tag102within the room.

As noted above, the locating system in some embodiments is embodied as a high-accuracy locating system such as an ultra-wideband (UWB) locating system. In such embodiments, tags102are configured as UWB tags102having UWB transceivers or transmitters, and transceivers104are configured as UWB transceivers or UWB receivers. The description that follows refers to UWB transceivers104but is equally applicable to embodiments using UWB receivers104unless specifically noted otherwise.

The UWB transceivers104are stationary and the UWB transceivers of tags102are mobile, but their circuitry otherwise may be substantially the same. Thus, tags102and transceivers104each include a housing that contains associated circuitry. The circuitry of tags102and transceivers104includes, for example, a processor such as a microprocessor or microcontroller or the like, memory for storing software, and communications circuitry including a transmitter, a receiver and at least one antenna. Transceivers104each include mounting hardware, such as brackets or plates or the like, in some embodiments, to permit the transceivers104to be mounted at fixed locations in the patient rooms and other locations of the healthcare facility with fasteners such as screws or the like.

In the illustrative example of system100ofFIG.1, the high-accuracy locating system further includes a UWB hub computer150which is communicatively coupled to other UWB hub computers150of the high-accuracy locating system via network108of the healthcare facility. UWB hub computer150serves as an intermediary between transceivers104and RTLS server106. Of course, the other UWB hub computers150are also communicatively coupled to respective sets of transceivers104. In the illustrative example, the high-accuracy locating system is also communicatively coupled to the device103and to other servers or computers of the healthcare facility, such as to an EMR server154or an admission/discharge/transfer (ADT) computer, just to name a couple.

Referring toFIG.3, the device103includes a display160that may be embodied as a touch screen display, as illustrated. In some embodiments, the device103may include buttons or dials for the caregiver to navigate through various menus. In the illustrative embodiment, the display160includes a caregiver menu162that lists all of the caregivers114on duty. In some embodiments, the caregiver menu162may only list those caregivers within a particular department, for example, the emergency room. In another embodiment, the caregiver menu162is not provided and only patients and tasks assigned to the caregiver114to whom the device belongs are displayed.FIG.4illustrates an exemplary caregiver list220that may be populated by selecting the caregiver menu162. In the illustrative embodiment, the caregiver list220includes selections for doctor222, nurse224, technician226, and housekeeper228. The user of device103selects the entry that corresponds to their position by pressing the entry or swiping the entry. It should be noted that other types of caregivers114may be contemplated. In some embodiments, the caregiver list220lists the names of the caregivers114. For example, if multiple doctors and nurses are assigned to a department, the caregiver list220may display each doctor and nurse by name.

A patient menu166(shown inFIG.3) shows a list of patients112currently admitted to the healthcare facility. In some embodiments, the patient menu166only lists those patients112admitted in a particular department of the healthcare facility, i.e. the emergency room. In yet another embodiment, the patient menu166only provides the names of patients112under the care of a caregiver114selected from the caregiver menu162. In an embodiment that does not include a caregiver menu, the patient menu166may only list the patients112of the caregiver114to whom the device103belongs.FIG.5illustrates and exemplary patient list230that is populated by selecting the patient menu166. The patient list230includes the name of each patient112assigned to the respective caregiver114. To select a patient112, the caregiver114may press or swipe the patient name.

In some embodiments, the patient list230is limited by a location of the caregiver114. In such an embodiment, the system100determines the location of the caregiver114and only lists the patients112within a predetermined distance to the caregiver114. For example, the patient list230may only list the patients112within a predetermined radius to the caregiver114. In another example, the patient list230may only list the patients112within the same department or area of the healthcare facility in which the caregiver114is positioned. The caregiver114may be able to alter the settings of the device103to display all patients112under their care or only patients112within a predetermined area.

A task menu168(shown inFIG.3) provides a list of tasks for each patient112. For example, the task menu168may list all tasks to be accomplished in the healthcare facility or in a particular department. In some embodiments, the task menu168lists only the tasks required for the patient112selected in the patient menu166. Upon selecting a task from the task menu168, an equipment list250is populated to display each piece of equipment101required for the task.FIG.6illustrates an exemplary task menu240that is displayed after selecting a patient from the patient list230. The task menu240includes all uncompleted tasks related to the patient112. In the exemplary embodiment, a nurse has been selected as the caregiver for John Doe. The task list240includes IV therapy, medication, and turning the patient. Each of these tasks may be selected by pressing or swiping the task.

FIG.7illustrates an exemplary equipment list250. In the illustrative embodiment, the equipment list250for IV therapy includes an IV, a PCA pump, a scale, and an SpO2 monitor. The caregiver114can select a piece of equipment101by pressing or swiping the equipment101in the equipment list150, as shown inFIG.8, wherein the SpO2 monitor260has been selected. The caregiver114is then notified of a location of the equipment.

In some embodiments, the patient list230is only available after selecting a caregiver from the caregiver list220. Likewise, the task list240may only be available after selecting a patient112from the patient list230. In a similar manner, an equipment list250may only populate after selecting a task from the task list240.

Referring back toFIG.3, the device103, is connected to various systems through the network108. A rounding server200provides information related to caregivers114on duty and tasks for their patients. For example, the rounding server200may cause all caregiver tasks to be displayed or may only cause the tasks associated with a selected caregiver to display. Once a task is completed, the caregiver114can notify the rounding server200to remove the task.

An ADT feed202transmits data related to the patient112to the device103. For example, the data may include bibliographic data, health history, etc. While this data is delivered to the device103, in the illustrative embodiment, the caregiver114cannot utilize the device103to alter the data. In some embodiments, the caregiver114may have the option to edit the patient data and send the edits back to the ADT feed202.

The EMR server154sends data to and receives data from the device103. The EMR server154may document the equipment101in use, as well as, billing for the equipment101. The EMR server154also documents tasks that have been completed. The EMR server154is in communication with an order entry server208that determines medication, therapy, and treatment orders. For example, a doctor may enter an order for a blood draw into the order entry server208. This order is communicated to the device103through the EMR server154so that the ordered blood draw is including in the task menu168.

Referring toFIG.9, upon selecting a piece of equipment101from the equipment list250, a map300of the healthcare facility is displayed on the display160. The map300includes an icon302showing the location of the equipment101and an icon304showing the position of the caregiver114. Data310related to the equipment101is also displayed above the map300. In an exemplary embodiment, the equipment101may be tagged as “not in use,” “in use,” or “requires cleaning.” The map300only includes the location of equipment101that is “not in use.” In this manner, the caregiver114avoids locating equipment101that is not available. Further, the map300may only display the equipment101that is closest to the caregiver114so that the caregiver114can save time in obtaining the equipment101. In some embodiments, the task may require multiple pieces of equipment101. In such a scenario, the system100identifies the necessary pieces of equipment101that are located near each other. For example, the map300may only display a first piece of equipment101and a second piece of equipment101that are in the same area of the healthcare facility or in the same room. The system100identifies the pieces of equipment101that are closest to reduce time spent gathering the equipment101.

When the caregiver114acquires the necessary equipment101, the caregiver may tag the equipment as “in use” so that other caregivers do not try to acquire the same piece of equipment101. This tagging is accomplished either through the device103and/or by scanning a bar code320(shown inFIG.1) on the equipment101. As illustrated inFIG.10, a QR code330is populated in the device103to enable the caregiver114to scan the equipment101. The QR code330can also be scanned to populated information, such as instructions, related to the equipment101. In the illustrative embodiment, the device103may also be Bluetooth enabled331. The display160also includes an information icon332that populates information, such as instructions and troubleshooting. Upon returning the equipment101, the caregiver114can check the equipment101in as “not in use” or “requires cleaning.” If the equipment is tagged as “requires cleaning,” a technician or housekeeper may be notified.

Referring now toFIG.10, a flowchart400illustrates a method for utilizing the system100. At block402, the user of the device103selects a caregiver114from the caregiver list220. The user may select a type of caregiver220, i.e. doctor, nurse, technician, or housekeeper. Alternatively, the user may select a caregiver114by name. In some embodiments, block402may be skipped as only the caregiver114to whom the device103belongs may be automatically selected.

Upon selecting a caregiver114, the display160shows the patient list230listing the patients112under the care of the selected caregiver114, at block404. In some embodiments, all of the patients112under the care of the caregiver114are displayed in the patient list230. In other embodiments, only patients112within the predetermined area near the caregiver114are listed. At block406, the user selects a patient112from the patient list230and the task list240is populated, at block408. The task list240includes all of the tasks required for the selected patient112.

At block410, the user selects a task from the task list240, and, at block412, the equipment101required for the task is populated in the equipment list250. The user then selects at least one piece of equipment, at block414. At block416, the system100identifies the closest equipment101needed and displays the map300. When more than one piece of equipment101is selected, the system100identifies the pieces of equipment101that are closest to one another, for example, in equipment101in the same room or equipment101in the same area of the healthcare facility. The system100may only display the equipment101that is “not in use” or “available for use.” When the user acquires the needed equipment101, the equipment101is checked out, at block418, as set forth above. The system100then tags the equipment101as “in use.”

FIG.12illustrates a flowchart450of one operation of the system100. At block452, the system100determines a location of the caregiver114. The system100determines whether the caregiver114is near a patient room housing a patient112in need of care, at block454. The system100may determine if the caregiver114is in a patient room, within a predetermined distance to a patient room, or within the same area or department of the healthcare facility as the patient room. If the caregiver114is not, at456, in the same area as a patient112, the system100continues to continue determining the location of the caregiver114.

If the caregiver114is in the same area as the patient112, at458, the system100identifies the necessary equipment101needed for patient care, at block460. At block462, the system100determines whether the equipment101is “in use” or otherwise unavailable. If the equipment101is “in use” or otherwise unavailable, at block464, the system100identifies the next closest piece of equipment101. If the equipment101is not “in use,” at block466, the system100notifies the caregiver114of the location of the equipment101. Upon acquiring the necessary equipment101, the caregiver114checks the equipment out, as set forth above. The system100then tags the equipment101as “checked out” or “in use,” at block468

When the caregiver114is done using the equipment101, the caregiver114notifies the system100by scanning the equipment or utilizing the device to check the equipment in. At block470, the system100identifies the checked in equipment101. If the equipment101requires cleaning the system100may tag the equipment101as such. Otherwise, the system100tags the equipment101as “not in use,” at block472. The equipment101then becomes available for future use.

Although this disclosure refers to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the subject matter set forth in the accompanying claims.