Abstract:
The present invention is comprised of an interactive outpatient internet based network for providing automated outpatient medical follow up and support services. The present invention is further comprised of automated interactive customized modules to provide medical personnel with daily reports on outpatient treatment progress and condition. The present invention is further comprised of modules that create a cost effective interactive connection between an outpatient and medical staff where distance and lack of contact places an outpatient at greater risk of relapse and prevent medical personnel from performing desired follow up services.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Modern health care has advanced in recent years to better serve the patient population. A typical hospital or surgery center stay includes frequent nursing duties such as checking blood pressure. The patient&#39;s diet is regulated by staff nutritionists and trained kitchen staff to meet dietary limitations and restrictions. Daily doctor visits to a patient&#39;s room help assess the patient progress and condition. Due to rising hospital costs and population growth however hospital and surgery center stays are being shortened to cut patient expense and make a bed available for another patient. The patient then becomes an outpatient, waiting weeks or even months for a follow-up medical examination and consultation. 
         [0002]    The medical staff is tasked with trying to remember to make follow-up phone calls once a week or less frequently to assess an outpatient&#39;s response to medications and general progress. The one or two minute telephone call provides little comprehensive evaluation of a patient condition and cannot answer an outpatient questions that arise on days before and after the brief call. This disconnect between an outpatient and medical staff places the outpatient at greater risk of relapse and the medical staff in a professional and moral catch 22 where the desire to provide quality health care and patient availability are at odds with one another. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of an overview of an interactive outpatient internet based network of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of an interactive outpatient internet based network of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of automated scheduling, reminder and alert modules of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4A  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of an automated daily food intake module of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4B  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of a dietary and nutrition resource module of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of an outpatient virtual examine room module of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of an automated outpatient progress reporting module of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of an outpatient meal delivery system of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In a following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific example in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
       General Overview: 
       [0012]    It should be noted that the descriptions that follow, for example, in terms of an interactive outpatient internet based network is described for illustrative purposes and the underlying system can apply to all types of outpatient categories and health care centers. In one embodiment of the present invention, the interactive outpatient internet based network may include customized modules and capabilities to provide interactive service to obese weigh loss outpatients. The interactive outpatient internet based network can be configured to include modules and capabilities to service cardiac outpatients and can be configured to provide medical monitoring of patient treatment progress and inform medical staff of changes in outpatient conditions using the present invention. 
         [0013]    The present invention provides a reconnection between an outpatient and medical staff. The outpatient can communicate easily to get answers to questions, report on a daily basis their activities and adherence to post treatment regimen, receive feedback on their progress and get guidance on their efforts to maintain dietary and other treatment activities. Medical staff can be automatically apprised of outpatient conditions and alerted when progress falls short. The automated features of the present invention provide medical personnel the freedom of time to attend other patients and still maintain daily oversight of an outpatient condition and progress. The outpatient is less likely to become depressed or anxious about being cut lose from the daily hospital attention and care giving. The outpatient can remained connected on a daily basis to the medical care system and guidance rather than count the calendar days until the next scheduled office visit of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of an overview of an interactive outpatient internet based network of one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  shows an interactive outpatient internet based network  100  for managing the daily diet and wellness condition of outpatients to provide the patient with support services and allow physicians to monitor the patient daily regime and progress. The interactive outpatient internet based network  100  is configured to allow one or more outpatient  110 , medical personnel  120  and a medical center  130  to maintain daily contact of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0015]    The interactive outpatient internet based network  100  can be configured to use an interactive internet accessible website server  140  to provide an electronic connection between the outpatient  110  and medical personnel  120 . The outpatient  110  is able to report their activities relating to the prescribed medical regime provided by the medical center  130 . The outpatient  110  reporting is inputted through the interactive internet accessible website server  140  and recorded in a database software system  150 . The database software system  150  is configured with one or more customized modules  160  to add outpatient  110  activities input to their medical records of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0016]    The customized modules  160  can be configured to automatically evaluate the data received from the outpatient  110 . The customized modules  160  can be configured for example to evaluate outpatient  110  reported food intake to compare daily intake with dietary goals. The customized modules  160  can be configured to for example to automatically predict possible patient progress based on reported activities. The customized modules  160  can be configured to generate messages to an outpatient using automated response modules  170  of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0017]    The customized modules  160  can be configured to automatically for example search the database software system  150  and retrieve food alternatives that are lower in salt content when the automated evaluation indicates higher than desired sodium levels. The automated response modules  170  can be configured to for example automatically compose and send an email message to the outpatient  110  alerting them of the increased sodium level and send information for the food alternatives that are lower in salt content. The automated response modules  170  can be configured for example to send a copy of the email message to medical personnel  120  to alert them of the higher sodium levels and better monitor the patients condition on a daily basis while the outpatient  110  is out of a medical center  130  or hospital setting. The medical personnel  120  can reply to the automated message and send additional instructions and guidance to the outpatient  110 . The message including any replies is logged into the outpatient  110  medical records of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0018]    The interactive outpatient internet based network  100  can be accessed by the outpatient from home and while traveling great distances from the medical center  130 . The interactive outpatient Internet based network  100  provides updates on outpatient  110  activities, direct and automated interaction between patient and medical staff, automated evaluations and automatically maintaining accurate and daily patient progress and conditions. The interactive outpatient internet based network  100  creates a cost effective, convenient and more comprehensive program for managing outpatient  110  health care and keeping an outpatient connected to their health care professional of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       Detailed Operation: 
       [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of an interactive outpatient internet based network of one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  shows the interactive outpatient internet based network  100  providing a treatment connection between the outpatient  110  and their health care professionals. The outpatient  110  can log into the interactive outpatient internet based network  100  through the interactive internet accessible website server  140 . The outpatient  110  can provide outpatient input  200  involving their treatment progress, questions, physical, emotional and mental conditions and report activities. The outpatient  110  can use an outpatient I/O device  202  to connect to the network. The outpatient I/O device  202  can be any electronic device such as a computer, iphone, ipad, smart phone, and other digital devices of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0020]    The interactive internet accessible website server  140  can be configured to connect to the database software system  150  to use one or more customized modules  160  to for example record outpatient activities  210  in outpatient medical records  220 . The interactive outpatient internet based network  100  uses one or more customized modules  160  for example the automated response modules  170  to generate automated responses to outpatient  204  input issues. The outpatient I/O device  202  can be used to connect to various outpatient interactive communications modules  250 . The outpatient interactive communications modules  250  can be configured to provide text, voice and video communications between the outpatient  110 , the medical personnel  120  and the medical center  130  of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0021]    The one or more customized modules  160  can be configured to perform automated outpatient input evaluations  230  and report those evaluations to the medical personnel  120 . The medical personnel  120  can review automated evaluations  260  to determine whether to adjust outpatient treatment regimen  270 . The one or more customized modules  160  records the medical personnel  120  services and performs automated outpatient services reporting  230 . The automated outpatient services reporting  230  is transmitted to the medical center  130  to be used in quality care administration and automated reporting  294  of agency tracking criteria. The medical center  130  uses one or more customized modules  160  to perform network management  290  services and process automated billing for services  292  of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0022]    The interactive outpatient internet based network  100  uses one or more customized modules  160  to track outpatient progress on a daily basis. The interactive outpatient internet based network  100  provides the outpatient  110  with a daily connection to the medical center  130  and medical personnel  120  to enhance their treatment results and relieve anxiety commonly felt when facing the treatment regimen alone of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       Automated Scheduling, Reminder and Alert Modules 
       [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of automated scheduling, reminder and alert modules of one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  shows the interactive Internet accessible website server  140  using one or more customized modules  160  configured to record, automatically schedule and report task completion notices using the automated response modules  170  using the outpatient interactive communications modules  250  of  FIG. 2 . One or more customized modules  160  can be configured for example as an automated scheduling module  300 . The automated scheduling module  300  can be configured to create for example periodic appointments using the coordinated to the schedules of medical personnel  120  of  FIG. 1  and the outpatient  110  of  FIG. 1  to discuss treatment progress. The medical personnel  120  of  FIG. 1  can record desired dates and times to perform follow-up communications of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0024]    One or more customized modules  160  can be configured for example as an automated reminder message module  310  to alert an outpatient  110  of  FIG. 1  for example to take medications, control sodium intake, complete prescribed regimen, report immediately any deteriorating or worsening conditions and negative symptoms from medications, foods or activities and remind them of office appointments. The automated reminder message module  310  can be configured to send appointment reminders to the medical personnel  120  of  FIG. 1 . The automated reminder message module  310  can be configured to include automatic email messages for example that list preoperative do&#39;s and don&#39;ts for an outpatient  110  of  FIG. 1  and an automatic outpatient  110  of  FIG. 1  check off reply reporting compliance or noncompliance which could generate an automatic alert to medical personnel  120  of  FIG. 1  that the procedure might be postponed or rescheduled. The automated reminder message module  310  provides services to both the outpatient  110  of  FIG. 1  and medical personnel  120  of  FIG. 1  keeping the outpatient  110  of  FIG. 1  treatment process on track. The system of claim  1 , wherein the automated reminder message module can be configured to include automatic email messages for example that list preoperative do&#39;s and don&#39;ts for an outpatient and an automatic outpatient check off reply reporting compliance or noncompliance which could generate an automatic alert to medical personnel that the procedure might be postponed or rescheduled track of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0025]    One or more customized modules  160  can be configured for example as an automated alert module  320  to send automated messages to medical personnel such as report a lack of web based interaction by an outpatient. The automated alert module  320  can be configured to report negative progress on the outpatient  110  of  FIG. 1  to medical personnel  120  of  FIG. 1  to advise them to make contact with the outpatient  110  of  FIG. 1  to determine reasons for no interaction and confirm condition of the outpatient  110  of  FIG. 1 . The automated alert module  320  can be configured to send automated messages to an outpatient  110  of  FIG. 1  such as they have reached the limitation set on salt intake or that they did not report taking a medication of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       Automated Daily Food Intake Module 
       [0026]      FIG. 4A  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of an automated daily food intake module of one embodiment of the present invention. The diet of an outpatient  110  can have significant impacts on their recovery or ongoing treatment. Different classifications of patients when released from hospital care for example obese weight loss and cardiac outpatients must maintain a strict dietary regimen to effect beneficial treatment results. This can be very difficult when facing each day alone without others to offer encouragement and remind the outpatient  110  of the importance to adhere to the diet. Some outpatients simply do not have the culinary skills or knowledge to determine whether they are straying. The interactive outpatient internet based network  100  of  FIG. 1  provides the outpatient  110  with the support on a daily basis to remain on track and provide the knowledge base to better enable them to evaluate and stay faithful to this vital element of their treatment of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4A  shows the outpatient  110  accessing the interactive internet accessible website server  140  to enter outpatient dietary input  402  daily for each meal. The outpatient dietary input  402  is record in the database software system  150 . The database software system  150  provides the outpatient  110  with pull down menu items  435  from various forms modules  430  to make it easier for the outpatient  110  to enter outpatient dietary input  402 . The database software system  150  automatically sends the outpatient dietary input  402  to an automated daily food intake module  400 . The automated daily food intake module  400  proceeds to record outpatient proposed meal content  404  for further processing as described in  FIG. 4B  of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0028]    The automated daily food intake module  400  upon receipt of additional outpatient  110  input proceeds to record actual outpatient meal content consumed  406 . The automated daily food intake module  400  can be configured to provide automated diet limits status alerts to outpatient  410 . For example a cardiac outpatient  110  must keep close watch on their salt and sodium intake. The automated daily food intake module  400  can be configured to keep totals on the dietary intake to allow tracking dietary habits and intake  420  for each outpatient  110 . The tracking dietary habits and intake  420  allows further evaluation by medical personnel  425  to more closely monitor an outpatient  110  condition on a daily basis of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0029]    The automated daily food intake module  400  can be configured to further process the results of the processing described in  FIG. 4B  for example automatically generate a report to the outpatient  440  to provide immediate feed back on calories, fats etc.  442  determined from the outpatient proposed meal content  404 . The automated daily food intake module  400  can be configured to provide additional reports to provide guidance and alternatives to outpatients  444 . The reports are transmitted to the outpatient  110  through the automated response modules  170 . The interactive nature of the automated daily food intake module  400  provides the outpatient  110  with the support to maintain adherence to the dietary regimen of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0030]    DIETARY AND NUTRITION RESOURCE MODULE: 
         [0031]      FIG. 4B  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of a dietary and nutrition resource module of one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4B  shows a process continuing from  FIG. 4A  wherein the interactive outpatient internet based network  100  of  FIG. 1  can be configured to include a dietary and nutrition resource module  450 . The dietary and nutrition resource module  450  can be configured to perform automated evaluation of the outpatient proposed meal content  404  that is transmitted from the database software system  150 . The dietary and nutrition resource module  450  can be configured as a cross referenced listing of foods and ingredients and their nutritional information  460 . The cross referenced listing of foods and ingredients and their nutritional information  460  can for example include various food types  461 , recipes  462  and their ingredients, prepared foods identifiable by the commercial brand names  464 , restaurant menu items  466  from regional eateries and other information sources  468  related to nutritional information of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0032]    The dietary and nutrition resource module  450  can be configured to automatically evaluate the nutritional values  470  of the outpatient proposed meal content  404 . The dietary and nutrition resource module  450  can be configured to automatically list suggestions for alternative foods and preparation methods  480  to inform the outpatient  110  of  FIG. 1 . The dietary and nutrition resource module  450  can be configured to suggest substitute foods, if an ingredient is outside the limits of a prescribed or suggested food dietary regimen  490 . The dietary and nutrition resource module  450  can be configured to automatically transmit the outpatient proposed meal content  404  nutritional evaluation and any food or preparation alternatives to the automated daily food intake module  400  of  FIG. 4A  for further processing to relay the information to the outpatient  110  of  FIG. 1  to adjust the meal ingredients if advisable to allow the outpatient to better adhere to the prescribed dietary regimen of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0033]    OUTPATIENT VIRTUAL EXAMINE ROOM MODULE: 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of an outpatient virtual examine room module of one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  shows a convenient, low cost effective method to conduct an out of the office consultation between the outpatient  110  and medical personnel  120 . The interactive outpatient internet based network  100  of  FIG. 1  can be configured to include outpatient interactive communications modules  250 . The outpatient interactive communications modules  250  can be configured to create an outpatient virtual examine room module  500 . The outpatient virtual examine room module  500  can be configured to allow two way text and verbal communication between the outpatient  110  and medical personnel  120  to discuss the patient progress and condition of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0035]    The outpatient virtual examine room module  500  can be configured to include text chat messaging  510 . The outpatient virtual examine room module  500  can be configured to include an automated virtual examine room transcription module  520  to record online text messages in a dialogue format. The outpatient virtual examine room module  500  can be configured to include voice communication  530  between the outpatient  110  and medical personnel  120  wherein voice and speech recognition software  540  can allow the automated virtual examine room transcription module  520  to transcribe and record the conversation of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0036]    The outpatient virtual examine room module  500  can be configured to include video conferencing  560  between the outpatient  110  and medical personnel  120 . The outpatient  110  can use a webcam to produce an outpatient video feed  550  to enable the video conferencing  560 . The video conferencing  560  sessions can be processed into a digital video recording  570  that can be stored in the outpatient medical records  220  of  FIG. 2 . The outpatient virtual examine room module  500  video conferencing  560  feature allows the outpatient  110  and medical personnel  120  to physically see one another. This adds great value to the capability of the outpatient virtual examine room module  500 . During a video conferencing  560  consultation and examination for example when indicated to evaluate visible sores that have developed, skin conditions or other difficult to assess conditions. The medical personnel  120  can better evaluate the severity of the condition and ask the outpatient  110  to immediately come to the medical office or seek emergency room care of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0037]    The interactive outpatient internet based network  100  including the outpatient virtual examine room module  500  provides a comprehensive outpatient  110  follow-up program by medical personnel  120 . The outpatient  110  is able to stay connected to the medical services that otherwise would not be available. The medical personnel  120  can fulfill their desire and duty to monitor the outpatient  110  progress and condition with a frequency that otherwise would not be available. The medical center  130  of  FIG. 1  can provide comprehensive and efficient quality outpatient health care at lower costs that otherwise would not be available. The interactive outpatient internet based network  100  fills the void that exists currently with cost effective automated outpatient patient tracking of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0038]    AUTOMATED OUTPATIENT PROGRESS REPORTING MODULE: 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of an automated outpatient progress reporting module of one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  shows the outpatient  110  entering outpatient input  200  through the interactive internet accessible website server  140  to report self administered test and self assessment of their condition. The outpatient  110  can call up an automated outpatient progress reporting module  600  to enter the results of the self administered test and give their own assessment of their conditions. The automated outpatient progress reporting module  600  automatically queries database software system  150  to select from the forms modules  430  to display one or more of the pull down menu items  435  of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0040]    The outpatient  110  enters the self administered test results into the proper blank of the pull down menu items  435 . The self administered test results can include for example blood pressure readings  610 , pulse and weight  620 . The outpatient  110  enters into the pull down menu items  435  their own assessment of their conditions for example sleep patterns  630 , physical energy levels  640 , appetite  650  and other outpatient activities and conditions  660 . The automated outpatient progress reporting module  600  performs automated outpatient input evaluations  230  using the newest outpatient input  200  and past data stored on the database. The automated outpatient progress reporting module  600  automatically prepares progress reports to send to medical personnel  120  to review. The automated outpatient progress reporting module  600  also processes the progress reports including graphical results charts to the automated response modules  170  to generate immediate feedback responses to outpatient  204  of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0041]    The automated outpatient progress reporting module  600  standardizes the input format of self administered test and self assessments by the outpatient  110 . The ability of the outpatient  110  to accurately provide this progress information on a daily basis allows medical personnel  120  to better evaluate the outpatient  110  condition. The medical personnel  120  can make informed timely adjustments in the outpatient  110  treatment regimen of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0042]    OUTPATIENT MEAL DELIVERY SYSTEM: 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of an overview flow chart of an outpatient meal delivery system of one embodiment of the present invention. The interactive outpatient internet based network  100  of  FIG. 1  forms a support network for the outpatient  110  to keep them connected to the health care providers. This support network extends that support for an outpatient  110  who may not have the desire to or be able to cook and prepare their own meals for example reduced mobility, poor eye sight or just a lack of cooking ability. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  shows an outpatient meal delivery system  700  wherein an outpatient  110  can enter outpatient input  200  through their outpatient I/O device  202  to the interactive internet accessible website server  140 . The outpatient meal delivery system  700  automatically loads a pull down meal delivery menu item selection order form  710  from the forms modules  430 . The outpatient  110  makes selections from the meals, including drinks and snacks, listed on the menu and can submit the order. The outpatient meal delivery system  700  automatically generates the order and reports that for meal preparation  740  and the food delivery system  750  to get the prepared meals delivered to the outpatient  110  residence. The outpatient meal delivery system  700  automatically generates the billing for the meal order and processes that to the medical center  130  of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0045]    The outpatient meal delivery system  700  automatically receives evaluation reports from the automated daily food intake module  400 , dietary and nutrition resource module  450  and automated outpatient progress reporting module  600 . The outpatient meal delivery system  700  automatically uses the evaluations to make meal menu adjustments  720 . The meal menu adjustments  720  can for example change ingredients and portions to increase calories if weight loss is too rapid, reduce calories if weight loss is to slow, reduce salt and sodium if blood pressure is rising and reduce carbohydrates if the outpatient  110  reports trouble falling asleep. The meal menu adjustments  720  are incorporated into an adjusted pull down meal delivery menu item selection order form  710  from which the outpatient meal selections  730  are made. The outpatient meal delivery system  700  and adjustments to the menu will improve the outpatient  110  progress and assist them to maintain a prescribed dietary regimen of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0046]    The foregoing has described the principles, embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed. The above described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should be appreciated that variations may be made in those embodiments by workers skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.