Abstract:
A multimedia computerized patient medical record system is provided that employs an interactive graphic user interface. The patient medical record system organizes data entry, retrieval and presentation to enhance the ability of specialized medical professionals in more efficiently and successfully completing medical decisions, and thus deliver improved patient healthcare. An interactive graphical user interface is provided which is customized based on specialization of particular physician practices. Furthermore, customization yields an attractive easy-to-use system because the interactive graphical user interface is implemented with specific considerations directed to a physician high speed work flow and great dependency on accurate information. Thus, an interactive graphical user interface with an ergonomic implementation is produced in which the display is integrated with an interactive aspect to allow user input and manipulation of the data.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/245,750, filed Nov. 3, 2000 and entitled “Multimedia Computerized Patient Record System” the specification and drawings of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to patient medical record systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a multimedia apparatus employing an interactive graphic user interface that sends and receives patient information via a network.  
           [0003]    Medical professionals, particularly physicians, are involved in a practice of medicine that is highly sophisticated. Technological development makes available voluminous information that a physician is often required to consider quickly in making a medical diagnosis. Furthermore, changes in health care management pressure physicians to make rapid decisions based not only on patient medical information, but also on implications resulting from managed care, such as the limitations imposed on a physician&#39;s decisions from insurance companies. Physicians, therefore, often need to review comprehensive collected data, render a diagnosis and determine future action under the limitations of resources, time, and managed care.  
           [0004]    Patient medical record systems in use today involve an often complex collection of information from various data sources. For example, these data sources can range from simple text to multimedia medical data, MRI data, x-ray data and even 3-D imaging data that may facilitate the determination of a medical diagnosis with improved precision, accuracy and less time. However, a too voluminous availability and presentation of medical data may also impede a physician&#39;s ability to best perform a medical diagnosis.  
           [0005]    Not every physician wants to view all available medical information. Medical professionals are specialized such that preferences of particular types of medical data and information develop. For example, a neurosurgeon&#39;s predilection may be to obtain imaging of the brain and head trauma information, whereas a plastic surgeon may desire blood work and x-rays. Accordingly, medical information delivered in a specialized manner would assist physicians. More relevant information would be quickly provided and less relevant information would be minimally provided to effectively aid the physician in making a diagnosis.  
           [0006]    Current systems are deficient because insufficient and irrelevant medical information is provided to a greater degree than much desired and relevant medical information. Additionally, data acquisition is not effectively executed because either excessive or insufficient amounts are obtained. Further problems with current systems include incomplete data retrieval, and if data is retrieved, then inflexible translation of various data formats. Interfaces provided in current systems are often difficult to use and information is inadequately displayed. Current systems give little consideration to principals of ergonomic design, and also are delinquent in organizing data retrieval in a user-friendly manner. Navigation through current systems is cumbersome, difficult for the medical professional to master, and expends excessive time. Consequently, current systems are limited in becoming a successful medical related diagnostic tool.  
           [0007]    The present invention addresses the forgoing issues by providing a patient medical record system that provides an interactive medical diagnostic tool. The patient medical record system of the present invention organizes data entry, retrieval and presentation to enhance the ability of specialized medical professionals in more efficiently and successfully completing medical decisions, and thus deliver improved patient healthcare. An interactive graphical user interface is provided which is customized based on specialization of particular physician practices. Furthermore, customizations yield an attractive easy-to-use system because the interactive graphical user interface is implemented with specific considerations directed to a physician high speed work flow and great dependency on accurate information. Thus, an interactive graphical user interface with an ergonomic implementation is produced in which the display is integrated with an interactive aspect to allow user input manipulation of the data. These specific considerations are also utilized to select data availability and organization. As specialized physicians may demand quicker access and more detailed data for more relevant medical information and less immediate access and less detail for less relevant medical information based on their particular practice, data organization is developed accordingly.  
           [0008]    The patient medical system may obtain data via a network. Therefore, data is retrieved from a variety of sources and formats. Adequate translation prepares data for viewing and use with the interactive graphical user interface. The interactive graphical user interface provides transmission of input and communicates output via a network in a wireless configuration.  
           [0009]    In comparison with other systems, the patient medical record system of the present invention has several advantages. The graphical user interface is provided in a mobile and wireless configuration. The graphical user interface is arranged in an ergonomic user-friendly manner such that physicians may quickly and accurately manipulate through the patient medical record system. The graphical user interface and data organization is customized for particular practice areas. Moreover, the patient medical record system facilitates medical data collection, analysis and treatment implementation by the physician. The patient medical record system assists any physician&#39;s practice.  
           [0010]    For a more complete understanding of the invention, its objects and advantages, refer to the following specification and to the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a system block diagram illustrating a multimedia patient medical record system of the present invention in a wireless network computer system environment;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the patient medical record system of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a depiction of an exemplary bookmark screen used in the system of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a depiction of an exemplary dictation screen used with the patient medical record system of FIG. 1;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a depiction of a reference screen of the patient medical record system of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a depiction of an exemplary inbox screen of the patient medical record system of FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a depiction of an exemplary chart view screen of the patient record system of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a site map of the patient medical record system of FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a detailed block diagram further illustrating the patient medical record system of FIG. 1; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 10 a - i ;  11   a - c ;  12   a - f ; and  13   a - f  are exemplary screens generated by the medical record system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    The present patient record system will work with a variety of communication system implementations. Local user terminal  10  includes a display  12  which communicates in a wired or wireless configuration with computer  14  and input dictation device  16 . The computer  14  communicates with a network  15  to participate in data transmission and retrieval by interactive services, including but not limited to Internet services, world-wide web services, bulletin board services, e-mail services, multimedia, audio and video delivery services, local area network services, wide area network services and telephone services.  
         [0022]    The patient record system generally shown at  20  is designed to display patient information and related medical information. The user may interact with the system to obtain real time access from any location to a patient&#39;s comprehensive medical record, including text, images, video and audio. Consequently, an interactive GUI (graphical user interface) is provided which facilitates data archiving, retrieval, viewing, point of care diagnosis and treatment recommendation. The preferred GUI is implemented using screens, such as login screens  22 , inbox screens  24 , chart locator screens  26 , planner screens  28 , communication screens  30  by preferably VTEL reference screens  32 , and universal interactive templates  38 , including medicine navigation template  40  and inbox button  42 . Alternatively, patient medical record system  20  may provide audio communication, or combinations of screen-based and audio communication.  
         [0023]    Login screens  22  query a physician or user for security information to guarantee that authorization and access to the system is properly granted. For example, a neurosurgeon provides a specific password or other security information for proper access verification. Patient record system  20  then presents inbox screen  24  from which the user controls medical information retrieval, input and display. Medical navigation template  40  is displayed concurrently with inbox screen  24  and provides interactive capabilities such that the user can control and select changed to a variety of other screen views.  
         [0024]    Any of screens  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  and  32  may include interactive attributes and provide access to individual chart screens  44 . From individual chart screens  44 , communication with data  46  may be established. Individual chart screens  44  display patient information and related medical data for a unique patient. Data  40  is medical information related to the patient and may further include links to other data sources, audio data and video data.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 shows an exemplary graphical user interface screen generally depicted at  200 .  
         [0026]    Interactive GUI screen  200  may be used for chart locator screens, planner screens, communication screens, reference screens, and individual chart screens. Graphical user interface screen  200  includes interactive graphics ergonomically selected, shaped and arranged based on physician workflow related to patient medical analysis, such as but not limited to, medical navigation template  220 , inbox navigation template  230 , control template  240 , data acquisition template  250 , and patient identification icon  270 . The interactive attributes associated with the graphics may be touchscreen activated via a human hand or other activation instrument. Alternatively, voice activation may be utilized.  
         [0027]    Universal to each type of screen provided as interactive GUI screen  200  are medical navigation template  220 , inbox navigation template  230 , control template  240  and data acquisition template  250 . These templates allow user manipulation, including storing and retrieval of information, and relate functionally to data acquisition and analysis.  
         [0028]    Although universally displayed with each type of screen provided, the templates are differentiable based on functionality. Medical navigation template  220  and inbox navigation template  230  are associated with functionality related to navigation within the patient medical record system. For example, when activated, medical navigation template  220  and inbox navigation template  230  retrieve and display different screens. Whereas, control template  240  and data acquisition template  250  are associated with functionality related to navigation action within and based on the display of the current view area  275 . For example, data acquisition template  250  performs action such as linking to additional information related to or referenced regarding particular or generally all information displayed on view area  275 , and control template  240  navigates (up, down, left, right, etc.) within view area  275 .  
         [0029]    Medical navigation template  220  is displayed as an interactive graphic which includes buttons  260  related to a planner, charts, communication, and reference library and is universally present on substantially all screens. Buttons  260  alternate between an “active” status or an “inactive” status. A user may select and activate, one at a time, particular buttons  260  and thereby retrieve a specific screen related to activated button  260 . In the preferred embodiment, Reference Library button  260   a  is active, and therefore graphically modified compared to other inactive buttons. The retrieval of the specific screen replaces the current view of the user screen  200  with the specific screen. For example, a user who activates the chart button  260   b  retrieves a chart screen that is displayed on graphical user interface screen  200 , from which the user may continue manipulating information and performing the patient medical analysis.  
         [0030]    Inbox navigation template  230  is displayed preferably as an individual interactive graphic and is universally present on substantially all screens. Inbox navigation template  230  provides similar functionality as buttons  260  of medical navigation template  220 . Inbox navigation template  230  alternates between active or inactive. Inbox navigation template  230  may be activated to retrieve the inbox screen that replaces the current view of user screen  200 . For example, a user who activates inbox navigation template  230  retrieves their particular inbox screen that is then displayed on user screen  200 .  
         [0031]    Control template  240  includes a number of interactive global function buttons that control the display of the user screen  200  relative to previous retrievals and future retrievals, and allow navigation within the information displayed on user screen  200 . For illustration purposes, control template  230  includes buttons  280   a - d  such as back  280   a , forward  280   b  and select  280   c  which retrieve other screens besides the one currently displayed, additionally backward/forward buttons  280   d  allow cursor movement within view area  275  currently displayed such that the user may navigate the visual information within a screen.  
         [0032]    In the preferred embodiment, control template  240  further includes global function communication buttons such as bookmark button  285  and dictate button  290 . Bookmark button  285  allows a user to input or access visually reference mark information displayed on the particular screen or within view area  275  as textual or graphic information. Dictate button  290  allows a user to input or access audibly reference mark information communicated with relation to the particular screen or view area  275 . Dictate button  290  therefore integrates traditional dictation of physician work flow into the system. The global function communication buttons allow users real time storage of their analysis for greater accuracy and availability. In this manner, attending physicians may archive and retrieve pertinent medical data and analysis information, and thus are greatly assisted by patient medical system as a medical diagnostic tool while utilizing preexisting habits of their established work flow.  
         [0033]    Data acquisition template  250  includes interactive data buttons  255 A-F that are linked or referenced to medical related data sources. Non-limiting examples of data sources include history and examinations  255 A, allergies and substance abuse/habits  255 B, testing and imaging  255 C, consultations/reports  255 D, and demographics/insurance  255 E. Data sources may be located locally or remotely (and retrievable via the network). For each patient medical analysis, the data sources may be queried for relevant information that assists the physician&#39;s professional determination.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3 illustrates a bookmark screen  300  retrievable via a link activated by the bookmark button on another screen. Bookmark screen  300  displays universal medical navigation template  220 , inbox navigation template  230  and control template  240 , which are supplied with substantially each screen displayed. An input screen  310 , an add bookmark button  320 , a delete bookmark button  330  are displayed on bookmark user screen  300 . Add bookmark button  320  provides a “bookmark” or reference indication for the particular screen in which bookmark button was activated. For example, a user viewing a particular chart screen may want to reference or “bookmark” the chart for easy retrieval in the future, and therefore activates the bookmark button at that chart screen. Bookmark screen  300  replaces the view of the current chart screen. Now, the physician uses add bookmark button  320  and implements such a reference. Delete bookmark button  330  removes such a “bookmark.” 
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 4 illustrates a dictation screen  400  retrievable via a link activated by the dictation button on another screen. Dictation screen  400  displays universal medical navigation template  220 , inbox navigation template  230 , and control template  240  which are supplied with substantially every screen displayed. Functional dictation buttons  410 A-E, including record  410 A, stop  410 B, play  410 C and pause  410 D, and submit  410 E, which saves the dictation, are disposed in dictation screen  420  and are interactive. In the preferred embodiment, dictation screen  420  displays visual information related to the dictation. For illustration purposes, dictation screen  470  includes cursor buttons  430  which navigate through the visual information displayed on dictation screen  400 , and dictation buttons  440 .  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 5 illustrates a research screen  500  retrievable by a link activated via the reference button. Additionally, search buttons  510   a - f  and input device  520  are displayed in dictation screen  530 . In the preferred embodiment, dictation screen  530  displays visual information related to the searching. For illustration purposes, search buttons  510  allow a user to navigate to create a new search or search reference sources such as textbooks, journals and customized sources. Input device  520  allows a user to enter textual data. In the preferred embodiment, input device  520  is a keyboard. Alternatively, the input device may be a dictation device for entering audio information, an electronic scanner for entering visual information.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 6 illustrates inbox screen  600  that is preferably retrievable by a link activated via the inbox button on another screen. Inbox screen  600  displays the universal medical navigation template  220 , inbox navigation template  230 , control template  240  and data acquisition template  250  which are supplied with substantially every screen displayed. In the preferred embodiment, data acquisition template  250  includes buttons  620  that index particular new information. Buttons  620  alternate between active and inactive. An active button  620  changes graphically. For illustration purposes, “new tests” button  620   a  is activated, and therefore graphically modified compared to all other inactive buttons. For illustration purposes, data acquisition template buttons include alerts  620   a , new test results  620   b , and correspondences  620   c . Each of the buttons, when activated, link to and display an interactive item list  630  showing the related new information as test result item  660 . Test result items  660  are selectable. For illustration purposes, a selected test result item  660   a  graphically changes to show a highlighted background. One test result item  660  may be selected at a time. If one of four test result items  660  is selected, related patient information is also displayed at picture icon  640  and patient identification display  650 . Picture icon  640  and patient identification display  650  correspond to and change according to the selected test result item  660   a . For example, patient identification display includes information such as name, age, date of birth. If “new tests” button  620   a  is activated, inbox screen  600  displays interactive item list  630  including selected test result item  660   a  “MRI test result.” The physician may now further activate selected test result item  660  that may be linked to additional medical information such as the MRI image.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 7 illustrates an example of one chart view screen of a hypothetical patient&#39;s medical record.  
         [0039]    A site map is generally depicted at  800  of FIG. 8. The site map illustrates the relationship of the various buttons and associated links (to other buttons or screens) employed in the preferred embodiment. A user enters and retrieves patient data or medical information using navigation buttons. A selected navigation button implements linking to certain information or data. A certain combination of buttons may be selected to navigate to a particular screen and further launch other screens, query for additional patient data or medical information, or input additional patient data or medical information. For example, combinations of the navigation buttons yield retrieval of information associated with data acquisition templates (history and navigation, allergies and substance abuse/habits, testing and imaging, consultations/reports and demographics and insurance.) For further explanation regarding the acquisition of information from the data acquisition templates, Table 1 is provided below. The table references FIGS.  10 - 13  and shows which screen displays are active when selected top buttons and side buttons are chosen.  
                                   TABLE 1                       Data                           Acquisition       Top   Side   Other       Template   FIGURE   Button   Button   Button (s)   Screen Display                   History and   10a   1110A   1120B   1160           Examination           10a   1110A   1120B   1150               10a   1110A   1120B                   10a   1110A   1120B   1130               10a   1110A   1120B   1140               10e   1110C   1120B   1162               10e   1110C   1120B   1170               10h   1110A   1120C                   10i   1110A   1120C                   10b   1110A   1120E               Medical   11a   1210B   1220A               Allergies       Substance       Abuse and       Habits           11a   1210B   1220B                   11b   1210B   1220A               Tests and   12a   1310C   1320               Imaging           D/E/F           12a   1310C   1320D   1330               12c   1310C   1320A                   12c   1310C   1320A   1340               12e   1310C   1320B               Consults and   13a   1410D   1420C               Reports           13a   1410D   1420B   1430               13c   1410D   1420D                   13c   1410D   1420D   1440               13e   1410D   1420E                   13e   1410D   1420E   1450   FIG. 13f                  
 
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 9 provides a detailed block diagram of the patient record system of the present invention. Patient record system  900  includes GUI  920 , application  930 , data access  940  and data layer  950 . GUI  920  is preferably interactive and implemented by a touch-screen or other similar interactive input technology which allows a user to easily enter, obtain and manipulate data within patient record system  900 .  
         [0041]    Application  930  includes expert system plug-in  960  that is based on the particular user (or medical professional) such as a neurosurgeon, internal medicine specialist, or psychiatrist. Expert plug-in system  960  may be implemented in software. In the preferred embodiment, plug-in  960 , based on the particular user, configures GUI  920 , selects display screens and layouts, provides navigation buttons with related functions, such as linking, which retrieves certain display screens. Thus, a configured user environment is established which is customized to the particular needs of a user. This makes the patient record system easy for use, quickly accessible for a high speed work flow environment, functional for specialized medical analysis and dependable for retrieval of desired information. During the use of patient record system, application  930  transmits data input, retrieval and manipulation.  
         [0042]    Data input, retrieval and manipulation require transmission and communication between application  930  and data layer  950 . Data layer  950  may include multiple data formats from a variety of sources. The various formats include native formats  960 , foreign formats  970  and portable formats  980  (such as compact discs). Accordingly, data access  940  includes translation of various data formats thus facilitating transmission of data between application  930  and data layer  950 .  
         [0043]    While the invention has been described in its presently preferred embodiment, it will be understood that the invention is capable of modification without departing from the spirit and cope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.