Abstract:
A system for searching for vendor products including a consultant data store, a search engine, and a client interface having an input section and a result section. The consultant data store can be populated with standardized product characteristics for a plurality of products supplied by different vendors. The search engine can compare customer preferences against product characteristic contained in the consultant data store. The input section can be configured for customers to enter customer preferences into a plurality of consultant established fields. The result section can be configured to present a plurality of vendor products based upon search engine results, wherein an indicator based upon a level of correspondence between customer preferences and product characteristics is displayed next to each vendor product. In one embodiment, the products can be electronic medical record products and the client interface can be a Web-based interface configured for health care providers.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to the field of information technology and, more particularly, to a consultation service for matching health care providers with an electronic medical record solution.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     While the majority of health care providers (HCP) and hospitals utilize advanced medical diagnosis equipment, HCP records are typically maintained in hardcopy as opposed to being maintained in an electronic form. Hardcopy record maintenance for medicine can be attributed to traditional business practices, a vast array of disparate records types (such as x-rays, physician notes, medical charts, laboratory results, and the like), patient privacy concerns, HCP liability concerns, and a general lack of electronic information processing experience within the medical community.  
         [0005]     Hardcopy maintenance of medical records is a very costly endeavor to HCPs and patients. HCPs typically require significant warehousing for the physical records, which must be maintained for an extended period. Additionally, a large support staff is necessary to properly retrieve, store, copy, and update hardcopy medical records. Also a reliance upon hardcopy medical records can result in lost records, extensive appointment delays attributable to record access times, patient-doctor lock-in, and a lack of crucial patient information in emergency care situations. Government studies have estimated that a large scale conversion of medical records from hardcopy to an electronic form could result in a ten percent or more cost reduction for heath care without reducing physician salaries.  
         [0006]     HCPs desiring to move from hardcopy record storage to electronic technologies can face a substantial challenge in locating an appropriate electronic medical record solution. HCPs are often daunted by the task of selecting an electronic medical record (EMR) product from the hundreds that exist. HCPs are often swayed by clever sales pitches, demonstrations, or cost when deciding upon an EMR product. Ill selected EMR solutions, however, can result in an EMR product that is overly cumbersome, overly expensive, or insufficiently fulfills the needs of the HCP. What is needed is a simple, cost-effective means of assisting HCP in searching for an appropriate EMR product.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention provides a system, method, and apparatus for assisting a health care provider (HCP) in finding an electronic medical record (EMR) product appropriate for the specific needs of the HCP. More specifically, a database can be constructed that includes standardized characteristics for a multitude of EMR products. An independent consultant can validate database entries for each EMR product to ensure accuracy. a comparison of characteristics of the HCP providers contained in the favored list. The contact mechanism can facilitate communications between the HCP and at least one EMR producer having an EMR product selected from the favored list.  
         [0008]     Another aspect of the present invention can include a service for matching EMR products to HCPs. The service can include the step of registering a multitude of EMR products with the service. The registering step can include receiving and validating EMR product specific values for a multitude of EMR standardized characteristics. One or more HCPs can subscribe to the service. Subscribing can include receiving HCP specific values for core characteristics, which are a subset of the standardized characteristics. A culled list of EMR products can be generated for subscribed HCPs based on a correspondence between the EMR specific values and the HCP specific values for the core characteristics. HCP specific values can also be received for supplemental characteristics, which are another subset of the standardized characteristics. A favored list of EMR products can be constructed based upon a correspondence between the EMR specific values and the HCP specific values for the supplemental characteristics. The favored list can be presented to the HCP.  
         [0009]     Yet another aspect of the present invention can include a system for searching for vendor products. The system can include a consultant data store, a search engine, and a client interface having an input section and a result section. The consultant data store can be populated with standardized product characteristics for a plurality of products supplied by different vendors. The search engine can compare customer preferences against product characteristic contained in the consultant data store. The input section can be configured for customers to enter customer preferences into a plurality of consultant established fields. The result section can be configured to present a plurality of vendor products based upon search engine results, wherein an indicator based upon a level of correspondence between customer preferences and product characteristics is displayed next to each vendor product. In one embodiment, the products can be electronic medical record products and the client interface can be a Web-based interface configured for HCPs.  
         [0010]     It should be noted that the invention can be implemented as a program for controlling a computer to implement the functions described herein, or a program for enabling a computer to perform the process corresponding to the steps disclosed herein. This program may be provided by storing the program in a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, any other recording medium, or distributed via a network. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram for a system supporting health care providers (HCPs) in the selection of an electronic medical record (EMR) solution in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a client GUI in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates another client GUI in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a GUI that can be used by an agent of an EMR consultation service in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements presented herein.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a GUI that can be used by an EMR producer to interact with a consultation service in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements presented herein.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method for matching EMR products to HCPs in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram for a system  100  supporting health care providers (HCPs) in the selection of an electronic medical record (EMR) solution. The system  100  can include consultation service  110  that assists HCP  102  in selecting a suitable EMR solution from offerings of multiple EMR producers  130 .  
         [0019]     In system  100 , each EMR producer  130  can use EMR interface  132  to convey product offerings  144  to the consultation service  110  via network  152 . Data from the offerings  144  can be recorded in records  114  within data store  112 . Each EMR producer  130  can be assigned a unique key or EMR ID used by the record store. The records  114  associated with products of one or more EMR producers  130  can include multiple standardized characteristics that are associated with a specific EMR product. The characteristics can include a series of core characteristics common to all EMR products, as well as additional supplemental characteristics, which can be unique to a subset of EMR products.  
         [0020]     Core characteristics can include, but are not limited to, product cost, operating system, supported HCP size, Web-based or local functionality, interconnectivity options, types of supported records (graphics, video, X-Ray, sound), security, guaranteed uptime, live and onsite product support, and the like. Supplemental characteristics can include, but are not limited to, access to medical expert systems, transcription services, automated patient billing, accounting services, interconnectivity to other medical systems, online appointment scheduling, and the like.  
         [0021]     The consultation services  110  can independently validate the characteristics provided by the EMR producer  130  to ensure accuracy and completeness. For example, an agent  118  can evaluate EMR producer  130  products and use consultant interface  116  to modify the records  114  as needed.  
         [0022]     One or more HCP  102  can utilize HCP interface  104  to submit requirements  140  detailing the EMR needs and desires of the HCP  102  to the consultation service  110  via network  150 . The consultation service  110  can match these requirements against capabilities of EMR products previously stored within record store  112 .  
         [0023]     This match can result in a culled list of available EMR products that potentially satisfy the requirements  140 . The culled list can be presented to agent  118  through consultant interface  116 . The agent  118  can use the culled list to focus upon the EMR products which should be further investigated for the HCP  102 . The agent  118  can further narrow the list into a small number of optimal EMR solutions tailored for the HCP  102 . This narrow list, called a favored list  142  can, for example, include a top three, five, or N number of EMR products. The agent  118  can annotate each of the EMR products on the list to indicate strengths and weakness of one EMR product compared to another EMR product.  
         [0024]     The HCP  102  can receive the favored list  142  and determine whether one of the EMR products appears satisfactory or whether the HCP  102  needs to further refine the requirements  140  to receive a new and different favored list  142 . The agent  118  is available to provide live assistance to guide the HCP  102  through this potentially iterative process. The HCP  102  can also desire contact with particular EMR producers  130  having products on the favored list  142 , which the consultation service  110  can facilitate.  
         [0025]     In matching records and performing other consultation tasks, the consultation service  110  can utilize one or more of a filtration engine  120 , a registration engine  122 , a contact mechanism  124 , and a compensation mechanism  126 .  
         [0026]     The filtration engine  120  can generate a culled list of EMR products based upon a correspondence level of the offerings  144  to the requirements  140 . The culled list can be manipulated by agent  118 , by HCP  102 , and by imposing additional supplemental criteria specified by the HCP  102 . The manipulated culled list can be processed by the filtration engine  120  to generate the favored list  142 . In one embodiment, the filtration engine  120  can also include a feedback/learning mechanism (not shown).  
         [0027]     The registration engine  122  can be used to register EMR products with the consultation service  110 . The contact mechanism  124  can establish one or more channels of communication between the HCP  102  and the EMR producer  130 . Using the consultation service  110  as a communication intermediary can allow the HCP  102  to receive answers to targeted questions without fear of aggressive and undesired solicitations from the EMR producer  130 . The compensation mechanism  126  can be used to track interactions between HCPs  102  and EMR producers  130  so that the consultation service  110  can be assured to appropriate remuneration.  
         [0028]     It should be appreciated that information for a sufficient number of EMR products, core characteristics, and supplemental characteristics can be a condition prerequisite to establishing a desired level of service. For example, a minimum of fifty different registered EMR products can be a lower threshold necessary for providing HCP  102  choice and consultation service  110  independence. Additionally, at least ten core characteristics can be necessary to reasonably differentiate among EMR producer  130  offerings. Further, when system  100  offers twenty or more supplemental characteristics, EMR producers  130  can minimally define their products so that potential customers can make informed product selections.  
         [0029]     As illustrated herein, HCP interface  102 , EMR interface  132 , and consultant interface  116  can represent an interface into a locally implemented computer application, an interface into a remotely located Web-based application, or a combination thereof.  
         [0030]     Networks  150  and  152  can represent any communication mechanism capable of conveying digitally encoded information. Each of the networks  150  and  152  can include a computer network like a local area network or a wide area network, a telephony network like a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a mobile telephone network, a cable network, a satellite network, a broadcast network, and the like. Further, each of the networks  150  and  152  can use wireless as well as line-based communication pathways. Digitally encoded information can be conveyed via network  150  and  152  in accordance with any communication protocol, such as a packet-based communication protocol or a circuit based communication protocol.  
         [0031]     Record store  112  can store information in any recording medium, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. Further, record store  112  can utilize any information retention technique including a file-based storage technique or a database storage technique. Moreover, record store  112  can be a storage area fixed to a geographical location or a storage area distributed across a network space.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  can represent different stages of a client interface used to permit a client to search for vendor products. In one embodiment, the graphical user interface (GUI)  200  and  300  can represent an implementation of the HCP interface  102  of  FIG. 1 . It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited in this regard and that the client interface illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  can be used for search for any vendor product.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrates GUI  200  that includes a navigation bar  205 , a tab section  210 , and an input section  215 . The navigation bar  205  can allow a user to explore sections of the client interface that provide general information regarding EMR records. The navigation bar  205  can include buttons for “getting started”, “news”, “public policy”, “find EMR”, “control panel”, and “logout.” Getting started provides textual help for new users. News provides information pertaining to published EMR record articles. Public policy details advantages of utilizing EMR instead of hardcopy medical records. Control panel jumps the user to user configurable options.  
         [0034]     The tab section  210  provides a quick means for the user to alter content of the GUI  200 . The tab section  210  can include sections for “core”, “supplemental”, “culled list”, “favored list”, “contact EMR”, “contact consultant”, and “home”. Core can permit the entry of customer preferences for consultant established fields relating to core characteristics of EMR products. Supplemental can permit entry of customer preferences for consultant established fields relating to supplemental characteristics of EMR products. Culled list presents a list of EMR products that satisfy the core criteria provided by the user. Favored list provides a list of top EMR solutions as determined by customer criteria and consultant input. Contact EMR establishes a communication between the user and a producer of a currently selected EMR product. Contact consultant establishes a communication between the user and a consultant.  
         [0035]     The input section  215  permits the user to enter customer preferences into the character fields. The characteristics column can represent an identifier for consultant established fields relating to core characteristics of an associated EMR product. The preference column can permit a user to enter a desired value for each characteristic. The rate column can represent a user designated criticality level for the corresponding characteristic. The rate can be to prefer one characteristic over another in accordance with user preference.  
         [0036]      FIG. 3  illustrates GUI  300  that includes tab section  310 , and a result section  315 , where the tab section  310  is identical to tab section  210  of  FIG. 2 . Result section  315  presents a top N number of EMR products specifically selected from the needs of a HCP. The result section  315  can include columns for “EMR product”, “Notes”, “Score”, and “Details”.  
         [0037]     The EMR product column can include a ranked list of preferred providers. The notes column can include notes added by a consultant concerning the associated EMR product. Clicking a button included in the details column can result in a window being displayed that includes further information about the selected EMR product.  
         [0038]     The score column can present a correspondence score between the customer input preferences and the product characteristics. In one embodiment, different levels can be designed instead of a numerical value. Further, the score column can be color coded depending upon previously established correspondence levels. A user option (not shown) can permit a user to display a correspondence between provider characteristics and user entered preferences for each characteristic used to generate the correspondence score. Moreover, each displayed characteristic can be color coded to indicate a correspondence level.  
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a GUI  400  that can be used by an agent of an EMR consultation service in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements presented herein. The GUI  400  can represent an implementation of the consultant interface  116  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0040]     The GUI  400  can include a navigation bar  405 , and a display window  410 . The navigation bar  405  can permit a consultant to navigate from one screen to another within a consultant information system. The navigation bar  405  can include such elements as “EMR Manufacturers”, “Physicians”, “Hospitals”, “Staff”, “EMR Search”, “Add EMR”, “Prospects”, “Reports”, “Follow ups”, “View”, “Overview”, “Edit”, “Contacts”, “Notes”, “Progress”, “Reminders”, “Phone”, and “Report”.  
         [0041]     The display window  410  can present information pertinent to the tab selected in the navigation bar  405 . The illustrated display window  410  includes overview information concerning referrals presented to a particular EMR product.  
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a GUI  500  that can be used by an EMR producer to interact with a consultation service in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements presented herein. The GUI  500  can represent an implementation of the EMR interface  132  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0043]     GUI  500  illustrates a contact screen for establishing a communication between an EMR producer and a HCP. GUI  500  includes a comment navigation bar  505 , a note section  510 , and a reply section  515 . The comment navigation bar  505  can provide a selectable listing of comments conveyed between an EMR producer and a HCP. For each selected comment, a physician or other HCP can provide a question, comment or concern. The EMR producer can respond to each note by inputting a response in the reply section  515 .  
         [0044]     It should be noted that the GUIs of  FIGS. 2-5  are for illustrative purposes only and are not be construed as an attempt to exhaustively specify all contemplated GUI formats. Consequently, the present invention is not to be limited to the precise GUI arrangements presented herein, but should be considered to include GUI derivatives within the scope of the detailed description and within the expertise of an ordinary software designer.  
         [0045]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method  600  for matching EMR products to HCPs in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. The method  600  can be performed in the context of a consultation system, such as the system  100 .  
         [0046]     Method  600  can begin in step  605 , where a multitude of EMR products can be registered with a consulting service. The registration can be automated using a Web-based interface. Registration can involve the completion of a form detailing a multitude of standardized characteristic, established and defined by the consultation service.  
         [0047]     In step  610 , one or more HCPs can subscribe to the consulting service. The subscribing process can require each HCP to specify values for a number of core characteristics that the HCP requires. In step  615 , the HCP specified core characteristics can be conveyed by the HCP to the consulting service. For example, the HCP can use a Web-based interface to provide the consulting service with input. In step  620 , the HCP can optionally specify a criticality level for each core characteristic, which can be used to preferentially weigh selected core characteristics more than others.  
         [0048]     In step  625 , HCP specified core characteristics can be compared against EMR product characteristics. In step  630 , a culled list of EMR products can be generated based upon a correspondence of core characteristics. For example, each EMR product can be assigned a correspondence score. This correspondence score can determine whether an EMR product is included in the culled list or not. In one embodiment, a correspondence threshold can be defined and only those EMR products having a correspondence score above the threshold will be included in the culled list.  
         [0049]     In step  635 , a human agent of the consulting service can be optionally presented with the culled list. The human agent can modify the list based upon personal knowledge concerning the EMR products and the HCP. For example, the human agent can add annotations to the culled list, can manually remove one or more EMR product from the culled list, can manually add one or more EMR product to the culled list, and perform similar operations.  
         [0050]     In step  640 , the modified culled list can be presented to the HCP. The HCP can then manually manipulate the list, adding and deleting selections based upon preferences and HCP knowledge. In step  645 , the HCP can also specify additional, supplemental characteristics, which can be conveyed to the consulting service. In step  650 , a favored list can be constructed based upon the current culled list and the supplemental characteristics. The favored list can, for example, contain the top five EMR products.  
         [0051]     In step  655 , the favored list can be presented to the HCP. In step  660 , the HCP can visually compare characteristics of the EMR products in the favored list. For example, a spreadsheet or chart can present a grid of core and supplemental offerings of each of the EMR products. Individual values can be hyperlinked, the selection of which triggers the presentation of a detailed window for the selected offering.  
         [0052]     In step  665 , contact can be established between the HCP and EMR producer. Contact can be anonymous or interpersonal. For example, contact can consist of a series of email questions and responses to the EMR producer and/or the consulting service. Contact can also include a live communication or an arrangement for a demonstration.  
         [0053]     In step  670 , the contact can result in the HCP purchasing one or more product from the EMR producer. In step  675 , the EMR producer can compensate the consulting service for facilitating the sale. The method  600  can be repeated any number of times resulting in different EMR product-HCP pairings.  
         [0054]     It should be noted that method  600  is presented for illustrative purposes only and that the invention is not limited to the precise details specified within this illustrative embodiment. Instead, the steps presented within  FIG. 6  can be modified by one of ordinary skill in a number of ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the method presented herein.  
         [0055]     For example, the compensation specified in step  675  need not be a royalty paid by an EMR producer on a per-sale basis. Instead, revenue for operating the consulting service can be generated through a registration or subscription charge, through a government grant, through a trust established by health insurance companies, or any other source.  
         [0056]     The present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.  
         [0057]     The present invention also may be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.  
         [0058]     This invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.