Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02712684 2017-01-04
TITLE: SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVISIONING AND TRACKING MEDICAL
SUPPLIES FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES
FIELD
[0001]
Embodiments described herein are directed to the provisioning of
medical supplies and in particular to systems, methods and apparatus for
provisioning medical supplies for specific procedures and tracking medical
supplies associated with those medical procedures.
SUMMARY
[0002] According to one aspect there is provided a system for provisioning
medical supplies for medical procedures. The system comprises at least one
data storage device for storing data related to the provisioning of medical
supplies, and at least one processor operably connected to the at least one
data
storage device. The at least one processor is configured to, for at least one
medical procedure, generate a pick list including predictable medical supplies
for
that procedure based on a template for that procedure, receive data about
predictable medical supplies picked at one or more storage locations for that
procedure based on the pick list and store that data in the at least one data
storage device, and receive data about unpredictable medical supplies picked
at
the one or more storage locations and store that data in the at least one data
storage device.
[0003] In
some embodiments, the at least one processor is further
configured to update the template for that procedure based on the received
data
about unpredictable supplies.
[0004] In some embodiments, the at least one processor is further
configured to receive data about unused medical supplies after the procedure
is
complete, store that data in the at least one data storage device, and update
the
template based on the received data about the unused medical supplies.
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,
[0005] In some embodiments, the at least one processor is
configured to
customize the pick list for each procedure based on preference data for that
procedure stored in the at least one data storage device.
[0006] The at least one location may include a first
location where at least
one of the predictable medical supplies is picked based on the pick list. The
at
least one location may include a second location where at least one of the
unpredictable medical supplies is picked before the procedure. The at least
one
location may include a third location where at least one of the unpredictable
medical supplies is picked during the procedure.
[0007] The system may further comprise at least one electronic data
collection device for collecting data about at least one of the unpredictable
medical supplies being picked and the unused medical supplies being returned,
the electronic data collection device operable to transmit the collected data
to the
at least one processor for storing in the at least one data storage device.
[0008] The at least one processor may be operable to update patient
information based on at least one of the pick list and the unused medical
supplies
after the procedure is complete. The patient information may include financial
information related to supplies consumed during the procedure. The financial
information may include at least one of billing information for charge capture
and
case costing information. The patient information may include medical
information about at least one uniquely identifiable medical supply consumed
during the procedure.
[0009] According to another aspect, there is provided a
method of
provisioning medical supplies for medical procedures. The method includes
generating a pick list using at least one processor, the pick list including
predictable medical supplies for a particular procedure based on a template
for
that procedure, receiving data about predictable medical supplies picked at
one
or more storage locations for that particular procedure based on the pick list
and
storing that data in at least one data storage device, and receiving data
about
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,
,
unpredictable medical supplies picked at one or more storage locations for
that
predictable procedure and storing that data in at least one data storage
device.
[0010] The method may include updating the template for that
procedure
based on the received data about unpredictable supplies.
[0011] The method may further comprise receiving data about unused
medical supplies after the procedure is complete, storing that data in the at
least
one data storage device, and updating the template based on the received data
about the unused medical supplies.
[0012] The method may further comprise customizing the pick
list for each
procedure based on preference data for that procedure stored in the at least
one
data storage device.
[0013] The method may further comprise updating patient
information
based on at least one of the pick list and the unused medical supplies after
the
procedure is complete.
DRAWINGS
[0014] The embodiments herein will now be described, by way
of example
only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:
[0015] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for
tracking
medical supplies according to one embodiment;
[0016] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a method for
tracking
medical supplies according to another embodiment; and
[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a pick list for
use with the
system of Figure 1 and method of Figure 2 according to another embodiment.
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,
,
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Medical facilities such as hospitals are often divided
into multiple
departments, each of which may relate to a particular specialization. Each
department may use general and specific supplies when performing various
different procedures (e.g. surgical procedures). These supplies are often
stored
in different storerooms within the various departments, in centralized
warehouses
that may be located within or adjacent the medical facility, and/or at
different
physical locations.
[0019] General supplies could include common articles such as
bandages
or cleaning rags that are commonly used in many different types of procedures,
while specific supplies could include specialized equipment (e.g. scalpels) or
pharmaceutical drugs (e.g. a particular anesthetic) that are more specific to
the
type of procedure being performed. Some supplies may be expensive "high
value" items, such as medical implants, pacemakers, and so on. Other supplies
may be relatively inexpensive, such as gloves or bandages.
[0020] When preparing for a particular procedure, it is
generally necessary
to collect supplies from the storerooms and warehouses and provide the
supplies
to a location where the procedure will be carried out (e.g. an operating
room).
Generally, this may be done by collecting supplies and placing them onto a
"case
cart", which may then be placed in the operating room for use during the
procedure.
[0021] In some instances, the types and quantities of
supplies needed for
a particular procedure may vary based on a number of different factors. For
example, some supplies may be "predictable" supplies that can be determined
well in advance of a specific procedure. Other supplies may be unpredictable
"pre-case" or "pre-procedure" supplies that may be unknown until shortly
before
the procedure occurs (e.g. the specific sizes of gloves for nurses that will
be in
the operating room during the procedure).
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,
,
[0022] Other supplies may be unpredictable "in-case" or "in-
procedure"
supplies that are only identified as the procedure unfolds. For example, in
some
cases, in-procedure supplies could include unique high value items such as
pacemakers or medical implants. In other instances, the need for in-procedure
supplies may arise due to unforeseen events, such as unexpected complications
during surgery.
[0023] Predictable supplies are normally based on
requirements that are
common for all or a majority of instances of a particular event or type of
procedure. For example, when performing any type of surgery, it may be
predicted that certain supplies will always be required (e.g. a sheet for
covering
the operating table, bandages, gauze, etc.). Furthermore, when performing a
specific type of surgery (e.g. an appendectomy), it may be the case that a
specific type of equipment will always be used (e.g. a certain clamp, a rib-
spreader, etc.).
[0024] These predictable supplies can normally be picked in advance of
the particular procedure depending on the operating schedule. For example, in
some cases predictable supplies may be picked the day before the particular
procedure or a few hours before the procedure is scheduled to occur. As such,
case carts with these supplies can be prepared when nurses or other highly-
skilled personnel have down time, or be prepared by lesser-skilled personnel
based on a list of the predictable supplies.
[0025] However, unpredictable supplies normally cannot be
picked until
shortly before the procedure (e.g. within a few hours or few minutes for pre-
procedure supplies) or even during the procedure itself (e.g. for in-procedure
supplies). In particular, it is often the case that pre-procedure supplies can
be
determined only once certain details about the specific doctor, nursing staff,
or
patient are known. For example, the patient may have an allergy to certain
anesthetics, the nursing staff may need gloves of specific sizes, and so on.
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[0026] Unpredictable in-procedure supplies, on the on the other
hand, can
normally only be picked during the procedure. For example, the need for in-
procedure supplies may arise due to unforeseen compilations that arise during
the procedure. In other instances, the operation must be underway before the
surgeon can determine which particular in-procedure supply is needed (e.g.
what
model or size of a particular medical implant, such as a hip replacement
joint, is
suitable for use with a particular patient).
[0027] Because many supplies are unpredictable, generally it is
difficult to
select more than 80% of the supplies required for a procedure well in advance
of
that procedure. That is, generally, about 80% of the necessary supplies for a
particular procedure may be predictable supplies that can be selected well in
advance of that procedure, about 15% of the necessary supplies are pre-
procedure supplies that can only be predicted and picked shortly before the
procedure begins, and the rest of the necessary supplies (e.g. about 5%) are
in-
procedure supplies that can only be identified during the procedure (and
cannot
be selected in advance of the procedure).
[0028] In some cases, this percentage breakdown may vary depending
on
various factors such as the type of procedure, the specialty of the medical
professionals performing the procedure, and the accuracy of other information
available (such as patient information).
[0029] Generally, it is preferable that a higher percentage of the
supplies
necessary for a particular procedure are picked by lesser-skilled personnel to
optimize allocation of the time of the highly-skilled personnel. Documenting
information about features such as the product code, description, exact
location
and quantity necessary for a procedure may facilitate efficient delegation of
picking predictable items to lesser-skilled personnel. However, accurate
information about what predictable supplies are necessary may not be available
or may not be up-to-date, which often means that highly-skilled personnel
perform these picking tasks. This is undesirable, as it is more efficient for
such
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tasks to be delegated to lesser-skilled individuals while highly-skilled
medical
personnel can focus on medical tasks.
[0030] Accordingly, one of the challenges in the medical supplies
industry
is the provisioning of medical supplies for specific procedures in an
efficient
manner.
[0031] A further challenge is presented in tracking unique items,
typically
high value or expensive supplies, such as medical implants, pacemakers, etc.
that are often only uniquely identified during the procedure. During a
procedure,
particularly when highly-skilled personnel are busy performing the procedure,
finding time to adequately document which particular high value item has been
selected (e.g. the serial number of the pacemaker or implant that has been
inserted into a patient) can be difficult, and errors in data entry tend to be
common. For example, an operation may be underway on a particular patient
before the appropriate size of hip-joint implant can be identified and
inserted into
a patient.
[0032] Tracking such unique items may be important for various
reasons.
For example, tracking can be important in ensuring that proper items are
billed to
a particular patient. Tracking may also be used to perform various financial
analyses, such as case costing. Furthermore, tracking unique items may be
important to ensuring that the medical records of the patient are properly
updated.
[0033] After a particular procedure has been completed, unused
supplies
should be returned to inventory, ensuring that the patient is not charged for
items
that were not actually used during the procedure to ensure an accurate case
cost
and avoid over-billing the client. This can be a time-consuming process, and
accurately tracking returned inventory can be cumbersome and unwieldy.
[0034] Also, it may be desirable to update the information about the
supplies used for a procedure to improve the accuracy of available information
for subsequent cases.
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[0035] It will be appreciated that numerous specific details are set
forth
herein in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary
embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be
practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to
obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not
to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in
any way, but rather as merely describing the implementation of various
embodiments as described herein.
[0036] In some cases, the embodiments of the systems and methods
described herein may be implemented in hardware or software, or combinations
of both. Some embodiments may be implemented in computer programs
executing on programmable computers each comprising at least one processor,
a data storage device (which may include volatile and non-volatile memory
and/or other storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one
output
device. For example and without limitation, the programmable computers may be
a mainframe computer, server, personal computer, laptop, personal data
assistant, tablet computer or cellular telephone, including one or more
processors. Program code may be applied to input data to perform the functions
described herein and generate output information. The output information may
be
applied to one or more output devices in known fashions.
[0037] Each program may be implemented in a high level procedural or
object oriented programming and/or scripting language to communicate with a
computer hardware system. However, the programs can be implemented in
assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a
compiled or interpreted language. Each such computer program may be stored
on a storage media or a device (e.g. read only memory (ROM) or magnetic
diskette) readable by a general or special purpose programmable computer, for
configuring and operating the computer when the storage media or device is
read
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=
by the computer to perform the procedures described herein. The systems and
methods may also be considered to be implemented as a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium, configured with a computer program,
wherein the storage medium so configured causes a computer to operate in a
specific and defined manner to perform at least some of the functions
described
herein.
[0038] According to some embodiments, the systems and methods as
described herein may provide at least some of the following functions.
[0039] The first function generally relates to data collection.
During a data
collection function, a library or record of information can be generated and
stored
in a supply management module. This information can include details about what
supplies are used for various medical procedures that are performed at a
medical
facility.
[0040] This data collection may be done by observing and recording
actual
provisioning of supplies for actual procedures. For example, when nurses and
other skilled-staff are selecting unpredictable pre-procedure supplies, they
may
be monitored or observed and the data indicative of the actions recorded (in
some cases manually, in other cases using electronic aids such as bar code
readers or RFID tags and readers, or other electronic handheld communication
devices).
[0041] Furthermore, the data collection may track not only the
types of
procedure being performed, but also other information about each procedure,
such as what surgeon performed the operation, what nursing staff assisted, and
so on.
[0042] The second function generally relates to generating a preference
card or template based on the collected data. For various combinations and sub-
combinations of procedures, surgeons, and other details, preference data or
"preference cards" may be generated. Each preference card can include a
prediction of the supplies that will be required for a particular procedure
based on
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the data collected above and other criteria that may be relevant to the
operation
(e.g. which doctor will be performing the procedure). In particular, by
collecting
information about actual procedures, more accurate predictions can hopefully
be
made about the supplies needed for subsequent procedures based on the
preferences of the various surgeons, nursing teams and so on.
[0043] In effect, the preference cards or templates represent
improved
(and in some cases continuously updated) predictions that are used in an
attempt to increase the percentage of supplies that can be treated as
"predictable" supplies, and thus be picked well in advance of the actual
procedure. These preference cards or preference data can be stored in the
supply management module (e.g. in one or more data storage devices) and
accessed as desired.
[0044] Third, when a specific procedure is actually scheduled, a
specific
pick list for that procedure can be generated based on the preference card or
template for that specific procedure, and which can be based on details such
as
the surgeon, the nursing team, patient details, and so on.
[0045] This pick list can then be used to pick the predictable
supplies and
place them in a case cart (with the pick list being updated as the picking
progresses). In particular, by providing for a pick list with better
predictions about
supplies, more of the picking may be done by lesser-skilled personnel in
advance
of the particular procedure being performed.
[0046] The pick list may also be used to track picking the
unpredictable
pre-procedure supplies, as well as in-procedure supplies consumed as the
procedure progresses. In some embodiments, the pick list may be provided with
a unique identifier (which may be represented as a bar code or a RFID tag)
that
allows information on the pick list to be communicated to the supply
management
module and stored in one or more data storage devices as picking proceeds. In
some embodiments, the pick list may be dynamic in that it can be updated "on-
the-fly" as more accurate predictions are made for a particular procedure
(e.g. as
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further details are learned about the patient, about the personnel assisting
with
the procedure, and so on).
[0047] The fourth function relates to returning unused supplies to
inventory. Once a particular procedure is complete, any supplies that have not
been consumed should be returned to inventory. In some embodiments, this can
be done by using the pick list to record items as they are returned.
[0048] Once returns are completed, the pick list can be used to
generate
patient information related to that particular procedure, such as billing
information
or medical information about what supplies were used, what unique items were
inserted into the patient (e.g. implant serial numbers), and so on.
[0049] The fifth function relates to data refinement. After each
procedure is
complete, data about the actual supplies consumed can be compared to the
preference card or template used to generate the pick list, and any
differences
can be used to modify the template. Over time, the preference data or
templates
for specific procedural events can be updated based on the actual supplies
that
are consumed, and this feedback can hopefully be used to generate better
initial
predictions about the supplies that will be required for subsequent
procedures. In
this manner, the supply management module can "learn" to provide improved
predictions as more and more data is collected.
[0050] Accordingly, using systems and methods as described herein it
may be possible to perform at least some of improving the data capture related
to
medical supplies, building a library or database with data records of
preference
cards, tracking the picking of supplies at various stages (including before,
during
and after a procedure), and continually updating preference card or template
information after procedures are completed.
[0051] Referring now to Figure 1, illustrated therein is a system 10
for
provisioning and tracking medical supplies for medical procedures according to
one embodiment. The system 10 generally includes a supply management
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module 12, which includes at least one server 14 and at least one data storage
device 16 operatively coupled to the at least one server 14.
[0052] The at least one data storage device 16 could be one or more
databases or other memory modules for storing data related to the provisioning
of medical supplies, which can include preference card or template data but
may
also include other information such as patient information, inventory
information
about quantities of medical supplies, location information about where
specific
medical supplies are located at the medical facility, billing information, and
so on.
[0053] In some embodiments, the data storage device 16 may include a
spreadsheet, a relational database, or any other type of information storage
for
storing information assisting in the provisioning of supplies. In some cases,
the at
least one data storage device 16 may include one or more of the following
information: the Common User Product (CUP) number, the Device Identification
Number (DIN) of the supplies, descriptions of the supplies, data on the
corresponding RFID tags or bar codes associated with the supplies, an
electronic
signal corresponding to voice input of the CUP or DIN, location information
(department, room number, rack identification, row number, etc.) and so on.
[0054] The at least one server 14 generally includes at least one
processor. The processor is operable for sending instructions to, and
receiving
data from, the at least one data storage device 16, as well as for
communicating
with other modules within the medical facility, receiving information from the
various pick lists, electronic data collection devices (e.g. bar code readers,
RFID
readers, and so on).
[0055] The supply management module 12 may also include other
components, such as a backup module 18 which may duplicate at least some of
the data in the data storage device 16 (e.g. for disaster recovery purposes).
The
backup module 18 could be located at the same physical location, or at a
different physical location as the server 14 and data storage device 16.
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[0056] Generally, supply management module 12 is operable to receive
a
notification that a particular procedure will be performed. The supply
management module 12 then generates a pick list 17 for that procedure based
on data such as the preference card or template data, patient information, and
other details. The pick list 17 may then be sent to one or more locations so
that
various supplies can be prepared in advance of the procedure.
[0057] For example, as shown in Figure 1 the pick list 17 may be
provided
to a first location 20 for picking predictable supplies. At this location, a
first user
22 selects medical supplies from a supply depot 24 (e.g. a shelf, cabinet,
etc.)
and then adds those supplies to a case cart 19.
[0058] In some embodiments, the first user 22 need not be a nurse or
other highly-skilled medical personnel, but could be a lesser-skilled worker
who
follows instructions on the pick list 17 to select the appropriate supplies
and add
them to the case cart 19.
[0059] As supplies are added to the case cart 19, the first user 22 may use
an electronic data collection device 15 (e.g. a barcode or RFID reader) to
scan
the items and update the pick list 17. In some embodiments, this may be done
by
scanning a barcode or RFID tag on the supply being added, then scanning the
pick list 17 and/or the case cart 19 (or vice versa).
[0060] Generally, the electronic data collection device 15 may be a wired
or a wireless reader. The electronic data collection device 15 receives an
input
corresponding to a particular supply to be provisioned. In some embodiments,
the input may include any one or more of the following: reading a bar code,
reading a magnetic card, a keyboard entry, a voice command, a RFID reading, or
any other type of electronic input that represents the supply to be
provisioned.
[0061] Hence, the electronic data collection device 15 may include
one or
several of the following input modules depending on the type of input used: a
bar
code reader, a magnetic card reader, a keyboard, a voice command module, an
RFID reader, and so on.
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[0062] The first user 22 uses the reader electronic data collection
device
15, which is in some cases a small unit, in the shape of a handheld unit, or
having a portion thereof that can be carried by or attached to the user for
convenience purposes. Depending on the type of input available, the user 22
can
either read the CUP or DIN number on the product/supply or packaging thereof,
and place that product in the case cart 19. In some embodiments, the user 22
may also identify the case cart 19 by wirelessly reading an electronically
recognizable identification tag (e.g. an RFID tag) on the case cart 19.
[0063] Furthermore, in some embodiments, each pick list 17 may be
provided with a unique identifier (which could be a serial number) and which
could be an electronically recognizable identification tag. For example, the
unique identifier could be a bar code that can be read by an optical scanner,
or
an RFID tag.
[0064] In some embodiments, the unique identifier can be associated
with
a particular patient. Thus, as various supplies are added to a specific case
cart
19 for that particular procedure, the unique identifier can be used to track
which
supplies have been picked (and in some cases this information can be
communicated back the supply management module 12, optionally in real time or
substantially real-time as the pick list 17 is updated).
[0065] In some embodiments, the first location 20 may be at or near the
medical facility where the procedure will take place. In other embodiments,
the
first location 20 may be at a different physical location (e.g. the first
location 20
could be a warehouse at a medical supply company offsite).
[0066] In some embodiments, the picking at the first location 20 can
be
done hours or days in advance of the date the particular procedure will be
performed.
[0067] When the first user 22 has completed adding the predicable
supplies to the case cart 19 at the first location 20, the case cart 19 can
then be
sent a second location 30.
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[0068] Generally, the case cart 19 and pick list 17 will tend to
stay together
as the case cart 19 is stocked and then provided to other picking locations
and
then eventually the operating room. However, in some embodiments the pick list
17 may be sent electronically from location to location while the case cart 19
physically travels between locations.
[0069] In some embodiments, the second location 30 may generally be
used for picking unpredictable supplies (specifically pre-procedure supplies).
For
example, the second location 30 could be a "clean room" supply area provided
in
or adjacent an operating room where the procedure will be taking place. In
some
instances, the picking in the second location 30 may be performed shortly
before
the procedure is to take place.
[0070] Similar to as described above, a second user 32 selects
medical
supplies from a supply depot 34 (e.g. a shelf, cabinet, etc.) and then adds
those
supplies to the case cart 19. In some instances, the second user 32 may select
medical supplies based on updates that may have been made to the pick 17
since the case cart 19 left the first location 20. For example, as additional
details
become known just before the procedure, the pick list 17 can be updated with
more supplies to be picked.
[0071] In other embodiments, the second user 32 may select supplies
at
the second location 30 based on other factors (e.g. such as last minute
instructions from the doctor, their own personal knowledge, and so on).
[0072] In some embodiments, the second user 32 can update the pick
list
17 using an electronic data collection device 15 (e.g. a barcode or RFID
reader)
to scan the items and update the pick list 17 similar to as described above.
[0073] In some embodiments, the second user 32 could be nurse or other
highly skilled medical personnel. However, in other embodiments the second
user 32 may be a lesser-skilled person who may be assigned the role of
assisting
with supply picking.
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[0074] As shown, in some embodiments as supplies are picked at the
second location 30, information about the supplies being picked may be sent to
the supply management module 12 (in some cases in real-time or substantially
real-time).
[0075] When the second user 32 has completed adding supplies to the
case cart 19 at the second location 30, the case cart 19 can then be sent a
third
location 40. In some embodiments, the third location 40 may be the location
where the procedure is to take place, for example an operating room where
surgery on a patient 23 will occur.
[0076] During the procedure, supplies can be removed from the case cart
19 as needed to prepare for and perform the procedure. For example, some
supplies can be used to prepare the third location 40 for the operation (e.g.
sheets can be used to cover the operating table, cleaners can be used to clean
equipment, certain items may be unpacked so as to be ready for use, and so
on).
Other supplies will be used as the procedure progresses, such as bandages to
pack wounds, and so on.
[0077] In some instances, certain unpredictable in-procedure
supplies will
also be required during the procedure. These could be completely unpredictable
(for example, extra supplies required due to unforeseen complications that
arise
during the procedure) or may be unique items (e.g. implants) where the
specific
item to be consumed may not be known until the procedure is underway.
[0078] Generally, such unpredictable in-procedure supplies may be
selected from a supply depot 44 (e.g. a shelf, cabinet, etc.), which could be
in the
fourth location or which could be located at another location (e.g. in an
adjacent
"clean room"). Such supplies can then be used directly to treat the patient
23, or
may be placed into the case cart 19 before being provided to the patient 23.
[0079] In some cases, for such supplies, a third user 42 (which
could be a
nurse or other personnel in the third location 40) can use an electronic data
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collection device 15 to update the pick list 17, generally similarly to as
described
above.
[0080]
In some embodiments, as supplies are consumed at the fourth
location 40 (particularly high-value supplies that are uniquely selected
during the
procedure e.g. a specific pacemaker or implant), it may be desirable that the
supplies are accurately tracked without using the electronic data collection
device
15. In such embodiments, this may be done by using a "smart" or "intelligent"
receptacle 21 (e.g. a "smart" garbage can). As high-value items are removed
from their packaging and consumed, the packaging can be disposed of in the
"smart" receptacle 21, which can automatically track electronically
recognizable
identification tags on the packaging (e.g. bar codes, RFID tags, etc.) and
communicate such information to the supply management module 12 (which may
be used for tracking, billing purposes, for updating the patient's medical
records,
and so on).
[0081] Once
the procedure is complete, the case cart 19 with any
remaining supplies can be sent to a fourth location 50 so that the remaining
supplies can be returned to inventory. In particular, the patient should not
be
charged for items that were not consumed during the procedure.
[0082]
At the fourth location, a fourth user 52 can remove unused supplies
from the case cart 19 and return these supplies to a supply depot 54 (e.g. a
shelf,
cabinet, etc.). As this is done, the pick list 17 can be updated using the
electronic
data collection device 15 to remove unused items from the list. In some
embodiments, the user 52 may be guided by the electronic data collection
device
15. For example, the user 52 may use voice commands to find the location for
returning the supply items to the depot 54. That is, the user 52 may read the
manufacturer product number (partially or completely) to the electronic data
collection device 15 which may then direct the user to the location where the
particular items are to be returned (e.g. a specific bin on a shelf). The user
52
may also communicate the quantity of supplies being returned from the cart 19
using voice commands such that this information is collected and stored. This
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CA 02712684 2010-10-14
information can be communicated to the supply management system 12, which
can be used for updating patient information, such as billing information
(e.g. to
generate an itemized list of all the supplies that were consumed during the
particular procedure) or medical history information (e.g. details of any high
value
items such as implants that were inserted into the patient).
[0083] In some embodiments, the fourth location 50 could be the same
as
the first location 20.
[0084] Turning now to Figure 2, illustrated therein is a method 100
for
provisioning medical supplies according to another embodiment.
[0085] At step 102, a pick list (e.g. pick list 17) is generated (which
could
be done by the supply management module 12) for a particular procedure. As
discussed above, the pick list may be generated in response to a notification
of
the procedure to be performed, and may be based on preference data or a
template that is known for that particular procedure, as well as other
information
(such as patient data).
[0086] At step 104, predictable medical supply items are selected
based
on the pick list. In particularly, predictable medical supplies may be picked
and
placed into a case cart (e.g. case cart 19) based on the pick list 17 (e.g.
several
hours or days in advance of the procedure).
[0087] At step 106, unpredictable pre-procedure items can be selected.
For example, shortly before a procedure takes place, other items can be added
to the case cart (either based on updates to the pick list or other factors).
As this
happens, the pick list can be updated.
[0088] At step 108, during the procedure, unpredictable in-procedure
items
can be selected and consumed as needed based on how the procedure
progresses. For example, high value items such as implants can be inserted
into
the patient. As this occurs, information about the high value items may be
recorded (and the pick list may be updated accordingly).
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CA 02712684 2010-10-14
[0089] At step 110, once the procedure is complete, unused items may
be
returned to inventory (in some cases with the pick list being updated as this
occurs).
[0090] At step 112, the actual supplies consumed during the procedure
may be sent to a supply management module (e.g. supply management module
12) and used to update preference data or template for that particular
procedure.
This may allow more accurate estimations to be made of pick lists (e.g. at
step
102) so that a larger percentage of items can be picked at step 104 and fewer
items must be picked at steps 106 and 108.
[0091] At step 114, billing information may be generated based on the
various supplies consumed at the various steps in the method 100.
[0092] Turning now to Figure 3, illustrated therein is a pick list
300
according to one embodiment.
[0093] As shown, the pick list 300 can include procedure information
302
which could include information specific to that procedure, such as an
intervention number 304, a procedure description 306, surgeon information 308
(e.g. the name of the doctor), and patient information 310 (e.g. a patient's
name,
special notes, etc.).
[0094] As shown, the pick list 300 also includes at least one unique
identifier 312. In some cases, the unique identifier 312 could include a
serial
number or other alphanumeric code that may be uniquely associated with a
particular pick list 300. In some embodiments, the unique identifier 312 may
be
represented using at least one of a barcode 314 and an RFID tag 316. The
barcode 314 and RFID tag 316 may allow information about each specific pick
list 300 to be easily retrieved or updated (e.g. using a handheld barcode
reader
or an RFID reader).
[0095] The pick list 300 also includes supply information indicated
generally as 320. The supply information 320 includes information about the
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CA 02712684 2010-10-14
specific supplies that should be picked for that specific procedure (as
identified
by the procedure information 302).
[0096] As shown, for each type of item to be picked, the supply
information
320 can include information such as a product code 322, a description of the
item
324 (e.g. is that item a sponge or a scalpel, size, shape and color
information,
etc.), a quantity 326 of the item to be picked, a unique identifier 328 (e.g.
a
barcode) for that particular item, and a status indicator 330 indicating
whether
that item has been picked. Other supply information 320 could include the
location of each particular item, a graphical representation of that item
(e.g. a
drawing or picture), audio clues that can be triggered to assist the user in
locating
the item, and so on.
[0097] Generally, when a user has the pick list 300, the user can
identify
and locate one of the items in the supply information 320, physically select
that
item (e.g. from a shelf or supply cabinet in a storeroom or warehouse) and
then
place that item into the case cart for that procedure (e.g. case cart 18 shown
in
Figure 1). As this occurs, the indicator 330 can be updated to reflect that
the
particular item has been placed into the case cart.
[0098] In some instances, the indicator 330 can be updated by
scanning a
barcode or RFID tag that is attached to or otherwise associated with the item
being picked.
[0099] In some instances, the predictable items can be marked
automatically such that these items are readily identifiable to the lesser-
skilled
individual picking them.
[00100] In some instances, where multiple quantities of a particular
item are
required, the indicator 330 may indicate whether the order for that item has
been
partially filled (as shown in 332).
[00101] In some embodiments, the pick list 300 may be presented on a
computing device such as a laptop or tablet computer which may be updated
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CA 02712684 2010-10-14
dynamically as information about the items picked is updated. In some cases,
the
computing device may be affixed to the case cart.
[00102] In other embodiments, the pick list 300 may be provided as a
printed sheet of paper, which may be updated by manually checking the
indicator
330.
[00103] In some cases, the pick list 300 may be updated as supplies
are
selected from a warehouse or other storage room at the medical facility.
[00104] In some embodiments, a third party medical supplier may
provide
"pre-assembled" case carts. For example, case carts can be prepared at a
different location with at least some supplies being pre-selected,
hermetically
sealed and shipped to the medical facility for later use.
[00105] While certain features have been illustrated and described
herein,
many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to
those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that
the
appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as
fall
within the true spirit of the invention.
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