Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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SENSING AND RECORDING CONSUMPTION OF MEDICAL ITEMS DURING MEDICAL
PROCEDURE
FIEI,D
[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical item inventory
management. More
particularly, this invention relates to a system for sensing and recording
items that have been
consumed during a medical procedure.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The use of medical supplies and sterile medical devices in the
provision of health care
services is one of the most significant expenses incurred by most health care
facilities.
Depending upon the nature and complexity of the medical procedure being
performed, a
large number of supply items may be used during a medical procedure and, given
the
priorities of medical personnel involved in the procedure, the ability to
track the supplies,
gather data about supply utilization and consumption, and record that data in
a useable
format can be especially difficult. While hospitals and other health care
facilities may have
sophisticated information systems related to supply inventory management and
procedure-
based supply requirements, such systems are not able to provide consistent
data analysis of
supply utilization and optimization if the usage data is not recorded
diligently.
[0003] In a typical hospital, there are multiple different information systems
that are utilized
for managing supply inventory and for insuring that the proper supplies are
provided for each
medical procedure, such as a particular surgery. In the first instance, the
hospital supply
department will typically have an inventory management system that tracks
medical supply
inventory, identifies the location of that inventory and records inventory
levels as supplies
are withdrawn for usage or replaced with new shipments of supplies or re-
stocks from
previously withdrawn but unused supplies. This inventory management system
typically
tracks the location of supplies in multiple locations throughout the hospital.
In some
hospitals, this inventory process is still a manual process.
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[0004] Another common type of information system in a typical hospital that
interfaces with
the inventory management system is the Operating Room Information System
(ORIS). The
typical ORIS will provide functionality such as scheduling the operating rooms
for
procedures, identifying the type of procedure to be performed, identifying the
doctor
performing the procedure, identifying the assisting nurse(s), and maintaining
lists of supplies,
devices and instruments (Bills of Materials, or BOM's) that should be provided
for each
procedure. Typically, these BOM's are specific to (1) the type of procedure
being performed
and (2) the physician performing the procedure. These BOM's are often
maintained in a
form known as Doctor Preference Cards.
[0005] It is common for the hospital inventory management system to interface
with the
ORIS in order to insure that the right supplies, devices and instruments are
in stock and
available for the upcoming scheduled medical procedures. Prior to each case,
the BOM for a
given procedure and physician is used to pull the appropriate supplies,
devices and
instruments for that case.
[0006] During the case, supply, device and instrument utilization for the
procedure should be
logged and unused items returned to inventory. When properly logged, useful
data about
supply utilization is captured and communicated to both the ORIS system and
the inventory
management system. That data can subsequently be used to capture cost
information for the
procedure, update the inventory system, prompt necessary re-orders and, as the
data for
multiple procedures and physicians is accumulated, to analyze supply cost and
utilization
information for optimization of BOM's to reduce supply waste and identify
supply cost
savings opportunities.
[0007] If accurate information about the consumption of supplies, devices and
instruments is
not captured, then the ability to identify savings opportunities or to
accurately bill for all
consumed supply items is lost. It is difficult to insure that this logging
step is performed
accurately and consistently, since the medical personnel are primarily
concerned with
insuring the success of the medical procedure. Often, the medical personnel do
not have time
during the procedure to manually log information into a computer for used
items that do not
include barcodes, or to scan the barcodes of used items that have barcodes. As
a result, much
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of the information winds up being lost during the turnover of the medical
procedure room
from one case to another. Another problem with inaccurately recording usage
information is
the possibility of erroneously charging for items that were not used, which
can raise
regulatory issues.
[0008] The use of RFID tags as part of the inventory control system has
potential to facilitate
the logging of the supply consumption more accurately and efficiently.
SUMMARY
[0009] In one aspect, embodiments of the invention use Radio Frequency
Identification
(RFID) tags to provide the following general functions: (1) identifying
medical items or other
resources that enter a room or other space in a medical facility; (2)
determining where those
medical items or other resources came from; and (3) determining whether those
medical
items or other resources were consumed during a medical procedure performed in
the room
or space.
[0010] In preferred embodiments of the present invention, each item pulled for
use during a
particular medical procedure in accordance with the Bill of Materials (BOM)
for the
procedure and the physician includes an RFID tag affixed to the item's outer
packaging.
These RFID tags contain appropriate inventory information regarding each item
as
maintained in the inventory control system and the Operating Room Information
System
(ORIS). Each individual item that might be used can be tracked through use of
the RFID
tags and appropriate RFID reader technology.
[0011] In preferred embodiments, each Operating Room (OR) or other procedure
room has a
shielded enclosure with multiple RFID antennas disposed inside. Preferably, a
waste bin or
receptacle is disposed in the shielded enclosure. This shielded enclosure and
an RFID reader
connected to the antennas may be conveniently located near the location where
the sterile
medical supplies are typically opened by the circulating nurse or other OR
personnel
responsible for setting up the OR for each procedure, such as near the OR back
table. The
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RFID reader is preferably configured so as to only sense RFID tags that are
inside the
enclosure and not to sense RFID tags outside the enclosure.
[0012] Some preferred embodiments include a portal containing multiple RFID
antennas
connected to an RFID reader for reading RFID tags on medial items that are
passed through
the portal. The RFID reader connected to the portal antennas is preferably
configured so as to
only sense RFID tags that are inside the portal and not to sense RFID tags
outside the portal.
Preferably, the portal is also conveniently located near the location where
the sterile medical
supplies are typically opened by the circulating nurse or other personnel
responsible for
setting up the room for each procedure. The portal may also be located in
areas where
supplies are stored outside the procedure room and at other transition
locations in the medical
facility.
[0013] Once the packaging of a medical supply is opened, that item is
considered
"consumed" because the packaging has been compromised and it cannot be re-
stocked. In
preferred embodiments, as the packaging of medical supply items having RFID
tags are
opened, the packaging is dropped into the waste bin inside the shielded
enclosure and the
reader reads the RFID tags on that packaging. The RFID reader is connected to
a data
collection interface, such as an ORIS computer terminal, a tablet computer or
smart phone,
and the consumption information for each item is logged.
[0014] This system provides an accurate way to track supply utilization that
does not require
additional data input steps from the OR personnel. Simply throwing the
discarded packaging
into a waste bin, which is normal procedure, allows for the RFID tagged
supplies to be
registered as consumed.
[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, a stock bin is provided. Prior to
performance of a
medical procedure, all RFID-tagged medical supply items that were pulled from
the supply
room or supply cabinet are placed in the stock bin, the stock bin is moved
through the portal
or is placed inside the shielded enclosure, and the RFID reader reads the data
from the RFID
tags on the packaging. In this manner, pre-op data regarding items pulled for
use according to
a particular BOM can be captured for a given case.
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[0016] Following the conclusion of the procedure, all RFID-tagged medical
supply items
that have not been opened, which are thus eligible for re-stocking, are placed
into the stock
bin, the stock bin is moved through the portal or is placed inside the
shielded enclosure, and
the RFID reader reads the data from the RFID tags on the packaging. In this
manner, post-op
data regarding both consumption and non-consumption relative to a given BOM
can be
captured for a given case. In some embodiments, the RFID reader is connected
through a
data interface into the OR1S system or the inventory management system and the
data
regarding the non-consumed items are captured. The process preferably
associates medical
items (and/or their manufacturer's lot number) and instrument trays to
specific patients in the
event of a recall or negative occurrence that is determined post-case.
[0017] Once the pre-op data and post-op data are accurately collected, the
data can be very
useful in myriad ways. Since consumption data is accurately determined through
the sensing
of packaging in the waste bin, billing for medical items consumed in the case
can be more
accurately reflected on the patient's bill, allowing the hospital to more
accurately charge for
the procedure. If the stock bin option is included, this ensures that items
pulled for the
procedure that were detected in the pre-op scan, but were not consumed during
the procedure
are properly returned to inventory. This process also digitally tracks the
movement of each
item through various transition locations in the medical facility. This makes
it possible to
identify excessive handling of items and potential exposures to infectious
patients.
[0018] More sophisticated data analysis can lead to significant cost
improvements, such as
by trending consumption and non-consumption for multiple procedures and
doctors.
[0019] Some preferred embodiments provide an apparatus for sensing and
recording
consumption of medical items during performance of a medical procedure. The
medical
items are at least initially enclosed in wrappers having RFID tags disposed in
or on the
wrappers. Medical item information regarding the medical items is encoded in
the RFID tags.
[0020] The apparatus includes a shielded enclosure having an internal space
for receiving the
wrappers of the medical items. The shielded enclosure is configured to
attenuate radio
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frequency signals emanated from RFID tags disposed outside the shielded
enclosure to levels
that are substantially undetectable within the internal space.
[0021] The apparatus includes one or more RFID antennas disposed within the
internal space
of the shielded enclosure. The RFID antennas receive radio frequency signals
emanated
from RFID tags attached to the wrappers disposed within the internal space.
The radio
frequency signals contain the medical item information encoded in the RFID
tags.
[0022] The apparatus also includes at least one RFID reader that is
electrically connected to
the RFID antennas. The RFID reader decodes the medical item information
contained in the
radio frequency signals emanated from the RFID tags.
[0023] The apparatus further includes a computer that is in electrical
communication with the
RFID reader. The computer has a processor for executing a medical item
inventory module
comprising instructions for receiving the medical item information decoded by
the RFID
reader and generating a post-op used-item list of medical items consumed
during the medical
procedure based on the medical item information encoded in the RFID tags
attached to a
used set of wrappers disposed in the internal space of the shielded enclosure.
[0024] In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a portal having a
portal opening
and multiple RFID antennas having fields of view directed into the portal
opening. The
multiple RFID antennas receive radio frequency signals emanated from RFID tags
attached
to wrappers that are passed through the portal. In this embodiment, the
apparatus also
includes an RFID reader that is electrically connected to the plurality of
RFID antennas of
the portal. The RFID reader decodes the medical item information contained in
the radio
frequency signals emanated from the RFID tags.
[0025] The wrappers may comprise a pre-op set of wrappers that are passed
through the
portal opening prior to beginning the medical procedure. This pre-op set of
wrappers enclose
medical items that were picked from inventory to be consumed during the
medical procedure.
In a preferred embodiment, the medical item inventory module includes
instructions for
generating a pre-op list of medical items that were picked from inventory to
be consumed
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during the medical procedure. The instructions generate the pre-op list based
on medical
item information encoded in RFID tags attached to the pre-op set of wrappers.
[0026] The wrappers may comprise an unused set of wrappers that are passed
through the
portal opening after completion of the medical procedure. This unused set of
wrappers
enclose medical items that were not consumed during the medical procedure. In
a preferred
embodiment, the medical item inventory module includes instructions for
generating a post-
op unused-item list of medical items that were not consumed during the medical
procedure
based on medical item information encoded in RFID tags attached to the unused
set of
wrappers.
[0027] In some embodiments, the medical item inventory module includes
instructions for
comparing the first and post-op unused-item lists to the pre-op list. A first
alert message is
generated if any item in the pre-op list does not appear in at least one of
the post-op lists. A
second alert message is generated if any item in the first or post-op unused-
item list does not
appear in the pre-op list.
[0028] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for sensing and
recording
consumption of medical items during performance of a medical procedure. In a
preferred
embodiment, the method includes the following steps:
(a) picking medical items from inventory that are enclosed in wrappers
including RFID
tags, wherein medical item information regarding the medical items is encoded
in the
RFID tags;
(b) during performance of the medical procedure, consuming at least some of
the medical
items picked in step (a);
(c) placing the wrappers of the medical items consumed during performance
of the
medical procedure into a shielded enclosure;
(d) using one or more RFID antennas disposed inside the shielded enclosure,
receiving
radio frequency signals emanated from RFID tags attached to the wrappers
disposed
in the shielded enclosure, where the radio frequency signals contain the
medical item
information encoded in the RFID tags;
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(e) using an RFID reader electrically connected to the one or more RFID
antennas,
decoding the medical item information contained in the radio frequency signals
emanated from the RFID tags;
(0 using a computer processor, generating a post-op used-item list of
medical items
consumed during the medical procedure based on the medical item information
encoded in the RFID tags attached to the wrappers disposed in the shielded
enclosure;
and
(g) using a computer processor, generating billing information based on the
post-op used-
item list of medical items consumed during the medical procedure.
[0029] Some preferred embodiments of the method also include:
(h) prior to step (b), passing the medical items picked in step (a) through
an opening in a
portal;
(i) using RFID antennas disposed in the opening of the portal, receiving
radio frequency
signals emanated from RFID tags attached to the wrappers of the medical items
passed through the opening of the portal;
using an RFID reader electrically connected to the RFID antennas disposed in
the
opening of the portal, decoding the medical item information contained in the
radio
frequency signals emanated from the RFID tags; and
(k) using a computer processor, generating a pre-op list of medical items
picked from
inventory to be used during the medical procedure, the pre-op list generated
based on
the medical item information encoded in the RFID tags attached to the wrappers
of
the medical items passed through the opening of the portal in step (h).
In some embodiments, the pre-op list is compared to an item pick list for the
scheduled
procedure to ensure accuracy of the items picked.
[0030] Some preferred embodiments also include:
(0 after step (b), passing medical items picked in step (a) that were not
consumed during
performance of the medical procedure through the opening of the portal;
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(m) using the RFID antennas disposed in the opening of the portal,
receiving radio
frequency signals emanated from RFID tags attached to the wrappers of the
medical
items passed through the opening of the portal;
(n) using the RFID reader electrically connected to the RFID antennas
disposed in the
opening of the portal, decoding the medical item information contained in the
radio
frequency signals emanated from the RFID tags; and
(o) using a computer processor, generating a post-op unused-item list of
medical items
picked from inventory but not used during the medical procedure, the post-op
unused-
item list generated based on the medical item information encoded in the RFID
tags
attached to the wrappers of the medical items passed through the opening of
the portal
in step (1).
[0031] Some preferred embodiments also include:
(p) comparing the first and post-op unused-item lists to the pre-op list of
medical items
that were picked from inventory to be consumed during the medical procedure;
(q) generating a first alert message if any item in the pre-op list does
not appear in at least
one of the first and post-op unused-item lists; and
(r) generating a second alert message if any item in the first or post-op
unused-item list
does not appear in the pre-op list.
[0032] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for sensing and
recording
consumption of medical items during performance of a medical procedure. A
preferred
embodiment of the method includes the following steps:
(a) sensing that a medical item having an RFID tag has entered a medical
procedure
room using an RFID sensor attached to a portal associated with the room; and
(b) sensing that the medical item having the RFID tag has been consumed
during the
medical procedure using an RFID sensor associated with a waste container
located in
the room.
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[0033] Some preferred embodiments also include:
(c) storing in a database a lot identification number associated with the
medical item
having the RFID tag, wherein the lot identification number identifies a
manufacturer's lot number for the medical item;
(d) storing in the database a patient identification number associated with
the patient on
which the medical procedure was performed during which the medical item was
consumed; and
(e) associating in the database the lot identification number and the
patient identification
number based upon sensing that the medical item was consumed during
performance
of the medical procedure on the patient.
[0034] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for sensing and
recording
utilization of medical resources in performance of a medical procedure in a
medical facility.
A preferred embodiment of the method includes the following steps:
(a) attaching an RFID tag to each of a plurality of medical resources, the
RFID tag
containing medical resource information that uniquely identifies the medical
resource
on which the RFID tag is attached, the plurality of medical resources
including a first
medical resource;
(b) disposing a first portal at a first transition location within the
medical facility, the first
portal comprising a first portal opening and one or more first RFID antennas
having
fields of view directed to the first portal opening;
(c) disposing a second portal at a second transition location within the
medical facility,
the second portal comprising a second portal opening and one or more second
RFID
antennas having fields of view directed to the second portal opening;
(d) the one or more first RFID antennas receiving radio frequency signals
emanated from
an RFID tag attached to the first medical resource as the first medical
resource passes
through the first portal;
(e) the one or more second RFID antennas receiving radio frequency signals
emanated
from the RFID tag attached to the first medical resource as the first medical
resource
passes through the second portal;
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(0 decoding the medical resource information contained in the radio
frequency signals
emanated from the RFID tag attached to the first medical resource;
(g) detecting the presence of the first medical resource at the first
transition location, the
detecting based on the medical resource information decoded from the radio
frequency signals emanated from the RFID tag attached to the first medical
resource
passing through the first portal at the first transition location;
(h) detecting the presence of the first medical resource at the second
transition location,
the detecting based on the medical resource information decoded from the radio
frequency signals emanated from the RFID tag attached to the first medical
resource
passing through the second portal at the second transition location;
(i) determining a travel route of the first medical resource based at least
in part on a time
of detection of the first medical resource at the first transition location
relative to a
time of detection of the first medical resource at the second transition
location; and
(i) creating a utilization profile for the first medical resource based on
the travel route.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] Other embodiments of the invention will become apparent by reference to
the detailed
description in conjunction with the figures, wherein elements are not to scale
so as to more
clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like
elements throughout the
several views, and wherein:
[0036] FIG. 1 depicts a system for sensing and recording consumption of
medical items during a
medical procedure according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0037] FIGS. 2A and 2B depict shielded enclosures according to embodiments of
the invention;
[0038] FIG. 3 depicts a method for sensing and recording consumption of
medical items during a
medical procedure according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0039] FIG. 4 depicts a method for programming RFID tags for use on medical
items according
to an embodiment of the invention;
[0040] FIGS. 5A-5C depict display screens displayed to a user of the system
while performing
the method depicted in FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0041] FIG. 6 depicts a method for programming RFID tags for use on storage
bins used for
carrying medical items according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0042] FIGS. 7A-7C depict display screens displayed to a user of the system
while performing
the method depicted in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0043] FIG. 8 depicts a method for reading RFID tags on medical items placed
in the shielded
enclosure according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0044] FIGS. 9A-9C depict display screens displayed to a user of the system
while performing
the method depicted in FIG. 8 according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0045] FIG. 10 depicts a method for reading RFID tags on medical items passed
through a portal
according to an embodiment of the invention;
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[0046] FIGS. 11A-11B depict display screens displayed to a user of the system
while performing
the method depicted in FIG. 10 according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0047] FIG. 12 depicts a method for searching for medical items having RFID
tags that have
been scanned into the system according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0048] FIG. 13 depicts a method for searching for medical items and retrieving
item data
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0049] FIG. 14 depicts a method for system maintenance according to an
embodiment of the
invention;
[0050] FIG. 15 depicts a display screen displayed to a user of the system
while performing the
method depicted in FIG. 12 according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0051] FIG. 16 depicts a display screen displayed to a user of the system
while performing the
method depicted in FIG. 13 according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0052] FIG. 17 depicts a display screen displayed to a user of the system
while performing the
method depicted in FIG. 14 according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0053] FIGS. 18A-18F depict a portal according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0054] FIGS. 19 and 20 depict processes for sensing and recording utilization
of medical
resources in the performance of a medical procedure in a medical facility
according to
embodiments of the invention; and
[0055] FIGS. 21 and 22 depict processes for generating alerts based on
utilization of medical
resources in the performance of a medical procedure in a medical facility
according to
embodiments of the invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0056] As the term is used herein, a "medical item" is an item, material or
substance that is used
or consumed during the performance of a medical procedure. For example,
sponges, gloves and
drapes are medical items. A surgical implant is another example of a medical
item. Medical
items comprise a subset of "medical resources." As the term is used herein, a
"medical resource"
is any item, person, piece of equipment, or space involved in providing
medical services for a
patient. For example, a gurney on which a patient lies during a surgical
procedure is a medical
resource. The doctor performing the procedure, the attending nurses, and the
patient are also
medical resources. An operating room is a medical resource.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 1, a system 10 for sensing and logging consumption of
medical items
during a medical procedure includes a shielded enclosure 12 having a space 16
that is large
enough to receive a waste bin 18. Disposed within the enclosure 12 are two
RFID antennas 14a
and 14b, such as Laird 5 x 5 inch Mini Far Field antennas (model number
S9025PLNF) having
left-hand circular polarization and operating in the 902-928 MHz frequency
range. One of the
antennas 14a is preferably disposed at the top of the enclosure 12, with its
field of view looking
downward into the space 16. The other RFID antenna 14b is preferably disposed
at the bottom of
the enclosure 12, with its field of view looking upward into the space 16. The
RFID antennas
14a-14b are electrically connected, such as via a coaxial cable, to a UHF RFID
tag reader 28. In
a preferred embodiment, the RFID tag reader 28 is an Impinj Speedway model
R420.
[0058] Preferred embodiments of the shielded enclosure 12 are shown in FIGS.
2A and 2B,
wherein the sidewalls are depicted as transparent. The enclosure 12 is
preferably made from
0.080 inch thick sheet aluminum supported by 0.75 x 0.75 inch square aluminum
tubing (0.125
thick). The outside dimensions of the preferred embodiment are 23.5 x 22.0 x
40.75 inches.
[0059] As the term is used herein, "shielded" means that the enclosure 12 is
designed to prevent
the antennas 14a-14b from receiving RFID signals from RFID tags located
outside the enclosure
12 at a signal-to-noise ratio high enough to trigger detection of those
outside RFID tags. For
purposes of this disclosure, "shielded" does not mean that absolutely all RE
energy is blocked
from entering the enclosure, as this would require unnecessary levels of
shielding.
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[0060] In some embodiments, an opening 24 is provided in the top of the
enclosure that is large
enough to receive wrappers or containers 20 from which medical items have been
removed. The
opening 24 is preferably a 6.75 x 13.75 inch rectangle. An aluminum cover 25
is provided over
the opening 24. The cover may be slanted as shown in FIG. 2A or more box-like
as shown in
FIG. 2B to prevent signals from escaping the enclosure 12. As shown in FIG.
2B, the enclosure
preferably includes an aluminum chute 23 around the opening 24, and an
aluminum shield 27
around the antenna 14a. These structures provide further attenuation of RFID
signals originating
outside the enclosure 12 to prevent those signals from being detected by the
antennas 14a-14b.
The waste bin 18 is positioned below the opening 24 so that wrappers 20
deposited in the
opening 24 fall into the bin 18. In a preferred embodiment, a hinged door 26
large enough to
receive the waste bin 18 is provided in a sidewall of the enclosure 12. The
door 26 is preferably
29.5 x 39.25 inch, and includes a handle/latch for securing the door in a
closed position. The
enclosure 12 is considered to be shielded when the door 26 is closed.
[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the system 10 includes a portal 48 having an
opening 49 at
least large enough to receive the waste bin 18. The portal 48 is preferably
equipped with four
RFID antennas 50a-50d having fields of view looking inward into the portal
opening 49. The
RFID antennas 50a-50d are electrically connected, such as via coaxial cables,
to a UHF RFID
tag reader 46. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID tag reader 46 is an Impinj
Speedway
model R220. In some embodiments, the tag reader 46 and the tag reader 28
comprise a single
tag reader.
[0062] As the term is used herein, a "portal" is any passageway, opening,
aperture, window,
doorway, hallway, pathway, or aisle in or near which one or more RFID antennas
are mounted
for sensing RFID tags that pass through the portal. A portal may also be a
handheld scanning
device for reading RFID tags. Several portals may be used to track the routes
of travel and
locations of medical resources throughout a medical facility.
[0063] In preferred embodiments, portals are placed at "transition locations"
within a medical
facility. Examples of transition locations include supply rooms, supply
cabinets, procedure
rooms, waste containers, personnel break rooms, hallways, and points of entry
into and exit from
the medical facility.
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[0064] As the term is used herein, a "wrapper" encompasses all manner of
containers and
packaging, sterile or non-sterile, in which a medical item is or has been
enclosed. The term
"wrapper" also includes a label, hang tag, or other such device that may be
attached to a medical
item without completely enclosing the item. The term "wrapper" further
includes packaging for
a sterile-wrapped kit of medical items, such as a tray of implants and
supplies for use in a
surgical procedure, wherein an RFID tag is attached to the tray. Generally,
anything that may
function to associate an RFID tag with a medical item is encompassed by the
term "wrapper."
[0065] Each wrapper 20 includes an RFID tag attached thereto or embedded
therein. Ultra High
Frequency (UHF) passive RFID tags are preferred for this application, as they
may be
interrogated from up to about 30 centimeters away. In preferred embodiments,
each RFID tag is
encoded with a unique item identification number for the particular medical
item associated with
the wrapper. An item information database 52 associates each item
identification number with
item-specific information, such as the manufacturer part number, item
description, vendor, cost,
Latex content, expiration date, and inventory location. Additionally or
alternatively, the RFID
tag may be encoded with item-specific information as set forth in Unique
Device Identification
(UDI) standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
[0066] In some embodiments, item-specific information encoded in RFID tags on
medical items
may be used to generate alerts for medical personnel. For example, an alert
may be generated if
information encoded in an RFID tag indicates the presence of Latex in an item,
and the patient is
allergic to Latex. Also, an alert may be generated if information encoded in
an RFID tag
indicates that an item's useful lifetime has expired or if the item is from a
lot that has been
recalled by the manufacturer.
[0067] The waste bin 18, also referred to herein as a waste tote, is
preferably a plastic container
having an open top for receiving wrappers 20. In some embodiments, an RFID tag
22 encoded
with a unique bin identification number is attached to the waste bin 18. The
database 52
associates the bin identification number with a particular procedure room to
which the waste bin
18 is assigned. Alternatively, the RFID tag 22 may be encoded with information
indicating the
procedure room to which the bin 18 is assigned.
[0068] The RFID tag readers 28 and 46 are electrically connected via a local
area network
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computer, laptop computer, tablet computer or other mobile computing device.
Alternatively,
the electrical connection between the RFID tag readers 28 and 46 and the
computer 31 is via a
Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. The computer 31 includes memory for
storing and a
processor for executing instructions of a medical item inventory module 40. In
preferred
embodiments, the medical item inventory module 40 compiles pre-op and post-op
lists of items,
compares the lists to detect discrepancies, generates alert messages upon
detection of
discrepancies, and updates inventory records based on actual item usage.
[0069] In a preferred embodiment, an Operating Room Information System (ORIS)
computer 30
is in communication with the medical item inventory computer 31 via a
communication network,
such as the LAN 42. The ORIS computer 30 is also in communication with a
hospital computer
system 32 via a communication network, such as the LAN 42. In preferred
embodiments, the
hospital computer system 32 manages medical item inventories, operating room
scheduling,
patient records, insurance reimbursement/payment functions, and
admission/discharge/transfer
(ADT) records. The hospital computer system 32 may also include or be
connected to an
electronic data interchange server, such as a J.D. Edwards/Oracle server, that
implements
electronic commerce transactions between the hospital and medical item
suppliers.
[0070] In some embodiments, the medical item inventory module 40 is a software
application
running on the computer 31. In alternative embodiments, the medical item
inventory module 40
is executed by a remote computer (outside the OR). For example, the medical
item inventory
module 40 may be implemented as "software-as-a-service" provided via the
Internet by a
medical item inventory service provider.
[0071] With continued reference to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the
system 10 includes a
stock bin 34, which may also be referred to herein as a stock tote. As
described in more detail
below, the stock bin 34 is used to transfer medical items 38 to be used during
a medical
procedure from a stock room to the procedure room, and to transfer unused
medical items 38
from the procedure room back to the stock room. In some embodiments, an RFID
tag 36 is
attached to the stock bin 34 that is encoded with a unique bin identification
number. The
database 52 associates the bin identification number with a particular
procedure room or stock
room to which the stock bin 34 is assigned. Alternatively, the RFID tag 36 may
be encoded with
information indicating the procedure room or stock room to which the stock bin
34 is assigned.
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[0072] FIG. 3 depicts a preferred embodiment of a process 100 for sensing and
recording
consumption of medical items during a medical procedure using the system
depicted in FIG. 1.
To begin the process, hospital personnel pick medical items from inventory
stock to be used
during the medical procedure (step 102 in FIG. 3). For example, the needed
items may be listed
on a Bill of Materials (BOM) for the particular type of procedure to be
performed. In some
cases, the BOM also reflects the individual preferences of particular doctors.
These types of
BOM's may also be referred to as Doctor Preference Cards. The picked items are
placed in the
stock bin 34 to be transferred to the OR.
[0073] In one embodiment, the stock bin 34 containing the picked items 38 is
placed in or passed
through the portal 48 outside the procedure room (step 104) and the RFID
reader 46 reads the
RFID tags on the wrappers of the items 38 in the stock bin 34 (step 106). In
some embodiments,
activation of the reader 28 is triggered manually by a person in the procedure
room using an
interface device (mouse, touchpad or keyboard) of the computer 31.
[0074] The item identification numbers read from the RFID tags in the portal
48 are transferred
to the medical item inventory computer 31 where the medical item inventory
module 40
compiles a pre-op list of the items 38 in the stock bin 34 (step 108). In a
preferred embodiment,
the date/time of the compilation of the list is recorded in the medical item
inventory computer
31, along with the identification number of the stock bin 34. Other
information may be
associated with the pre-op list, such as procedure room number, doctor name,
patient name,
patient age, patient weight, patient allergies, type of medical procedure, and
case number. Once
the pre-op list is compiled, the RFID reader 28 may be deactivated (step 109)
and the stock bin
34 removed from the portal 48 (step 110).
[0075] Steps 104-110 of FIG. 3 are optional and are not implemented in all
embodiments of
process 100. If these steps are not performed, the BOM for the medical
procedure may serve the
purpose of the pre-op item list.
[0076] The items 38 are preferably removed from the bin 34 and arranged on a
table in the
procedure room according to the doctor's or attending nurse's preference. As
the items 38 are
used/consumed during the procedure (step 112), wrappers 20 removed from the
items 38 are
dropped through the opening 24 in the enclosure 12 where they are received
into the waste bin
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are detected and read by the reader 28 (step 116). It will be appreciated that
a waste bin 18 is not
absolutely necessary for this process. However, the use of a waste bin 18
makes collection and
removal of the wrappers 20 easier.
[0077] The item identification numbers read from the RFID tags in the
enclosure 12 are
transferred to the medical item inventory computer 31 where the medical item
inventory module
40 compiles a post-op used-item list of the wrappers 20 (step 118). In a
preferred embodiment,
the date/time that each wrapper 20 was first detected is recorded in the list.
Also, the
identification number of the waste bin 18 (if any) and other information may
be associated with
the post-op used-item list, such as procedure room number, doctor name,
patient name, type of
medical procedure, and case number. Once the post-op used-item list is
compiled, the RFID
reader 28 is deactivated (step 119) so that it will not read any other tags
when the door 26 is
opened to remove the wrappers 20 (step 120). Deactivation of the reader 28 may
be triggered by
opening the door 26 of the enclosure 12.
[0078] In an alternative embodiment, the waste bin 18 remains outside the
shielded enclosure 12
during the procedure. As the items 38 are used/consumed during the procedure
(step 112),
wrappers 20 removed from the items 38 are deposited in the waste bin 18. After
completion of
the procedure, the waste bin 18 containing the wrappers 20 is placed through
the portal 48 (step
114), and the reader 28 reads the RFID tags of the wrappers 20 (step 116). The
post-op used-
item list is compiled as described in the previous embodiment (step 118).
[0079] In some embodiments, after completion of the medical procedure, all
unused items 38 are
placed back into the stock bin 34, and the stock bin 34 is passed through the
portal 48 (step 122).
The reader 28 reads the RFID tags of the unused items 38 (step 124), and a
post-op unused-item
list is compiled (step 126). The identification number of the stock bin 34 and
other information
may be associated with the post-op unused-item list, such as procedure room
number, doctor
name, patient name, type of medical procedure, and case number.
[0080] Steps 122-126 of FIG. 3 are optional and are not implemented in all
embodiments of
process 100. If these steps are not performed, the post-op unused-item list
may be generated by
comparing the BUM to the post-op used item list.
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[0081] Various embodiments of the invention use the pre-op and post-op item
lists to implement
various advantageous inventory and billing functions. For example, the medical
item inventory
module 40 may compare the items listed in the pre-op list to the items listed
in the post-op used-
item list and the post-op unused-item list (step 128). If an item in the pre-
op list does not appear
on either of the post-op lists (step 130), this means the item was brought
into the procedure room
but neither the item nor its wrapper ended up in the stock bin or the waste
bin after the
procedure. In this case, an alert is generated that causes a message to appear
on a display screen
of the ORIS computer 30 or the medical item inventory computer 31 (step 132).
The alert should
prompt the procedure room personnel to investigate three possibilities that
may have caused the
discrepancy: (1) the item is unused and still in the procedure room but was
inadvertently not
placed back into the stock bin before the post-op unused-item list was
compiled, (2) the item was
used and its wrapper is still in the procedure room but the wrapper was
inadvertently not placed
in the waste bin before the post-op used-item list was compiled, or (3) the
item and/or its empty
wrapper was removed from the procedure room prior to compilation of either of
the post-op lists.
In any event, the missing item(s) or wrapper(s) should be located and the pre-
op and post-op lists
reconciled (step 134).
[0082] If the comparison of the pre-op and post-op item lists indicates that
an item that appears
on either of the post-op lists is not on the pre-op list (step 136), this
means that the item or its
wrapper was present in the procedure room when the post-op lists were
compiled, but it was (1)
not brought into the procedure room in the stock bin with the other items, or
(2) brought into the
procedure room in the stock bin but was removed from the stock bin prior to
compilation of the
pre-op list. In this case, an alert is generated which causes a message to
appear on a display
screen of the computer 31 (step 138). The alert should prompt the procedure
room personnel to
investigate what may have caused the discrepancy and reconcile the pre-op and
post-op lists
(step 140).
[0083] In a preferred embodiment, once the post-op lists are complete and
reconciled, the
computer 31, the ORIS computer 30, or the hospital computer system 32 uses the
lists to update
the database 52 based on actual item usage (step 142). The hospital computer
system 32 or the
ORIS computer 30 also may use the post-op used-item list to accurately bill
the patient (or
insurance company) for the items used during the procedure (step 146). The
stock bin 34 may be
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returned to the appropriate inventory stock room where the unused items 38 may
be returned to
inventory (step 144).
[0084] In preferred embodiments, the hospital computer system 32 or the
Medical Item
Inventory Application 40 analyzes the post-op unused-item lists generated
during multiple
procedures of the same type and for the same doctor to determine trends in the
lack of usage of
certain medical items that are listed on BOM' s (step 146). This trend data
may be used to revise
the BOM's for certain procedures/doctors. For example, if the trend data
indicates that in 90%
of hip replacement surgeries performed by Dr. Jones only three sponges of a
particular type are
used out of the five called for on the BOM, the BOM may be revised to call for
only three
sponges. Revisions of this sort would reduce the effort/cost associated with
returning unused
items to the stock room, and would decrease traffic in and out of the
procedure room during a
procedure which would decrease the chances of a site infection. Trend data may
also be used to
determine the optimal locations to store medical supplies and the optimal
quantities to store.
[0085] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a method 150 for programming RFID tags
for medical
items. While running the medical item inventory application, the user selects
the "Program
Tags" tab on the example display screen depicted in FIG. 5A (step 152). If the
user does not
know the item number of the medical item for which a tag is to be programmed
(step 154), the
user may select the "Search" button (step 156). This causes the application to
display an items
list (step 158) from which the user selects the item (step 160). The user then
enters the lot
number and expiration date (step 162) and selects the "Query Available Tags"
button (step 166).
This activates the RFID reader/writer to detect and display a number of tags
that are available for
programming (step 168). In the example of FIG. 5B, the RFID reader/writer
detected fifteen tags
available for programming. Before programming the tags with item information,
the user has an
opportunity to edit the item information (step 170). If the item information
is complete and
accurate, the user selects the "Confirm and Program" button (step 172). This
causes the RFID
reader/writer to program the available RFID tags with the item information
(step 174). The
number of tags that are successfully programmed are indicated as "Number of
Successful
Writes" as shown in FIG. 5C (step 176). The user then selects the "Continue"
button (step 178),
which causes the application to associate the newly programmed tags with the
item number in
the database 52 (step 180).
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[0086] FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a method 190 for programming RFID tags
for bins or
totes, such as the waste bin 18 or the storage bin 34. While running the
medical item inventory
application, the user selects the "Program Totes" tab on the example display
screen depicted in
FIG. 6A (step 192). The user then enters the item number for the tote (step
194) and selects the
"Query Available Tags" button (step 196). This activates the RFID
reader/writer to detect the
number of tags that are available for programming (step 198) and display the
available number
on the display device (step 200). In the example of FIG. 7B, the RFID
reader/writer detected
three tags available for programming. If the user wishes to proceed with the
programming
process, the user selects the "Confirm and Program" button (step 204). This
causes the RFID
reader,/writer to program the available RFID tags with the tote information
(step 206). The
number of tags that are successfully programmed are indicated as "Number of
Successful
Writes" as shown in FIG. 7C (step 176). The user then selects the "Continue"
button (step 208),
which causes the application to associate the newly programmed tags with non-
consumable totes
in the database 52 (step 210). The programmed tags are then attached to the
totes (step 212).
[0087] FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a method 220 for reading RFID tags on
items dropped
into the shielded enclosure 12. While running the medical item inventory
application, the user
selects the "Dynamic Scan" tab on the example display screen depicted in FIG.
9A and selects
the scan type, such as "Intra-Op" from the dropdown list (step 222). When the
user selects the
"Begin Scan" button (step 224), the RFID tag reader 28 is activated and begins
reading the tags
of any items or item wrappers dropped into the enclosure 12 (step 226). As
shown in FIG. 9B,
information regarding all tagged items detected by the RFID tag reader is
displayed on the
display device (step 228). In this example, three tagged items or item
wrappers were detected:
(1) item 5-2711 Scalpel Stainless..., (2) item TOTE, and (3) item 712542 Drape
Hand 114 x....
If at some point during the medical procedure the waste bin within the
enclosure needs to be
emptied, the user selects the "Pause Scan" button in FIG. 9B (step 232), which
causes the
application to stop the RFID tag reader and display "Paused" on the screen as
shown in FIG. 9C
(step 234). After the full bin has been replaced with an empty bin in the
enclosure (step 236), the
user selects the "Continue" button (step 238), which causes the RFID tag
reader 28 to resume
reading the tags of any additional items or item wrappers dropped into the
enclosure 12 (step
226). When the medical procedure is complete and no more wrappers are to be
dropped into the
enclosure 12 (step 240), the user selects the "Stop Scan" button (step 242),
which causes the
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RFID tag reader 28 to cease detecting RFID tags in the enclosure (step 246).
The user then
selects the "Write Scans" button (step 250) at which point the application
stores in the database
52 all the item information regarding items or item wrappers that were placed
into the enclosure
during the medical procedure (step 252).
[0088] FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of a method 260 for reading RFID tags on
items passed
through the portal 48. While running the medical item inventory application,
the user selects the
"Static Scan" tab (step 262) on the example display screen depicted in FIG.
11A and selects the
scan type, such as "OR Pre-Op" from the dropdown list (step 264). The user
then enters the case
number for the medical procedure (step 266) and selects the "Scan" button
(step 268). The
application then activates the RFID tag reader 28, which begins reading the
tags of any items or
item wrappers within the field of view the antennas in the portal opening 49
(step 270). When
the user pushes a tote containing RFID-tagged items through the portal opening
49 (step 272),
the RFID tag reader 46 reads the tags of the items in the tote and the
application displays a list of
the items on the display device as shown in FIG. 11B (step 274). The user then
selects the
"Write Scans" button (step 278) at which point the application stores in the
database 52 all the
item information regarding items that were passed through the portal (step
280).
[0089] FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of a method 290 for viewing listings of
items whose
RFID tags have been read and entered into the database 52. While running the
medical item
inventory application, the user selects the "View Scans" tab (step 292) on the
example display
screen as depicted in FIG. 15 and chooses to search by item, by case number or
by Electronic
Product Code (EPC) (step 294). As will be appreciated by one skilled in the
art, the EPC is a
unique number that identifies a specific item in the supply chain. When the
user enters the
search criteria (such as CASE123) in the text box (step 296) and selects the
"Search" button (step
298), the application retrieves item information from the database 52
regarding all items scanned
in association with CASE123 and displays a list of the item information on the
display device as
shown in FIG. 15 (step 300).
[0090] FIG. 13 depicts an embodiment of a method 310 for viewing listings of
items having
information stored the database 52. While running the medical item inventory
application, the
user selects the "Items" tab (step 312) on the example display screen as
depicted in FIG. 16 and
enters an item number or item keywords in the search text box (step 314). When
the user selects
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the "Search" button (step 316), the application retrieves item information
regarding all items in
the database 52 and displays a list of the item information on the display
device as shown in FIG.
16 (step 318). If the list indicates that RFID tags have not yet been
programmed for an item
(step 320), the user may select the "Program" button (step 322) which will
cause the application
to display the "Program Tags" tab (step 324).
[0091] FIG. 14 depicts an embodiment of a method 330 for performing
maintenance tasks
related to the database 52 and the LAN 42. While running the medical item
inventory
application, the user selects the "Maintenance" tab (step 332) on the example
display screen as
depicted in FIG. 17 and enters the network address of the database 52 (step
334). The user may
then select the "Test" button to test the connection to the database 52 (step
336). If the test
indicates a successful connection, the user may select the "Save" button to
store the database
address information (step 340). The "Maintenance" tab also allows the user to
test the network
connection to the RFID tag reader(s) by entering the IP address in the address
box (step 342) and
selecting the "Test" button (step 344). If the test indicates a successful
connection, the user may
select the "Save" button to store the IP address information (step 348).
[0092] Various embodiments described herein provide systems for sensing RFID
tags attached
to various medical resources at various transition locations throughout a
medical facility, for
tracking routes of movement of the medical resources based on the sensing of
the RFID tags, for
detecting relationships between medical resources based on sensing their RFID
tags at the same
transition locations during overlapping time periods, for analyzing
utilization of the medical
resources, and for developing utilization profiles. For example, FIG. 19
depicts an embodiment
of a process 400 for analyzing the utilization of two different medical
resources based on sensing
(or not sensing) their RFID tags at two different transition locations within
a medical facility.
The process 400 involves attaching RFID tags to medical resources (step 402),
disposing RFID-
sensing portals at various transition locations within the medical facility
(step 404), reading
medical resource information from the RFID tags using the portals (step 406
and 412), and
decoding the medical resource information to identify the medical resources
(step 408 and 414)
and determine various characteristics of the resources as described in more
detail below.
[0093] For example, with continued reference to FIG. 19, a first medical
resource is detected
at a first transition location at a time Ti (step 410) and at a second
transition location at a time
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T2 (step 416). Based on these detections, the system determines that the first
medical resource
travelled from the first transition location to the second transition location
between times Ti and
T2 (step 418). Based on this route of travel and the times of detection, the
system creates a
utilization profile for the first medical resource (step 420).
[0094] A second medical resource is detected at the first transition location
at a time T3 (step
422), which may be less than, greater than, or equal to time Ti. The second
medical resource is
again detected at the first transition location at a time T4 (step 426), which
is occurs after time
T3 (T4 > T3). There is no detection of the second medical resource at the
second transition
location between times T3 and T4 (step 424). Based on these detections, the
system determines
that the second medical resource travelled from the first transition location
back to the first
transition location between times T3 and T4, and did not travel to the second
transition location
(step 428). Based on this route of travel and the times of detection, the
system creates a
utilization profile for the second medical resource (step 430).
[0095] In the example of FIG. 19, the first transition location may be an
entrance/exit door of a
medical procedure room PR1 within a medical facility, the second transition
location may be a
waste container WC1 within the medical procedure room PR1, the first medical
resource may be
a first medical item that was picked to be used during a medical procedure MP1
in the procedure
room PR1, and the second medical resource may be a second medical item that
was picked to be
used during the same medical procedure MP1 in the procedure room PR1. Based on
the
detections described above, the system determines that the first medical item
entered the medical
procedure room PR1 (first transition location) at time Ti, and it or its
wrapper was deposited in
the waste container WC1 (second transition location) at time T2. Based on this
route of travel,
the system creates a utilization profile indicating that the first medical
item was used or
consumed during the medical procedure MP l. Also based on the detections
described above, the
system determines that the second medical item entered the medical procedure
room PR1 (first
transition location) at time T3, exited the medical procedure room PR1 (first
transition location)
at time T4, and was not deposited in the waste container WC1 (second
transition location). Based
on this route of travel, the system creates a utilization profile indicating
that the second medical
item was brought into the medical procedure room PR1, but was not used during
the medical
procedure MPl.
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[0096] FIG. 20 depicts an embodiment of a process 440 for analyzing the
utilization of three
different medical resources based on their RFID tags being sensed (or not
sensed) at two
different transition locations within a medical facility. The process 440
involves reading medical
resource information from RFID tags attached to three medical resources - a
first medical item, a
doctor, and a patient == using portals at the entrance/exit of a procedure
room PR1 and on a waste
container WC1 (step 442 and 448), and decoding the medical resource
information to identify
the medical resources (step 444 and 450) and determine various characteristics
of the resources.
As in the previous example, the system determines that the first medical item
entered the medical
procedure room PR1 at time Ti, and it or its wrapper was deposited in the
waste container WC1
at time T2 (step 454). Based on this route of travel, the system creates a
utilization profile
indicating that the first medical item was used during the medical procedure
MP1 (step 456).
[0097] With continued reference to FIG. 20, the system detects the doctor D1
entering the
medical procedure room PR1 at time T3 which may be less than, greater than, or
equal to time
Ti (step 458). The doctor D1 is detected leaving the medical procedure room
PR1 at time T4
which is greater than Ti and T3 (step 460). Based on this route of travel, the
system creates a
utilization profile indicating that the doctor D1 was involved in a medical
procedure MP1 in the
procedure room PR1 between times T3 and T4 (step 464). In preferred
embodiments, the
utilization profile for the doctor D1 indicates that the first medical item
was consumed or used
during a medical procedure MP1 performed by the doctor Di. In some
embodiments, the
utilization profile for the first medical item also indicates that the first
medical item was
consumed or used during a medical procedure MP1 performed by the particular
doctor DI.
[0098] With continued reference to FIG. 20, the system detects the patient P1
entering the
medical procedure room PR1 at time T5 which may be less than, greater than, or
equal to time
T1 (step 466). The patient P1 is detected leaving the medical procedure room
PR1 at time T6
that is greater than T1 and T5 (step 468). Based on this route of travel, the
system creates a
utilization profile indicating that the patient P1 was involved in a medical
procedure MP1 in the
procedure room PR1 between times T5 and T6 (step 470). In preferred
embodiments, the
utilization profile for the patient P1 also indicates that the first medical
item was consumed or
used during the medical procedure MP1 performed on the patient P1 by the
particular doctor Dl.
In some embodiments, the utilization profile for the first medical item also
indicates that the first
medical item was consumed or used during the medical procedure MP1 performed
on the
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particular patient P1. In some embodiments, the utilization profile for the
doctor D1 also
indicates that the first medical item was consumed or used during the medical
procedure MP1
performed on the particular patient Pl.
[0099] FIG. 21 depicts a preferred embodiment of a process 480 for generating
an alert based on
utilization of medical resources in the performance of a medical procedure in
a medical facility.
This process 480 analyzes the utilization of two different medical resources
based on sensing
their RFID tags at the same transition location within the medical facility.
The process 480
involves reading medical resource information from RFID tags attached to the
two medical
resources ¨ a first medical item and a patient P1 ¨ using portals at the
entrance/exit of a
procedure room PR1 (step 482), and decoding the medical resource information
to identify the
medical resources (step 484) and to determine various characteristics of the
resources. For
example, the medical resource information decoded at step 484 may indicate
whether the first
medical item contains a potential allergenic, such as Latex, and whether the
patient P1 is allergic
to any drugs or substances, such as Latex. Using the decoded information, the
system detects
that the first medical item entered the medical procedure room PR1 (step 486)
at a certain time
and that the patient P1 entered the medical procedure room PR1 at a certain
time (step 492). If
the first medical item contains a substance to which the patient P1 is
allergic, and the first
medical item and the patient P1 are in the procedure room PR1 simultaneously
(steps 488, 494
and 496), the system generates an alert informing personnel in the procedure
room PR1 of the
potential for a harmful allergic reaction (step 498). This alert may be
audible (siren) and visible
(strobe lights) in the procedure room, and it may be sent via electronic
messaging to other
personnel within the medical facility to give notice of the situation. In
preferred embodiments,
the occurrence of such an event is also reflected in the utilization profile
of the patient P1.
[00100] In some embodiments, the system generates a potential allergic
reaction alert if an
RFID reader portal at the doorway of a supply room detects a medical item
leaving the supply
room that was picked for use during a medical procedure involving a patient
that is allergic to a
substance in the medical item. This detection could also be made by any RFID
reader portal at
any transition location between the supply room and the medical procedure
room.
[00101] FIG. 22 depicts a preferred embodiment of another process 500 for
generating an
alert based on utilization of medical resources in the performance of a
medical procedure in a
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medical facility. This process 500 analyzes the utilization of two different
medical resources
based on sensing their RFID tags at the same transition location within the
medical facility. The
process 500 involves reading medical resource information from RFID tags
attached to the two
medical resources ¨ a first medical item and a patient P1 ¨ using portals at
the entrance/exit of a
procedure room PR1 (step 502), and decoding the medical resource information
to identify the
medical resources (step 504) and to determine various characteristics of the
resources. For
example, the medical resource information decoded at step 504 may indicate
that the patient P1
is infected with a highly infectious contagion, such as Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA). Using the decoded information, the system detects that the
first medical item
entered the medical procedure room PR1 (step 506) at time Ti and that the
patient P1 entered the
medical procedure room PR1 at a certain time (step 514). The system later
detects that the first
medical item has exited the medical procedure room PR1 (step 508) at time T2.
If the first
medical item was not deposited in a hazardous waste container prior to leaving
the procedure
room PR1, and the first medical item and the patient P1 were in the procedure
room PR1
simultaneously, and the patient P1 is infected with a contagion such as MRSA
(steps 510, 516,
518), the system generates an alert informing personnel in the procedure room
PR1 of a potential
for spread of a highly infectious contagion due to possible contact with the
first medical item
(step 520). This alert may be audible (siren) and visible (strobe lights) in
the procedure room,
and it may be sent via electronic messaging to other personnel within the
medical facility to give
notice of the situation. In preferred embodiments, the occurrence of such an
event is also
reflected in the utilization profile of the first medical item. In some
situations, the determination
that the patient is infected (step 516) may be made after the procedure is
complete and the patient
has left the procedure room. In such situations, the system will generate the
alert (step 520) after
information indicating the patient's infection is entered into the patient's
record (the medical
resource information for the patient.)
[00102] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this
invention have been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended
to be exhaustive or
to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are
possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and
described in an effort
to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its
practical application, and
to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in
various embodiments
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and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. All such
modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as
determined by the appended
claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are
fairly, legally, and
equitably entitled.
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