Caregiver rounding communication system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016110509-A1
Application number	US-201514977809-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 22, 2015
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Apr 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An information technology system for a healthcare facility is provided. The system includes a first computer device to keep track of rounding intervals for caregivers and to determine whether the caregivers successfully complete their rounds in a timely manner for their assigned patients. The system also has a real time locating system (RTLS) that tracks locations of the plurality of caregivers and that is in communication with the first computer device. The system further has a number of graphical displays in communication with the first computer device. Each graphical display is operable to display a list of patients for whom rounds are due and to display reminder messages to the plurality of caregivers relating to rounding.

First claim

1 .- 20 . (canceled)

21 . An information technology system for a healthcare facility having a real time locating system (RTLS) for tracking locations of a plurality of caregivers within the healthcare facility, the information technology system comprising
a first computer device to keep track of rounding for a plurality of caregivers and to determine whether the caregivers successfully complete their rounds in a timely manner for their assigned patients, a successful round being defined as one in which a caregiver visits an assigned patient within a rounding interval and remains in the patient's room for a threshold period of time, and a plurality of graphical displays that are each included in respective portable wireless communication devices, each graphical display being carried by a respective caregiver of the plurality of caregivers, the plurality of graphical displays being in communication with the first computer device, each graphical display being operable to display a list of patients for whom rounds are due and to display reminder messages to the plurality of caregivers relating to rounding, wherein each graphical display of the plurality of graphical displays is operable to show simultaneously a rounding timer indicating how much time is left within the rounding interval and at least one other timer relating to at least one of the following:checking to see if an intravenous (IV) container needs replaced or checking to see if the patient needs pain medication.

22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the first computer device determines automatically that the caregivers successfully complete each of their rounds based on information received from the RTLS indicating that the caregivers are located within the patient rooms of the patients within the rounding intervals and for the threshold periods of time.

23 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the first computer device is included as part of a nurse call system and further comprising additional graphical displays that are mounted in respective patient rooms and serve as graphical room stations of the nurse call system.

24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein each graphical display of the plurality of graphical displays and of the additional graphical displays is useable by each caregiver to view a list of patients assigned to the caregiver.

25 . The system of claim 21 , wherein each graphical display of the plurality of graphical displays is useable by each caregiver to indicate to the first computer device that the round is complete.

26 . The system of claim 21 , wherein each graphical display of the plurality of graphical displays is useable by each caregiver to indicate to the first computer device that a task, other than rounding, is complete.

27 . The system of claim 21 , wherein each graphical display of the plurality of graphical displays is useable by each caregiver to re-prioritize tasks assigned to the caregiver.

28 . The system of claim 21 , wherein each graphical display of the plurality of graphical displays is useable by each caregiver to cancel or suspend an assigned task.

29 . The system of claim 21 , wherein each graphical display of the plurality of graphical displays also is operable to show a further timer relating to checking to see if it is time to turn the patient onto one of the patient's left side and right side.

30 . The system of claim 21 , wherein each of the portable wireless communication devices comprise at least one of a tablet computer, a mobile telephone, and a smart phone.

31 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the graphical display also shows at least one icon that is selected to place a call to a staff member and wherein the staff member includes at least one of a registered nurse (RN), a certified nurse assistant (CNA), a transporter, and an environmental services person.

32 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the first computer device is operable to change the rounding intervals.

33 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the first computer device is operable to select an amount of time prior to expiration of the rounding intervals at which rounding reminder messages are sent to the plurality of graphical displays.

34 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the first computer device is operable to change the threshold period of time.

35 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the first computer device is operable to generate a rounding compliance report comprising a table having blocks that indicate a successful round within the rounding interval, an unsuccessful round, and a suspended round.

36 . The system of claim 35 , wherein an amount of time that the caregiver was located in each room is shown in each block of the table for each successful round.

37 . The system of claim 35 , wherein the blocks are colored a first color to indicate successful rounds, the blocks are colored a second color to indicate unsuccessful rounds, and the blocks are colored a third color to indicate suspended rounds.

38 . The system of claim 35 , wherein first icons are shown in the blocks to indicate successful rounds, second icons are shown in the blocks to indicate unsuccessful rounds, and third icons are shown in the blocks to indicate suspended rounds.

39 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the at least one other timer includes two other timers, a first of the two other timers relates to checking to see if an intravenous (IV) container needs replaced and the second of the two other timers relates to checking to see if the patient needs pain medication.

40 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the rounding interval varies based on a time of day.

Assignees

• Hill Rom Services Inc

Inventors

• Girardeau David M
• Walton Kelly F
• Davidson Frederick Collin
• Dezelon Kiana M

Classifications

• G06F19/327 Primary

  Physics · mapped topic

• G08B25/10

  using wireless transmission systems {(G08B25/009 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• G16Z99/00

  Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass · CPC title

• G16H40/67

  for remote operation · CPC title

• G16H40/20 Primary

  for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms · CPC title