WO2004017248A1

WO2004017248A1 - Method and device for reading of patient data from a data carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2004017248A1
Application number: PCT/NO2003/000281
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arne Veidung
Original assignee: World Medical Center (Holding) Sa
Priority date: 2002-08-19
Filing date: 2003-08-18
Publication date: 2004-02-26
Also published as: AU2003263676A1; NO317655B1; NO20023922D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for reading of patient data from a data carrier. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method, where the data carrier comprises a sticher which is carried by a user or which is fastened to a user's personal effects, and where the sticher comprises a two-dimensional code, in encrypted form, as an information carrier, which is printed onto the sticher. An optical reader unit (14) is arranged adjacent to a groove (12) on a device (10), and the optical reader unit (14) is arranged to read data from a sticher stuck onto a card (20) that is fed past or inserted in front of the reader unit, and/or the optical reader unit is arranged to read data from a sticher stuck onto a user's personal effects, such as a watch, jewellery, etc.

Description

Method and device for reading of patient data from a data carrier.

The present invention relates to a method for reading of patient data from a data carrier. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method where the data carrier comprises a sticher which is carried by a user or which is fastened to a user's personal effects, and where the sticher comprises a two-dimensional code as an information carrier in an encrypted form, which is printed onto the sticher.

The present invention is a further development of the applicant's own Norwegian patent application 20012023, which is hereby incorporated as a reference.

Methods for secure transfer of patient data from a data carrier are known from prior art technology, where patient data is coded and transferred, by way of a network, to a central server which comprises a database, whereupon the data is, for example, stored in a storage unit in the server, and that coded data is converted and printed on a data carrier that is kept by the patient. Coded data is read from the data carrier with the aid of a reader unit and converted to a readable form by a decoder.

From known technology EP Al 423893, among others, shall be mentioned. In the mentioned EP application, a method for storing and monitoring of patient related information in a health centre is described, in which each patient is equipped with a patient-connected electronic data carrier that can be read and reprogram ed. Patient data is stored both locally in the patient-connected electronic data carrier and centrally in the central computer, where locally stored data is compared in predetermined situations with ^"data that is stored centrally and, if necessary, that the two data types are correlated.

A similar system is known from DE Al 19840005, where a communication system with an input unit and an output unit is described, and also a memory storage unit for storing of patient data. The input unit is connected by way of an interface to terminals for a bar-code card, patient card, and by way of a second interface to the memory storage unit with the help of a communication terminal. The system is to be used in hospitals and in medical administration systems.

The invention described in Norwegian patent application 20012023 relates to an international concept that places the safety of the patient in focus during medical treatment. A better diagnosis and basis for treatment can be provided by the system described, and thereby also the correct medication, irrespective of where the patient may be. It is often a problem in acute cases that the treating doctor does not know anything about the patient's previous cases of illness, use of medicines or allergies/reactions to medicines. This is particularly relevant when being taken ill abroad.

Such essential information can be decisive for avoiding the wrong treatment and the wrong medication. This is a problem which is steadily increasing and which can unfortunately lead to loss of life. In the US, this is defined as a social problem.

An aspect of the disclosed invention is to make the patient data available to the doctor who at any particular time is treating the patient. In addition, the system shall also be able to give complete personal protection to the patient. It is an object to establish a web-based service centre in every country so that a network with local doctors, ambulance systems, emergency receptions and hospitals are set up. These are authorised and equipped with the software and equipment necessary for interactive web communication with a central server.

An important part of the disclosed is that the doctor who normally treats the patient retains the medical journal and that the essential elements of this are entered onto a structured medical card. The card will contain the patient's diagnoses, illnesses/injuries, use of medicines and allergies or reactions to medicines. After registration, the doctor prints a copy of the information on the card which the patient receives to control his own data. Thereafter, the doctor sends the information on the card over a network to a central server where data is stored in a database. Before sending, the data is automatically encrypted so that the patient's privacy is ensured.

The registered patient will receive a new copy of the data which is entered into the database for control against a copy which is received by the doctor. Furthermore, the patient receives a two-dimensional code that contains the same information. This code is very important in that the patient will at any time carry the necessary data on him. The code can be arranged to a self- adhesive means which, for example, can be stuck to the back of a watch and/or on a card for keeping together with other cards.

Advantages with the disclosed system are that it can function as quality assurance for doctors or nurses during the daily treatment in an institution, in home help or for normal doctors' visits. If something should happen, for example abroad, a person who needs treatment can contact a doctor, an emergency service or a hospital which is connected to the system. The personal code that lies in the code which is stuck onto, for example, the back of a watch, can be read digitally and will thereby provide direct information about the patient's medical data and the treatment can start immediately.

In connection to the centrally placed database that contains patient data, a complete medication base can also be provided, which can, for example, show damaging interactions between different medicines. Thus a warning can automatically appear if a doctor tries to prescribe medicines that react with other medicines the patient is using. Such an automatic warning can occur when information is written into the card or into the database. After treatment, the doctor can transfer and enter treatment carried out and medication given into the database, whereupon this is sent by way of a service centre to the patient's normal doctor. The database is updated automatically and the patient is sent a new card and new codes if there are alterations in relation to the journal.

The disclosed system implies substantial advantages at the human level, economically for industry, insurance companies, etc., and socio-economically leading to reduced absenteeism, reduced reliance on social security and reduced stress on an already strained health system.

As mentioned, it is necessary to have a special reader unit/decoder to be able to read patient data from the data carrier. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide such a reader unit/decoder, a so- called sticher reader, for use with the system that is described in Norwegian patent application 20012023.

The invention is characterised by the independent claims 1 and 4, while preferred embodiments are characterised by the dependent claims 2-3 and 5-8.

The method according to the present invention is characterised in that the sticher with the two-dimensional code, is stuck to the back of a watch, jewellery, etc., and/or on a card to be kept with other cards, and that the user's personal effects or said card, with the attached sticher, is placed in an adapted recess or recesses, in the sticher reader or is fed through or entered into a groove in the sticher reader, respectively, for reading of data by way of one or more optical reader units.

Preferred embodiments of the method are characterised in that the optical reader unit, such as a camera, is arranged adjacent to the groove or recess (es) on the sticher reader, and reads the two-dimensional code and transfers data which is read to an integrated processor unit. The processor unit in the sticher reader comprises software designed to decode and transmit read data to a PC and/or a printer, for reading of patient information in decoded form.

The device according to the present invention is characterised in that an optical reader unit is arranged to read data from a sticher stuck onto a card that is fed past or placed in front of the reader unit, and/or that the optical reader unit is arranged to read data from a sticher that is stuck to the user's personal effects, such as a watch, jewellery, etc., and that data which is read is transferred to an integrated processor unit.

Preferred embodiments of the device are characterised in that a cover can be arranged opposite the optical reader unit, and that the cover is arranged to be pivotable, or to be removed, to make room for the user's personal effects , such as a watch, jewellery, etc., whereby the sticher that is stuck to said item can be read by the optical reader unit.

The optical reader unit can be placed adjacent to a longitudinal groove in the device, where the groove can be arranged to accommodate at least a part of a card with said sticher that is fed or entered into the groove.

The mentioned processor unit can comprise software designed to decode and to transmit data which is read to a PC and/or a printer, etc., for reading of patient information in decoded form. The device can also comprise a screen, and associated software, arranged to display patient information.

The invention shall now be explained further with the help of the enclosed figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows the architecture of a system for transfer of patient data,

Figures 2a and 2b show a preferred embodiment of a sticher reader according to the invention, seen from above and from the front, respectively,

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a sticher reader according to the invention, with a card inserted.

Figure 1 shows the architecture of the system for transfer of patient data. It centres on a "World Medical Centre" (WMC) which comprises a central database that contains patient data about each individual patient that is registered in the system. A patient's normal doctor will retain the medical journal in his office. Central parts of the information in the journal are transferred in encrypted form, by way of a network to the central database at WMC and are entered into a structured medical card. The medical card will contain the patient's diagnoses, illnesses/injuries, use of medicines and allergies or reactions to medicines. Before transmitting, data is encrypted automatically so that the patient's privacy is ensured. The registered patient will receive a control copy of data that is entered into the database for control against the copy which is received by the doctor. In addition to the medical card, the patient also has a data carrier, which, for example, can be a two-dimensional code that contains the same information. The code can be fixed to a self-adhesive means, which, for example, can be stuck onto the back of a watch, jewellery, etc., and/or on a card to be kept with other cards. The data carrier can also comprise other types of code systems, such as, for example, bar codes, fluorescent labels, digital chips, etc., that will be known to an expert. The aim of the code is, among other things, that it must be possible to arrange it to another object for easy storing.

In connection to the centrally placed database in WMC which contains patient data, a complete medicine database can also be located here, which, for example, can inform of harmful interactions between different medicines. Thus, an automatic warning can be provided if a doctor tries to prescribe medicines that react with the patient's other medicines. Such an automatic warning can appear when the information is written into the card or into the database.

The system is developed with a two-dimensional code as the information carrier in encrypted form. The code can tolerate a damage of, for example, about 25% and is automatically self-rehabilitating, so that the information is still readable after any possible damage or destruction. A part of the code is used for its own encrypting so that unauthorised reading of the information is not possible. All transfer of coded information is encrypted or decrypted automatically in the transfer internally in the system. This can be done, for example, to a printer, screen or to the central database.

For example, the code can be printed on a sticher which can be stuck onto the back of, for example, a watch, jewellery, etc. In addition, the code is printed on a card and/or on a credit card/payment card. To read the code, a special reader unit, according to the invention, has been developed, a so-called sticher reader. This reader unit can be in the form of a hand-held scanner with a decoder which can easily be used to read the encrypted information on the sticher.

The code and the decoder are designed such that only those authorised can read the code. The code does not need to be larger than, for example, 10x10 mm, whereupon all available medical information which is essential for a person can be stored.

Figures 2a, 2b and 3 show a preferred embodiment of a sticher reader for reading of patient data. As the figures show, the sticher reader comprises one, or more, longitudinal grooves 12 that can be arranged to function as a gliding groove or entry groove. If the sticher is stuck to a card 20 (figure 3) , such as, for example, a card of the size of a credit card, the card 20 with the sticher can be fed into the groove 12 and in front of an optical reader unit 14 that is arranged adjacent to the groove 12. The optical reader unit 14 can, for example, be a camera with a camera lens 22 arranged to read the code that is stuck to the card 20 or said effects. If necessary, the groove can comprise a stop means to stop the card so that it is placed in the correct position in front of the optical reader unit before reading of the sticher.

If the sticher is stuck to a user's personal effects, such as a watch, jewellery, etc., (not shown in the drawings) , said effects can be placed in one or several recesses 16 which are provided on the sticher reader 10, preferably on each side of the optical reader unit 14. Said effects are placed so that the sticher is turned to the optical reader unit 14 for reading of data. If, for example, the relevant effect is a watch, the watch is placed so that the back of the watch with the sticher faces the reader unit 14 while the watch strap lies in two recesses 16 on each side of the reader unit 14. To make room for said effects, a cover 18 is pivotable arranged to the sticher reader opposite to the optical reader unit 14. The cover 18 can comprise one or more hinges. In an alternative embodiment, the cover 18 can also be detachable.

The recesses 16 on the sticher reader can run round the optical reader unit 14 in an approximate U-shape, or two recesses can be provided on opposite sides of the optical reader unit so that, for example, a watch can be placed in the sticher reader with the back of the watch facing the optical reader unit 14 while the watch band/strap can be placed in the recess 16, or the two recesses. Correspondingly, it will be possible to place jewellery in the sticher reader for reading of a sticher that is stuck to the back of the jewellery.

The sticher reader further comprises components and software that provide the necessary interface for connection to a PC or a printer. These components encompass standard equipment arranged for connection by way of cable or wireless systems that are known to an expert and will not be further described in this description. A printer can also be integrated in the sticher reader to ease the printing of patient information. It is also conceivable that the sticher reader can comprise a small screen, with the associated software, for displaying the patient information.

It shall be mentioned that in the embodiment shown, the groove is placed approximately at the centre of the sticher reader and the optical reader unit is placed adjacent to the middle of the sticher reader. This positioning is chosen for practical reasons only and does not imply that groove, optical reader unit, recess and any other components cannot be placed in completely different ways that what is shown here. In an alternative embodiment, the optical reader unit can be arranged adjacent to the end of the sticher reader unit and consequently, there is only one recess on the one side of the optical reader unit.

Furthermore, it shall be mentioned that patient information can also be stored on a separate card. The card will preferably be made from plastic/paper or other alternative material. The front of the card can contain personal information about the user, such as, for example, name, membership number, etc. The back of the card can contain patient information or medical information which is hidden behind a plastic or paper cover. This medical information can contain information about the user' s possible diagnoses, allergies, use of medicines, vaccines, etc. The back can be sealed so that nobody can get access to the information without authority. The seal can be arranged to be opened by authorised personnel or the seal can be arranged so that it must be cut or ripped off. The aim of such a card is use in emergency situations where a sticher reader is not available or not working.

Claims

CLAIMS .

1. Method for secure transfer and reading of patient data from a data carrier, where the patient data is coded and transferred by way of a network to a central server which comprises a database, whereupon data is stored in a storage unit in the server, that coded data is transformed and printed on a data carrier which is kept by the patient, and that coded data is read from the data carrier with the help of a sticher reader (10) and is transformed to a readable form by a decoder, the data carrier comprises a sticher that is carried by a user or that is stuck to a user's personal effects, and where the sticher comprises a two-dimensional code as an information carrier in encrypted form, which is printed onto the sticher, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the sticher with the two- dimensional code is stuck onto the back of a watch, jewellery, etc., and/or on a card for keeping with other cards, and that the user's personal effects or said card with the stuck-on sticher, is placed in an adapted recess

(16) , or recesses, in the sticher reader (10) or is fed through a groove (12) in the sticher reader (10), respectively, for reading of data by way of one or more optical reader units (14).

2. Method in accordance with claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the optical reader unit (14), such as a camera, is arranged adjacent to the groove (12) or recess (es) (16) on the sticher reader (10), and reads the two-dimensional code and thereafter transfers read data to an integrated processor unit on the sticher reader (10) .

3. Method in accordance with claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the processor unit in the sticher reader (10) comprises software arranged to decode and transmit read data to a PC, a printer, a screen, etc., for reading of patient information in decoded form.

4. Device for reading of patient data from a data carrier, where the data carrier comprises a sticher which is carried by a user or which is fastened to a user' s personal effects, and that the sticher comprises a two- dimensional code as an information carrier in encrypted form, which is printed onto the sticher, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by comprising an optical reader unit (14) arranged to read data from a sticher stuck onto a card (20) which is fed past or inserted in front of the reader unit (14), and/or that the optical reader unit (14) is arranged to read data from a sticher stuck onto a user' s personal effects, such as a watch, jewellery, etc, and that read data is transferred to an integrated processor unit.

5. Device in accordance with claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that a cover (18) is arranged opposite to the optical reader unit (14), and that the cover (18) is removable or pivotable to make space for the user' s personal effects, such as a watch, jewellery, etc., whereby the sticher that is stuck onto said effects can be read by the optical reader unit (14) .

6. Device in accordance with claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the optical reader unit (14) is located adjacent to a longitudinal groove (12) in the device, and that the groove (12) is arranged to accommodate at least a part of the card (20) with said sticher that is fed past or inserted into the groove (12) .

7. Device in accordance with claim 4, c h a r a c - t e r i s e d i n that the processor unit comprises arranged to decode read data and transmit it to a PC and/or a printer, etc., for reading of patient information in an non-coded form. 8 Device in accordance with claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it comprises a screen, with associated software, arranged to display patient information.