| Information management and material distribution for sterilization facilities -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Information management and material distribution for sterilization facilitiesUSPTO Application #: 20060089859Title: Information management and material distribution for sterilization facilities Abstract: An automated system for management of information and distribution of materials associated with sterilization procedures includes a network server and client computers that communicate via a computer network. The client computers are distributed among sterilization facilities that require sterilization services. The network server exchanges a variety of information with the sterilization facilities. In response to information from client computers, the network server may trigger distribution of materials to sterilization facilities, and generates reports for record-keeping or cost-accounting purposes. The information distributed by the network server may pertain to the operation, maintenance and control of sterilization equipment, characteristics and capabilities of sterilization materials, and expert technical advice. The information received from sterilization facilities includes requests for information, orders for purchase and delivery of materials, and sterilization process information documenting sterilization procedures performed within a sterilization facility. (end of abstract) Agent: 3m Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul, MN, US Inventors: Rodney K. Hehenberger, Terry S. Nees USPTO Applicaton #: 20060089859 - Class: 705002000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, Or Cost/price Determination, Automated Electrical Financial Or Business Practice Or Management Arrangement, Health Care Management (e.g., Record Management, Icda Billing) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060089859. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The invention relates to the health care industry and, more particularly, to administration of sterilization procedures in a health care facility. BACKGROUND [0002] In a health care facility, sterilization generally refers to the process of eliminating bacteria and other microorganisms from the surfaces of instruments, medical devices, implants and other articles used in surgical procedures. A traditional sterilization process uses steam under pressure. Alternative sterilization processes use ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide/plasma, or peracetic acid in vapor form as the sterilant, as well as gamma irradiation and electron beam sterilization. In each process, the sterilizer is designed to kill all viable living organisms within a sterilization chamber. To achieve this objective, health care personnel must select the appropriate sterilization process and carefully monitor its parameters. [0003] To verify successful sterilization, health care facilities typically use sterilization indicators of either the chemical or biological variety. A chemical sterilization indicator responds to one or more conditions necessary for proper sterilization, such as temperature, time, and sterilant concentration or exposure. A biological indicator carries a biological agent, and indicates successful sterilization when the biological agent has been killed. The indicator is placed on or within a pack containing articles to be sterilized. [0004] Following the sterilization process, the sterilization indicator aids health care personnel in identifying packs that have been exposed to the conditions necessary for sterilization. The pack may carry other information, often within the indicator, that identifies the pack for record-keeping purposes. For example, the indicator may carry text or bar code information that uniquely identifies the pack, and indicates sterilization status. In some cases, the information can be scanned in an automated manner to assist in automated record-keeping via a computer system. [0005] To achieve effective sterilization workflow, record-keeping, and safety, a health care facility must devote substantial personnel, training and administrative resources to the sterilization process. For example, it is necessary to maintain a sufficient inventory of sterilant, pack lists, and indicators, and properly maintain sterilization equipment. Comprehensive knowledge of sterilization procedures and control of associated parameters are necessary for proper sterilization. In addition, efficient workflow requires effective tracking of packs to ensure that sterilized articles are available when needed. Cost accounting also is desirable to allocate the costs of sterilization to appropriate departments or entities. In addition, regulatory agencies and independent audit organizations may require access to sterilization records for verification of regulatory compliance or accreditation. Access to information concerning best practices also is important in maintaining and refining sterilization processes within a sterilization facility. SUMMARY [0006] In general, the invention is directed to an automated system for management of information and distribution of materials associated with sterilization procedures. The invention may be implemented via a computer network having at least one network server and client computers distributed among a number of sterilization facilities. In particular, the network server exchanges information with sterilization facilities via the client computers. For example, the network server may provide the sterilization facilities with information relating to sterilization products or processes. In response to information received from the sterilization facilities, the network server may trigger distribution of sterilization materials to the sterilization facilities, and generate reports for record-keeping or cost-accounting purposes. [0007] The information distributed by the network server may include information pertaining to the operation, maintenance and control of sterilization equipment and processes, the characteristics and capabilities of commercially available sterilization materials such as particular sterilants, pack lists, and indicators, and expert advice delivered in real-time, e.g., via an online chat room facility, or by email or other communication media. The information received from the sterilization facilities may include requests for information, orders for purchase and shipment of materials, and cost accounting and record-keeping information pertaining to the sterilization procedures performed by the sterilization facilities in the course of their operations. [0008] The network server may trigger the distribution of materials by communicating orders to automated product ordering systems or individuals responsible for order fulfillment. The network server may trigger distribution of materials based on direct requests communicated from sterilization facilities. Alternatively, the network server may be equipped to monitor sterilization process information communicated by the sterilization facilities to determine when a need for additional materials exits. In this case, the network server delivers materials on a predictive basis to maintain sterilization product inventory and keep the operations of a sterilization facility running smoothly. [0009] The materials distributed according to requests generated by the network server may include consumable materials such as sterilants, pack lists, and indicators, as well as software executed by sterilization facility computers to prepare and process indicators. For example, a sterilization facility may provide the network server with information concerning consumption of sterilants, pack lists, indicators and the like, either directly or as part of other information pertaining to sterilization processes within the sterilization facility. In addition, a client computer may directly request the download of software that, for example, drives the printing of identification codes, such as bar codes, on a pack or indicator, defines an indicator image to be printed, or prints a pack list for central service employees. In some cases, the identification code may be printed with self-indicating ink, i.e., ink that changes appearance to indicate the sterilization status of a pack. [0010] In addition, the network server can be configured to generate reports based on information communicated by the sterilization facilities. For example, a client interface can be incorporated in the sterilization facility to permit communication of sterilization process monitoring information to the network server. The sterilization process monitoring information may indicate the status of sterilization equipment, sterilization loads and particular packs within a load. On this basis, the network server can generate reports, for real-time access or archival, that track operations within a sterilization facility. In some cases, the reports can be made accessible by the sterilization facilities as well as regulatory agencies or independent audit organizations to verify compliance with applicable standards. In other cases, the reports may contain cost-accounting information for the charge-back of sterilization costs to particular departments within a health care facility. [0011] In one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising receiving sterilization process information from a sterilization facility via a computer network, generating a report based on the received information, and providing a network client with access to the report via the computer network. [0012] In another embodiment, the invention provides a system comprising a client computer and a network server. The client computer, associated with a sterilization facility, transmits sterilization process information via a computer network. The network server receives the sterilization process information from the client computer via the computer network, generates a report based on the received information, and provides a network client with access to the report via the computer network. [0013] In an added embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising receiving sterilization process information from a sterilization facility via a computer network, determining consumption of a quantity of a sterilization material by the sterilization facility based on the sterilization process information, and processing an order for delivery of an additional quantity of the sterilization material to the sterilization facility based on the determination. [0014] In a further embodiment, the invention provides a system comprising a client computer associated with a sterilization facility. The client computer transmits sterilization process information via a computer network to a network server. The network server determines consumption of a quantity of a sterilization material by the sterilization facility based on the sterilization process information, and processes an order for delivery of an additional quantity of the sterilization material to the sterilization facility based on the determination. [0015] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising receiving sterilization process information from a sterilization facility via a computer network. The method further comprises determining consumption of a quantity of a sterilization material by the sterilization facility based on the sterilization process information, and processes an order for delivery of an additional quantity of the sterilization material to the sterilization facility based on the determination. In addition, the method involves scheduling maintenance for sterilization equipment associated with the sterilization facility based on the sterilization process information, and generating a report that indicates compliance with sterilization process standards based on the sterilization process information. A network client may be given access to the report via the computer network. [0016] In an added embodiment, the invention provides a system comprising a client computer, associated with a sterilization facility, that transmits sterilization process information via a computer network to a network server. The network server determines consumption of a quantity of a sterilization material by the sterilization facility based on the sterilization process information, and processes an order for delivery of an additional quantity of the sterilization material to the sterilization facility based on the determination. The network server also schedules maintenance for sterilization equipment associated with the sterilization facility based on the sterilization process information. Further, the network server generates a report that indicates compliance with sterilization process standards based on the sterilization process information, and provides a reviewer with access to the report via the computer network. [0017] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising receiving sterilization process information from a sterilization facility via a computer network, generating a cost report based on the received information, and providing a network client with access to the report via the computer network. [0018] In a further embodiment, the invention provides a system comprising a client computer and a network server. The client computer, associated with a sterilization facility, transmits sterilization process information via a computer network. The network server receives the sterilization process information from the client computer via the computer network, generates a cost report based on the received information, and provides a network client with access to the report via the computer network. [0019] The invention is capable of providing one or more advantages. In general, the invention can promote the delivery of effective sterilization services. In some embodiments, the invention can improve workflow, inventory control, accounting, record-keeping, and/or compliance with applicable standards. With the invention, sterilization personnel can obtain ready access to information concerning sterilization procedures and control of parameters necessary for proper sterilization. [0020] Automated distribution of materials used in sterilization procedures can provide more efficient inventory management and ensure availability of vital materials, including consumable materials and electronic information used in sterilization processes. Also, use of automated purchasing systems can simplify the ordering of materials by sterilization facility personnel. In addition, with the invention, a sterilization facility can benefit from automation and centralization of process tracking and cost accounting. The invention also can facilitate reporting to regulatory agencies and independent audit organizations. [0021] As a further advantage, the network server may use the same sterilization process information provided by a sterilization facility for multiple purposes in some embodiments. For example, the network server may prepare sterilization process reports based on the sterilization process information, and extract information to determine usage levels for materials and equipment. In this manner, the network server can also estimate inventory levels, order additional materials based on the inventory levels, and schedule maintenance of sterilization equipment. Continue reading... Full patent description for Information management and material distribution for sterilization facilities Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Information management and material distribution for sterilization facilities patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Information management and material distribution for sterilization facilities or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: System and method for providing automated real estate transaction management with centralized transaction information storage Next Patent Application: Integrated pharmaceutical dispensing and patient management monitoring Industry Class: Data processing: financial, business practice, management, or cost/price determination ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Information management and material distribution for sterilization facilities patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.47412 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry |
||
