SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION
A method according to one aspect of the present invention includes receiving patient information, analyzing the patient information to identify a condition for the patient, formatting a report based on the patient information and the patient condition, and contacting the patient when the patient condition satisfies a predetermined threshold condition. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to monitor any appropriate medical device from essentially any location from which a communications signal can be sent and received. This enables patients to enjoy an active lifestyle by not being tied to medical device monitoring equipment that is difficult or impossible to transport or having to routinely visit health care facilities. Embodiments of the present invention further allow healthcare providers to closely (and remotely) monitor patients to ensure they are properly following their treatment regimens.
1 . A method comprising:
receiving patient information;
analyzing the patient information to identify a condition for the patient;
formatting a report based on the patient information and the patient condition; and
contacting the patient when the patient condition satisfies a predetermined threshold condition.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting the patient includes providing a warning to the patient where the patient condition represents at least one of a present harmful condition and a potential future harmful condition
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting the patient is performed after at least one of:
a comparison of at least one of the patient information and the patient condition to a medical record for the patient;
a predetermined interval to verify that the patient is in compliance with a prescribed medical treatment;
information from the patient is not received for a predetermined interval;
when a patient compliance level meets or exceeds a predetermined compliance threshold, wherein the contact includes providing the patient with a reward; and
when a patient compliance level does not meet a predetermined compliance threshold, wherein the contact includes providing the patient with a treatment recommendation.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting the patient includes at least one of:
automatically using an interactive voice response system, and contacting the patient by a human operator.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting the patient includes providing a list created by a doctor or nurse caring for the patient, wherein the list includes at least one of information and questions for the patient.
6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising receiving responses to the questions from the patient.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a communication from the patient.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein receiving a communication from the patient includes:
identifying the patient based at least partially on an identifier associated with the communication; and
routing the communication to a user.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the identifier is a telephone number.
10 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising providing the user with at least one of the patient information, the patient condition, and a medical history for the patient.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the patient information provided to the user is measured from one or more medical devices.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the user includes at least one of a disease management vendor, an educational institution, a government entity, and a healthcare provider.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein routing the communication to the user is based on at least one of a status of the user, a capability of the user, and a location of the user.
14 . A wellness monitoring system comprising:
a processor;
a patient interface;
a user interface; and
a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
receive patient information using the patient interface;
analyze the patient information to identify a condition for the patient;
format a report based on the patient information and the patient condition;
provide the report to one or more users using the user interface; and
automatically contact the patient when the patient condition satisfies a predetermined threshold condition.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the wellness monitoring system is further configured to automatically provide a warning to the patient where the patient condition represents at least one of a present harmful condition and a potential future harmful condition
16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the wellness monitoring system is configured to automatically contact the patient after at least one of:
a comparison of at least one of the patient information and the patient condition to a medical record for the patient;
a predetermined interval to verify that the patient is in compliance with a prescribed medical treatment;
information from the patient is not received for a predetermined interval;
when a patient compliance level meets or exceeds a predetermined compliance threshold, wherein the contact includes providing the patient with a reward; and
when a patient compliance level does not meet a predetermined compliance threshold, wherein the contact includes providing the patient with a treatment recommendation.
17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the wellness monitoring system is configured to contact the patient through the patient interface using at least one of: an automatic interactive voice response system, and a human operator.
18 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the wellness monitoring system is further configured to contact the patient using the patient interface to provide a list created by a doctor or nurse caring for the patient, wherein the list includes at least one of information and questions for the patient.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the wellness monitoring system is further configured to automatically receive responses to the questions from the patient through the patient interface.
20 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the wellness monitoring system is further configured to receive a communication from the patient.
21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the wellness monitoring system is further configured to:
Identify the patient based at least partially on an identifier associated with the communication from the patient; and
route the patient communication to a user through the user interface.
22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the wellness monitoring system is further configured to provide the user with at least one of the patient information, the patient condition, and a medical history for the patient using the user interface.
23 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the patient condition provided to the user is measured from one or more medical devices.
24 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the user includes at least one of a disease management vendor, an educational institution, a government entity, and a healthcare provider.
25 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the routing of the communication to the user is based on at least one of a status of the user, a capability of the user, and a location of the user.