SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MEDICAL DATA

1 . A handheld apparatus comprising:

a display capable of receiving touch-responsive user input;

a memory maintaining a medical information management application; and

a processor operable, when executing the medical information management application:

to present on the display a patient monitoring worksheet displaying medical information relating to the delivery of medical care to a patient, the patient monitoring worksheet having a maximum viewable time range selected from the range of thirty minutes to four hours and equally divided into a plurality of time intervals, and wherein the patient monitoring worksheet comprises a plurality of simultaneously viewable display sections comprising a drugs display section, a fluids display section, a vital signs display section, and a physiological data display section;

the drugs display section having a column listing a plurality of drugs and, for each of the drugs, a row capable of tracking of an amount of the drug administered for each of the time intervals, and wherein if a number of the drugs exceeds a drug list threshold, the drugs display section is vertically scrollable in response to touch-screen gesture control;

the fluids display section having a column listing of a plurality of fluids and, for each of the fluids, a row capable of tracking of an amount of the fluid administered or expelled for each of the time intervals, and wherein if a number of the fluids exceeds a fluid list threshold, the fluids display section is vertically scrollable in response to touch-screen gesture control;

the vital signs display section having a column indicating a scale and capable of tracking, for each of the equally distributed subintervals of time, a heart rate and a blood pressure of the patient charted on the scale; and

the physiological data display section having a column listing a plurality of physiological data items and, for each of the physiological data items, a row capable of tracking a value for the physiological data item for each of the time intervals, and wherein if a number of the physiological data items exceeds a physiological data item list limit, the physiological data display section is vertically scrollable in response to touch-screen gesture control;

wherein each of the time intervals of each of the display sections is a subsection;

to detect touch-screen input selecting a subsection; and

to present in a portion of the display an edit popup for the selected subsection, the edit popup permitting editing of values for information tracked in the subsection.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a wireless network interface capable of coupling to a central medical information management system and wherein the processor is further operable, when executing the medical information management application:

to transmit the received input to the medical information management system; and

to update the one of the plurality of display sections associated with the selected subsection based on the received input.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further operable, when executing the medical information management application:

to determine, for each subsection, whether information tracked during that subsection is incomplete; and

to present, using the display, visual emphasis for the ones of the subsections with incomplete information.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the processor is further operable, when executing the medical information management application:

in a first mode of operation, to permit edit popups only for the ones of the subsections with incomplete information;

in a second mode of operation, to permit edit popups for any of the subsections; and

to toggle between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation in response to user input.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further operable, when executing the medical information management application, to horizontally scroll tracked information for all of the display sections in response to touch-screen gesture control to permit display of different periods of time intervals.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further operable, when executing the medical information management application:

to detect a beginning of a new time interval;

to determine selected ones of the subsections set for auto-population of values;

to determine values for the selected auto-population subsections; and

to present, using the display, the determined values for the auto-population subsections.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further operable, when executing the medical information management application:

in a first mode of operation, to present a laboratory data display section having a column listing a plurality of laboratory data items and, for each of the laboratory data items, a row capable of tracking a value for the laboratory data item;

in a second mode of operation, to hide the laboratory data display section; and

to toggle between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation in response to user input.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further operable, when executing the medical information management application:

to determine that a predefined time has passed after completion of a patient care associated with the patient monitoring worksheet;

to determine one or more of the subsections having incomplete tracked information; and

to communicate a notification indicating incomplete tracked information.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of display sections further comprises an events display section and wherein the processor is further operable, when executing the medical information management application:

to detect a touch-screen input selection of a subsection of the events display section;

to present in a portion of the display an events edit popup for the selected subsection of the events display section, the events edit popup permitting selection of an event to be tracked in the subsection;

to transmit the selected event and a corresponding timestamp to a central medical information management system; and

to update the subsection of the events display section with a visual indication of the entered event.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the edit popup presents items trackable in the selected subsection, and wherein the processor is further operable, when executing the medical information management application:

to receive rapid entry selection of one or more of the items;

to determine that numeric values accompanying those items are required;

to receive a confirmation of the selected items without receiving numeric values for one or more of the selected items;

to visually indicate each of the selected items in the corresponding subsection of the patient monitoring worksheet; and

to visually emphasize the corresponding subsection of the patient monitoring worksheet as incomplete.

11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of drugs for the drugs display section, the plurality of fluids for the fluids display section, and the plurality of physiological data items are each defined by a corresponding template associated with a selected practice location.

12 . A method comprising:

presenting, on a display capable of receiving touch-responsive user input, a patient monitoring worksheet displaying medical information relating to the delivery of medical care to a patient, the patient monitoring worksheet having a maximum viewable time range selected from the range of thirty minutes to four hours and equally divided into a plurality of time intervals, and wherein the patient monitoring worksheet comprises a plurality of simultaneously viewable display sections comprising a drugs display section, a fluids display section, a vital signs display section, and a physiological data display section;

the drugs display section having a column listing a plurality of drugs and, for each of the drugs, a row capable of tracking of an amount of the drug administered for each of the time intervals, and wherein if a number of the drugs exceeds a drug list threshold, the drugs display section is vertically scrollable in response to touch-screen gesture control;

the fluids display section having a column listing of a plurality of fluids and, for each of the fluids, a row capable of tracking of an amount of the fluid administered or expelled for each of the time intervals, and wherein if a number of the fluids exceeds a fluid list threshold, the fluids display section is vertically scrollable in response to touch-screen gesture control;

the vital signs display section having a column indicating a scale and capable of tracking, for each of the equally distributed subintervals of time, a heart rate and a blood pressure of the patient charted on the scale; and

the physiological data display section having a column listing a plurality of physiological data items and, for each of the physiological data items, a row capable of tracking a value for the physiological data item for each of the time intervals, and wherein if a number of the physiological data items exceeds a physiological data item list limit, the physiological data display section is vertically scrollable in response to touch-screen gesture control;

wherein each of the time intervals of each of the display sections is a subsection;

detecting touch-screen input selecting a subsection; and

presenting in a portion of the display an edit popup for the selected subsection, the edit popup permitting editing of values for information tracked in the subsection.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

transmitting, using a wireless network interface capable of coupling to a central medical information management system, the received input to the medical information management system; and

updating the one of the plurality of display sections associated with the selected subsection based on the received input.

14 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

determining, for each subsection, whether information tracked during that subsection is incomplete; and

presenting, using the display, visual emphasis for the ones of the subsections with incomplete information.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

in a first mode of operation, permitting edit popups only for the ones of the subsections with incomplete information;

in a second mode of operation, permitting edit popups for any of the subsections; and

toggling between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation in response to user input.

16 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising horizontally scrolling tracked information for all of the display sections in response to touch-screen gesture control to permit display of different periods of time intervals.

17 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

detecting beginning of a new time interval;

determining selected ones of the subsections set for auto-population of values;

determining values for the selected auto-population subsections; and

presenting, using the display, the determined values for the auto-population subsections.

18 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

in a first mode of operation, presenting a laboratory data display section having a column listing a plurality of laboratory data items and, for each of the laboratory data items, a row capable of tracking a value for the laboratory data item;

in a second mode of operation, hiding the laboratory data display section; and

toggling between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation in response to user input.

19 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

determining that a predefined time has passed after completion of a patient care associated with the patient monitoring worksheet;

determining one or more of the subsections having incomplete tracked information; and

communicating a notification indicating incomplete tracked information.

20 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of display sections further comprises an events display section, the method further comprising:

detecting a touch-screen input selection of a subsection of the events display section;

presenting in a portion of the display an events edit popup for the selected subsection of the events display section, the events edit popup permitting selection of an event to be tracked in the subsection;

transmitting the selected event and a corresponding timestamp to a central medical information management system; and

updating the subsection of the events display section with a visual indication of the entered event.

21 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the edit popup presents items trackable in the selected subsection, the method further comprising:

receiving rapid entry selection of one or more of the items;

determining that numeric values accompanying those items are required;

receiving a confirmation of the selected items without receiving numeric values for one or more of the selected items;

visually indicating each of the selected items in the corresponding subsection of the patient monitoring worksheet; and

visually emphasizing the corresponding subsection of the patient monitoring worksheet as incomplete.

22 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of drugs for the drugs display section, the plurality of fluids for the fluids display section, and the plurality of physiological data items are each defined by a corresponding template associated with a selected practice location.

23 . A system comprising:

a central medical information management system operable to maintain a plurality of patient monitoring worksheets that correspond to patients associated with a medical practice at a practice location during a predetermined period of time, wherein each of the patient monitoring worksheets includes a patient identifier;

one or more medical information management applications each residing on a wireless handheld device and operable, when executed, to:

present, on a display capable of receiving touch-responsive user input, a patient monitoring worksheet displaying medical information relating to the delivery of medical care to a patient, the patient monitoring worksheet having a maximum viewable time range selected from the range of thirty minutes to four hours and equally divided into a plurality of time intervals, and wherein the patient monitoring worksheet comprises a plurality of simultaneously viewable display sections comprising a drugs display section, a fluids display section, a vital signs display section, and a physiological data display section;

the drugs display section having a column listing a plurality of drugs and, for each of the drugs, a row capable of tracking of an amount of the drug administered for each of the time intervals, and wherein if a number of the drugs exceeds a drug list threshold, the drugs display section is vertically scrollable in response to touch-screen gesture control;

the fluids display section having a column listing of a plurality of fluids and, for each of the fluids, a row capable of tracking of an amount of the fluid administered or expelled for each of the time intervals, and wherein if a number of the fluids exceeds a fluid list threshold, the fluids display section is vertically scrollable in response to touch-screen gesture control;

the vital signs display section having a column indicating a scale and capable of tracking, for each of the equally distributed subintervals of time, a heart rate and a blood pressure of the patient charted on the scale; and

the physiological data display section having a column listing a plurality of physiological data items and, for each of the physiological data items, a row capable of tracking a value for the physiological data item for each of the time intervals, and wherein if a number of the physiological data items exceeds a physiological data item list limit, the physiological data display section is vertically scrollable in response to touch-screen gesture control;

wherein each of the time intervals of each of the display sections is a subsection;

detect touch-screen input selecting a subsection; and

present in a portion of the display an edit popup for the selected subsection, the edit popup permitting editing of values for information tracked in the subsection.

24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein each of the one or more medical information management applications is further operable, when executed, to:

transmit, using a wireless network interface capable of coupling to a central medical information management system, the received input to the medical information management system; and

update the one of the plurality of display sections associated with the selected subsection based on the received input.

25 . The system of claim 23 , wherein each of the one or more medical information management applications is further operable, when executed, to:

determine, for each subsection, whether information tracked during that subsection is incomplete; and

present, using the display, visual emphasis for the ones of the subsections with incomplete information.

26 . The system of claim 25 , wherein each of the one or more medical information management applications is further operable, when executed, to:

in a first mode of operation, permit edit popups only for the ones of the subsections with incomplete information;

in a second mode of operation, permit edit popups for any of the subsections; and

toggle between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation in response to user input.

27 . The system of claim 23 , wherein each of the one or more medical information management applications is further operable, when executed, to horizontally scroll tracked information for all of the display sections in response to touch-screen gesture control to permit display of different periods of time intervals.

28 . The system of claim 23 , wherein each of the one or more medical information management applications is further operable, when executed, to:

detect a beginning of a new time interval;

determine selected ones of the subsections set for auto-population of values;

determine values for the selected auto-population subsections; and

present, using the display, the determined values for the auto-population subsections.

29 . The system of claim 23 , wherein each of the one or more medical information management applications is further operable, when executed, to:

in a first mode of operation, present a laboratory data display section having a column listing a plurality of laboratory data items and, for each of the laboratory data items, a row capable of tracking a value for the laboratory data item;

in a second mode of operation, hide the laboratory data display section; and

toggle between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation in response to user input.

30 . The system of claim 23 , wherein each of the one or more medical information management applications is further operable, when executed, to:

determine that a predefined time has passed after completion of a patient care associated with the patient monitoring worksheet;

determine one or more of the subsections having incomplete tracked information; and

communicate a notification indicating incomplete tracked information.

31 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the plurality of display sections further comprises an events display section and wherein each of the one or more medical information management applications is further operable, when executed, to:

detect a touch-screen input selection of a subsection of the events display section;

present in a portion of the display an events edit popup for the selected subsection of the events display section, the events edit popup permitting selection of an event to be tracked in the subsection;

transmit the selected event and a corresponding timestamp to a central medical information management system; and

update the subsection of the events display section with a visual indication of the entered event.

32 . The system of claim 23 , wherein each of the one or more medical information management applications is further operable, when executed, to:

receive rapid entry selection of one or more of the items;

determine that numeric values accompanying those items are required;

receive a confirmation of the selected items without receiving numeric values for one or more of the selected items;

visually indicate each of the selected items in the corresponding subsection of the patient monitoring worksheet; and

visually emphasize the corresponding subsection of the patient monitoring worksheet as incomplete.

33 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the plurality of drugs for the drugs display section, the plurality of fluids for the fluids display section, and the plurality of physiological data items are each defined by a corresponding template associated with a selected practice location.