Tamper resistant one-time use wristband and clasp and algorithm to enhance the practical use of radio frequency for proximity between two or more entities
An electronic patient monitoring system and method of operation that includes one or more generally non-metal, tamper-resistant patient identification and monitoring devices, an observer transmitter/receiver device configured to receive and detect one or more beacon signals that exceed a predetermined threshold from at least one of the not easily removable patient identification and monitoring devices, set a time to hold open a window for a response on the transmitter/receiver device, and send a request for information to the observer with the transmitter/receiver device, and a central computer system. Each of the transmitter/receiver device and the central computer system, including, at least, a computer processor, communications components and system software to communicate with the observer transmitter/receiver device at specified/predetermined time intervals to receive observer- and patient-specific information.
1. A method of patient monitoring, the method comprising:
detecting a beacon signal in a first processor when at least one radio frequency (RF) signal received from a beacon equals or exceeds a predefined signal strength threshold, the beacon signal being associated with and unique to a single entity;
determining a user is in-range to the beacon in the first processor based on the beacon signal strength that was detected;
issuing an action request from the first processor to the user based on the beacon signal strength that was detected being equal to or exceeding the predefined signal strength; waiting a predetermined time period to receive a response to the action request, regardless of subsequently-received beacon signals continuing to exceed or not exceed the predefined signal strength;
receiving a response to the action request from the user; and
recording the response to the action request that was received.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining whether the response to the action request that was received requires further action;
if the received response requires one or more further actions, then initiating the one or more further actions;
completing the one or more further actions; and
recording results of the completed one or more further actions.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining whether another at least one beacon signal has been received that exceeds the predefined signal strength threshold, then
if a response to the action request was received and it exceeds the predefined signal strength threshold and the beacon signal is associated with the single entity, reset the predetermined time period to run from a time of receipt of the another at least one beacon signal that exceeds the predefined signal strength threshold;
determining whether the predetermined time period to receive a response to another action request has been exceeded;
if the predetermined time period to receive a response to the another action request has been exceeded, then
initiating one or more predefined warning protocols;
completing the one or more predefined warning protocols; and recording results of the completed one or more predefined warning protocols.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:
determining in a second processor whether the predetermined time period to receive a response to the another action request has been exceeded;
if the predetermined time period to receive a response to the another action request has been exceeded, then, from the second processor
initiating one or more predefined warning protocols;
completing the one or more predefined warning protocols; and recording results of the completed one or more predefined warning protocols.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein issuing the action request comprises presenting the action request for an extended period of time that exceeds the predetermined time period.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein issuing an action request comprises a visual or audio trigger.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a proximity comprises measuring the strength of the beacon signal against the predefined signal strength threshold.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving a response to the action request comprises receiving a staff observation/interaction with a patient.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising setting the predefined signal strength-threshold.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising emitting the beacon signal from a wristband worn on a patient's wrist.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the beacon signal in a first processor comprises detecting the beacon signal in a mobile phone or PDA held by the user.
12. A method of patient monitoring, the method comprising:
emitting a beacon signal from a wristband worn on a patient's wrist;
detecting the beacon signal in a first processor held by a user when at least one radio frequency (RF) signal received from a beacon equals or exceeds a predefined signal strength threshold, the beacon signal being associated with and unique to the patient;
determining the user is in range to the beacon based on the beacon signal strength that was detected;
issuing an action request from the first processor to the user based on the beacon signal strength that was detected being equal to or exceeding the predefined signal strength;
waiting a predetermined time period to receive a response to the action request, regardless of subsequently-received beacon signals continuing to exceed or not exceed the predefined signal strength; and
recording the response to the action request that was received.