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 for monitoring a patient, the method comprising:
determining a radio frequency (RF) beacon signal strength of a beacon signal received from a patient identification device worn by a patient;
determining when the RF beacon signal strength of the beacon signal received from the patient identification device equals or exceeds a predefined signal strength threshold;
issuing an action request to a user when the RF beacon signal strength of the beacon signal is equal to or exceeds the predefined signal strength threshold, the action request associated with the patient identification device;
waiting a predetermined time period to receive a response to the action request;
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 , wherein issuing the action request comprises issuing a visual or audio trigger.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the RF beacon signal strength by comparing a strength of the beacon signal against the predefined signal strength threshold.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the response to the action request comprises receiving a staff observation/interaction with the patient.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising setting the predefined signal strength threshold.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient identification device comprises a tamper resistant wristband secured to the patient so that the patient identification device cannot be removed by the patient.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising presenting the action request for an extended period of time that exceeds the predetermined time period.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining whether the response to the action request that was received requires further action; and
if the response to the action request that was received 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.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining whether a second beacon signal has been received that exceeds the predefined signal strength threshold, then
if a response to the action request was received and the second beacon signal exceeds the predefined signal strength threshold and the second beacon signal is associated with the patient, resetting the predetermined time period to run from a time of receipt of the second beacon signal that exceeds the predefined signal strength threshold.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
determining whether the predetermined time period to receive a response to a second action request has been exceeded;
if the predetermined time period to receive a response to the second 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.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein issuing an action request to the user comprises determining that an observer module operated by a user is in-range to the beacon based on the determining that the RF beacon signal strength of the received beacon signal is equal to or exceeds the predefined signal strength threshold.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the observer module is operated on a mobile phone or PDA.
13. A method for monitoring a patient, the method comprising:
determining when a signal strength of a radio frequency (RF) beacon signal emitted by a patient identification device detected by a receiver of an observation module operated by a user equals or exceeds a predefined signal strength threshold, wherein the beacon signal is uniquely associated with a patient;
issuing an action request to the user based on the signal strength of the beacon signal that was detected being equal to or exceeding the predefined signal strength threshold;
waiting a predetermined time period to receive a response to the action request; and
recording the response to the action request that was received.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein issuing the action request comprises issuing a visual or audio trigger.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein determining the signal strength comprises measuring the signal strength to determine when the signal strength of the RF beacon signal detected equals or exceeds the predefined signal strength threshold.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein issuing the action request to the user comprises determining that an observer module operated by a user is in-range to the beacon based on the determining that the signal strength of the RF beacon signal is equal to or exceeds the predefined signal strength threshold, wherein the observer module is operated on a mobile phone or PDA held by the user.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the patient identification device comprises a tamper resistant wristband secured to the patient so that the patient identification device cannot be removed by the patient.
18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising presenting the action request for an extended period of time that exceeds the predetermined time period.
19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
determining whether the response to the action request that was received requires further action; and
if the response to the action request that was received 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.
20. A method for monitoring a patient, the method comprising:
determining when a radio frequency (RF) signal strength of a beacon signal detected by a receiver of an observation module equals or exceeds a predefined signal strength threshold, wherein the beacon signal is emitted by a wrist-worn patient identification device and is uniquely associated with a patient;
issuing an action request to a user based on the signal strength of the beacon signal that was detected being equal to or exceeding the predefined signal strength threshold;
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 threshold; and
recording the response to the action request that was received.