Sterile implant tracking device, system and method of use
A method of tracking a medical device includes creating a patient profile; creating an operating profile with at least one identified surgical site; providing a tracking assembly including a reader with a scanner, a housing enclosing the scanner and a medical drape; placing a medical device having an identifier over the reader; scanning the identifier of the medical device to electronically record the medical device data; associating the scanned medical device data with the at least one surgical site; and using the medical device on a patient on the at least one surgical site.
1. A method of tracking a medical device comprising, in order, the steps of:
providing a tracking assembly comprising a reader, the reader comprising a scanner, a housing enclosing the scanner, and a medical drape;
covering the reader with the medical drape;
placing the reader covered with the medical drape in a sterile field;
providing a computer;
creating a patient profile using the computer, wherein the patient profile includes a value for a medical procedure start time;
initiating a medical procedure on a patient;
creating an operating profile comprising at least one surgical site using the computer;
placing a medical device having an identifier over the reader;
scanning the identifier of the medical device to electronically record medical device data associated with the medical device in memory in the computer, wherein the scanner communicates with the computer using Bluetooth;
obtaining additional medical device data from at least one additional database selected from the group consisting of hospital and clinic databases, medical device manufacturer and distributor databases, payer databases and government databases, wherein the computer wirelessly communicates with the at least one additional database;
electronically recording the additional medical device data in memory in the computer;
associating the scanned medical device data and additional medical device data with the at least one surgical site using the computer, whereby the scanned medical device is assigned a first status of assigned
using the medical device on the patient on the at least one surgical site;
changing the status of the medical device to a second status, wherein (a) when the medical device is an implant, the second status is selected from the group consisting of implanted, broken and discarded, and (b) when the medical device is a medical tool, the second status is selected from the group consisting of unassigned, broken and discarded, the second status indicates the medical device is either implanted or no longer in use;
completing the medical procedure; and
entering a value for a medical procedure end time into the patient profile,
wherein the step of changing the status of the medical device to the second status occurs after initiating the medical procedure and during the medical procedure in real time, and
wherein the step of entering value for a medical procedure end time occurs after, and only after, changing the status of the medical device to the second status.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reader comprises a transparent sterile sheath and the medical drape is attached to the transparent sterile sheath.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reader further comprises a light ring which is activated by the proximity sensor.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the steps of placing a medical device having an identifier over the reader, scanning the identifier of the medical device to electronically record the medical device data and associating, the scanned medical device data with the at least one surgical site are repeated for every medical device used during a medical procedure.
5. The method claim 1 , wherein the computer is configured to communicate with external systems and databases, including at least one external system or database selected from the group consisting of electronic health records, electronic medical records, a hospital database containing patient information, a hospital database containing scheduling information, a hospital database containing physician information, a hospital database containing medical staff information, a hospital database containing inventory information, a clinic database containing patient information, a clinic database containing scheduling information, a clinic database containing physician information, a clinic database containing medical staff information, a clinic database containing inventory information, a payer system, a database or records of the manufacturer of the medical device, an insurance system, a reimbursement system, and a government database.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method takes place in a sterile field.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reader further comprises a self-contained, rechargeable removable battery enclosed in the housing, wherein the battery is capable of running the scanner for at least 24 hours.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
transmitting the medical device data to one or more databases or records.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of creating a patient profile using the computer occurs while the reader covered with the medical drape is in the sterile field.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second status is selected from the group consisting of unassigned, broken, discarded and implanted.
11. The method of claim 1 , further including the step of entering a note doting the medical procedure.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein, upon entering a value for the medical procedure end time, a user is prompted to review the note before being exported to the patient profile.