Medical information display systems and methods

1. A computer implemented method of displaying a virtual patient chart, the method comprising:

receiving data relating to a patient;

generating, using a processor, a graphic representing at least a portion of the received patient data, wherein the generating comprises:

(a) using a plurality of consistent visual modification rules that convey additional information to the graphic;

(b) rendering the graphic as a dynamic isotype or disotype representing a base metric associated with the patient data, wherein rendering the disotype further comprises:

(i) rendering the disotype with multiple dimensions of data wherein multiple attributes are associated with the base metric, wherein each attribute represents a separate dimension of data associated with the same base metric and each attribute is associated with a visual representation which is displayable in association with rendering the disotype, and,

(ii) dynamically modifying a visual appearance of the disotype in response to comparison of a numerical value associated with the common metric to a threshold value associated with the base metric, wherein modifying the visual appearance of the disotype comprises modifying at least one of a color or a shape of the disotype; and

(c) maintaining consistency of semantic meaning of at least one visual appearance of at least one of the attributes associated with the rendered disotype, including retaining the semantic meaning of the visual appearance as applied among different disotypes; and

displaying the graphic on a virtual patient chart.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rendered disotype includes a representation of status of the patient.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visual modification rules include rules that specify displaying color to the graphic when the attribute is of a certain class or value.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating, using the processor, a second graphic representing at least a portion of the received patient data, wherein the generating of the second graphic comprises:

(a) using a plurality of consistent visual modification rules that convey additional information to the second graphic;

(b) rendering the second graphic as a dynamic isotype or disotype representing a base metric associated with the patient data, wherein rendering the disotype further comprises:

(i) rendering the disotype with multiple dimensions of data wherein multiple attributes are associated with the base metric, wherein each attribute represents a separate dimension of data associated with the same base metric and each attribute is associated with a visual representation which is displayable in association with rendering the disotype, and,

(ii) dynamically modifying a visual appearance of the disotype in response to comparison of a numerical value associated with the common metric to a threshold value associated with the base metric, wherein modifying the visual appearance of the disotype comprises modifying at least one of a color or a shape of the disotype; and

(c) maintaining consistency of semantic meaning of at least one visual appearance of at least one of the attributes associated with the rendered disotype of the second graphic, including retaining the semantic meaning of the visual appearance as applied among different disotypes.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising organizing the graphic and the second graphic to increase cognitive recognition by a user.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying a set of data upon selection of the graphic by a user.

7. The method of claim 4 , further comprising enabling a user to sort the graphic and the second graphic.

8. The method of claim 4 , further comprising enabling a user to filter the graphic and the second graphic.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving data relating to at least one piece of medical equipment.

10. A system, comprising:

a database; and

a visual language engine in communication with the database, the visual language engine configured to:

receive data relating to a patient from a medical system,

generate a graphic representing at least a portion of the received patient data, wherein generating the graphic comprises:

(a) using a plurality of consistent visual modification rules that convey additional information to the graphic;

(b) rendering the second graphic as a dynamic isotype or disotype representing a base metric associated with the patient data, wherein rendering the disotype further comprises:

(i) rendering the disotype with multiple dimensions of data wherein multiple attributes are associated with the base metric, wherein each attribute represents a separate dimension of data associated with the same base metric and each attribute is associated with a visual representation which is displayable in association with rendering the disotype, and,

(ii) dynamically modifying a visual appearance of the disotype in response to comparison of a numerical value associated with the common metric to a threshold value associated with the base metric, wherein modifying the visual appearance of the disotype comprises modifying at least one of a color or a shape of the disotype; and

(c) maintaining consistency of semantic meaning of at least one visual appearance of at least one of the attributes associated with the rendered disotype, including retaining the semantic meaning of the visual appearance as applied among different disotypes,

add the graphic to a virtual patient chart, and

transmit the virtual patient chart to a display device.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the visual language engine comprises a transformative visualization module and a data normalization and aggregation module.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the medical system is at least one of an electronic medical records system, a hospital information system, an electronic health record system, an imaging system, a digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) system, a picture archiving system, a financial and billing system, a prescription management system, a laboratory system, a bed management system, a scheduling system, a single sign on (SSO) system, a communication/messaging system, and a molecular, nuclear and pathology lab system.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the display device includes at least one of a handheld computing device, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a wearable computing device, a smart watch, a glasses-type computing device, a fixed display, a desktop workstation, a wall mounted monitor, a display that is integral with a piece of equipment, an x-ray machine display, a portable device, a mobile workstation, and a holographic and head-up display device.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving data relating to a patient;

means for generating a graphic representing at least a portion of the received patient data, wherein the generating means comprises:

(a) means for using a plurality of consistent visual modification rules that convey additional information to the graphic;

(b) means for rendering the graphic as a dynamic isotype or disotype representing a base metric associated with the patient data, wherein the rendering means further comprises:

(i) means for rendering the disotype with multiple dimensions of data wherein multiple attributes are associated with the base metric, wherein each attribute represents a separate dimension of data associated with the same base metric and each attribute is associated with a visual representation which is displayable in association with rendering the disotype, and,

(ii) means for dynamically modifying a visual appearance of the disotype in response to comparison of a numerical value associated with the common metric to a threshold value associated with the base metric, wherein modifying the visual appearance of the disotype comprises modifying at least one of a color or a shape of the disotype; and

(c) means for maintaining consistency of semantic meaning of at least one visual appearance of at least one of the attributes associated with the rendered disotype, including retaining the semantic meaning of the visual appearance as applied among different disotypes; and

means for displaying the graphic on a virtual patient chart.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising means for receiving data relating to at least one piece of medical equipment.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium including software for causing a processor to:

receive data relating to a patient;

generate a graphic representing at least a portion of the received patient data, wherein the generating comprises:

(a) using a plurality of consistent visual modification rules that convey additional information to the graphic;

(b) rendering the graphic as a dynamic isotype or disotype representing a base metric associated with the patient data, wherein rendering the disotype further comprises:

(i) rendering the disotype with multiple dimensions of data wherein multiple attributes are associated with the base metric, wherein each attribute represents a separate dimension of data associated with the same base metric and each attribute is associated with a visual representation which is displayable in association with rendering the disotype, and,

(ii) dynamically modifying a visual appearance of the disotype in response to comparison of a numerical value associated with the common metric to a threshold value associated with the base metric, wherein modifying the visual appearance of the disotype comprises modifying at least one of a color or a shape of the disotype; and

(c) maintaining consistency of semantic meaning of at least one visual appearance of at least one of the attributes associated with the rendered disotype, including retaining the semantic meaning of the visual appearance as applied among different disotypes; and

enable display of the graphic on a virtual patient chart.