System and method for implementing medical risk algorithms at the point of care

#A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever.

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to a system and method for estimating and tracking a patient's risk for various medical conditions and, in particular, to a system and method for estimating and tracking a patient's risk for various medical conditions using an electronic medical records system.

#FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic overview of the system of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a main screen for the system;

#FIG. 3 illustrates a new contact dialog box for the system;

#The present invention provides a method and system for electronically maintaining medical records and is particularly designed to eliminate the need for paper records, such as paper medical charts, and to facilitate availability and use of information relating to patients, as well as other information used in the operation of a medical facility.

#Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention preferably includes a central computer 10 and a plurality of separate workstation computers 12 connected to the central computer, such as through a conventional network system, and provides an efficient method of storing information and interfacing with a user for entering, accessing and outputting information to improve documentation and workflow. In particular, the system stores medical record information such as patient information, insurance information including documentation requirements of insurance companies, timelines for calendaring events, and dictionaries of commonly or repetitively used information. The dictionaries are groups of related entries (records). They may be viewed as reference material that does not change substantially over time and which may be selected for use during entry of data or for timeline entries. The dictionaries and their use will be described further below.

#The present system is also designed to provide an interface for inputting data or information previously contained on paper documents, including inputting information relating to an encounter or appointment with a patient and inputting information on business related contacts including information on patients, pharmacies, physicians, and insurance companies. The system further provides outputs which facilitate tracking of patients and their medical status, prescription writing, printing of reports, and preparation of insurance forms including electronic claim forms and HCFA-1500 forms (Health Care Finance Administration forms) used to expedite Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance benefits.