Patient care system

A patient care system comprising:

• a patient care device comprising a processor and a memory, said memory storing a plurality of configuration databases, said patient care device capable of providing patient therapies or monitoring the condition of a patient in accordance with operating parameters defined by a configuration database selected from said plurality of configuration databases;
• and
• an input device communicating with said patient care device, said input device adapted to enter patient-specific information into the patient care device,
• wherein the processor selects the first configuration database from said plurality of configuration databases in response to the patient-specific information entered into the patient care device through the input device.

A patient care system, comprising:

• an interface unit comprising a processor and a memory, said memory storing a plurality of configuration databases;
• an input device communicating with said interface unit, said input device adapted to enter patient-specific information into the interface unit;
• a functional unit removably connected to the interface unit and communicating therewith, said functional unit capable of providing patient therapies or monitoring the condition of a patient in accordance with a configuration database selected from the plurality of configuration databases;
• and
• a network communicating with said interface unit, said network including at least one database comprising the patient-specific information and communicating with said interface unit via manual interaction or automated interaction,
• wherein the processor selects the configuration database from said plurality of configuration databases in response to the patient-specific information entered into said interface unit through said input device, and said functional unit provides a patient therapy or monitors the condition of the patient in accordance with the selected configuration database.

A method of providing care to a patient, comprising:

• activating a configuration database from a plurality of configuration databases stored in a memory of a patient care device, said patient care device capable of providing patient therapies or monitoring the condition of a patient in accordance with the activated configuration database, wherein said configuration database comprises at least one protocol defining parameters for operating said patient care device;
• configuring said patient care device to operate in accordance with said activated configuration database;
• selecting the patient care protocol from said activated configuration database;
• and
• operating said patient care device in accordance with the operating parameters defined by the selected protocol to provide care to the patient.

A method of programming a patient care device to deliver a substance to a patient, comprising:

• printing a coded label, said label including a substance delivery protocol identifier;
• attaching the label to a container holding the substance;
• transporting the container to the patient care device;
• entering the protocol identifier into the patient care device;
• retrieving from a memory in the patient care device a specific protocol identified by the identifier, said specific protocol comprising a plurality cal delivery parameters and default values;
• and
• programming the patient care device to deliver the substance to the patient in accordance with the specific protocol.

A method of delivering a drug or fluid to a patient, comprising:

• obtaining patient-specific information front a database in a hospital network;
• transferring the patient-specific information to a patient care device using an input device in communication with said patient care device, said interface unit comprising a memory storing a plurality of configuration databases for configuring the care device to provide care to a patient;
• activating a configuration database from the plurality of configuration databases in response to said patient-specific information, the activated configuration database including a plurality of protocols;
• selecting a protocol from said plurality of protocols, said protocol
• including at least one parameter for programming the care device to deliver a drug or fluid to the patient;
• programming said device to deliver the drug or fluid to the patient in accordance with the selected protocol;
• and
• delivering the drug or fluid to the patient in accordance with the selected protocol.