# US 2021/0280307 A1 · Methods and apparatus for managing healthcare assets and processes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0280307 A1 - Document ID: US20210280307A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/196,930 - Filed: 2021-03-09 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-09 - Assignees: IntraLogic Health Solutions, Inc. - Applicants: Acumen Business Group, LLC - Inventors: Jeffrey B. Hargrove; Geoffrey A. Wilson; Jack Weiner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210280307A1 ## CPC - G16H 40/20: for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms - G06K 19/0723: {the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs} - G16H 40/40: for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract Healthcare asset units are enabled to accomplish a healthcare facility management objective by first preparing the asset units in a pre-processing phase by using a computational processor to determine a first unique identifier for each asset unit. The prepared asset units are then transported in a removal phase to a manufacturer location, retrofit in a manufacturing phase at the manufacturer location by applying manufacturing processes to implement the durable information identifier on each asset unit, and by using a computational processor to determine a second unique identifier for each asset unit. The prepared asset units are then transported in a return phase, from the manufacturer location to a healthcare facility where the retrofitted asset units are subsequently used to accomplish a healthcare facility management objective. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for enabling asset units to accomplish a healthcare facility management objective, wherein each asset unit carries a durable information identifier; the method comprising the steps of: preparing asset units in a pre-processing phase by using a computational processor to determine a first unique identifier for each asset unit; transporting the prepared asset units in a removal phase, to a manufacturer location; retrofitting the prepared asset units in a manufacturing phase at the manufacturer location by applying manufacturing processes to implement the durable information identifier on each asset unit, and by using a computational processor to determine a second unique identifier for each asset unit; and transporting the prepared asset units in a return phase, from the manufacturer location to a healthcare facility where the retrofitted asset units are subsequently used for a healthcare facility management objective. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the durable information identifier is a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the pre-processing phase comprises the steps of: appending each unique first identifier to a database record of each asset unit; creating processed asset units by removing asset units to be retrofitted with a durable information identifier from an inventory; implementing a first identifier for the processed asset units by associating each asset unit first identifier with each processed asset unit; and associating each processed asset unit first identifier to asset unit inventory data. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 in which the first identifier is utilized to provide temporary identification through the steps of the method, and is placed on the asset unit and removed at any time advantageously desired in the method. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 in which the record of each asset unit is an element of databases comprising information about asset units as utilized by the facility for asset and process management in accordance with the method. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 in which the record of each asset unit is an element of databases comprising information utilized by a manufacturer for the purposes of retrofitting an asset unit with a durable information identifier. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 in which the record of each asset unit is an element of databases comprising information about the asset units as utilized by the facility and implemented to comprise an ongoing record of the life cycle and utilization of asset units. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 in which the record comprises information determined, recorded or utilized at processing steps or process utilizations of an asset unit over its entire life cycle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 in which the step of associating each asset unit first identifier with each processed asset unit further comprises the steps of placing the first identifier on a processed asset unit, placing a processed asset unit in an individual container and placing the first identifier on the individual container, or placing processed asset units in a container and placing the first identifier for each processed asset unit on the container such that the first identifier is associated with the correct processed asset unit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the removal phase comprises the steps of: appending the first identifier of processed asset units to be removed to a database; packaging all processed asset units to be removed into a lot of such processed asset units; creating lot documentation and tracking information relating to the physical transport of the totality of packaged processed asset units being removed; and transporting the totality of lots from the facility to the manufacturer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the manufacturing phase is carried out to retrofit processed asset units with a durable information identifier, and comprises the steps of: receiving lots of transported asset units at the manufacturer; verifying the transported asset units match corresponding information provided on transportation documentation created in the removal phase; reconciling any discrepancies between transported asset units and corresponding information provided on transportation documentation; updating tracking information in databases; introducing a processed asset unit's first identifier to manufacturing processes; carrying out manufacturing processes for attaching or enabling a durable information identifier on each asset unit; further updating tracking and traceability information to include information relating to or identifying an object added to an asset unit; appending databases containing information related to manufacturing; packaging all processed asset units for return to the facility; creating documentation and tracking information relating to the transport of processed asset units from the manufacturer back to the facility; and transporting lots of processed asset units that have undergone manufacturing processes from the manufacturer to the facility. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 in which the durable information identifier is an RFID chip, and the introducing step further comprises the steps of: using machine vision to capture an image of a processed asset unit; processing the image in software practically applied for use in practicing the method; using the image processing to verify identification as provided by the first identifier; using the image processing to identify a location and orientation of a processed asset unit for the purposes of enabling physical introduction to manufacturing processes; using the image processing to enable the automated retrieval and placement of the processed asset unit to the manufacturing processes; using the image processing to provide location and orientation information further utilized for identifying preferred placement and relative orientation information for the RFID chip to be durably attached to the processed asset unit; and using the image processing to provide location and orientation information further utilized to guide manufacturing processes that introduce and place the RFID chip on to a processed asset unit for the purposes of durable attachment. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 in which the unique identifier of the RFID chip is appended to a database containing specification information about an asset unit, or a database containing information about asset units as utilized by a healthcare facility for asset and process management, such that the identifying information may be related to the first identifier for the processed asset unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the return phase is applied to lots transported from the manufacturer to the facility following completion of the manufacturing phase, and comprises the steps of: receiving the lots of transported asset units at the facility; verifying the transported asset units match corresponding information provided on transportation documentation created in the manufacturing phase; reconciling any discrepancies between transported asset units and corresponding information provided on transportation documentation; introducing the second identifier of each processed asset unit to a database containing specification information about an asset unit or a database containing information about asset units as utilized by a healthcare facility for asset and process management; verifying that the means of enabling each asset unit for a healthcare facility management objective is functionally operable for the purposes of implementing the method; and appending a database containing specification information about an asset unit, or a database containing information about asset units as utilized by a healthcare facility for asset and process management, for the purposes of updating tracking information on a processed asset unit and closing the associated processed asset unit processing record for use in practicing the method. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 in which the introducing step is carried out by utilizing durable information identifier detectors used in practicing the method to implement a management objective. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 in which durable information identifier information is appended to a database containing specification information about an asset unit, or a database containing information about asset units as utilized by a healthcare facility for asset and process management, utilizing software practically applied for use in practicing the method. ### Claim 17 A healthcare facility process management method wherein data from an asset management system provides information used to manage a healthcare facility process; the method comprising the steps of: operating an asset management system comprising a plurality of asset units, each asset unit carrying a durable information identifier; utilizing durable information identifier detectors to obtain data for quantifying or qualifying asset unit use at points of healthcare facility processes performed on the asset units; processing the data relating to asset unit use at points of healthcare facility processes to obtain additional data related to the carrying out of such facility processes; identifying healthcare facility processes to be measured or analyzed; retrieving process data from an asset management system by using a computational means; and analyzing the data by using a computational means, wherein the analyzed data provide measures and characteristics of the managed healthcare facility processes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 in which the data comprises data arising from a plurality of asset units tracked in an asset management system, and the retrieving step further comprises retrieving process related data that are independent of an asset management system. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 in which the method is implemented in a multiplicity of facilities and any combination of data from any multiplicity of facilities is utilized in the method. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising the use of patient experiences data, patient symptoms data, or outcome metrics data arising from patient monitoring occurring before, during or after an interaction with a healthcare facility. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 in which the use of patient experiences and outcome metrics further comprises means of identifying relationships between healthcare facility processes and patient outcomes. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 in which the method further comprises the use of software practically applied to accomplish and report on means of: analyzing process adjustments arising from data or analyses associated with process metrics; comparing pre-adjustment metrics for the purposes of quantifying or qualifying process improvement or the lack thereof; determining correlations between data related to a first managed process and data related to second managed processes, to determine process influences between the first managed process and the second managed processes; determining correlations between process data associated with a healthcare facility and the process data of other facilities; determining correlations between process data associated with a first human operator and second human operators in a healthcare facility; and determining measures of healthcare facility process characteristics in relationship to any number of socioeconomic measures or statistics associated with the population of persons for which the facility serves. ### Claim 23 A method for managing assets and healthcare facility processes by tracking uses of asset units in a healthcare facility, the method comprising the steps of: retrofitting asset units with a durable information identifier; initiating facility operational process use of the asset units, wherein durable information identifier detectors configured to detect or measure the durable information identifier of the asset units are utilized, and wherein information received by the durable information identifier detectors is appended to databases containing information about the asset units as utilized by a facility for asset and process management; tracking process uses of the asset units in a facility, wherein durable information identifier detectors configured to detect a durable information identifier of the asset units are utilized in relation to the facility operational processes, and wherein information received by the durable information identifier detectors is appended to databases containing information about the asset units as utilized by a facility for asset and process management; acquiring additional data related to at least one healthcare facility operational process, wherein devices configured to acquire such additional data are utilized in relation to the facility operational processes, and wherein information received by the devices is appended to databases containing information about each process use; and operationally coupling the devices and durable information identifier detectors to a data acquisition system, wherein coupling is achieved by interfacing the devices and durable information identifier detectors to an information technology platform utilizing a computer-based data acquisition system linked to databases, wherein the devices and durable information identifier detectors further comprise computer-based systems including computers, processors, memory, displays or peripheral devices, and wherein computer-based systems utilize software practically applied to control the devices and durable information identifier detectors. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23 wherein the durable information identifier detectors comprise RFID scanners advantageously located in proximity to a surgical operating room and utilized before, during and after a surgery, and wherein uses of the RFID scanners include uses from the group consisting of detecting healthcare facility asset units that utilize an RFID-based technology as a durable information identifier, identifying asset units designated for use in a surgery, counting asset units designated for use in a surgery, detecting process uses of asset units before, during and after a surgery, determining process timing and movements of asset units, identifying unexpected asset units present in an operating room, detecting expected or unexpected movements of asset units in an operating room, identifying asset units designated for a non-surgical process step, identifying asset units designated for sterilization, identifying asset units designated for maintenance, identifying asset units designated for obsolescence, or identifying asset units designated for replacement. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23 wherein the durable information identifier detectors comprise RFID scanners advantageously located in proximity to a central sterile processing location or function, and is utilized before or after a surgery, and wherein uses of the RFID scanners include uses from the group consisting of detecting healthcare facility asset units that utilize an RFID-based technology as a durable information identifier, identifying asset units designated for use in central sterile processing functions, counting asset units designated for use in central sterile processing functions, identifying asset units designated for a surgery, locating asset units designated for a surgery, or counting asset units designated for a surgery.