Medical communication system for ambulatory home-care patients

A portable home-care patient communication system for use by a patient, comprising:

• a) a computer system having a memory means, a first transmitting means, and a first receiving means, said memory means storing a personal data module and treatment module for the patient, said treatment module including a treatment plan, first inquiry data, and compliance data;
• b) a portable communication device having a display, second receiving means for receiving first inquiry data, and second transmitting means for transmitting a first response, said communication device adapted to be carried by the patient within and outside the home of the patient;
• and
• c) an automated telephone means activated by said computer system for automatically calling a home telephone device at a home of the patient,
• wherein said first transmitting means is for transmitting said first inquiry data from said computer system to said second receiving means of said portable communication device,
• said first receiving means is for receiving at said computer system said first response transmitted by said second transmitting means of said portable communication device,
• said first response is compared with said compliance data by said computer system to determine whether the patient is complying with said treatment plan, and
• wherein said automated telephone means transmits at least one voice message to the home telephone device.

A method of communicating with an ambulatory home-care patient, comprising:

• a) providing a portable communications device to a patient;
• b) automatically transmitting a multi-level inquiry from a computer to the portable communications device;
• c) in response to the patient activating a response mechanism on the portable communication device to transmit a plurality of responses to the multi-level inquiry, receiving at the computer the plurality of responses from the portable communications device;
• and
• d) comparing the plurality of responses to compliance data stored in the computer.

A method of communicating with an ambulatory home-care patient, comprising:

• a) providing a portable communications device to a patient;
• b) automatically transmitting an inquiry from a computer to the portable communications device;
• c) in response to the patient activating a response mechanism on the portable communication device to transmit a first response to the inquiry, receiving at the computer the first response from the portable communications device;
• d) comparing the first response to compliance data stored in the computer;
• and
• e) statistically analyzing the frequency of receiving at the computer a first response relative to transmitting an inquiry from the computer.

A method of communicating with an ambulatory home-care patients, comprising:

• a) providing a portable communications device to a patient;
• b) automatically transmitting an inquiry from a computer to the portable communications device;
• c) in response to the patient activating a response mechanism on the portable communication device to transmit a first response to the inquiry, receiving at the computer the first response from the portable communications device;
• d) upon receiving the first response, comparing the first response to compliance data stored in the computer;
• e) upon failure to receive at the computer a first response from the portable communications device or upon receiving a first response at the computer which is non-complying with the compliance data stored in the computer, contacting a telephone device at a home of the patient using an automated dialing system;
• f) sending a voice message from the computer to the telephone device;
• g) in response to the voice message, receiving at the computer from the telephone device a second response;
• and
• h) comparing the second response to compliance data stored in the computer.