Mobile medical workstation

Abstract

A medical workstation is defined by a supporting structure having at least one medical diagnostic instrument disposed thereupon. A first display is further disposed on a first side of the supporting structure and a second display is disposed on a second side of the supporting structure in a manner substantially opposite from the first display. Each of the first and second displays are interconnected to the at least one medical diagnostic instrument to permit at least one of the displays in order to display diagnostic results and are tandemly or independently controllable.

1 . A medical workstation comprising: 
 a supporting structure;    at least one medical diagnostic instrument disposed on said supporting structure;    a first display disposed on a first side of said supporting structure; and    a second display disposed on a second side of said supporting structure substantially opposite from said first side, each of said first and second displays being interconnected to said at least one medical diagnostic instrument to permit at least one of said displays to display diagnostic results.    
     
     
         2 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one medical diagnostic instrument is a vital signs device having said first display integrated therein  
     
     
         3 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 1 , including a PC having said second display, said PC being attached to said second side of said supporting structure.  
     
     
         4 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said supporting structure includes a docking station for receiving said PC.  
     
     
         5 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 3 , wherein at least one of said first and second displays is mounted such that said at least one display is tiltable about a horizontal axis to permit adjustment of said at least one display relative to a user.  
     
     
         6 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 1 , including control means for controlling the selective operation of said first and second displays.  
     
     
         7 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 6 , including a PC having said second display.  
     
     
         8 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said PC includes said control means.  
     
     
         9 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said at least one medical diagnostic instrument is a vital signs measuring device having said first display integrated therein.  
     
     
         10 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said vital signs measuring device includes said control means.  
     
     
         11 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 3 , including at least one input device disposed on said supporting structure and connected to said at least one of said PC and said at least one medical diagnostic instrument.  
     
     
         12 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said at least one input device is an automatic identification and data collection scanning device.  
     
     
         13 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said scanning device is a bar code scanner.  
     
     
         14 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said scanning device is a presentation scanning device.  
     
     
         15 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said scanning device is selectively removable from said workstation and able to operate cordlessly.  
     
     
         16 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said at least one input device is a keyboard.  
     
     
         17 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said at least one input device is a medical diagnostic instrument.  
     
     
         18 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said supporting structure includes means for supporting said keyboard.  
     
     
         19 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said keyboard supporting means includes a tray.  
     
     
         20 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 1 , including a horizontal working surface.  
     
     
         21 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 20 , including an input device connected to said supporting structure.  
     
     
         22 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said input device includes an automatic identification and data collection scanner.  
     
     
         23 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 22 , wherein said automatic identification and data collection scanner is a presentation scanner.  
     
     
         24 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 23 , wherein said scanner is configured such that said horizontal working surface is a presentation surface.  
     
     
         25 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 1 , including a set of wheels attached to said supporting structure, permitting mobility of said workstation.  
     
     
         26 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said supporting structure includes a vertically movable upper portion, including said horizontal working surface and computer display and keyboard, and a movement control mechanism to enable said vertically movable upper portion to be adjusted to a predetermined working height.  
     
     
         27 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 1 , including at least one storage means for permitting at least one article to be stored on said medical workstation.  
     
     
         28 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 27 , wherein said at least one storage means is attached to a horizontal working surface of said workstation.  
     
     
         29 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said at least one storage means includes holding means for holding a scanning device.  
     
     
         30 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 29 , wherein said scanning device is an automatic identification and data collection scanner.  
     
     
         31 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said scanning device is a bar code scanner.  
     
     
         32 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 27 , wherein said at least one storage means includes at least one storage container attached to said supporting structure.  
     
     
         33 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 32 , wherein said at least one storage container includes at least one storage basket.  
     
     
         34 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said control means further controls the operation of said at least one medical diagnostic instrument.  
     
     
         35 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 34 , wherein said control means are disposed in said PC.  
     
     
         36 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 35 , wherein said control means are disposed in said bar code scanner.  
     
     
         37 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 36 , wherein said bar code scanner can selectively control the operation of at least one of said first and said second displays.  
     
     
         38 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said control means can limit at least a portion of the information displayed by at least one of said first and said second displays.  
     
     
         39 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 3 , including means for electrically isolating the PC and the at least one medical diagnostic instrument.  
     
     
         40 . A method for manufacturing a mobile medical workstation, said method comprising the steps of: 
 supporting a first display on said workstation, said first display facing a first side of said workstation;    supporting a second display on said workstation, said second display facing a second side of said workstation and oppositely from said first display wherein each of said first and said second displays are connected to at least one medical diagnostic instrument such that each said display is capable of displaying results of said at least one medical diagnostic instrument.    
     
     
         41 . A method as recited in  claim 40 , including the step of selectively controlling each of said first and said second displays to display the results of said at least one medical diagnostic instrument.  
     
     
         42 . A method as recited in  claim 41 , including the step of selectively controlling the type and amount of data displayed by each of said first and second displays.  
     
     
         43 . A method as recited in  claim 41 , wherein said controlling step includes the step of disabling the display the user is not viewing.  
     
     
         44 . A method as recited in  claim 40 , including the step of providing an input device to control the at least one medical diagnostic instrument.  
     
     
         45 . A method as recited in  claim 44 , wherein said input device is a computer.  
     
     
         46 . A method as recited in  claim 44 , wherein said input device is an automatic identification and data collection scanning device.  
     
     
         47 . A method as recited in  claim 46 , wherein said automatic identification and data collection scanning device is a bar code scanner.  
     
     
         48 . A method as recited in  claim 44 , wherein said input device is a touchscreen.  
     
     
         49 . A method as recited in  claim 44 , wherein said input device is a keyboard.  
     
     
         50 . A method as recited in  claim 47 , wherein said barcode scanner is cordless.  
     
     
         51 . An integrated apparatus for use in a patient encounter, said apparatus comprising: 
 at least one medical diagnostic instrument, including a vital signs device and a sphygmomanometer; and    a computing device connected to at least one medical diagnostic instrument, said computing device including means for determining the size of the cuff of said sphygmomanometer used.    
     
     
         52 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 51 , wherein said cuff size determining means includes means for determining the volume of fluid pumped into said cuff inflation thereof.  
     
     
         53 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 51 , wherein said cuff size determining means includes an automatic identification and data collection scanning device connected to said computing device for reading a machine readable indicator on a said cuff.  
     
     
         54 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 51 , wherein said computing means is connected to inflation means of said vital signs device for automatically inflating said cuff to a predetermined cuff volume after said cuff size has been determined.  
     
     
         55 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 54 , wherein said computing means is connected to inflation means for automatically inflating said cuff to said predetermined cuff volume after said cuff has been scanned by said automatic identification and data collection scanner.  
     
     
         56 . An integrated apparatus for use in a patient encounter, said apparatus comprising: 
 at least one medical diagnostic instrument, including a vital signs device and a sphygmomanometer; and    a computing device connected to at least one medical diagnostic instrument, wherein said sphygmomanometer includes an inflatable sleeve having a pressure control assembly for inflating and deflating said sleeve, said pressure control assembly being connected to said computing device so as to inflate the sleeve to a predetermined pressure depending on the patient whose blood pressure is being measured.    
     
     
         57 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 56 , wherein said computing device includes at least one database for storing patient physiological readings and other patient information, said patient having means for identification via said input device, wherein said patient identification means automatically accesses said database and preprograms the pressure control assembly for said patient.  
     
     
         58 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 56 , wherein said pressure control assembly can further be used as means for distending vessels of a patient prior to venipuncture of said patient.  
     
     
         59 . An integrated apparatus for use in a patient encounter, said apparatus comprising: 
 at least one medical diagnostic instrument including a vital signs device for measuring various physiological parameters of a said patient; and    a computing device connected to said at least one medical diagnostic instrument, wherein at least one of said computing device and said at least one medical diagnostic instrument are programmed to detect changes in a patient condition based on changes in measured parameters.    
     
     
         60 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 59 , including means for alerting the user that changes have exceeded a predetermined threshold.  
     
     
         61 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 59 , wherein said changes include a predetermined change in blood pressure for a patient having a specified range, wherein the history of readings of a said patient are used by said apparatus in order to determine the specified range, and in which the specified range can include readings that extend outside of a normal patient range.  
     
     
         62 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 60 , wherein said changes include changes in two or more physiological parameters of a monitored patient.  
     
     
         63 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 62 , wherein the estimated accuracy of each of said two or more physiological parameters are graded by said computing device prior to alerting said user.  
     
     
         64 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 60 , wherein said alerting means includes means for displaying the reason for said alert.  
     
     
         65 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 59 , wherein said computing device includes means for trending physiological parameter data of a said patient.  
     
     
         66 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 65 , wherein said computing means includes means for showing the probability of an alert based upon trended data.  
     
     
         67 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 62 , wherein the changes in said at least two physiological parameters are used to detect sepsis.  
     
     
         68 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 60 , including means for varying the programming of the alerting means by said apparatus.  
     
     
         69 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 68 , wherein the alert programming means includes means whereby the alerts can be manually varied by a user.  
     
     
         70 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 68 , wherein alert programming means includes automatic variations made by said computing device based on accumulated historical data.  
     
     
         71 . An integrated apparatus for use in a patient encounter, said apparatus comprising: 
 at least one medical diagnostic instrument, including a vital signs device; and    a computing device connected to at least one medical diagnostic instrument for measuring a physiologic parameter of a patient, wherein said at least one medical diagnostic instrument further includes a portable EKG assembly.    
     
     
         72 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 71 , wherein said ECG assembly is connected to said computing device.  
     
     
         73 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 71 , wherein said ECG assembly includes a front end module having a processor and a lead wire assembly which is attached thereto, said front end module being tethered to said apparatus.  
     
     
         74 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 73 , wherein said front end module and said lead wire assembly are attached to a gooseneck attached to said supporting structure.  
     
     
         75 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 73 , wherein said supporting structure includes a drawer for retaining said ECG assembly.  
     
     
         76 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 73 , wherein said supporting structure includes a gooseneck attached to said workstation.  
     
     
         77 . An integrated apparatus for use in a patient encounter, said apparatus comprising: 
 at least one medical diagnostic instrument, including a vital signs device;    an input device having means for reading machine-readable information; and    a computing device connected to at least one medical diagnostic instrument and said input device, said apparatus further including means for determining the amount of fluid inputs and outputs of a patient.    
     
     
         78 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 77 , wherein at least one fluid container of a patient includes a plurality of machine readable indicators, each indicator being representative of a fluid level in said container, and in which said input device can selectively read at least one said indicator, said computing device having means for computing fluid amounts based on indicators that are read by said input device.  
     
     
         79 . An integrated apparatus for use in a patient encounter, said apparatus comprising: 
 at least one medical diagnostic instrument, including a vital signs device; and    a computing device connected to at least one medical diagnostic instrument, wherein at least one of said computing device and said at least one medical diagnostic instrument include memory means that includes means for storing at least audio data added during said patient encounter.    
     
     
         80 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 79 , including means for transmitting said at least one audio message to a remote location.  
     
     
         81 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 80 , wherein said apparatus includes means for playback of at least one audio message on said workstation.  
     
     
         82 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 80 , wherein said computing device is connected to at least one remote location through bidirectional communication between said apparatus and said remote location.  
     
     
         83 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 82 , wherein said bidirectional communication means includes an Internet connection.  
     
     
         84 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 79 , wherein said apparatus further includes a speakerphone.  
     
     
         85 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 83 , wherein audio data can be transferred using said Internet connection.  
     
     
         86 . An integrated apparatus for use in a patient encounter, said apparatus comprising: 
 at least one medical diagnostic instrument, including a vital signs device; means for selectively capturing images during a patient encounter; and    a computing device connected to said at least one medical diagnostic instrument and said image capture means.    
     
     
         87 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 86 , wherein said computing device includes a display, including means for displaying an image of a user logged into said apparatus.  
     
     
         88 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 86 , wherein said image capture means is an imaging bar code scanner.  
     
     
         89 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 86 , including biometric means for preventing unauthorized operation of said apparatus.  
     
     
         90 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 89 , wherein said biometric means includes memory means that includes storage of images of authorized users wherein said apparatus is programmed to operate only through comparison of said user with that of the stored users.  
     
     
         91 . An integrated apparatus for use in a patient encounter, said apparatus comprising: 
 at least one medical diagnostic instrument, including a vital signs device; and    a computing device connected to at least one medical diagnostic instrument, at least one of said computing device and said vital signs device including a graphical display wherein said display includes a graphical user interface, said graphical user interface including a body image format permitting a user to readily identify the patient physiological parameters being measured.    
     
     
         92 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 91 , wherein said body image format includes a scale body representation wherein physiological parameter readings of a patient are located in proximity to the actual location on the body that the parameter is being measured.  
     
     
         93 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 91 , wherein said user interface provides a visual indication of regions that have not been measured or require measurement as part of the patient encounter.  
     
     
         94 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 93 , wherein said visual indication includes highlighting of specified portions of said body image format.  
     
     
         95 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 91 , further including means for selectively providing trended data of at least one physiological parameter being monitored of a patient.  
     
     
         96 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 91 , including means for displaying heartrate information of said patient at a periodic rate that is equivalent to that of the measured parameter.  
     
     
         97 . An integrated apparatus as recited in  claim 92 , including providing a visual indicator on said scale body representation of physiological readings that are outside of a predetermined range.  
     
     
         98 . A medical workstation comprising: 
 a supporting structure;    at least one medical diagnostic instrument disposed on said supporting structure; and    a computing device disposed on said supporting structure, said supporting structure being mobile and including a wheeled chassis permitting said workstation to be mobile and in which said supporting structure is foldable to permit storage thereof.    
     
     
         99 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 98 , wherein said supporting structure includes a movable upper portion supporting said at least one medical diagnostic instrument and said computing device, and means for selectively adjusting the height of said upper portion relative to the remainder of said chassis.  
     
     
         100 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 99 , wherein said movable upper portion is movably attached to an extruded vertical column, said selective adjusting means including means for locking said upper portion in a predetermined position.  
     
     
         101 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 98 , including a removable horizontal work surface.  
     
     
         102 . A medical workstation as recited in  claim 99 , wherein said at least one medical diagnostic instrument and said at least one computing device are releasably attached to the upper portion of said chassis.