Regulating the administration of a clinical procedure

Abstract

A tag comprises a procedure region for displaying information relating to a clinical procedure, and an input region for receiving identifiable indications of responsible persons. The presence of the identifiable indication of each responsible person whose authorization is required indicates that the clinical procedure may be undertaken. In this way, it is highly unlikely that an incorrect clinical procedure is undertaken.

1 . A tag for regulating the administration of a clinical procedure, the tag comprising a procedure region for indicating information relating to the clinical procedure, and an input region for receiving identifiable indications of predetermined responsible persons.  
   
   
       2 . The tag of  claim 1  further including a sidedness region for indicating that the clinical procedure is sided.  
   
   
       3 . The tag of  claim 2  wherein the sidedness region indicates on which side of the patient the procedure is to be performed.  
   
   
       4 . The tag of  claim 2  wherein the sidedness region is concealed beneath a removable covering.  
   
   
       5 . The tag of  claim 2  wherein the sidedness region is located on a detachable portion of the tag.  
   
   
       6 . The tag of  claim 1  further including a strap for attaching the tag to the patient, the tag being attachable to the strap only at one side.  
   
   
       7 . The tag of  claim 1  further including a pocket for storing a document holder.  
   
   
       8 . The tag of  claim 1  further including a machine-readable portion for indicating which side of the tag contains the procedure region and input region.  
   
   
       9 . The tag of  claim 1  further including a barcode storing administrative information relating to the patient.  
   
   
       10 . A system for regulating the administration of a clinical procedure, the system comprising a tag according to any preceding claim; a reader being operable to scan the tag for identifiable indications; an area access element being actuable to permit access to a clinical area in which the clinical procedure is to be performed; and a processor connected to each of the reader and area access element, the processor being operable to actuate the area access element upon detection of an identifiable indication for each responsible person.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the reader includes an optical scanner being operable to create an image of at least part of the tag.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising image-recognition means for detecting in the image the presence of identifiable indications.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11  further including display means to display the image.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the display means displays a request for final confirmation, the system further including input means for receiving such confirmation.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the image includes identifiable indications and/or the procedure-related information stored on the tag.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14  further including storage means for storing a record of such confirmation and/or the image.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the reader is operable to read a barcode on the tag, the barcode storing administrative information relating to the patient, the processor being operable to receive the administrative information from the reader and transmit it to an administrative system.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the reader is operable to detect on the tag a machine-readable portion for indicating which side of the tag contains the procedure region and input region.  
   
   
       19 . A method of regulating the administration of a clinical procedure, the method comprising 
 preventing a patient access to a clinical area in which the clinical procedure is to be performed until an associated tag according to any preceding claim receives an identifiable indication for each predetermined responsible person.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising the preceding step of 
 verifying that the information contained in or on the tag is correct.    
   
   
       21 . A method of regulating the administration of a clinical procedure, the method comprising 
 requiring authorization from predetermined responsible person(s) before a clinical procedure can be undertaken.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the requiring step comprises each responsible person making an identifiable indication to indicate that his authority is given.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the identifiable indication is a signature; initials; fingerprint; username and/or password; or code.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the responsible persons include the patient or a relative of his, a first clinician and a clinician performing the procedure.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  including, prior to the requiring step, the step of 
 interacting between the clinicians and the patient to establish and/or confirm a correct procedure and/or a side of the patient.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  including, between the interacting and requiring steps, the step of 
 providing information on the procedure and/or side in a form which is readily available to the clinicians and patient.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  including, between the providing and requiring steps, the step of 
 providing means for an identifiable indication of the responsible persons' authority to be given, those means being available alongside the information on the procedure and/or side.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 21  including the step of 
 preventing the patient access to a clinical area until appropriate authorization has been given.