Method and apparatus for operative event documentation and related data management

Abstract

In one embodiment, method and apparatus are disclosed which provide that a plurality of physicians each enter operative event data into an operative event database, wherein the operative event data documents planned or completed operative events and the physicians enter the operative event data use a wide area network through a user interface assisting the physicians in coding operative events in a consistent manner. The physicians access the operative event database to obtain information concerning upcoming or previously performed operative events, with a service provider maintaining an on-line system including one or more servers to support the entering of operative event data into the database through the Internet and the user interface. Further, the physicians subscribe to the on-line system wherein the physicians are allowed access and use the on-line system, and wherein the physicians retain control over the use and disposition of the operative event data entered by the physician.

1 . A method, comprising:
 a plurality of physicians each entering operative event data into an operative event database system, wherein the operative event data documents planned or completed operative events;   the physicians entering the operative event data using a wide area network through a user interface assisting the physicians in coding operative events in a consistent manner;   the operative event database system including a library of CPT codes cross-referenced to a region of an anatomy;   a physician using the user interface to select a region of the anatomy from an image of the anatomy displayed to the physician;   displaying to the physician a list of CPT codes that is substantially comprised of CPT codes cross-referenced to the selected region; and   a physician picking at least one of the CPT codes from the list for the purpose of documenting an operative event.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the CPT code is selected for the physician by an assistant. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  further including patient demographic data stored in the system for each patient for which a coded operative event has been entered in the system. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  further including ICD9 codes stored in the system wherein the ICD9 codes are cross-referenced to CPT codes. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4  further including displaying a list of ICD9 codes to a physician wherein the list of ICD9 codes comprises ICD9 codes cross-referenced to the CPT codes. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  including the physician selecting one or more ICD9 codes so that an operative event is documented with CPT and ICD9 codes. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  further including requesting further event detail information from the physician based at least in part on the CPT codes selected by the physician to document the event, wherein the requested information changes at least in some cases based on the selected CPT. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  further including entering requested detail information. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the event detail is selected from the group of: anesthesia and preparation information, technique, pathology, in-patient discharge information, outpatient discharge information, and worker's compensation/abilities information. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 4  further including the physician modifying the list of CPT or ICD9 codes that are displayed such that the codes are customized to a particular physician's practice. 
     
     
         11 . A system, comprising:
 an operative event database system, wherein the operative event data documents planned or completed operative events for a plurality of physicians;   the operative event database system including a library of CPT codes cross-referenced to a region of an anatomy;   a user interface for the database system adapted to permit a physician user to select a region of the anatomy from an image of the anatomy displayed to the physician;   the user interface including a sub-module for displaying to the physician a list of CPT codes that is substantially comprised of CPT codes cross-referenced to the selected region; and   
       e user interface including a sub-module adapted to allow a physician to pick at least one of the CPT codes from the list for the purpose of documenting an operative event. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 11  further including a sub-module for storing patient demographic data in the system for each patient for which a coded operative event has been entered in the system. 
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 11  further including a sub-module for storing ICD9 codes stored in the system wherein the ICD9 codes are cross-referenced to CPT codes. 
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 13  further including a sub-module for displaying a list of ICD9 codes to a physician wherein the list of ICD9 codes comprises ICD9 codes cross-referenced to the CPT codes. 
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 14  including a sub-module allowing the physician to select one or more ICD9 codes so that an operative event is documented with CPT and ICD9 codes. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 15  further including a sub-module for requesting further event detail information from the physician based on the CPT codes selected by the physician to document the event, wherein the requested information changes at least in some cases based on the selected CPT codes. 
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 16  further including a sub-module for entering requested detail information. 
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 16  wherein the event detail is selected from the group of: anesthesia and preparation information, technique, pathology, in-patient discharge information, outpatient discharge information, and worker's compensation/abilities information. 
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 14  further including a customization sub-module allowing a physician to modify the list of CPT or ICD9 codes that are displayed such that the codes are customized to a particular physician's practice. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to a preceding claim further including cross-referencing surgical event information with CPT codes. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 20  further wherein the surgical event information includes surgical technique information. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein the surgical technique information includes tournequet, drape methods or equipment. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 20  further wherein the surgical event information includes pathology information. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 20  further wherein the surgical event information includes surgical technique information. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 20  further wherein the surgical event information includes discharge data information. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein the surgical event information includes unexpected events data. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 20  further wherein the surgical event information includes abilities data. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 20  further wherein the surgical event information includes surgical technique information.