MANAGING PATIENT CARE THROUGH AN EMERGENCY ROOM OF A HOSPITAL USING A COMPUTER

摘要

Computer implemented methods of, and apparatuses for, managing patient care through an emergency department of a hospital. Healthcare practitioners are prompted through a computer for a medical diagnosis from a list of diagnoses, for patient conditions pertinent to the diagnosis, and for treatment orders, which can include a medical or medication prescription. The system determines whether sufficient patient conditions have been evaluated to support third party payment for admitting the patient to the hospital if so ordered, automatically contacts an in-patient care practitioner at the hospital, and initiates a process to find a bed for the patient. The practitioner is prompted to issue treatment orders and medication dosages can be automatically checked. Data entered by different practitioners can be compared and shared. Faster and more consistent patient care can be achieved and healthcare costs that are not reimbursed can be minimized.