US 2,004,010,425 · Filed 2003-04-30
The Patent That Tried to Wire Up Hospital Documentation
Imagine a doctor treating you in the hospital, and at the same time, their computer is automatically recording what they're doing—no waiting to fill out paperwork later. This patent describes a system that lets healthcare workers document patient care in real time, right at the bedside, instead of scrambling to remember details hours later.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a system and method for combining electronic clinical documentation (like digital medical records) with the actual point-of-care treatment happening to a patient inside a healthcare facility. What's protected here is the integration of real-time documentation capture with active patient treatment workflows—the idea that a clinician can record observations, interventions, and decisions while they're actively treating someone, rather than as a separate after-the-fact administrative task.
Why it matters
Healthcare efficiency depends on accurate, timely record-keeping. A system that lets clinicians document care in real time could reduce errors, improve data quality, and free up time otherwise spent on paperwork. This kind of integration has become increasingly important as hospitals modernize their electronic health record (EHR) systems, though the competitive landscape includes contributions from many vendors and institutions beyond this single patent.
Real-world use
A nurse administering medication at your hospital bedside simultaneously enters the drug name, dose, and time into an electronic chart—no separate documentation step required later.
Original USPTO abstract
A system and method is disclosed for utilizing electronic clinical documentation with point of care treatment of a patient within a healthcare facility.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 2,004,010,425
- Filing date
- 2003-04-30
- Grant date
- Application — not yet granted
- Assignee
- Wilkes Gordon J. / Paul Eric S. / Meetali Acharya
- Inventor(s)
- WILKES GORDON J., PAUL ERIC S., ACHARYA MEETALI
- CPC class
- A47B81/00
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