JP7528147B2 - Care support system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a care support system for use in care facilities, hospitals, etc.

For example, in nursing homes and hospitals, caregivers such as facility staff and nurses provide various types of care to those receiving care, such as elderly people and patients.

Recording information such as the care tasks performed by caregivers for each care recipient can lead to improved quality of care services. For example, by sharing such records among multiple caregivers, it is possible to consider providing care and services that are suited to each individual care recipient.

If a caregiver were to record each care task they performed, this would be a burden for the caregiver. In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a care support system in which the caregiver wears an assist device that applies a force to assist the caregiver in the task, identifies the task performed by the caregiver based on a physical quantity detected by a posture sensor equipped on the assist device, and records information on the identified task.

JP 2021-51575 A

The care support system described in Patent Document 1 requires the caregiver to wear an assist device in order to record information related to care, and it is not easy to introduce the system to care facilities or hospitals. In addition, there are various problems involved in building a care support system that can record information related to care.

Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide an improved care support system that contributes to more efficient management of care services and to improving the quality of care services.

The care support system according to one embodiment includes a caregiver identification unit that identifies a caregiver performing care work, a care recipient identification unit that identifies a care recipient receiving care work, a camera that photographs the caregiver performing care work, a work analysis unit that identifies the type of care work performed by the caregiver based on the photographic data of the camera, and a recording unit that records care data in a database, including identification information of the caregiver identified by the caregiver identification unit, identification information of the care recipient identified by the care recipient identification unit, and the type of care work identified by the work analysis unit.

For example, the work analysis unit compares the actual movements of the caregiver detected from the photographed data with movement pattern data that indicates a model of the movement patterns of various types of care work, and identifies the type of care work corresponding to the movement pattern data that matches the actual movements of the caregiver as the type of care work performed by that caregiver.

The care support system may include a plurality of the cameras provided in each of a plurality of rooms in which beds are arranged, a plurality of first wireless devices provided in each of the rooms, and a plurality of second wireless devices owned by each of a plurality of caregivers. In this case, the caregiver identification unit may identify a caregiver who has the second wireless device that has communicated with the first wireless device as a caregiver who will perform a care task.

The care recipient identification unit may also identify a care recipient who uses a room in which the first wireless device that communicates with the second wireless device is installed as a care recipient who will receive care work.

The care support system may include a plurality of the cameras installed in each of a plurality of rooms in which beds are arranged, a plurality of second wireless devices owned by each of a plurality of caregivers, and a plurality of third wireless devices installed outside each of the plurality of rooms. In this case, the caregiver identification unit may identify the caregiver performing the care work based on the movement line data of the plurality of caregivers generated from the history of the signals transmitted by each of the plurality of second wireless devices being received by the third wireless device.

For example, the types of care work identified by the work analysis unit include at least one of the following: assisting the care recipient with excretion, checking the care recipient's safety, assisting the care recipient with changing position, assisting the care recipient with cleaning the body, assisting the care recipient with eating, assisting the care recipient with transferring to a wheelchair, assisting the care recipient with dressing, assisting the care recipient with walking, and managing the care recipient's medication.

The present invention provides an improved care support system that contributes to more efficient management of care services and improved quality of care services.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a care support system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a database included in the care support system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the caregiver table. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the care recipient table. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a care work table. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of care data recorded in the database. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a series of steps related to the generation and recording of care data. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a method for identifying a type of care work.

An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
In this embodiment, a care support system introduced in a care facility that provides care services to elderly people and the like is illustrated.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a care support system 100 according to this embodiment. The care support system 100 includes a control device 1 and at least one terminal device 2 arranged in a staff room or the like. The control device 1 and the terminal device 2 can communicate with each other, for example, via a local network of the care facility or the Internet. The terminal device 2 can be any device equipped with a display, such as a personal computer or tablet.

The nursing care facility has multiple rooms R in which bed devices 3 are arranged for use by the care recipients P. In this embodiment, it is assumed that one room R is used by one care recipient P. However, one room R may be used by multiple care recipients P.

For example, the bed device 3 is an electric bed that can change the shape of the bed platform under the mattress to various shapes such as a horizontal state, a back-raised state, a knee-raised state, and a sitting state. The bed device 3 may also be equipped with a load cell for detecting the weight of the care recipient P and his/her position on the bed platform, a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the bed platform, etc.

A controller 4 and a call button 5 are provided for each bed apparatus 3 in each room R. The call button 5 may be independent of the bed apparatus 3. The controller 4 includes buttons for changing the shape of the floorboard of the bed apparatus 3 to the various states described above, a display for displaying the current state of the bed apparatus 3, and the like. For example, information indicating the state of the bed apparatus 3, such as the shape of the floorboard, is transmitted from the controller 4 to the control device 1. When the call button 5 is pressed, an emergency signal is transmitted to the control device 1.

A camera 6 and a first wireless device 7 are further arranged in the room R. The camera 6 and the first wireless device 7 may be arranged not only in the room R in which the care recipient P lives, but also in shared spaces, toilets, bathrooms, etc. of the care facility. The camera 6 and the first wireless device 7 may be housed in the same housing, or may be separate.

The camera 6 and the first wireless device 7 are provided, for example, on a ceiling or a wall. As another example, the camera 6 and the first wireless device 7 may be portable and can be placed on a table or the like. The camera 6 may be, for example, an infrared camera, but is not limited to this example.

A caregiver Q, who is a staff member of the care facility, carries a second wireless device 8 capable of communicating with the first wireless device 7. The communication method between the first wireless device 7 and the second wireless device 8 is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of transmitting and receiving at least a positioning signal, etc., which will be described later. For example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) may be used as the communication method between the first wireless device 7 and the second wireless device 8.

For example, in areas other than room R in the nursing facility, such as a hallway, a plurality of third wireless devices 9 capable of communicating with the second wireless device 8 are distributed and placed. The communication method between the second wireless device 8 and the third wireless device 9 is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to transmit and receive at least positioning signals, etc., which will be described later, in the same manner as the communication method between the first wireless device 7 and the second wireless device 8.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the second wireless device 8 is a beacon that emits a positioning signal, and the first wireless device 7 and the third wireless device 9 are antennas that receive the positioning signal. For example, the positioning signal includes a caregiver ID that is identification information of the caregiver Q who carries the second wireless device 8. The first wireless device 7 and the third wireless device 9 transmit the received positioning signal to the control device 1. Note that, as will be described later, various combinations of devices other than those exemplified here can be applied to the first wireless device 7, the second wireless device 8, and the third wireless device 9.

The control device 1 is, for example, a server located within the nursing facility. The control device 1 may also be located outside the nursing facility. In this case, the control device 1 may be a cloud server.

The control device 1 is equipped with a database 10 that contains various information related to the care services provided at the care facility. The database 10 may be stored in a storage device different from the control device 1.

The control device 1 further includes a caregiver identification unit 11, a care recipient identification unit 12, an activity analysis unit 13, a date and time acquisition unit 14, a recording unit 15, an output unit 16, and an alarm issuing unit 17. For example, each of the units 11 to 17 is realized by a processor included in the control device 1 executing a computer program related to care support. However, at least a part of each of the units 11 to 17 may be realized by a different processor, or may be realized by hardware.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the database 10. In the example shown in this figure, the database 10 includes a caregiver table T1, a care recipient table T2, a care task table T3, and multiple pieces of care data D. The database 10 may further include image capture data from each camera 6, etc.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of caregiver table T1. In caregiver table T1, the name of caregiver Q is recorded for a caregiver ID, which is identification information assigned to each caregiver Q (staff member) who belongs to the care facility. In addition to the name, information such as the qualifications of caregiver Q may also be recorded for the caregiver ID.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the care recipient table T2. In the care recipient table T2, for a care recipient ID, which is identification information assigned to each care recipient P residing in the care facility, the name of the care recipient P, a room number, which is identification information of the room R used by the care recipient P, and a bed number, which is identification information of the bed device 3 used by the care recipient P, are recorded. In addition to this information, the age and sex of the care recipient P, information regarding the type of care required by the care recipient P, etc. may also be recorded for the care recipient ID.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a care work table T3. In the care work table T3, a work type is recorded for a work type ID, which is identification information of a care work that a caregiver Q can perform for a care recipient P. For example, types of work include "excretion assistance" such as changing diapers and assisting with the use of a portable toilet or guiding the person to the toilet; "safety check" such as checking whether the person P is in their room R, checking whether the person P is having breathing problems, and observing the condition of the person P; "position change" to assist the person P in changing their position on the bed apparatus 3; "body cleaning assistance" to clean the body of the person P; "feeding assistance" to assist the person P with eating; "transfer assistance" such as assisting the person P with moving from the bed apparatus 3 to a wheelchair; "dressing assistance" to assist the person P with changing their clothes; "walking assistance" to assist the person P with moving from the room R to a shared space or the like; and "medication management" to assist or check the person P's taking their medicine.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of care data D. Care data D is data showing the history of care work performed by caregiver Q for care recipient P. For example, care data D includes date and time information indicating the date and time (year, month, day, hour, minute, and second) when the care work was performed, the caregiver ID of caregiver Q who performed the care work, the care recipient ID of care recipient P who was the subject of the care work, and the task type ID of the care work performed. Care data D may further include location information indicating the location where the care work was performed, image data of the care work captured by camera 6, etc.

As will be described in more detail later, the date and time information in the care data D is acquired by the date and time acquisition unit 14, the caregiver ID is identified by the caregiver identification unit 11, the care recipient ID is identified by the care recipient identification unit 12, and the task type ID is identified by the task analysis unit 13.

In this embodiment, care data D is automatically generated by the recording unit 15 and stored in the database 10. However, part of the care data D stored in the database 10 may be generated based on information manually input by the caregiver Q by operating the terminal device 2, etc. This makes it possible to store care data D for care tasks that are difficult to generate automatically in the database 10.

The care data D stored in the database 10 can be viewed by the terminal device 2. When viewing, for example, a viewing request is sent from the terminal device 2 to the control device 1. The specifications of the viewing request are not particularly limited, but in one example, it may include at least one of the period to be viewed (date and time information), the care recipient ID of the care recipient P to be viewed, the caregiver ID of the caregiver Q to be viewed, and the task type ID of the care task to be viewed.

When such a viewing request is received, the output unit 16 extracts from the database 10 care data D that matches the period, care recipient ID, caregiver ID, and task type ID included in the viewing request, and transmits the extracted care data D to the terminal device 2. The terminal device 2 displays the received care data D on the display in a predetermined format such as a table format.

The data transmitted by the output unit 16 to the terminal device 2 may be data in which the caregiver ID, care recipient ID, and task type ID contained in the care data D have been replaced with information corresponding to these IDs recorded in the caregiver table T1, care recipient table T2, and care task table T3, respectively.

Based on the history of the positioning signals transmitted from the second radio 8 of each caregiver Q received by each first radio 7 and each third radio 9 in chronological order, the movement route of each caregiver Q can be ascertained. The database 10 may further include movement line data indicating the movement route of each caregiver Q. Such movement line data is generated, for example, by the caregiver identification unit 11 and stored in the database 10.

For example, when the call button 5 is pressed, the alarm unit 17 issues an alarm to the terminal device 2, a speaker or display provided in the staff room, a terminal carried by the caregiver Q (for example, the second radio 8), etc. The alarm unit 17 may transmit image data captured by the camera 6 of the care recipient P who pressed the call button 5 to the terminal device 2 or a terminal carried by each caregiver Q. By displaying such image data on the terminal device 2 or a terminal carried by each caregiver Q, staff such as each caregiver Q can quickly grasp the condition of the care recipient P.

The alarm unit 17 may notify the terminal device 2 or the like of some information based on the care data D recorded in the database 10. For example, in a case where care tasks to be performed within a day are determined for each care recipient P, when there is a task that has not been completed for a certain care recipient P by a predetermined time, the alarm unit 17 may notify the terminal device 2 or the like of the care recipient P's caregiver ID and name, and the task type ID and task content of the uncompleted care task.

Next, the operations of the caregiver identifying unit 11, the care recipient identifying unit 12, the task analyzing unit 13, the date and time acquiring unit 14, and the recording unit 15 will be described in detail.
7 is a flowchart showing a series of steps for generating and recording one piece of care data D. The process shown in this flowchart is started, for example, when the first wireless device 7 in any of the rooms R outputs to the control device 1 a positioning signal received from the second wireless device 8 of any of the caregivers Q. As another example, the process shown in this flowchart may be started, for example, when a person other than the care recipient P is captured in the photographed data output from the camera 6 in any of the rooms R.

First, the caregiver identification unit 11 identifies the caregiver Q who will perform the care work (step S1). For example, as described above, when the process shown in the flowchart is started by the first wireless device 7 outputting the positioning signal received from the second wireless device 8 to the control device 1 as a trigger, the caregiver identification unit 11 identifies the caregiver Q who will perform the care work by extracting the caregiver ID included in the positioning signal. That is, in this example, the caregiver Q identified by the caregiver identification unit 11 is the person who has the second wireless device 8 that has communicated with the first wireless device 7.

As another example, when the process shown in the flowchart is started in response to the capture of a person other than the care recipient P in the image data output from the camera 6 as described above, the caregiver identification unit 11 may identify the caregiver Q who will perform the care work based on the above-mentioned traffic line data. Specifically, the caregiver Q who was in the hallway in front of the room R in which the camera 6 is installed immediately before the camera 6 captured an image of a person other than the care recipient P is identified as the person who will perform the care work.

Next, the care recipient identification unit 12 identifies the care recipient P who will receive the care work (step S2). For example, when the process shown in the flowchart is started by the first wireless device 7 outputting the positioning signal received from the second wireless device 8 to the control device 1 as described above as a trigger, the care recipient identification unit 12 identifies the room number of the room R in which the first wireless device 7 is installed, and extracts the care recipient ID to which this room number is assigned from the care recipient table T2, thereby identifying the care recipient P who will receive the care work. That is, in this example, the care recipient P identified by the care recipient identification unit 12 is the person using the room R in which the first wireless device 7 that communicated with the second wireless device 8 is installed.

As another example, when the process shown in the flowchart is started in response to the capture of a person other than the care recipient P in the image data output from the camera 6 as described above, the care recipient identification unit 12 may identify the care recipient P who is to receive the care work by extracting from the care recipient table T2 the care recipient ID to which the room number of the room R in which the camera 6 is installed is assigned.

After identifying the caregiver Q and the care recipient P, the work analysis unit 13 acquires photographic data of the caregiver Q and the care recipient P (step S3). For example, the photographic data is video captured by a camera 6 installed in room R with the room number assigned to the care recipient ID of the care recipient P identified in step S2 in the care recipient table T2, and includes multiple images in chronological order. Shooting by this camera 6 may be performed continuously, or may start after step S2.

Furthermore, the task analysis unit 13 analyzes the photographed data acquired in step S3 to identify the type of care task performed by the caregiver Q (step S4). An example of a specific operation of the task analysis unit 13 at this point will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

If the type of care work cannot be identified as a result of the analysis (NO in step S5), steps S3 and S4 are executed again. On the other hand, if the type of care work can be identified (YES in step S5), the date and time acquisition unit 14 acquires date and time information indicating the date and time when the care work was performed (step S6). The date and time information acquired by the date and time acquisition unit 14 is, for example, the current date and time counted by a timer in the control device 1.

Then, the recording unit 15 generates care data D for the care work and records it in the database 10 (step S7). This care data D includes the caregiver ID of the caregiver Q identified by the caregiver identification unit 11 in step S1, the care recipient ID of the care recipient P identified by the care recipient identification unit 12 in step S2, the task type ID indicating the care work identified by the task analysis unit 13 through the analysis in step S4, and the date and time information acquired by the date and time acquisition unit 14 in step S6. Step S7 completes the process of generating and recording one piece of care data D.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a method for identifying the type of care work by the work analysis unit 13. In the example shown in this figure, the work analysis unit 13 identifies the type of care work based on motion data indicating the actual motion of the caregiver Q detected from the shooting data and motion pattern data PD (PD1, PD2, PD3, ...) indicating models of motion patterns for each task type in the care work table T3.

For example, the motion data includes time-series skeletal information of caregiver Q identified from each image included in the captured data. The skeletal information is, for example, information obtained by extracting the skeletal positions of caregiver Q's hands, elbows, shoulders, head, hips, knees, feet, etc. in the images based on an estimated model and linking them together. Based on the motion data, it is possible to understand the skeletal movements of caregiver Q as he or she performs care work.

The work analysis unit 13 is, for example, composed of AI (artificial intelligence), and has previously learned a large amount of training data in order to generate skeletal information. The training data includes, for example, an image of a person and information indicating the skeletal positions of the person's hands, elbows, shoulders, head, hips, knees, feet, etc. in the image. Through this learning, the work analysis unit 13 obtains the above-mentioned estimation model for generating skeletal information from the image.

When observing the time-series skeletal information of a person performing care tasks such as assisting with excretion, checking the person's safety, changing their position, etc., there are characteristic movements corresponding to each task. The movement patterns indicated by the movement pattern data PD define the characteristic movements of such time-series skeletal information.

For example, when it comes to assisting with excretion, there are multiple movement patterns, such as changing diapers, assisting with using a portable toilet, and guiding to the toilet. For care tasks that have multiple movement patterns like this, movement pattern data PD corresponding to each movement pattern may be provided.

The task analysis unit 13 extracts characteristic motions from the motion data detected from the shooting data, and sequentially compares the extracted characteristic motions with the motion pattern data PD for each task type. As a result of this comparison, the task type indicated by the motion pattern data PD that substantially matches (is similar to) the extracted characteristic motion is identified as the type of care task performed by the caregiver Q.

In addition to the examples given here, the type of care work performed by caregiver Q can be identified in various other ways. For example, the work analysis unit 13 may identify the type of care work using not only the movements of caregiver Q contained in the image data captured by camera 6, but also the movements of care recipient P contained in the image data and information on items such as tableware and a wheelchair. The movements of care recipient P may be extracted as movement data including time-series skeletal information of care recipient P, similar to the movement data of caregiver Q described above.

In the care support system 100 according to the present embodiment, care data D indicating care work performed on the care recipient P is automatically recorded in the database 10. The daily care data D accumulated in this manner contributes to improving the efficiency of care service management and the quality of care services.

For example, in a care facility that has introduced the care support system 100, the effort required of caregiver Q to create records of care work is reduced, which can improve the efficiency of work. In addition, caregiver Q can be prevented from failing to create records.

In addition, if a business operator who receives nursing care remuneration under the nursing care insurance system introduces the nursing care support system 100, when the business operator is requested to disclose nursing care records, the fact that nursing care services have been provided can be easily proven based on the nursing care data D accumulated in the database 10.

If the care data D stored in the database 10 is shared among multiple caregivers Q, appropriate care work can be considered and provided for each care recipient P, improving the quality of care services. In addition, based on the care data D, it is possible to statistically analyze what kind of care work is needed at what time, which can also contribute to the management of work shifts in care facilities.
In addition to the above, the nursing care data D can be used in various situations.

In this embodiment, the care support system 100 is illustrated as being installed in a care facility that provides care services to elderly people and the like. However, the care support system 100 disclosed in this embodiment may also be applied to other types of facilities, such as hospitals. For example, when the care support system 100 is applied to a hospital, the care recipient P may be a patient, and the caregiver Q may be a nurse.

The care support system 100 disclosed in this embodiment can also be applied to home care. In this case, the camera 6 and the first wireless device 7 may be installed at each visit.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that one bed apparatus 3 and one camera 6 are arranged in one room R. As another example, multiple bed apparatuses 3 may be arranged in one room R, and one camera 6 and one first wireless device 7 may be arranged for each bed apparatus 3. Also, multiple bed apparatuses 3 may be arranged in one room R, and multiple care recipients P using these bed apparatuses 3 may be photographed by one camera 6. For example, in this case, the care recipient identification unit 12 may identify the care recipient P using the bed apparatus 3 located closest to the caregiver Q captured in the photographed data of the camera 6 as the care recipient P who will receive care work.

The care recipient identification unit 12 may identify the care recipient P who will receive the care work by recognizing the face of the care recipient P captured in the image data captured by the camera 6. Similarly, the caregiver identification unit 11 may identify the caregiver Q who will perform the care work by recognizing the face of the caregiver Q captured in the image data captured by the camera 6.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the second wireless device 8 is a beacon that emits a positioning signal, and the first wireless device 7 and the third wireless device 9 are antennas that receive the positioning signal. As another example, the first wireless device 7 and the third wireless device 9 may be beacons that emit a positioning signal including position information. In this case, the second wireless device 8 may be a terminal such as a smartphone that can receive the positioning signal from the first wireless device 7 and the third wireless device 9 and can communicate with the control device 1. For example, in response to receiving the positioning signal from the first wireless device 7 and the third wireless device 9, the terminal transmits the position information included in the positioning signal together with the caregiver ID of the caregiver Q who is the owner of the terminal to the control device 1. Based on the caregiver ID and position information received by the control device 1, the caregiver identification unit 11 can identify the caregiver Q (caregiver Q performing care work) captured in the shooting data of the camera 6 and generate movement line data for the caregiver Q.

In addition to the above, the method of identifying the caregiver Q who will perform the care work, the method of identifying the care recipient P who will receive the care work, and even the method of identifying the type of care work can be modified in various ways.

100...care support system, 1...control device, 2...terminal device, 3...bed device, 4...controller, 5...call button, 6...camera, 7...first wireless device, 8...second wireless device, 9...third wireless device, 10...database, 11...caregiver identification unit, 12...care recipient identification unit, 13...task analysis unit, 14...date and time acquisition unit, 15...recording unit, 16...output unit, 17...alarm unit, T1...caregiver table, T2...care recipient table, T3...care work table, D...care data.

Claims (5)

A caregiver identification unit that identifies a caregiver who performs a care task;
a care recipient identification unit for identifying a care recipient who will receive care work;
A plurality of cameras are provided in each of a plurality of rooms in which beds are arranged, and the cameras capture images of caregivers performing care work;
a plurality of second wireless devices respectively owned by a plurality of caregivers;
a plurality of third wireless devices provided outside the plurality of rooms, respectively;
A task analysis unit that identifies a type of care task performed by a caregiver based on the photographed data of the camera;
a recording unit configured to record care data in a database, the care data including identification information of the caregiver identified by the caregiver identification unit, identification information of the care recipient identified by the care recipient identification unit, and a type of care work identified by the work analysis unit;
Equipped with
A care support system in which the caregiver identification unit identifies the caregiver performing the care task based on movement line data of the multiple caregivers generated from a history of signals transmitted by each of the multiple second wireless devices being received by the multiple third wireless devices. The task analysis unit compares the actual motion of the caregiver detected from the photographed data with motion pattern data indicating a model of motion patterns of various types of care tasks, and identifies a type of care task corresponding to the motion pattern data that matches the actual motion of the caregiver as a type of care task performed by the caregiver.
The care support system according to claim 1 . a plurality of first wireless devices provided in the plurality of rooms,
the plurality of second radio devices are capable of communicating with the plurality of first radio devices;
The care support system according to claim 1 . the care recipient identification unit identifies a care recipient using a room in which the first wireless device that has communicated with the second wireless device is installed, as a care recipient to receive care work.
The care support system according to claim 3 . The types of care work identified by the work analysis unit include at least one of the following: assistance with excretion for the care recipient, confirmation of the care recipient's safety, assistance with changing the care recipient's position, assistance with wiping the care recipient's body, assistance with eating for the care recipient, assistance with transferring the care recipient to a wheelchair, assistance with changing clothes for the care recipient, assistance with walking for the care recipient, and medication management for the care recipient.
A care support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .

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