JP7540201B2 - Calculation device, calculation system, program, and calculation method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a calculation device, a calculation system, a program, and a calculation method.

In Japan, the standard of living has improved with the rapid economic growth since the end of the war, and this has resulted in a notable increase in the length of life expectancy due to improvements in sanitary conditions and medical care. This, combined with a declining birth rate, has resulted in a super-aged society in which the aging rate, or the proportion of the population aged 65 or older to the total population, exceeds 21%. In such a super-aged society, there are many people who require nursing care or caregiving due to illness, injury, old age, etc. (hereafter referred to as "care recipients").

Such care recipients are admitted to care facilities such as hospitals and elderly welfare facilities, and receive care such as nursing and caregiving. In the care facilities, nurses, caregivers, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "care providers") provide care for the care recipients. The satisfaction of care recipients in care facilities depends not only on physical factors, but also on interpersonal factors (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2018-5455 A

Therefore, in order to increase satisfaction of care recipients in care facilities, it is desirable to provide care for care recipients while taking interpersonal factors into consideration.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a calculation device, calculation system, program, and calculation method that can grasp the compatibility between a care recipient and a care provider.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means:

(1) A calculation device including an acquisition unit that acquires measurement information obtained from a sensor, and a compatibility calculation unit that calculates a compatibility index related to the compatibility between a subject and a caregiver who provides care to the subject based on the measurement information.

(2) The calculation device described in (1) above, in which the compatibility calculation unit calculates the compatibility index between each of the multiple care providers and each of the multiple subjects.

(3) The calculation device described in (2) above, further comprising a selection unit that selects at least one of the care providers suitable for the care of one of the subjects based on the compatibility index.

(4) The calculation device described in (3) above, in which the selection unit selects at least one care provider suitable for the care of one of the subjects by comparing a predetermined compatibility index threshold value with the compatibility index calculated by the compatibility calculation unit.

(5) The calculation device according to any one of (2) to (4) above, further comprising a satisfaction calculation unit that calculates a satisfaction index related to the subject's satisfaction with the care provided by the care provider from the measurement information, and the compatibility calculation unit calculates the compatibility index based on the satisfaction index.

(6) The calculation device described in (5) above, in which the compatibility calculation unit calculates the compatibility index by standardizing the satisfaction index for each subject.

(7) The calculation device according to (5) or (6) above, in which the satisfaction calculation unit calculates the satisfaction index in association with information regarding a care call for the subject after the care provided by the care provider to the subject.

(8) A calculation system including a detection unit that detects the movement of the subject and a calculation device described in any one of (1) to (7) above.

(9) A program for causing a computer to execute a process including the steps of: (a) acquiring measurement information from a sensor; and (b) calculating a compatibility index related to the compatibility between a subject and a caregiver who provides care to the subject based on the measurement information.

(10) The program described in (9) above, in which in step (b), the compatibility index between each of the multiple caregivers and each of the multiple subjects is calculated.

(11) The program described in (10) above, further comprising a step (c) of selecting at least one of the caregivers suitable for the care of one of the subjects based on the compatibility index.

(12) In the step (c), a predetermined compatibility index threshold is compared with the compatibility index calculated in the step (b) to output at least one care provider suitable for the care of one of the subjects. The program described in (11) above.

(13) The program according to any one of (10) to (12) above, further comprising a step (d) of calculating a satisfaction index related to the subject's satisfaction with the care provided by the care provider from the measurement information, and in the step (b), calculating the compatibility index based on the satisfaction index.

(14) The program described in (13) above, in which in step (b), the compatibility index is calculated by standardizing the satisfaction index for each subject.

(15) The program described in (13) or (14) above, in which in step (d), the satisfaction index is calculated in association with information regarding a care call for the subject after the care provided by the care provider to the subject.

(16) A calculation method including the steps of (a) acquiring measurement information from a sensor and (b) calculating a compatibility index related to the compatibility between a subject and a caregiver who provides care to the subject based on the measurement information.

According to the present invention, a compatibility index related to the compatibility between the care provider and the care recipient is calculated. In other words, the compatibility between the care provider and the care recipient can be understood. This makes it possible, for example, for a care provider with relatively good compatibility to provide care to the care recipient, thereby increasing the satisfaction of the care recipient in the care facility.

1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a care support system. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a detection unit installed around the bed in the room of a care recipient. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a detection unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a management server. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control unit of the management server. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a satisfaction level index. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a compatibility index calculated based on the satisfaction index illustrated in FIG. 7 . 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing by a management server.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. Also, the dimensional ratios in the drawings may be exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

In this specification, the care recipient, who is the person receiving care, broadly includes those who need to be notified when a specific inconvenient event, such as an abnormal condition, occurs, and includes, for example, people requiring nursing care, patients, and people requiring assistance. The types of care broadly include the care that the care provider provides to the care recipient, and include, for example, excretion care, bathing care, eating care, mobility care, monitoring care, patrol care, turning care, and creating nursing care records, as well as assistance with daily life such as preparing meals and cleaning.

(Care Support System)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a care support system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The care support system 1 includes at least one detection unit 10, a management server 20, a fixed terminal 30, and at least one mobile terminal 40. These are connected to each other via a network (network, communication line) 50 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a telephone network, or a data communication network, by wire or wirelessly, so that they can communicate with each other. The network 50 may include a repeater, bridge, router, cross connect, or other relay device that relays communication signals. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the detection unit 10, the management server 20, the fixed terminal 30, and the mobile terminal 40 are connected to each other via a network 50 of a wireless LAN (for example, a LAN conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard) including an access point 51 so that they can communicate with each other. Here, the care support system 1 corresponds to a specific example of a calculation system of the present invention, and the detection unit 10 and the mobile terminal 40 correspond to a specific example of a sensor of the present invention.

The care support system 1 is suitably installed in buildings such as hospitals, elderly care facilities, and residences. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the care support system 1 is installed in a building of a facility that has multiple rooms, such as multiple rooms in which multiple care recipients 80 live, and a care station (nurse station).

The detection units 10 are arranged in the rooms of each floor (floors A to C) which are the observation areas of the care recipients 80. In the example shown in FIG. 1, on floor A, four detection units 10 are arranged in the rooms of the care recipients 80, namely, Mr. a, Mr. b, Mr. c, and Mr. d. Although not shown, a plurality of detection units 10 are arranged in the rooms of the care recipients 80 on the other floors. Each of the users u001, u002, and u003 who are care providers carries a mobile terminal 40. The management server 20 may be an external server connected to the network 50. The fixed terminal 30 may be omitted, and the management server 20 or the mobile terminal 40 may have the function. Here, the care recipient 80 corresponds to a specific example of the subject of the present invention, and the users u001, u002, and u003 correspond to a specific example of the care provider of the present invention.

Next, we'll explain each component in detail.

(Detection unit)
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of installation of the detection unit 10, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the detection unit 10. The detection unit 10 is installed, for example, around a bed 90 in the room of the care recipient 80 (Fig. 2). The detection unit 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a camera 13, and a care call unit 14, and these components are connected to each other by a bus (Fig. 3).

The control unit 11 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and controls each part of the detection unit 10 and performs calculations according to a program.

The communication unit 12 is an interface for communicating with other devices including, for example, the management server 20, the fixed terminal 30, and the mobile terminal 40 via the network 50, and may be, for example, a LAN card.

Camera 13 is placed, for example, on the ceiling or upper part of a wall of a room, captures an area including the bed 90 of the care recipient 80 as the observation area, and outputs the captured image (image data). This captured image includes still images and videos. Camera 13 may be, for example, a visible light camera or a near-infrared camera. Hereinafter, the captured image captured by camera 13 will also be simply referred to as the "captured image".

The control unit 11 recognizes the behavior of the care recipient 80 from the captured image. The recognized behaviors include, for example, getting up, getting out of bed, falling, dropping, walking, and going outside.

The control unit 11 detects image silhouettes (hereinafter referred to as "human silhouettes") from multiple captured images (e.g., video images). Human silhouettes can be detected, for example, by extracting a range of pixels with a relatively large difference by time difference that subtracts images captured before and after. Human silhouettes may be detected by a background difference method that subtracts a background image from a captured image. The behavior of the care recipient 80 can be detected from the temporal change in the posture (e.g., standing, sitting, and lying) of the care recipient 80 recognized based on the human silhouette, and the relative positional relationship with objects installed in the room, such as the bed 90. When the control unit 11 detects a predetermined behavior, it transmits information including the detected predetermined behavior, a unique ID (e.g., MAC address) that identifies the detection unit 10, and the detection time (hereinafter referred to as "sensor transmission information") to the management server 20 via the communication unit 12. The predetermined behavior includes, for example, the care recipient 80 getting up, getting out of bed, walking, and going out. The sensor transmission information can be repeatedly transmitted at regular intervals while a certain behavior is detected.

The control unit 11 may detect the performance of care by the care provider from the captured image. The control unit 11 may detect the performance of care by the care provider, for example, as follows. The control unit 11 may recognize the start of excretion care by detecting that two people have entered the toilet in the room, for example, when the silhouettes of two people that were detected approach the toilet and disappear. The control unit 11 may recognize the end of excretion care by detecting that two people have left the toilet in the room, for example, when the silhouettes of two people that were no longer detected are re-detected near the toilet. The performance of excretion care by the care provider may be detected, for example, by using the beacon function of the mobile terminal 40 to detect the entry and exit of the care provider into and out of the toilet in the room of the care recipient 80. The control unit 11 transmits the detected performance of care by the care provider to the management server 20 via the communication unit 12 as care performance information. The care execution information may include a unique ID that identifies the detection unit 10, the care provider (or a unique ID that identifies the care provider), the type of care, the time that care started, and the time that care ended. The unique ID that identifies the detection unit 10 and the care recipient 80 may be stored in advance in the control unit 11. The care provider may be detected by known image recognition technology using a captured image.

As described below, when the mobile terminal 40 detects the performance of care by the care provider, care performance information including, for example, a unique ID identifying the mobile terminal 40 (e.g., the number of the mobile terminal 40), the care recipient 80, the type of care, the time when the care started, and the time when the care ended is transmitted from the mobile terminal 40 to the management server 20. The care recipient 80 can be detected by the mobile terminal 40 based on information identifying a transmitter included in a signal transmitted from a transmitter installed in the toilet in the room of the care recipient 80, which is received by the mobile terminal 40 when using the above-mentioned beacon function.

As described below, when providing care, the care provider may input the name of the care recipient 80, as well as the start and end of care, into the mobile terminal 40 carried by the care provider. This causes care execution information including a unique ID identifying the mobile terminal 40 (e.g., the number of the mobile terminal 40), the care recipient 80, the type of care, and the time the care started and ended, to be sent from the mobile terminal 40 to the management server 20, thereby notifying the care provider that care has been provided to the care recipient 80. The care execution information sent from the mobile terminal 40 to the management server 20 may be a care record (nursing care record).

The detection of the specified behavior of the care recipient 80 and the detection of the execution of care for the care recipient 80 may be performed by the management server 20. In this case, the control unit 11 transmits the captured image to the management server 20.

The care call unit 14 includes a push button switch and detects a care call when the care recipient 80 presses the switch. Instead of a push button switch, a care call may be detected by an audio microphone. When the care call unit 14 detects a care call when the switch of the care call unit 14 is pressed, the care call unit 14 transmits information including a unique ID (e.g., a MAC address) that identifies the care call unit 14 and the time of detection (hereinafter referred to as "care call information") as a care call to the management server 20 via the communication unit 12. The care call unit 14 may also include a microphone and speaker for audio communication with the mobile terminal 40.

The detection unit 10 may further include a Doppler shift type body movement sensor that transmits and receives microwaves to and from the bed 90 and detects the Doppler shift of microwaves caused by body movements (e.g., breathing movements) of the care recipient 80. This body movement sensor detects chest body movements (up and down movement of the chest) caused by the breathing movements of the care recipient 80, and recognizes abnormal micro-body movements when it detects a disruption in the period of the chest body movements and an amplitude of the chest body movements below a preset threshold. This abnormal micro-body movement is transmitted to the management server 20, for example, as sensor transmission information.

The specified actions included in the sensor transmission information and the care call based on the care call information constitute an event for the care recipient 80. Hereinafter, information related to an event will be referred to as "event information."

(Management Server)
4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the management server 20. The management server 20 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a storage unit 23. The basic configurations of the control unit 21 and the communication unit 22 are similar to those of the control unit 11 and the communication unit 12 of the detection unit 10. The components are connected to each other via a bus. Here, the management server 20 corresponds to a specific example of a calculation device of the present invention.

When the management server 20 receives sensor transmission information, care call information, etc. from the detection unit 10, it notifies the fixed terminal 30 and the mobile terminal 40 in a specified case. The management server 20 is configured, for example, by a computer with a communication function. The management server 20 may be provided in the same building as the building in which the detection unit 10 is installed, or may be provided in a location away from the building in which the detection unit 10 is installed. The management server 20 may be a cloud server virtually configured by multiple servers installed on a network such as the Internet.

Based on the sensor transmission information, the control unit 21 identifies the event name, the care recipient, and the start and end times of the event as event information. The event name is identified from the detected predetermined behavior. The care recipient 80 is identified by referring to a table in which a correspondence between a unique ID that identifies the detection unit 10 and the care recipient 80 is registered. The table is stored in advance in the memory unit 23. The start and end times of the event can be identified as the start time of reception of sensor transmission information related to the event and the time when the sensor transmission information is no longer received, respectively.

The control unit 21 identifies the event name, the care recipient, and the start and end times of the event as event information based on the care call information. The event name is identified as a care call upon receipt of the care call information. The care recipient 80 is identified by referring to a table in which a correspondence between a unique ID that identifies the care call unit 14 and the care recipient 80 is registered. The table is stored in advance in the memory unit 23. The start and end times of the event are identified as the start and end times of receipt of the care call information (care call release time), respectively.

When the control unit 21 first receives sensor transmission information or care call information related to an event, it notifies the occurrence of the event by transmitting event information identified based on the sensor transmission information or care call information to the mobile terminal 40 or the fixed terminal 30.

The control unit 21 receives care execution information from the detection unit 10 and the mobile terminal 40. Here, the care execution information corresponds to one specific example of measurement information of the present invention. Based on this care execution information, the control unit 21 stores care performance data for each care provider (users u001, u002, u003) in the storage unit 23. This care performance data includes information on the care recipient 80, the type of care, the number of times care was provided, the start time of care, the end time of care, and the duration of care, for example. The care performance data may also include information on whether the care provider provided care in response to sensor transmission information or care call information.

The specific functional configuration of the control unit 21 will be described later.

The storage unit 23 stores various programs and various data. The storage unit 23 may temporarily store various programs and various data as a working area. The storage unit 23 is configured with a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, or the like.

The memory unit 23 stores various data including a table in which the correspondence between a unique ID identifying the detection unit 10 and the care recipient 80 is registered, a table in which the correspondence between a unique ID identifying the mobile terminal 40 (e.g., the number of the mobile terminal 40) and the care recipient 80 is recorded, a table in which the correspondence between a unique ID identifying the care call unit 14 and the care recipient 80 is registered, a table in which information for identifying the care provider is associated with the care provider, and information about the recipient.

The storage unit 23 also stores performance data of the care provided by the care provider to the care recipient 80. This care performance data is stored, for example, each time care execution information is received from the detection unit 10 and the mobile terminal 40. The storage unit 23 may also store information identified based on, for example, sensor transmission information and care call information. This information may be linked to the care performance data and stored in the storage unit 23.

(Fixed terminal)
The fixed terminal 30 is a PC (Personal Computer) and includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a HDD, a display unit, a communication unit, and an input unit. The input unit accepts various information inputs by the administrator. A table in which a unique ID for identifying the detection unit 10 and a care recipient 80 are registered, which is stored in the storage unit 23 of the management server 20, can be input from the input unit and transmitted to the management server 20 and stored in the storage unit 23. Similarly, a table in which a unique ID for identifying the mobile terminal 40 and a care recipient 80 are registered, and a table in which a unique ID for identifying the care call unit 14 and a care recipient 80 are registered can also be input from the input unit and transmitted to the management server 20 and stored in the storage unit 23. Similarly, a table in which information for identifying a care provider and a care provider are associated can also be input from the input unit and transmitted to the management server 20 and stored in the storage unit 23. On the display unit, for example, the care providers selected by the management server 20 are displayed in association with each care recipient 80 .

(Mobile device)
5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal 40. The mobile terminal 40 includes a control unit 41, a wireless communication unit 42, a display unit 43, an input unit 44, a voice input/output unit 45, and a position detection unit 46, which are connected to each other by a bus. The mobile terminal 40 can be configured by a communication terminal device that can be carried by the care provider, such as a tablet computer, a smartphone, or a mobile phone. The basic configuration of the control unit 41 is similar to that of the control unit 11 of the detection unit 10, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The wireless communication unit 42 has the function of performing wireless communication according to standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (registered trademark), and communicates wirelessly with each device either directly or via the access point 51.

The display unit 43 and the input unit 44 are touch panels, and a touch sensor as the input unit 44 is provided on the display surface of the display unit 43, which is composed of a liquid crystal or the like. The display unit 43 and the input unit 44 display various operation screens, including a screen for inputting the care recipient 80 for whom care is about to be performed, the content of the care, and the intention to start and end care, to the care provider, and accept various operations through the operation screens. When care execution information is input on the operation screen that accepts the input of care execution information, the control unit 41 transmits care execution information including a unique ID that identifies the mobile terminal 40, the care recipient 80, the type of care, and the time when care was started and the time when care was ended to the management server 20 via the wireless communication unit 42. This notifies the care provider that care has been performed for the care recipient 80. Instead of the care recipient 80, the current location of the care provider detected by the location detection unit 46 may be transmitted to the management server 20. The current location of the care provider is transmitted to the management server 20, which identifies the area within the facility that corresponds to the current location of the care provider, and identifies the care recipient 80 whose room is in the identified area.

The voice input/output unit 45 is, for example, a speaker and a microphone, and enables voice communication between care providers and other mobile terminals 40 via the wireless communication unit 42. The voice input/output unit 45 may also have a function that enables voice communication with the detection unit 10 via the wireless communication unit 42.

The location detection unit 46 has, for example, a beacon function or a GPS function, and detects the current location of the care provider carrying the mobile terminal 40. The location detection unit 46 may have an IC tag function, and detect the current location of the care provider by reading the IC tag with an RFID reader installed in each room.

(Control section of management server)
Here, the functional configuration of the control unit 21 of the management server 20 will be described.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit of the management server 20. The control unit 21 functions as an acquisition unit 211, a satisfaction level calculation unit 212, a compatibility calculation unit 213, and a selection unit 214 by reading a program and executing processing.

The acquisition unit 211 acquires the care execution information from the detection unit 10 and the mobile terminal 40. The acquisition unit 211 may acquire care performance data of each care provider. The care execution information and the care performance data are stored, for example, in the memory unit 23 of the management server 20. The acquisition unit 211 may acquire the care execution information or the care performance data from an external device via the network 50 and the communication unit 22, rather than from the memory unit 23.

The satisfaction calculation unit 212 calculates a satisfaction index related to the satisfaction of each care recipient 80 with respect to the care provided by the care provider from the care execution information or the care performance data acquired by the acquisition unit 211. The satisfaction index can be calculated, for example, in association with the reaction of the care recipient 80 with respect to the care provided. For example, a reaction when the care recipient 80 is not satisfied with the care provided may be a re-request for care. Therefore, the satisfaction index can be calculated, for example, in association with information regarding the care call of the care recipient after care is provided. This information regarding the care call is, for example, the care re-call rate. The care re-call rate represents the rate at which a care call is sent again from the care recipient 80 within a short period after the care provider provides care to the care recipient 80. The short period is, for example, about 1 to 10 minutes. The re-call rate may be calculated by the satisfaction calculation unit 212 from data stored in the storage unit 23 or the like, or the satisfaction calculation unit 212 may acquire information on the re-call rate calculated in advance.

Figure 7 shows an example of a satisfaction index calculated in association with the repeat call rate. This satisfaction index represents the satisfaction of each of the care recipients a, b, and c with respect to the care of each of the users u001, u002, and u003. For example, the satisfaction index of the care recipient a with respect to the care of each of the users u001, u002, and u003 is 0.8, 0.5, and 0.6. For example, when the care recipient a sends a care call within five minutes of the care provided by the user u001 four times out of five times the care was provided to the care recipient a, the satisfaction index is calculated to be 0.8. That is, in the example shown in Figure 7, it can be determined that the higher the satisfaction index value, the lower the satisfaction of the care recipient 80.

The compatibility calculation unit 213 calculates a compatibility index related to the compatibility between the care provider and the care recipient 80 based on the satisfaction index calculated by the satisfaction calculation unit 212. The compatibility calculation unit 213, for example, calculates a compatibility index between each of the multiple care providers and each of the multiple care recipients 80. It is preferable that the compatibility calculation unit 213 reduces bias in the satisfaction index between the care recipients 80 caused by the characteristics of each of the care recipients 80. This makes it possible to easily identify a care provider who is compatible with each of the multiple care recipients 80. For example, the compatibility index can be calculated by standardizing the satisfaction index for each care recipient 80.

Figure 8 shows an example of a compatibility index calculated based on the satisfaction index shown in Figure 7. This compatibility index is a standardized satisfaction index calculated in association with the recall rate for each care recipient 80. This reduces the bias in the satisfaction index between care recipients 80 with a relatively high number of recalls and care recipients 80 with a relatively low number of recalls, making it easy to identify care providers who are compatible with each of multiple care recipients 80.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the higher the compatibility index value, the worse the compatibility between the care recipient and the care provider. For example, examples of compatibility indexes with relatively large values include the compatibility index of care recipient a with user u001 (compatibility index 1.091), the compatibility index of care recipient b with user u003 (compatibility index 1.091), and the compatibility index of care recipient c with user u001 (compatibility index 1.141). Therefore, it can be easily understood from FIG. 8 that users u002 and u003 have a relatively good compatibility with care recipient a, users u001 and u002 have a relatively good compatibility with care recipient b, and users u002 and u003 have a relatively good compatibility with care recipient c.

The selection unit 214 selects at least one care provider suitable for caring for each of the care recipients 80 based on the compatibility index calculated by the compatibility calculation unit 213. The selection unit 214 selects a care provider suitable for caring for each of the care recipients 80, for example, by comparing a predetermined compatibility index threshold with the compatibility index calculated by the compatibility calculation unit 213. The compatibility index threshold is stored in the storage unit 23, for example. The compatibility index threshold may be input from the input unit 44 of the mobile terminal 40, or may be input from the outside via the communication unit 22 of the management server 20 and the network 50. For example, when the compatibility index of FIG. 8 is calculated by the compatibility calculation unit 213, the selection unit 214 compares it with the compatibility index threshold of 1.0 input in advance. Through this comparison, the selection unit 214 selects, for example, at least one of users u002 and u003 for care recipient A, at least one of users u001 and u002 for care recipient B, and at least one of users u002 and u003 for care recipient C.

Information about the care provider selected by the selection unit 214 for each care recipient 80 is sent to the fixed terminal 30 via the communication unit 22 and output. In the fixed terminal 30, for example, the information about the care provider selected for each care recipient 80 is displayed on the display unit.

(Administration Server Processing Procedure)
9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing by the management server 20. The algorithm shown in the flowchart in FIG.

First, the control unit 21, as the acquisition unit 211, acquires care execution information or care performance data for each care provider from the memory unit 23, etc. (step S101).

Next, the control unit 21, as the satisfaction level calculation unit 212, calculates the satisfaction level index of each care recipient 80 for the care provided by each care provider based on the care execution information or care performance data acquired in step S101 (step S102).

Next, the control unit 21, as the compatibility calculation unit 213, calculates the compatibility index between each care recipient 80 and each care provider based on the satisfaction index calculated in step S102 (step S103).

Next, the control unit 21, as the selection unit 214, selects at least one care provider suitable for caring for each of the care recipients 80 based on the compatibility index calculated in step S103 (step S104).

Next, the control unit 21 outputs information about the care provider selected in step S104, in other words, information about the care provider suitable for caring for each care recipient 80 (step S105). For example, the output is performed by displaying a combination of compatible care recipients 80 and care providers on the display unit of the fixed terminal 30. After this, the control unit 21 ends the process.

The control unit 21 repeats this process, for example, at regular intervals. That is, the satisfaction index, compatibility index, and information on the selected care provider are updated according to the care performance data accumulated from the detection unit 10 and the mobile terminal 40. The control unit 21 may repeat the above process, for example, every 24 hours.

(Effects of the management server and care support system)
In the management server 20 and the care support system 1 of this embodiment, a compatibility index related to the compatibility between the care recipient 80 and the care provider is calculated. This makes it possible to easily grasp the compatibility between the care recipient 80 and the care provider. This allows a care provider with a relatively good compatibility to provide care to the care recipient 80, thereby increasing the satisfaction of the care recipient 80 in the care facility. The effect of this will be described in detail below.

For example, a questionnaire survey or other method could be considered as a method for understanding the compatibility between a caregiver and a care recipient. However, if the caregiver and care recipient are aware of the questionnaire survey, they may be influenced by their own feelings and presumptions, making it difficult to understand the actual compatibility. Furthermore, conducting questionnaire surveys frequently is not realistic, and even if the relationship between the caregiver and care recipient changes, it is difficult to understand this change.

In contrast, in the management server 20 and care support system 1, a satisfaction index is calculated based on performance data of the care provided by the care provider to the care recipient, and a compatibility index is further calculated based on this satisfaction index. This makes it possible to evaluate the relationship between the care provider and the care recipient on a more everyday basis, without being influenced by consideration or emotions, compared to a questionnaire survey. Therefore, it becomes possible to select a care provider who is compatible with the care recipient 80 and provide care.

In addition, the care performance data is automatically accumulated by receiving the care execution information from the detection unit 10 and the mobile terminal 40. This allows the information on the satisfaction index and compatibility index to be updated frequently, and makes it possible to flexibly respond to changes in the relationship between the care provider and the care recipient.

As described above, the management server 20 and the care support system 1 calculate a compatibility index that indicates the compatibility between the care provider and the care recipient 80. In other words, it is possible to grasp the compatibility between the users u001, u002, and u003 and each of the care recipients 80. This makes it possible, for example, for a care provider among the users u001, u002, and u003 who has a relatively good compatibility to provide care to the care recipient 80, thereby increasing the satisfaction of the care recipient 80 at the care facility.

In addition, the management server 20 and the care support system 1 select at least one care provider suitable for caring for the care recipient 80 based on the compatibility index. This makes it easy to identify the care provider who is compatible with each of the care recipients 80, making it possible to increase the satisfaction of each of the multiple care recipients 80.

In addition, the care performance data is automatically accumulated, for example, each time care execution information is received from the detection unit 10 and the mobile terminal 40. Therefore, it is possible to update information related to the satisfaction index and compatibility index frequently.

The satisfaction index is calculated, for example, in association with information about the post-care care call. This makes it possible to objectively evaluate the satisfaction of the care recipient 80 with the care provided by the care provider.

The compatibility index is calculated, for example, by standardizing the satisfaction index for each care recipient 80. This reduces bias in the satisfaction index caused by the individual characteristics of each care recipient 80, making it easy to identify care providers who are compatible with each of multiple care recipients 80.

The above-described configuration of the care support system 1 is a description of the main configuration in explaining the features of the above-described embodiment, and is not limited to the above-described configuration, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, configurations that are included in general care support systems are not excluded.

For example, the detection unit 10 may be provided with the functions of the management server 20.

Furthermore, the detection unit 10, management server 20, and mobile terminal 40 may each be configured with multiple devices, or any two or more devices may be configured as a single device.

In addition, some steps in the above-described flowchart may be omitted, and other steps may be added. Also, some of the steps may be executed simultaneously, and one step may be divided into multiple steps and executed.

The means and methods for performing the various processes in the care support system 1 described above can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The above programs may be provided by computer-readable recording media such as USB memory or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the programs recorded on the computer-readable recording media are usually transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. The above programs may be provided as standalone application software, or may be incorporated as a function into the software of the device such as the detection unit.

1. Care support system,
10 detection unit,
11 control unit,
12 Communications Department,
13 Camera,
14 Care Call Department,
20 Management server,
21 control unit,
211 Acquisition unit,
212 Satisfaction level calculation unit,
213 compatibility calculation unit,
214 Selection unit,
22 Communications Department,
23 memory unit,
30 fixed terminal,
40 Mobile terminal,
41 control unit,
42 wireless communication unit,
43 display unit,
44 input unit,
45 Audio input/output unit,
46 Position detection unit,
50 networks,
51 access points.

Claims (14)

An acquisition unit that acquires measurement information obtained from a detection unit that detects the provision of care to a subject by a care provider ;
a satisfaction calculation unit that calculates a satisfaction index related to the subject's satisfaction with the care provided by the care provider by correlating the acquired measurement information with information regarding the subject's re-request for care within a predetermined period of time after the care provided by the care provider to the subject;
and a compatibility calculation unit that calculates a compatibility index related to compatibility between the subject and the care provider based on the satisfaction index . The calculation device according to claim 1, wherein the compatibility calculation unit calculates the compatibility index between each of the plurality of caregivers and each of the plurality of subjects. The calculation device according to claim 2, further comprising a selection unit that selects at least one of the caregivers suitable for the care of one of the subjects based on the compatibility index. The calculation device according to claim 3, wherein the selection unit selects at least one of the care providers suitable for the care of one of the subjects by comparing a predetermined compatibility index threshold value with the compatibility index calculated by the compatibility calculation unit. The calculation device according to claim 2 , wherein the compatibility calculation unit calculates the compatibility index by standardizing the satisfaction index for each of the subjects. The calculation device according to claim 1 , wherein the information regarding the subject's re-request for care includes information regarding a care call from the subject . The detection unit,
A calculation system comprising the calculation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . A step (a) of acquiring measurement information from a detection unit that detects the provision of care to a subject by a care provider ;
(d) calculating a satisfaction index related to the subject's satisfaction with the care provided by the care provider by correlating the acquired measurement information with information regarding the subject's re-request for care within a predetermined period of time after the care provided by the care provider to the subject;
and (b) calculating a compatibility index related to the compatibility between the subject and the care provider based on the satisfaction index . The program according to claim 8 , wherein in the step (b), the compatibility index between each of the plurality of care providers and each of the plurality of subjects is calculated. The program of claim 9 , further comprising a step (c) of selecting at least one of the care providers suitable for the care of one of the subjects based on the compatibility index. The program described in claim 10, wherein in step (c), a predetermined compatibility index threshold is compared with the compatibility index calculated in step (b) to output at least one care provider suitable for the care of one of the subjects. The program according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein in the step (b), the compatibility index is calculated by standardizing the satisfaction index for each of the subjects. The program according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the information regarding the subject's re-request for care includes information regarding a care call from the subject . 1. A computer implemented computational method comprising:
A step (a) of acquiring measurement information from a detection unit that detects the provision of care to a subject by a care provider ;
(d) calculating a satisfaction index related to the subject's satisfaction with the care provided by the care provider by correlating the acquired measurement information with information regarding the subject's re-request for care within a predetermined period of time after the care provided by the care provider to the subject;
and (b) calculating a compatibility index related to compatibility between the subject and a care provider who provides care to the subject based on the satisfaction index .