JP7554554B2 - Notification System - Google Patents

Description

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a notification system.

In hospitals and other medical facilities, medical imaging diagnostic devices such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices are used to examine subjects such as patients.

When an examination is performed using a medical imaging diagnostic device, procedures such as moving the subject may be required after the examination is completed, so medical personnel are called in at the end of the examination. For example, a technology has been proposed in the past for an imaging diagnostic device that notifies medical personnel and those related to the subject when the operator inputs information that triggers the end of the examination.

JP 2004-118744 A

One of the problems that the embodiments disclosed herein are intended to solve is how to efficiently convene medical personnel at the end of an examination. However, the problems solved by the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described below can also be considered as other problems solved by the embodiments disclosed herein.

A notification system according to an embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a first derivation unit, and a transmission unit. The acquisition unit acquires information related to a patient's body and information related to an examination time for an examination of the patient. The first derivation unit derives the number of people required to be called when the examination is completed based on the information related to the patient's body . The transmission unit transmits information including the end time of the examination or the time until the end of the examination derived from the examination time information to a number of information terminals corresponding to the number of people to be called.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a notification system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a relay device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of setting information according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of worker management information according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by the relay device of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a relay device according to the first modification. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an information terminal according to the first modification. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by the relay device of the first modification. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the process executed by the relay device of the first modification. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a relay device according to the second modification. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an information terminal according to the second modification. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by a relay device of the second modification. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an information terminal according to the third modification. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of a screen displayed on the information terminal of the third modified example.

Below, an embodiment of the notification system will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a notification system according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the notification system 1 includes a medical image diagnostic device 10, a relay device 20, and an information terminal 30. For example, the medical image diagnostic device 10, the relay device 20, and the information terminal 30 are connected to a network N1 such as an in-hospital LAN (Local Area Network) provided in a medical facility such as a hospital.

The number of medical image diagnostic devices 10 and information terminals 30 connected to the network N1 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1. Other systems, such as a Hospital Information System (HIS) and a Radiology Information System (RIS), may also be connected to the network N1. Some or all of the above-mentioned devices may also be included in the other systems.

The medical image diagnostic device 10 is a device that performs examinations by imaging (or photographing) a patient, who is a subject. For example, the medical image diagnostic device 10 is a modality such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, a computed tomography (CT) device, a positron emission computed tomography (PET) device, a PET-MRI device, or a PET-CT device.

The relay device 20 is a relay device that relays between the medical image diagnostic device 10 and the information terminal 30. For example, the relay device 20 is realized by a server device such as a network server or a proxy server.

The relay device 20 acquires or derives information related to the time when the examination will end from information related to the patient's examination performed by the medical image diagnostic device 10. In addition, the relay device 20 transmits the acquired or derived information to an information terminal 30 related to the patient's examination, thereby notifying medical personnel using the information terminal 30 to be called in when the examination ends.

The information terminal 30 is a communication device used by medical personnel. The information terminal 30 is connected to the network N1 by wire or wirelessly. For example, the information terminal 30 is a portable communication terminal such as a medical PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System), smartphone, or tablet terminal, or a fixed communication terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer).

Each information terminal 30 is assigned in advance a terminal ID that can identify the information terminal 30, and it is possible to identify the medical staff or the like who uses the information terminal 30 based on the terminal ID. The terminal ID is, for example, an identifier such as the IP address, MAC address, or telephone number of the information terminal 30. Note that the user of the information terminal 30 is not limited to a medical staff member, and may be a patient's attendant or a related person (e.g., a relative, etc.).

Next, the configuration of the relay device 20 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the relay device 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the relay device 20 has a communication interface 210, a memory circuit 220, and a processing circuit 230.

The communication interface 210 is connected to the processing circuit 230, and controls the transmission and communication of various data between the relay device 20 and an external device. Specifically, the communication interface 210 controls the transmission and communication of various data between the relay device 20 and an external device connected to the network N1. For example, the communication interface 210 is realized by a network card, a network adapter, a NIC (Network Interface Controller), etc.

The memory circuit 220 is connected to the processing circuit 230 and stores various data and programs. The memory circuit 220 also stores setting information D1, employee management information D2, etc., which will be described later. For example, the memory circuit 220 is realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc.

The processing circuit 230 comprehensively controls the operation of the relay device 20. For example, the processing circuit 230 is realized by a processor.

As shown in FIG. 2, the processing circuit 230 executes an acquisition function 231, a derivation function 232, and a transmission function 233. Here, the acquisition function 231 is an example of an acquisition unit. The derivation function 232 is an example of a first derivation unit, a second derivation unit, and a derivation unit. The transmission function 233 is an example of a transmission unit.

Specifically, the processing circuitry 230 realizes the acquisition function 231, the derivation function 232, and the transmission function 233 by reading out the programs corresponding to each of the acquisition function 231, the derivation function 232, and the transmission function 233 from the storage circuitry 220 and executing them. In other words, the processing circuitry 230 in a state in which a program has been read out has the function corresponding to the read out program.

In FIG. 2, the acquisition function 231, derivation function 232, and transmission function 233 are described as being realized by a single processing circuit 230, but the processing circuit 230 may be configured by combining multiple independent processors, and each processor may execute a program to realize the functions. Furthermore, each processing function of the processing circuit 230 may be realized by being appropriately distributed or integrated into a single or multiple processing circuits.

The acquisition function 231 acquires examination information related to a patient's examination performed by the medical image diagnostic device 10. Here, the examination information includes at least patient information and examination time information.

Patient information is information about the patient who is the subject of an examination using the medical image diagnostic device 10. Patient information includes information about the patient, such as the patient's name, sex, age, weight, precautions, and remarks. Precautions are information that indicates precautions regarding the patient's body. For example, precautions may include information indicating that the patient has difficulty walking, is disabled in the limbs, requires a wheelchair or walking aid, or has lost consciousness. Remarks may include handover information entered using the medical image diagnostic device 10 or other devices, or contact information such as the fact that another examination is scheduled to take place.

The examination time information is information about the examination time that can be used to derive the end time of the examination performed by the medical image diagnostic device 10 and the remaining time until the end of the examination, etc.

For example, if the end time of the examination or the remaining time until the end of the examination is derived by the medical image diagnostic device 10, the acquisition function 231 acquires the end time or remaining time derived by the medical image diagnostic device 10 as examination time information.

For example, the acquisition function 231 acquires the examination details, such as the examination schedule and protocol (e.g., pulse sequence) of the examination performed by the medical image diagnostic device 10, as examination time information. In this case, the derivation function 232 derives the end time of the examination and the remaining time until the end of the examination from the examination time information acquired by the acquisition function 231.

It is preferable that the acquisition function 231 continuously acquires the examination time information while the examination is being performed by the medical image diagnostic device 10. More specifically, it is preferable that the acquisition function 231 acquires the examination time information related to the examination at a predetermined time interval while the examination is being performed by the medical image diagnostic device 10.

In the medical image diagnostic device 10, the end time and contents of the examination may change depending on the patient's condition. For example, if the patient moves while imaging is being performed by the medical image diagnostic device 10, the imaging will be temporarily interrupted, which may result in a later end time than originally planned. Furthermore, if imaging is performed in sync with the heartbeat, the originally planned contents of the examination may change depending on the patient's heartbeat. In such cases, the acquisition function 231 can derive the end time and remaining time in accordance with the examination status being performed by periodically acquiring examination time information while the examination is being performed by the medical image diagnostic device 10. This can improve the accuracy of the derived end time of the examination or the remaining time until the end of the examination.

The information acquired by the acquisition function 231 as examination information is not limited to the patient information and examination time information described above. For example, the acquisition function 231 may acquire, as examination information, examination position information indicating the position within the medical facility where the medical image diagnostic device 10 performing the patient examination is installed.

The source from which the examination information is acquired is not limited to the medical image diagnostic device 10, but may be any device connected to the network N1. For example, the acquisition function 231 may acquire the examination information from other systems such as a hospital information system or a radiology information system. Furthermore, the acquisition sources of each piece of information constituting the examination information may be the same or different. For example, the acquisition function 231 may acquire patient information from a hospital information system, and acquire examination time information and examination position information from the medical image diagnostic device 10.

The above-mentioned patient information, examination time information, and examination position information are associated with a patient ID for identifying the patient and an examination ID for identifying the examination. The acquisition function 231 acquires patient information, examination time information, examination position information, etc. related to the same patient and examination based on the patient ID and examination ID as examination information.

The derivation function 232 derives various information related to the notification content to be notified to the information terminal 30 based on the test information acquired by the acquisition function 231.

Specifically, the derivation function 232 derives the number of medical personnel (hereinafter also referred to as the number of calls) required to treat the patient corresponding to the patient information, based on the patient information included in the examination information.

As an example, the derivation function 232 derives the number of callers based on the weight included in the patient information. In this case, the derivation function 232 derives the number of callers corresponding to the weight included in the patient information using setting information (see FIG. 3) that associates each range of weight, which is divided based on a predetermined criterion, with the number of callers.

Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of setting information related to deriving the number of people to be called. As shown in FIG. 3, setting information D1 stores each range of weight in association with the number of people to be called. Here, an example is shown in which the weight range is divided into four ranges: 20 kg or less, 21 kg to 40 kg, 41 kg to 70 kg, and 71 kg or more. Note that the relationship between the weight range and the number of people to be called is not limited to the example in FIG. 3 and can be changed as desired.

In the setting information D1, for example, if the weight included in the patient information is in the range of 21 kg to 40 kg, the derivation function 232 derives the number of callers associated with this range as "2 people." Also, if the weight included in the patient information is in the range of 41 kg to 70 kg, the derivation function 232 derives the number of callers associated with this range as "3 people."

The method of deriving the number of callers is not limited to the above-mentioned method based on weight, and may be based on other information that defines the patient's physical build. For example, the number of callers may be derived based on the patient's height. Also, for example, the number of callers may be derived based on an index value of the BMI (Body Mass Index) value calculated from the patient's height, weight, etc. Also, the above-mentioned setting information D1 may be prepared for each gender and age group, and the number of callers may be derived using the setting information D1 according to the gender and age of the target patient.

The number of people to be called may be derived only if certain matters are described in the notes of the patient information. For example, when examining a patient who is unable to move himself/herself, such as when the patient has difficulty walking or is unconscious, a medical professional will move the patient from the bed of the medical image diagnostic device 10 to a stretcher after the examination is completed. Therefore, the derivation function 232 may derive the number of people to be called on the condition that information indicating that the patient is unable to move himself/herself is set in the notes. In this case, a fixed number of people to be called (for example, "1") may be derived for patients who do not meet the conditions.

In addition, when the examination time information acquired by the acquisition function 231 indicates the contents of the examination, the derivation function 232 derives the end time of the examination or the remaining time until the end of the examination based on the examination contents.

For example, when the medical image diagnostic device 10 is an MRI device, the derivation function 232 calculates the time required to image the patient based on the protocol acquired as the examination content. The derivation function 232 uses the calculated required time to derive the end time of the examination or the time remaining until the end of the examination. Here, there is no particular restriction on the method for deriving the end time of the examination from the examination content, and any known method can be used. For example, the acquisition function 231 may identify the required time corresponding to the acquired examination content using setting information that associates the examination content with the standard required time for that examination content.

The derivation function 232 may derive the end time and remaining time of the examination each time the acquisition function 231 acquires the examination contents, or may derive the end time and remaining time of the examination when the examination contents change. In the latter case, as described above, the derivation function 232 can derive the end time and remaining time in accordance with the examination status being performed by the medical image diagnostic device 10, thereby improving the accuracy of the end time.

The sending function 233 determines the notification content of the information to be sent to the information terminal 30 based on the test information acquired by the acquisition function 231. The sending function 233 also determines the information terminal 30 to be the destination based on the derivation result of the derivation function 232. Then, the sending function 233 transmits the notification information including the determined notification content to the information terminal 30 determined as the destination.

First, we will explain how the sending function 233 determines the notification content.

When determining the content of the notification, the sending function 233 extracts information indicating when the test will finish (When), where the test is being performed (Where), who the test is being performed on (Who), etc. from the test information acquired by the acquisition function 231.

Specifically, the sending function 233 extracts information indicating the end time of the test or the time remaining until the end of the test from the test time information included in the test information, and determines the extracted information as the notification content. Furthermore, if the end time of the test or the time remaining until the end of the test is derived by the derivation function 232, the sending function 233 determines the result derived by the derivation function 232 as the notification content. Note that instead of quantitative information such as the end time of the test or the time remaining, the sending function 233 may determine qualitative information such as "The test will soon be completed" as the notification content.

In addition, when the examination information includes examination location information, the transmission function 233 extracts information indicating the location where the examination is being performed from the examination location information, and determines the extracted information as the notification content.

The sending function 233 also extracts information that can identify the patient being examined from the patient information included in the examination information, and determines the extracted information as the notification content. For example, the sending function 233 extracts a name from the patient information, and determines the name as the notification content.

Furthermore, when the patient information includes information indicating precautions, the transmission function 233 determines the notification content according to the content of the precautions. For example, when the precautions indicate that the patient has difficulty walking, the transmission function 233 determines the notification content to be a message urging the patient to prepare a wheelchair or walking aid, according to the content of the precautions. Also, for example, when the precautions indicate that the patient has lost consciousness or has a disability in one of the limbs, the transmission function 233 determines the notification content to be a message urging the patient to prepare a stretcher, according to the content of the precautions.

Here, it is assumed that messages corresponding to the precautions are prepared in advance. For example, the sending function 233 selects a message corresponding to the precautions included in the patient information using setting information that associates various contents of the precautions with messages corresponding to those contents.

Furthermore, if the patient information includes information indicating notes, the sending function 233 determines the communication content, such as the information to be passed on set as notes, as the notification content.

It should be noted that which of the above notification contents is adopted may be changeable by settings. For example, the notification may only include information indicating when the test will finish (When).

Next, we will explain how the sending function 233 determines the destination.

First, when the terminal ID of the information terminal 30 to be the destination is predetermined, the sending function 233 determines the information terminal 30 corresponding to that terminal ID as the destination. For example, when the examination information acquired by the acquisition function 231 includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 30 to be the destination, the sending function 233 determines the information terminal 30 corresponding to that terminal ID as the destination. Also, when the terminal ID of the information terminal 30 to be the destination is determined by, for example, patient name, medical image diagnostic device 10, examination room, etc., the sending function 233 determines the relevant information terminal 30 as the destination based on the patient name in the patient information or the examination position indicated by the examination position information.

When the derivation function 232 derives the number of people being called, the transmission function 233 determines the number of information terminals 30 corresponding to the number of people being called as the destination. For example, when the derivation function 232 derives the number of people being called as "3," the transmission function 233 selects three information terminals 30 from the information terminals 30 connected to the network N1, and determines the selected information terminals 30 as the destination.

Here, the method of selecting the information terminal 30 is not particularly limited, and various methods can be adopted. For example, the transmission function 233 may randomly select information terminals 30 from the information terminals 30 connected to the network N1, the number of which is equal to the number of people to be called.

For example, the transmission function 233 may select information terminals 30 for the number of people to be read based on the attributes of the medical workers who use the information terminals 30. In this case, the transmission function 233 may select the information terminals 30 using, for example, medical worker management information (see FIG. 4) that stores the attributes and work schedules of each medical worker, and the terminal IDs of the information terminals 30 used by the medical workers.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the worker management information D2 related to the selection of the information terminal 30. Here, the worker ID is the name of the medical worker or unique identification information assigned in advance to each medical worker. The attributes store information indicating, for example, gender, age, weight, height, years of experience, etc. The work schedule stores information that can identify the working time period, such as the medical worker's attendance schedule, work status, and shift work schedule (e.g., four shifts, three shifts). In addition, the terminal ID stores the terminal ID of the information terminal 30 used by the medical worker of the worker ID. Note that the correspondence between the worker ID and the terminal ID may be fixed or may be updated each time.

For example, if the gender of the patient information included in the examination information is "female," the transmission function 233 may select information terminals 30 for the number of readouts from among medical workers whose gender is "female." In addition, the transmission function 233 may select information terminals 30 for the number of readouts from among medical workers whose attributes correspond to the physical build of the patient by narrowing down the conditions such as the weight and height of the medical workers according to the weight and height of the patient information included in the examination information.

The transmission function 233 may increase or decrease the number of information terminals 30 to be selected depending on the attributes of the medical worker. For example, when selecting an information terminal 30 to be used by a medical worker whose gender is "male", the transmission function 233 may estimate 1.5 people per terminal and select two information terminals 30 for three callers. Also, for example, when selecting an information terminal 30 to be used by a medical worker with a predetermined number of years of experience or more, the transmission function 233 may estimate 1.5 people per terminal and select two information terminals 30 for three callers.

Furthermore, the transmission function 233 may select the destination information terminal 30 based on, for example, the work schedule of each medical worker. In this case, the transmission function 233 may select the destination information terminal 30 from among the information terminals 30 used by medical workers currently on duty. The transmission function 233 may also select the destination information terminal 30 from among the information terminals 30 used by medical workers on duty at the end of the examination or during the remaining time until the end of the examination.

In this embodiment, the attributes and work schedules of medical staff are managed by staff management information D2, but this is not limited, and they may be managed by another system (for example, a hospital information system). In this case, the acquisition function 231 can perform the same selection process as above by referring to the attributes and work schedules of medical staff managed by the other system.

When the transmission function 233 determines the notification content and destination, it transmits the notification information including the notification content to the destination information terminal 30 at a predetermined transmission timing. The transmission timing is not particularly limited as long as it is before the end of the examination, and may be, for example, 10 minutes or 5 minutes before the end of the examination. Furthermore, the transmission timing is not limited to once, and may be multiple times. For example, transmission may be performed twice, 10 minutes and 5 minutes before the end of the examination.

The transmission timing may be a fixed value, or may be arbitrarily settable. In the latter case, for example, the transmission timing may be specified for each examination. In this case, the transmission timing may be specified by an operator of the medical image diagnostic device 10 via patient information, examination time information, etc.

Next, the configuration of the information terminal 30 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information terminal 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the information terminal 30 has a communication interface 310, an input interface 320, a display 330, a memory circuit 340, and a processing circuit 350.

The communication interface 310 is connected to the processing circuit 350, and controls the transmission and communication of various data between the information terminal 30 and external devices. Specifically, the communication interface 310 controls the transmission and communication of various data between the information terminal 30 and external devices connected to the network N1. For example, the communication interface 310 is realized by a network card, a network adapter, a NIC, etc.

The input interface 320 accepts various input operations from the user, converts the accepted input operations into electrical signals, and outputs the electrical signals to the processing circuit 350. For example, the input interface 320 is realized by a mouse, a keyboard, a trackball, a switch, a button, a joystick, a touch pad that performs input operations by touching the operation surface, a touch screen in which a display screen and a touch pad are integrated, a non-contact input circuit using an optical sensor, a voice input circuit, and the like. The input interface 320 is connected to the processing circuit 350, and converts the input operations received from the operator into electrical signals and outputs them to the processing circuit 350. Note that the input interface 320 is not limited to those equipped with physical operating parts such as a mouse and a keyboard. For example, an electrical signal processing circuit that receives electrical signals corresponding to input operations from an external input device provided separately from the information terminal 30 and outputs the electrical signals to the processing circuit 350 is also included as an example of the input interface 320.

The display 330 is connected to the processing circuit 350 and displays various information. For example, the display 330 displays a GUI for receiving various operations from an operator. The display 330 also displays various information transmitted from the relay device 20. For example, the display 330 is a liquid crystal display or a CRT display. The input interface 320 and the display 330 may be integrated. For example, the input interface 320 and the display 330 may be realized by a single touch panel.

The memory circuitry 340 is connected to the processing circuitry 350 and stores various data and programs. For example, the memory circuitry 340 is realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc.

The processing circuitry 350 comprehensively controls the operation of the information terminal 30. For example, the processing circuitry 350 is realized by a processor.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the processing circuit 350 executes a receiving function 351, a transmitting function 352, and a display control function 353.

Specifically, the processing circuit 350 realizes the receiving function 351, the transmitting function 352, and the display control function 353 by reading and executing the programs corresponding to each of the receiving function 351, the transmitting function 352, and the display control function 353 from the processing circuit 350. In other words, the processing circuit 350 in a state in which a program has been read out has the function corresponding to the read out program.

In FIG. 5, the receiving function 351, the transmitting function 352, and the display control function 353 are described as being realized by a single processing circuit 350, but the processing circuit 350 may be configured by combining multiple independent processors, and each processor may execute a program to realize the functions. Furthermore, each processing function of the processing circuit 350 may be realized by being appropriately distributed or integrated into a single or multiple processing circuits.

The receiving function 351 receives various information transmitted from an external device (e.g., relay device 20) to its own device by cooperating with the communication interface 310. For example, the receiving function 351 receives various information such as notification information transmitted from the information terminal 30. Note that, in the case where the information terminal 30 includes an audio output circuit such as a speaker or a vibration generating circuit such as a vibrator, the receiving function 351 may be configured to notify the reception of the notification information by ringing or driving these circuits.

The transmission function 352 cooperates with the communication interface 310 to transmit various information to an external device (e.g., relay device 20).

The display control function 353 controls the screen displayed on the display 330. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the display control function 353 causes the display 330 to display a screen based on the notification information received by the receiving function 351.

Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the notification content included in the notification information, that is, the notification content determined by the transmission function 233 of the relay device 20, is displayed on the screen G1.

For example, on screen G1, the notification content indicating when the test will finish (When) and who the test is being performed on (Who) is displayed as message M11. In addition, the notification content indicating where the test is being performed (Where) is displayed as message M12.

As a result, a medical professional using the information terminal 30 can easily check the end time of the examination, the time remaining until the end of the examination, the patient being examined, the location where the examination is being performed, etc. by looking at messages M11 and M12 displayed on screen G1. In addition, a medical professional using the information terminal 30 can move to a specified location based on the notified end time of the examination and the time remaining until the end of the examination, thereby quickly moving on to treatment after the examination is completed.

The screen displayed based on the notification information is not limited to the example screen shown in FIG. 5. For example, if the notification information includes a message corresponding to a note or remark, the content of that message is displayed on screen G1.

Below, an example of the operation of the relay device 20 described above will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Here, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the process executed by the relay device 20.

First, the acquisition function 231 acquires examination information (patient information, examination time information, etc.) from the medical image diagnostic device 10 and other systems connected to the network N1 (step S11). Next, the derivation function 232 derives the number of people to be called based on the patient information acquired in step S11 (step S12). Here, the derivation function 232 may derive the end time of the examination or the remaining time until the end of the examination based on the examination time information included in the examination information.

Then, the sending function 233 determines the notification content based on the patient information and examination time information acquired in step S11 (step S13). The sending function 233 also determines the destination information terminal 30 based on the number of people to be called derived in step S12 (step S14). Note that the processing order of steps S13 and S14 may be reversed.

Then, at a predetermined timing, the transmission function 233 transmits notification information including the notification content determined in step S13 to the destination information terminal 30 determined in step S14 (step S15).

Meanwhile, on the information terminal 30 that receives the notification information, the end time of the examination being performed by the medical image diagnostic device 10 or the remaining time until the end of the examination is displayed on the display 330 based on the notification information, together with the patient name, etc., indicating the patient being examined.

In this way, the notification system 1 acquires the patient information of the patient who will be examined by the medical image diagnostic device 10 and the examination time information of that patient as examination information, and derives the number of people who need to be called when the examination is completed based on the acquired patient information. The notification system 1 then transmits notification information including the end time of the examination or the time until the end of the examination derived from the examination time information to a number of information terminals 30 corresponding to the number of people who will be called.

In this way, the notification system 1 notifies medical personnel involved in the patient's examination of the end time of the examination or the time remaining until the end of the examination before the examination ends. This allows the medical personnel to be called to know the end time of the examination or the time remaining until the end of the examination before it ends, so that they can arrive efficiently by the instructed time even if they are performing other tasks. Therefore, the notification system 1 can efficiently summon medical personnel when the examination ends. Furthermore, the notification system 1 can notify the end time of the examination or the time remaining until the end of the examination to a number of information terminals 30 corresponding to the number of people to be called, so that it is possible to efficiently summon a number of medical personnel according to the physique and physical condition of the patient to be examined.

In addition, in the notification system 1, even if the operator does not input information that triggers the end of the examination in the medical image diagnostic device 10, a notification can be sent to the patient and medical staff and other relevant parties involved in the patient's examination to urge them to gather. This eliminates the need for the operator to perform a trigger operation at the end of the examination, making it possible to efficiently gather medical staff at the end of the examination.

The above-described embodiment can be modified as appropriate by changing a portion of the configuration or function of each of the above-described devices. Therefore, some modified examples of the above-described embodiment will be described below as other embodiments. Note that the following will mainly describe the differences from the above-described embodiment, and detailed descriptions of the points in common with the contents already described will be omitted. The modified examples described below may be implemented individually or in appropriate combination.

(Variation 1)
In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which relay device 20 transmits notification information to information terminal 30. In the present modified example, a configuration will be described in which relay device 20 can check the reception state of notification information transmitted to information terminal 30.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of relay device 20 according to this modified example. As shown in Figure 8, relay device 20 has a communication interface 210, a memory circuit 220, and a processing circuit 230. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, processing circuit 230 executes an acquisition function 231, a derivation function 232, a transmission function 233, and a reception confirmation function 234. Here, reception confirmation function 234 is an example of a reception confirmation unit.

First, the transmission function 233 of this modified example transmits notification information that includes the notification content described above as well as information that can display an operator for confirming receipt. In the information terminal 30 that receives such notification information, for example, screen G2 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display 330.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30 of this modified example. As shown in Figure 9, the screen G2 displays the above-mentioned messages M11 and M12 as well as a button B21, which is an operator for confirming reception. The button B21 is linked to, for example, the address of the relay device 20.

When the transmission function 352 of the information terminal 30 accepts the operation of the button B21 via the input interface 320, it transmits confirmation information for confirming receipt, including the terminal ID of the information terminal 30, to the relay device 20.

Meanwhile, the reception confirmation function 234 of the relay device 20 receives the confirmation information transmitted from the information terminal 30. The reception confirmation function 234 confirms the reception status of the notification information transmitted by the transmission function 233 at the information terminal 30 based on the terminal ID included in the confirmation information.

For example, when the reception confirmation function 234 receives confirmation information from an information terminal 30, it stores the terminal ID included in the confirmation information in the memory circuit 220 or the like. Furthermore, the reception confirmation function 234 compares the stored terminal ID with the terminal ID of the information terminal 30 determined as the destination by the transmission function 233 to identify information terminals 30 for which reception confirmation has not been performed, that is, information terminals 30 for which confirmation information has not been received. Then, the reception confirmation function 234 cooperates with the transmission function 233 to cause the information terminals 30 that have not received the confirmation information to resend the notification information at a specified transmission timing.

The transmission timing can be set arbitrarily as long as it is within the period until the end of the test. For example, the transmission timing may be 5 minutes or 10 minutes after the time when the notification information is first transmitted. Furthermore, the transmission timing is not limited to one time, and may be multiple times. For example, the notification information may be transmitted twice, once 5 minutes and once 10 minutes after the time when the notification information is first transmitted.

The reception confirmation function 234 cooperates with the acquisition function 231 and the derivation function 232 to acquire and derive the end time of the test or the time remaining until the end of the test, and includes the newly obtained end time or remaining time in the notification information and resends it.

As a result, in this modified notification system 1, medical personnel who do not confirm receipt of notification information even though it has been sent can be prompted to confirm the notification information. This makes it possible to ensure that medical personnel using the information terminal 30 confirm the notification information.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, an example of the operation of the reception confirmation function 234 described above will be described.

Here, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by relay device 20 in this modified example. Note that this process is executed after the process described in FIG. 7 or in the background of the process described in FIG. 7. Also, as a premise of this process, it is assumed that the notification information transmitted from relay device 20 includes information for displaying the operator of button B21.

First, the reception confirmation function 234 determines whether or not confirmation information has been received from each of the information terminals 30 that were the destinations of the notification information in step S15 of FIG. 7 described above (step S21). If confirmation information has not been received (step S21; No), the process proceeds to step S23.

When the reception confirmation function 234 receives the confirmation information (step S21; Yes), it stores the terminal ID included in the confirmation information. Next, the reception confirmation function 234 compares all the stored terminal IDs with the terminal ID of the information terminal 30 to which the notification information was sent, to determine whether or not confirmation information has been received from all information terminals 30 (step S22). If it is determined that confirmation information has not been received from any of the information terminals 30 (step S22; No), the function proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the reception confirmation function 234 determines whether the timer related to timing the transmission timing is timing or not (step S23). If it is determined that the timer is timing (step S23; No), the process proceeds to step S25. If it is determined that the timer is not timing (step S23; Yes), the reception confirmation function 234 starts timing (step S24) and proceeds to step S25.

In the next step S25, the reception confirmation function 234 determines whether the transmission timing has arrived (step S25). If the transmission timing has not arrived (step S25; No), the reception confirmation function 234 returns the process to step S21. If the transmission timing has arrived (step S25; Yes), the reception confirmation function 234 cooperates with the transmission function 233 to cause the information terminal 30 that has not received the confirmation information to resend the notification information (step S26), and returns the process to step S21.

Also, if it is determined in step S22 that confirmation information has been received from all information terminals 30 (step S22; Yes), this process is terminated.

In this manner, in the notification system 1 of this modified example, the notification information is resent until the reception is confirmed on all information terminals 30 to which the notification information was sent. This allows the notification system 1 to prevent overlooking confirmation of medical personnel who are to be summoned, and therefore allows for efficient and reliable summoning of medical personnel at the end of an examination.

The reception confirmation function 234 may be configured to cancel notification information for information terminals 30 that have not received confirmation information when a predetermined condition is met. Here, the predetermined condition may be, for example, that the number of information terminals 30 that have sent confirmation information reaches a predetermined number that is less than the number of information terminals 30 determined as destinations by the sending function 233.

For example, if the number of information terminals 30 determined by the transmission function 233 is n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2), the specified number is specified as m (m is an integer less than n, such as n-1). Here, the value of m corresponds to, for example, the minimum number of medical personnel required to treat a patient. For example, when the derivation function 232 derives the number of people to be called or the transmission function 233 determines the information terminals 30, the relationship between n and m can be defined in advance by estimating the number of people and the number of information terminals 30, including surpluses.

In this case, when the reception confirmation function 234 receives confirmation information from m information terminals 30, it cooperates with the transmission function 233 to transmit information instructing the n-m information terminals 30 that have not yet received the confirmation information to cancel the confirmation information. Note that in the information terminal 30 that has received the cancellation information, the confirmation information is cancelled by deleting or hiding the corresponding confirmation information.

An example of the operation of the reception confirmation function 234 described above will be described below with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing another example of the process executed by the relay device 20 of this modified example. This process is executed after the process described in FIG. 7. As a premise of this process, it is assumed that the notification information to be transmitted includes information for displaying the operator of button B21. It is also assumed that notification information is transmitted from the relay device 20 to n information terminals 30 (step S31).

First, the reception confirmation function 234 determines whether or not confirmation information has been received from each of the information terminals 30 that were the destinations of the notification information in step S15 of FIG. 7 described above (step S32). If confirmation information has not been received (step S32; No), the process proceeds to step S34.

When the reception confirmation function 234 receives the confirmation information (step S32; Yes), it stores the terminal ID included in the confirmation information. Next, the reception confirmation function 234 compares all stored terminal IDs with the terminal ID of the information terminal 30 that sent the notification information to determine whether or not confirmation information has been received from m information terminals 30, which is the specified number (step S33). Here, if the number of information terminals 30 that have received confirmation information does not reach m (step S33; No), the process proceeds to step S34. Note that the processing of steps S34 to S37 is the same as steps S23 to S26 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

If it is determined in step S33 that confirmation information has been received from m information terminals 30 (step S33; Yes), the reception confirmation function 234 cooperates with the transmission function 233 and the like to cause the information terminals 30 that have not received confirmation information to transmit cancellation information instructing them to cancel the notification information (step S38), and this process ends.

By adopting this configuration, notification system 1 can prioritize the number of medical personnel required to treat the patient from among those who have confirmed receipt, making it possible to efficiently assemble medical personnel.

(Variation 2)
In the above embodiment, the relay device 20 transmits the notification information to the information terminal 30. However, depending on the medical staff's situation, there are cases where the medical staff cannot respond at the time specified in the notification information. In this modification, a form is described in which the relay device 20 can be requested to select a substitute medical staff when the medical staff cannot respond.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of relay device 20 according to this modified example. As shown in Fig. 12 . Relay device 20 has a communication interface 210, a memory circuit 220, and a processing circuit 230. Also, as shown in Fig. 12 , processing circuit 230 executes an acquisition function 231, a derivation function 232, a transmission function 233, and a reception function 235. Here, reception function 235 is an example of a reception unit.

First, the transmission function 233 of this modified example transmits notification information including information capable of displaying a request control along with the notification content described above to the information terminal 30. In the information terminal 30 that receives such notification information, for example, the screen G3 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display 330.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30 of this modified example. As shown in Figure 13, screen G3 displays the above-mentioned messages M11 and M12 as well as button B31, which is an operator for requesting the selection of a substitute medical professional. Button B31 is linked to, for example, the address of relay device 20.

When the transmission function 352 of the information terminal 30 accepts the operation of the button B31 via the input interface 320, it transmits to the relay device 20 proxy request information including the terminal ID of the information terminal 30 itself, for requesting the selection of a substitute medical professional. Note that the proxy request information is an example of a proxy request.

Meanwhile, the reception function 235 of the relay device 20 receives the proxy request information transmitted from the information terminal 30. In response to receiving the proxy request information, the reception function 235 causes the transmission function 233 to select a substitute information terminal 30.

Specifically, the reception function 235 cooperates with the transmission function 233 to exclude the terminal ID included in the proxy request information from the destination of the notification information. The reception function 235 also cooperates with the transmission function 233 to determine, as the destination, the excluded number of information terminals 30 from among the information terminals 30 other than the information terminal 30 that transmitted the notification information. The reception function 235 then cooperates with the transmission function 233 to transmit the notification information to the newly determined information terminals 30.

The reception function 235 cooperates with the acquisition function 231 and the derivation function 232 to acquire and derive the end time of the test or the time remaining until the end of the test, and transmits the newly obtained end time or remaining time together with the notification information.

As a result, in the notification system 1 of this modified example, when a medical worker is unable to respond to a request from the relay device 20, a substitute medical worker can be selected and notification information can be sent to the information terminal 30 used by that medical worker. Therefore, the notification system 1 of this modified example can switch the destination of the notification information, i.e., the medical worker to be summoned, in response to a request from the medical worker, and can flexibly respond to the situation of the medical worker.

Next, an example of the operation of the above-mentioned reception function 235 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. Here, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the process executed by relay device 20 of this modified example. Note that this process is executed after the process described in FIG. 7 or in the background of the process described in FIG. 7. Also, as a premise of this process, it is assumed that the notification information transmitted from relay device 20 includes information for displaying the operator of button B31.

First, the reception function 235 determines whether or not it has received proxy request information from the information terminal 30 that was the destination of the notification information in step S15 described above (step S41). If it has not received proxy request information (step S41; No), it proceeds to step S43.

When the reception function 235 receives the proxy request information (step S41; Yes), it cooperates with the transmission function 233 to exclude the information terminal 30 with the terminal ID included in the received proxy request information from the destination of the notification information (step S42). Next, the reception function 235 cooperates with the transmission function 233 to determine the destination of the proxy information terminal 30 from among the information terminals 30 other than the information terminal 30 that transmitted in step S15 of FIG. 7 (step S43).

Then, the reception confirmation function 234 cooperates with the transmission function 233 to transmit the notification information to the information terminal 30 determined in step S43 (step S44), and the process returns to step S41.

In this manner, in the notification system 1 of this modified example, the information terminal 30 to which the message is sent can be changed in response to a request from a medical professional, allowing for flexible processing related to summoning medical professionals. Furthermore, in the notification system 1 of this modified example, if a medical professional to be summoned is busy with other tasks, a substitute medical professional can be requested to take over, so that the number of medical professionals corresponding to the number of people to be called can be summoned at the end of the examination.

(Variation 3)
In the above embodiment, the relay device 20 transmits part of the patient information to the information terminal 30 by including it in the notification information. However, some medical staff may request to check more detailed patient information. In this modification, therefore, a form capable of providing the patient information to the information terminal 30 will be described.

First, the transmission function 233 of this modified example transmits notification information including information capable of displaying an operator for requesting patient information to the information terminal 30 together with the notification content described above. In the information terminal 30 that receives such notification information, for example, a screen G4 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the display 330.

Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30 of this modified example. As shown in Figure 15, the screen G4 displays the above-mentioned messages M11 and M12 as well as a button B41, which is an operator for requesting the display of patient information. The button B41 is linked to, for example, the address of the relay device 20.

When the transmission function 352 of the information terminal 30 accepts the operation of the button B41 via the input interface 320, it transmits display request information, including the terminal ID of the information terminal 30, to the relay device 20 to request the display of patient information.

On the other hand, when the transmission function 233 of the relay device 20 receives the display request information transmitted from the information terminal 30, it reads out the patient information acquired by the acquisition function 231 and transmits it to the requesting information terminal 30. As a result, in the requesting information terminal 30, the patient information transmitted from the relay device 20 is displayed on the display 330 under the control of the display control function 353. Note that the transmission function 233 may be configured to transmit the patient information including information for displaying a predetermined operator (for example, a back button B51 described later).

Figure 16 is a diagram showing another example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 30 of this modified example. As shown in Figure 16, a message M51 representing patient information transmitted from the information terminal 30 is displayed on the screen G5. Note that the "Notes" field of the message M51 corresponds to the notes included in the patient information, and the content set as the notes is displayed.

Also, a back button B51 is displayed on screen G5 to instruct the user to return to the previous screen. When the display control function 353 of the information terminal 30 accepts the operation of the back button B51, it returns to screen G5 shown in FIG. 15. This allows the medical staff operating the information terminal 30 to freely transition between screen G5 and screen G6. Note that, although this modified example describes a form in which the patient information is displayed on a screen different from the notification information, the notification information and patient information may also be displayed on the same screen.

In this way, the notification system 1 of this modified example can provide patient information in response to a request from a medical professional, thereby improving the convenience of the medical professional in treating patients.

(Variation 4)
In the above embodiment, the relay device 20 has the functions of the acquisition function 231, the derivation function 232, and the transmission function 233, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 10 or the information terminal 30 may have some of the acquisition function 231, the derivation function 232, and the transmission function 233.

In addition, the relay device 20 may be removed from the notification system 1, and the medical image diagnostic device 10 or the information terminal 30 may have some or all of the functions of the acquisition function 231, the derivation function 232, and the transmission function 233.

In the above-described embodiment, the functional configurations of the relay device 20 and the information terminal 30 are implemented by the processing circuit 230 and the processing circuit 350, respectively, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the functional configurations in this specification may be implemented by hardware alone or a combination of hardware and software.

The term "processor" used in the above description means, for example, a circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or a programmable logic device (for example, a Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), and a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)). When the processor is, for example, a CPU, the processor realizes a function by reading and executing a program stored in a memory circuit. On the other hand, when the processor is, for example, an ASIC, instead of storing a program in a memory circuit, the function is directly incorporated as a logic circuit in the circuit of the processor. Note that each processor in this embodiment is not limited to being configured as a single circuit for each processor, but may be configured as a single processor by combining multiple independent circuits to realize its function. Furthermore, multiple components in each figure may be integrated into a single processor to realize its function.

Here, the program executed by the processor is provided in advance in a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a storage circuit. The program may be provided in a format that can be installed in these devices or in a format that can be executed, recorded on a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disk)-ROM, FD (Flexible Disk), CD-R (Recordable), or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). The program may also be provided or distributed by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. For example, the program is composed of modules including each of the above-mentioned functional units. In terms of actual hardware, the CPU reads and executes the program from a storage medium such as a ROM, and each module is loaded onto the main storage device and generated on the main storage device.

According to at least one of the embodiments described above, medical personnel can be efficiently summoned when the examination is completed.

Although several embodiments (variations) have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims, as well as the scope and gist of the invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Notification system 10 Medical image diagnostic device 20 Relay device 30 Information terminal 231 Acquisition function 232 Derivation function 233 Transmission function 234 Reception confirmation function 235 Reception function 351 Reception function 352 Transmission function 353 Display control function

Claims (11)

An acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a patient's body and information regarding an examination time related to an examination of the patient;
A first derivation unit that derives the number of people to be called when the examination is completed based on information about the patient's body;
a transmission unit that transmits information including the end time of the examination or the time until the end of the examination derived from the information on the examination time to a number of information terminals corresponding to the number of people being called;
A notification system having: A second derivation unit is configured to derive an end time of the examination or a time until the end of the examination based on the information on the examination time,
The notification system according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission unit transmits information including the end time of the examination or the time until the end of the examination derived by the second derivation unit to the information terminal. The notification system according to claim 1, wherein the first derivation unit derives the number of calls based on information indicating the physique of the patient included in information about the patient's body. The notification system according to claim 1, wherein the first derivation unit derives the number of calls based on information indicating precautions regarding the patient's body that is included in information regarding the patient's body. The notification system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit determines the information terminal to which the information is to be transmitted based on attributes of a medical professional who uses the information terminal. The notification system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit determines the information terminal to which the information is to be transmitted based on the work schedule of a medical worker who uses the information terminal. The acquisition unit further acquires information on an inspection position indicating a position where the inspection is being performed,
The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the transmission unit transmits information including the inspection position information to the information terminal. The acquisition unit continues to acquire information on the examination time while the examination of the patient is being performed,
The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transmission unit transmits information including the end time of the examination or the time until the end of the examination derived from the newly acquired information on the examination time. a reception confirmation unit that receives a confirmation of reception from the information terminal that has transmitted the information;
9. The notification system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit retransmits the information to the information terminals for which reception has not been confirmed. a reception unit that receives a proxy request from the information terminal that has transmitted the information to request the selection of another information terminal,
The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the transmission unit, in response to the proxy request, selects a new information terminal other than the information terminal that transmitted the information, and transmits the information to the selected information terminal. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the transmission unit transmits the patient information in response to a request from the information terminal that transmitted the information.

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