Patient and device location dependent healthcare information processing system

Abstract

A system automatically establishes context information (e.g., determining changes to user interface workflows, screens, menus, and access requirements for devices such as monitors, ventilators, and diagnostic equipment) used by a worker in using healthcare information applications based on patient geographic location (e.g., a room or bed or department). The system addresses the need for a user to sign onto a system with each location change and manually change context information which consumes computer, server and network resources and represent a potential security problem. A healthcare system selects information to be provided to a user in response to received location dependent context data. The system includes a proximity detector for wirelessly detecting presence of an identification tag substantially within a predetermined vicinity of the detector. The identification tag is associated with at least one of, (a) a particular processing device and (b) a particular person. A location detector determines location information indicating a location associated with an identification tag detected by the proximity detector. A workflow processor automatically alters information presented to a user including information associated with a task sequence to be performed by the user for a patient in response to the determined location information.