| abstract |
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing care to a patient comprising a patient care device having a plurality of configuration databases stored in a memory in the patient care device. Each configuration database preferably includes protocols, operating ranges, rule sets and / or operating characteristics that collectively define the operating environment or nature of the device. The selection of a particular configuration database is preferably based at least in part on patient specific information obtained from any location in the distributed hospital network. Examples of such patient specific information include patient age or height, patient medical characteristics, patient location or location of the nursing device. In a preferred embodiment, programming the patient care device to deliver medication to a patient requires scanning a machine readable medication label that activates the configuration database and identifies a particular protocol stored in the activated database. The selected protocol includes default parameters for delivering the medication and the label optionally includes instructions for deviation from the default protocol. |