Decision Critical, Inc.(DCI), developer of software as a service tools allowing healthcare organizations to manage and improve the competency of their staff, was awarded patent protection for key components of their solution. US Patent number 7,917,417 covers the functionality found within the company’s Critical Portfolio product for healthcare professionals allowing them to set up, manage and distribute their body of work. In addition to elements typically found in a resume or curriculum vitae, users may also keep scanned documentation, publications, letters, licenses and certifications as part of their portfolio as well. Distribution of this information to various recipients would historically be accomplished by making numerous photo copies and mailing them out. Now, custom healthcare portfolios can be stored and sent out electronically.
Individual staff portfolios may also be rolled up under the organizational structure of a healthcare company, allowing managers to easily search and compare on experience, expertise and credentials which may be necessary when looking to fill a particular assignment, job or for succession planning. A key feature includes the functionality for portfolio users to select only certain items or sections to be included in a customized view which can then be reviewed by various audiences. In the healthcare profession, a subset of information from a caregivers body of work may be appropriate for a licensing board, a different set of information is utilized for Magnet reporting, and third version could be used by a hiring manager.
This patent protection represents a significant development for Decision Critical which has paved the way in the field of competency management for healthcare for over 10 years.
