Claims:We Claim
1. A method for requesting and tracking an emergency ambulance to a registered user comprising:
pre-registering the user's personal information using a web-based platform and storing the registered user's personal information on a database network server;
accessing the web-based platform during an emergency such that a registered user to locate the nearby available ambulance and its details, distance of ambulance from user, time taken by ambulance to reach the user’s location;
optionally accessing the web-based platform during an emergency such that a registered user to locate the nearby available hospital and its details, distance of hospital from user, time taken by ambulance to reach the hospital;
selects an ambulance and transmits a message to ambulance driver for service acceptance;
accepting the service by the ambulance driver;
dispatching the ambulance; and
tracking by said registered user for the ambulance arrival time, hospital arrival time and updates.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said personal information includes the user’s hospitals of choice, family members, medications and medical history.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said user can track the exact location of the ambulance and is notified when it will be arriving.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user logs into the web-based platform and with one touch an ambulance with emergency personnel is directed to the user's location.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the driver of the ambulance dispatched to the user is provided with the user's personal information.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user's personal information is provided to the hospital prior to the user being picked up with potentially life-saving information before the user is even seen.
7. A system, comprising:
one or more processors to interconnected with each other for exchange of information:
a registration database network accessed by a user through a web-based platform permitting the user to input a personal profile to become a registered user;
an emergency ambulance transmitter configured to locate available nearby ambulance to the registered user selecting one;
accepting the request for ambulance service by the ambulance driver and dispatch for pick-up;
a tracking transmitter configured to transmit ambulance arrival time and information to said registered user.
8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said personal profile includes the user's hospitals of choice, family members, medications and medical history.
9. A system, comprising:
one or more processors to interconnected with each other for exchange of information:
receive, from a first device associated with a user, a request for an ambulance;
determine, based on a location associated with the first device, inform the user all nearby available ambulances for selecting one to be dispatched;
identify a hospital to which the patient is to be delivered;
provide, to a second device associated with an ambulance driver of the available ambulance, information that identifies the location associated with the first device;
provide option for ambulance driver to accept for the service;
identify a hospital to which the patient is to be delivered;
provide, to a third device associated with the hospital, information associated with the available ambulance or the patient; and
provide, to a fourth device associated with ambulance service provider, information associated with location and movement of ambulance for monitoring.
10. The system of claim 9, where the one or more processors, when identifying the hospital, are to:
identify the hospital based on at least one of:
the location associated with the first device,
information associating the hospital with the available ambulance,
information indicating a preference, of the patient, for the hospital, or
information identifying a medical situation associated with the patient. , Description:EMERGENCY AMBULANCE DISPATCH AND TRACKING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and method for emergency ambulance dispatch. In particular, the invention relates a system and method for an individual to easily select, request and track an ambulance in the event of an emergency, as well as to immediately notify users selected hospital the emergency event.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
At present, the world’s population has incremented to 7.8 billion. Alongside, the rate of ailing demographic has also outgrown. Owing to which, the requirement for hospitals, doctors, nurses and other medical practitioners is on-going. Besides these requirements, there is another service that is one of the most sought-after services in the healthcare industry that is, ambulance services.

Transportation is an inexpensive compared to the high and rapidly growing cost of healthcare, making it more cost-effective to transport a patient to preventative care rather than waiting for a serious health condition to arise. Studies prove that increasing transportation access to medical services results in such significant savings. The improvement of ambulance services can remove transportation barriers, prevent missed medical appointments, decrease the impact of chronic disease, reduce the costs of inpatient medical treatment, save substantial healthcare cost.

An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from, or between places of treatment for an illness or injury. In some cases, an ambulance may transport equipment to treat illnesses or injuries, and/or may transport medical staff for treating illnesses or injuries.

Further, time is of the essence in emergency situations. For example, the amount of time that it takes an ambulance to pick up a patient and take that patient to a hospital can mean the difference between life and death. Any delays or lack of preparation at the hospital can have similar consequences. It has been observed, even if the state or country has pool of ambulance services but reaching the doorstep of the patient during the golden hours is very difficult because of the mismanagement and time gap between the patient and ambulance services and reaching at the hospital.

It is also noticed that there is communication gap between the patient, ambulance & hospital services. All the three are interlinked to each other in the health care services. Normally the attendant or patient book the ambulance during the urgent or emergency care to reach at the hospital within the golden hour. Patients do not get the ambulance on time as per the urgency of the requirement according to the criticality of the patients which lead to chronic impact, coma and difficulty in survival of the patient. Further, even after getting the ambulance service on time, there is a gap in getting the service from the destination hospital the because of lack of prior communication to the hospital regarding the patient. Due to absence of any information of the patient upon arrival at the hospital, hospital may not be ready because of the unavailability of the bed at emergency or unavailability of specialist to receive the patient and start the urgent care. For which hospital also deny to receive the patient at the door step of the hospital and refer to another hospital without urgent treatment. And finally, the golden hour passes away and difficult to survive the patient.

The golden hour is the first '60 minutes' following any injury or trauma. Prompt medical attention during this period can save one's life. This period is very critical as the chances of survival depend on this window period.

The objective of the invention is to assist in reducing delays and increasing preparedness for patient care by utilizing an integrated ambulance tracking system that enables coordination among devices of a variety of parties associated with patient care, including the patient, an ambulance operator, an ambulance provider (e.g., a caregiver, such as a nurse, doctor, or emergency personnel that travels with an ambulance) and emergency contacts of the patient (e.g., a family member, a friend, a family doctor, etc.). The integrated ambulance tracking system automatically provides the appropriate information to these various parties at the appropriate time, thereby reducing delays in patient care and ensuring proper preparation for patient care. The integrated ambulance tracking system also conserves network resources and computing resources due to efficiencies associated with ensuring that appropriate information is provided to appropriate devices at appropriate times.

One of the objectives of the invention is to reduce the golden hour from 60 minutes to less than 60 minutes, so that doctors will get the chance to revive the life or recovery of the patients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention provides a method for requesting and tracking an emergency ambulance to a registered user comprising:
pre-registering the user's personal information using a web-based platform and storing the registered user's personal information on a database network server;
accessing the web-based platform during an emergency such that a registered user to locate the nearby available ambulance and its details, distance of ambulance from user, time taken by ambulance to reach the user’s location;
optionally accessing the web-based platform during an emergency such that a registered user to locate the nearby available hospital and its details, distance of hospital from user, time taken by ambulance to reach the hospital;
selects an ambulance and transmits a message to ambulance driver for service acceptance;
accepting the service by the ambulance driver;
dispatching the ambulance; and
tracking by said registered user for the ambulance arrival time, hospital arrival time and updates.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for requesting and tracking an emergency ambulance to a registered user by pre-registering the user's personal information using a web-based platform and storing the registered user's personal information on a database network server, wherein said personal information includes the user’s hospitals of choice, family members, medications and medical history.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for requesting and tracking an emergency ambulance to a registered user, wherein the user can track the exact location of the ambulance and is notified when it will be arriving.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for requesting and tracking an emergency ambulance to a registered user, wherein the user logs into the web-based platform and with one touch an ambulance with emergency personnel is directed to the user's location.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for requesting and tracking an emergency ambulance to a registered user, wherein the driver of the ambulance dispatched to the user is provided with the user's personal information.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for requesting and tracking an emergency ambulance to a registered user, wherein the user's personal information is provided to the hospital prior to the user being picked up with potentially life-saving information before the user is even seen.

Another aspect of the invention provides a system, comprising:
one or more processors to interconnected with each other for exchange of information:
a registration database network accessed by a user through a web-based platform permitting the user to input a personal profile to become a registered user;
an emergency ambulance transmitter configured to locate available nearby ambulance to the registered user selecting one;
accepting the request for ambulance service by the ambulance driver and dispatch for pick-up;
a tracking transmitter configured to transmit ambulance arrival time and information to said registered user.

Another aspect of the invention provides a system comprising one or more processors to interconnected with each other for exchange of information having a registration database network accessed by a user through a web-based platform permitting the user to input a personal profile to become a registered user wherein the personal profile includes the user's hospitals of choice, family members, medications and medical history.

Another aspect of the invention provides a system, comprising:
one or more processors to interconnected with each other for exchange of information:
receive, from a first device associated with a user, a request for an ambulance;
determine, based on a location associated with the first device, inform the user all nearby available ambulances for selecting one to be dispatched;
identify a hospital to which the patient is to be delivered;
provide, to a second device associated with an ambulance driver of the available ambulance, information that identifies the location associated with the first device;
provide option for ambulance driver to accept for the service;
identify a hospital to which the patient is to be delivered;
provide, to a third device associated with the hospital, information associated with the available ambulance or the patient; and
provide, to a fourth device associated with ambulance service provider, information associated with location and movement of ambulance for monitoring.

Another aspect of the invention provides a system one or more processors to interconnected with each other for exchange of information,
wherein the one or more processors, when identifying the hospital, are to:
identify the hospital based on at least one of:
the location associated with the first device,
information associating the hospital with the available ambulance,
information indicating a preference, of the patient, for the hospital, or
information identifying a medical situation associated with the patient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method for dispatching and tracking an emergency ambulance to a registered user. Different interconnected applications provide a network of communication between patient, ambulance provider, ambulance driver and hospital for better coordination and nullify the wastage of precious lifesaving time during this process. Preferably there are four different applications are interconnected to communication for proper coordination and prior preparedness.

Patient application: This application provides access to the nearby available ambulance and hospital to avail the services during the golden hour. In step-1 of the whole process, a user must pre-register prior to an emergency using mobile number/e -mail id and name. Using a web-based platform which can be accessed using a computer or cell phone, the user inputs their personal information which is stored on a database network server. In this pre-registration step the individual user can pre-select the hospital of choice in the event of an emergency and when needed, the ambulance will take them directly to their preferred hospital. The individual is able to pre-register their medical history, allergies, emergency contacts and other important information before an emergency takes place. Having this information in advance allows state certified emergency personnel to quickly provide the individual with the medical attention they require.

Once registered, the user gets the help needed in the event of an emergency in one touch. The user logs into the web-based platform via any computer or cell phone device and a “Call Ambulance” button appears. With one touch, live map is displayed along with availability of different types of ambulance and their distance from the live location. Then patient or attendant choose the type of ambulance accordingly to the need and availability of the ambulance at disposal and also the patient selects the healthcare destination.

After booking an ambulance, an alert is communicated to the state certified emergency personnel operating the ambulance (ambulance driver) for acceptance for the service. Once the ambulance driver accepts for the service, a code is generated in user system for sharing with the ambulance driver upon arrival and the ambulance heads directly to the user’s location. After booking and acceptance of ambulance service, user tracks the live location, approximate arrival time at the pick-up point. Upon arrival of ambulance, the user shares generated code with ambulance driver for verification and there starts the drive to the healthcare destination. After reaching at the destination point, the user pays the service fees as per generated ride cost, through wallet system. The invention allows the user to track the exact location of the ambulance and see when it will be arriving to pick up the user and when it will be arriving at the hospital. The system provides easy tracking of the ambulance with clear, easy-to-understand information on location route and arrival times.

In case of no prior upload of medical history of user or patient during pre-registration, user uploads the current health report along with any medical parameter to the hospital during the selection of destination point (Hospital), so that hospital makes the preparedness and advice the right pre-treatment till it reaches at the hospital through the ambulance. During the travelling to destination hospital, a doctor consult with the patient through video consultation till it reach at the hospital.

As soon as the ambulance is contacted, notifications are automatically sent to all of the user's pre-set emergency contacts including family members, doctors, friends, etc, via text message and email to inform them of the user's emergency event and to which hospital the user is being taken too.

Driver Application: This application provides the information about availability nearby ambulance and its driver details. An ambulance driver must pre-register using mobile number/e -mail id and name. Using a web-based platform which can be accessed using a computer or cell phone, the driver inputs his personal information which is stored on a database network server. Personal information of driver such as name, mobile number, place, profile photo, ambulance registration number, driving license number, address, ambulance type, bank details are filled during registration. The driving license and vehicle registration certificate is uploaded for verification. Upon filling all required information, driver mobile number is validated through one-time password. After competition of validation from ambulance driver, the details are validated by application provider.

Once the verification is completed, the ambulance is ready to be used by user using its application. The location of ambulance is visible to end user thorough driver’s application. When user chooses an ambulance, an alert is communicated to driver’s application for acceptance. Upon acceptance, the driver starts drive to pick up the patient and pick-up happens with verification of code send to user during booking the ambulance. After reaching at the destination, the driver ends the ride and gets the ride cost confirmation after payment from the user.

Further, once the driver picks up the user or patient, the vital parameter is recorded within ambulance. The parameter status is monitored on live through cloud to the destination hospital for proper treatment throughout the golden hour or till it reach at the hospital. Upon onboard of the patient into the ambulance, IOT device is connected through this application. The vital parameters like heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, foetal heart rate, mother heart rate, pulse rate etc. are checked by the paramedics or on-board doctor and uploaded on the system

Hospital Application: This application provides the information about hospitals, it’s specialty, facility available, doctors details, doctors availability during a particular time etc. A hospital must pre-register by entering various details like hospital name, address, phone number & location. Using a web-based platform which can be accessed using a computer or cell phone, the hospital administration inputs its detailed information which is stored on a database network server. Hospital detailed information such as facility, status of bed availability, doctor’s details, doctor’s availability are filled during registration. Upon filling all required information, the hospital is validated through one-time password. After competition of validation from the hospital administration, the details are validated by application provider.

Once the hospital is registered and validated in the application, the hospital is listed as potential destination for user application. When user or patient selects the ambulance, (s)he also selects one of the registered hospitals as destination. Upon selecting a hospital by user, an alert is sent to hospital application where the hospital administration tracks the ambulance and make prior arrangements for prompt treatment upon arrival of patient.

Further, the patient medical history from user application and vital parameters from ambulance is shared to the hospital, before the patient reach at the hospital. The patient and paramedics available in ambulance are consulted through video and the all the vital parameters are monitored by a doctor from the hospital till the patient reach at the hospital.

Ambulance Service Provider Application: This application provides the information about ambulance service provider. An ambulance service provider must pre-register by entering various details like name, address, phone number, number of ambulances, type of ambulance. Using a web-based platform which can be accessed using a computer or cell phone, the ambulance service provider inputs its detailed information which is stored on a database network server. Upon filling all required information, the ambulance service provider is validated through one-time password. After competition of validation from the ambulance service provider, the details are validated by application provider. This application helps to monitor the movement and position of the multiple ambulance. Further, ambulance service provider tracks the ambulance ride, positioning, payment details made to the ambulance driver.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, a method for requesting and tracking an emergency ambulance to a registered user comprising:
pre-registering the user's personal information using a web-based platform and storing the registered user's personal information on a database network server;
accessing the web-based platform during an emergency such that a registered user to locate the nearby available ambulance and its details, distance of ambulance from user, time taken by ambulance to reach the user’s location;
optionally accessing the web-based platform during an emergency such that a registered user to locate the nearby available hospital and its details, distance of hospital from user, time taken by ambulance to reach the hospital;
selects an ambulance and transmits a message to ambulance driver for service acceptance;
accepting the service by the ambulance driver;
dispatching the ambulance; and
tracking by said registered user for the ambulance arrival time, hospital arrival time and updates.

In another of the embodiments of the invention, a method for requesting and tracking an emergency ambulance to a registered user comprising:
pre-registering the user's personal information using a web-based platform and storing the registered user's personal information on a database network server, wherein said personal information includes the user’s hospitals of choice, family members, medications and medical history. In another of the embodiments of the invention, the user can track the exact location of the ambulance and is notified when it will be arriving.

In another of the embodiments of the invention, a method for requesting and tracking an emergency ambulance to a registered user comprising:
pre-registering the user's personal information using a web-based platform and storing the registered user's personal information on a database network server, wherein the user logs into the web-based platform and with one touch an ambulance with emergency personnel is directed to the user's location. In another of the embodiments of the invention, the driver of the ambulance dispatched to the user is provided with the user's personal information.

In another of the embodiments of the invention, a method for requesting and tracking an emergency ambulance to a registered user comprising:
pre-registering the user's personal information using a web-based platform and storing the registered user's personal information on a database network server, wherein the user's personal information is provided to the hospital prior to the user being picked up with potentially life-saving information before the user is even seen.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, a system, comprising:
one or more processors to interconnected with each other for exchange of information:
a registration database network accessed by a user through a web-based platform permitting the user to input a personal profile to become a registered user;
an emergency ambulance transmitter configured to locate available nearby ambulance to the registered user selecting one;
accepting the request for ambulance service by the ambulance driver and dispatch for pick-up;
a tracking transmitter configured to transmit ambulance arrival time and information to said registered user.

In another embodiment of the invention, a system, comprising:
one or more processors to interconnected with each other for exchange of information:
a registration database network accessed by a user through a web-based platform permitting the user to input a personal profile to become a registered user;
an emergency ambulance transmitter configured to locate available nearby ambulance to the registered user selecting one;
accepting the request for ambulance service by the ambulance driver and dispatch for pick-up;
a tracking transmitter configured to transmit ambulance arrival time and information to said registered user, wherein said personal profile includes the user's hospitals of choice, family members, medications and medical history.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, a system, comprising:
one or more processors to interconnected with each other for exchange of information:
receive, from a first device associated with a user, a request for an ambulance;
determine, based on a location associated with the first device, inform the user all nearby available ambulances for selecting one to be dispatched;
identify a hospital to which the patient is to be delivered;
provide, to a second device associated with an ambulance driver of the available ambulance, information that identifies the location associated with the first device;
provide option for ambulance driver to accept for the service;
identify a hospital to which the patient is to be delivered;
provide, to a third device associated with the hospital, information associated with the available ambulance or the patient; and
provide, to a fourth device associated with ambulance service provider, information associated with location and movement of ambulance for monitoring.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, a system, comprising, where the one or more processors, when identifying the hospital, are to:
identify the hospital based on at least one of:
the location associated with the first device,
information associating the hospital with the available ambulance,
information indicating a preference, of the patient, for the hospital, or
information identifying a medical situation associated with the patient.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, a system for monitoring and dispatching an emergency ambulance to a registered user comprising:
a registration database network accessed by a user through a web-based platform permitting the user to input a personal profile to become a registered user;
an emergency ambulance transmitter configured to generate an emergency ambulance to the registered user requesting one;
a central dispatch processor in network communication to said registration database network and said emergency ambulance transmitter, wherein said central dispatch processor is configured to locate, match and dispatch an emergency ambulance closest to said registered user; and
a tracking transmitter configured to transmit ambulance arrival time and information to said registered user.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, a system, comprising:
one or more processors to:
receive, from a first device associated with a patient, a request for an ambulance;
determine, based on a location associated with the first device, an available ambulance to be dispatched to the patient;
provide, to a second device associated with an ambulance operator of the available ambulance, information that identifies the location associated with the first device;
identify a hospital to which the patient is to be delivered; and
provide, to a third device associated with the hospital, information associated with the available ambulance or the patient.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, a system comprising one or more processors, when identifying the hospital, are to:
identify the hospital based on at least one of:
the location associated with the first device,
information associating the hospital with the available ambulance,
information indicating a preference, of the patient, for the hospital, or
information identifying a medical situation associated with the patient.

In another of the embodiments of the invention, a system comprises one or more processors are further to provide to the second device associated with the ambulance operator, information that identifies a fastest route to the first device or the patient.

In another of the embodiments of the invention, a system comprises one or more processors are further to provide to the second device associated with the ambulance operator, information that identifies a location of the hospital.

In another of the embodiments of the invention, a system comprises one or more processors, when providing the information associated with the available ambulance or the patient, are further to provide, to the third device associated with the hospital, patient information associated with the patient.

In another of the embodiments of the invention, a system comprises one or more processors are further to identify a fourth device, associated with a police officer or a police department, based on the location associated with the first device; and provide, to the fourth device, route information associated with a route from the available ambulance to the patient.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.