TITLE OF THE INVENTION

A METHOD FOR DEVELOPING AND MARKETING A POST OPERATIVE HOME RECOVERY KIT FOR USE BY A PATIENT AFTER DISCHARGE FROM A HOSPITAL AND FOR RECUPERATION AT HOME. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Technical Field

The technical field of this invention relates to post-operative in-home recuperation of patients, in particular, kits for facilitating home recuperation.

2. Prior Art

In recent years, hospitals have had to deal with the rising costs of business operations and the fact that not all of the increased costs can be passed on the insurance companies or to the patients. Indeed, the increased cost of medical care has caused the cost of medical insurance to drastically increase over recent years. It has also been recognized that long term hospital stays are not necessary for many procedures. Having much of the recovery period at home may have a positive benefit since the patient may feel more comfortable than in an unfamiliar setting of a hospital.

Accordingly, to save costs and to ensure that the insurance companies pay a larger portion of the cost of surgeries and post-operative care, hospital stays have been drastically reduced and the patient is sent home much sooner for recuperation purposes.

As such, the patient must become aware of and be able to purchase the products that are necessary to complete the recovery process at home.

In addition, when patients leave the hospital after surgery, they are often given written or verbal instructions which generally require additional supplies to aid in their healing process. Typically, the patient has to seek out these additional items at retail stores. Due to the time, complexity, and discomfort involved in gathering these supplies just after leaving the hospital, patients often do not comply with their doctor's orders for recovery. This can result in even greater discomfort for the patient, a slower recover and possible complications.

There exists a company, Home Recovery Catalog of Braselton, GA whose website discloses a "Home Recovery Catalog", which is an on-line and direct mail catalog sales business, specializing in the marketing, sale and delivery of recovery kits which are directed to patients and prospective patients of cosmetic surgical procedures. The kits are stated as being compiled through consultation with "respected physicians and surgeons, nurses and cosmetic patients."

In addition to the foregoing, the following prior art patent and patent application including the following references:

Monica, US 5,544,753. This patent discloses a back ailments care kit, which includes a dietary supplement compounded to promote healing, and a container for securing an ice pack, analgesic balm, and the dietary supplement. An instruction video 99, a written manual, support pillows, exercise devices and/or other care products may also be included. A patient acquires the kit from a healthcare provider, clinic, retail outlet or the like.

Withers, US 5,752,234. This patent discloses a method and apparatus for providing disposable supplies for health care workers for single visits to patients. The supplies can be tracked through to waste disposal. The system comprises single, trackable, disposable containers which can hold pre-prepared supplies and waste and whose movements can be ^' recorded on a database.

Akasaka et a/., US 5,785,650. This patent discloses a medical system for patients at home, which uses computer based units at home for receiving medical data from patients which are linked by a communication channel to computers at a medical center.

Belter et al., US 5,961,446. This patent discloses a system for medical teleconferencing for supplying information on medication scheduling. The system passes information on customized instructions concerning medication,

procedures or visits, from a central station to a patient station where the information is stored.

Aruffo etal., US 6,579,271 Bl. This patent discloses a self-care system for a post-surgical drain site on, e.g., a cancer patient, which includes a split gauze pad with foam support bar, a drainage record card, a set of step-by-step instructions, and a container for holding system components, among other items.

Franks-Farah et al., US 6,640,976 Bl. This patent discloses a patient education system for intermittent male catheterization, include self care documentation for instructing a user, along with male catheters, a lubricant gel tube, antibacterial soap, disposable wipers, and a urine record card.

Franks-Farah et al., US 2004/0055925 Al. This application is a continuation of the application from which the Franks-Farah et al. '976 patent arose, and thus has the same disclosure, and has now issued as US 6,840,379 B2.

Aruffo et al., US 6,740,068 Bl. This patent arose from a division of the application from which the Aruffo et al. US '271 patent arose, and thus has the same disclosure.

Landsman etal., US 2004/0167805 Al. This application discloses medical packs which are provided that can include a set number of medications and other medical supplies the amounts of which that are selected for a specific period of home treatment. The medical packs can also include instructions (which may be personalized from the patient's physician) using photographs and a patient log. Return of the pack in a return visit to the treating medical professional can provide a means for evaluating patient compliance.

Aruffo et al., International ApIn. PCT/USOO/30902, Pub. Doc. WO 01/35299. This reference discloses a medical method for determining the

contents of a self care kit, and for conducting in-home medical procedures which identifies the medical procedure to be carried out in a patient's home and further identifies the procedures and materials, and incorporates those materials into a kit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The proposed invention comprises in part, surgical recovery kits, which contain various medical and related articles, which are specifically "tuned" to be used by individuals who are planning to undergo specific medical procedures. The kits are intended to be used by convalescent patients who are recovering at home.

Each kit is composed of a variety of articles (bandages, hot/cold compresses, non-prescription medications, etc.) which, individually and collectively, would be needed or useful to a person recovering from a particular procedure. As many different kits can potentially be assembled as there are procedures, although as a practical matter, many if not most kits will be applicable to more than one procedure. The use of the initials "OTC" herein is an abbreviation of the words "over the counter".

The kits may have various added-value features, such as personalization (e.g., "This kit has been specially developed for [patient's name] by [health care professional's name]"). The kits will preferably contain highly detailed instructions for their use, and may include information such as contraindications or other warnings useful for a home convalescent. The kits may also contain brochures or promotional literature, separately wrapped promotional items, coupons, questionnaires or surveys which may or may not be specific to the particular surgical procedure or postoperative treatment, etc.

The invention also encompasses a method and process for developing different kits for facilitating post-operative recovery following different medical/surgical procedures, and bringing the knowledge of the availability of those kits to physicians and other health care professionals (as opposed to direct marketing to prospective and actual patients), with various free samples of kits optionally provided to encourage the physicians and health care providers to recommend/prescribe the use of the recovery kits by their patients or home care givers.

The first step is the determination of what surgical procedures are amenable to home convalescence, and thus for home rapid recovery kits, and what articles should be included in such home rapid recovery kits, through conducting of interviews with physicians, therapists and consumers. Once the kits have been presented to the health care professionals, those individuals would serve as the "sales force" to the ultimate customers, the patients.

In a preferred embodiment of the system, the patients would have the kits recommended to them, and be provided with a telephone number or internet site, where the kits can be ordered, with the delivery preferably timed for their receipt just prior to the surgical procedure.

In particular, post-operative home recovery kits that are disclosed herein relate to common types of general surgery; obstetric and gynecological surgery; plastic surgery; orthopedic surgery; otolaryngology surgery. In particular, the following kits relate to the following different kinds of general surgeries: wound care; hemorrhoid; male genital procedures including vasectomy, implant, circumcision (adult and for babies), orchidectomy and prostatectomy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 identifies, in block form, the steps of the method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, several preferred embodiments of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments so illustrated.

This application relates to a method of developing and marketing postoperative home recovery kits for use by the patient after discharge from the hospital. In addition, the specification describes a series of home recovery kits for several categories of surgeries as well as specific types of surgeries under each category.

The method comprises identifying the surgery for which the recovery kit will be used (10); consulting with a doctor, therapists, other health care professionals and/or prospective consumers, to determine what articles should be included in the kit (20); developing the necessary and/or optional contents of the recovery kit based upon recommendations from the doctor, therapists, other health care professionals and/or prospective consumers (30); including detailed instructions for the use of the articles that are contained in the recovery kit (40); having the doctor or other health care professional review the contents of the recovery kit prior to distribution (50); and having the kit recommended and possibly distributed by the doctor or health care professional (60). (The recovery kit may be customized for an individual patient).

The method may additionally comprise the step of providing an order by telephone facility to enable the patient to order the kit in advance by phone (70); providing an order by telephone facility to enable a health care provider to order the kit in advance by phone (80); providing an internet based ordering facility to enable the patient to order the kit in advance (90); and/or providing an internet based ordering facility to enable the health care provider to order the kit in advance (100).

The method may additionally comprise the inclusion of free samples of related items within the kit (110); the inclusion of a thank you card to the doctor within the kit (120); the inclusion of special offers and coupons within the kit (130); and the inclusion of a survey or questionnaire (140). GENERAL SURGERY

The following home recovery kits relate to procedures following general surgery including surgeries that require external incisions, hemorrhoid surgery, male genital surgery, circumcision of babies surgery and foot surgery.

KIT l

This kit relates to recovery procedures following surgeries that require external incisions such as hernia, thyroidectomy, cholecystomy, cardiovascular and lumpectomy surgeries. In particular, the kit covering these procedures includes the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 2

This kit relates to recovery procedures following hemorrhoid surgery. In particular, the kit covering this procedure includes the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 3

This kit relates to recovery procedures following male genital surgery including vasectomy, circumcisions (excluding babies), orchidectomy and prostatectomy surgery. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 4

This kit relates to recovery procedures following infant circumcisions. In particular, the kit covering this procedure includes the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 5

This kit relates to recovery procedures following foot surgery, such as for in-grown toe nail, tendon or muscle repair, excision of bone and wart removal surgery. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

OBSTETRIC AND GYNECOLOGICAL

These home recovery kits relate to recovery procedures following different types of obstetric and gynecological procedures including birth surgery (both vaginal and cesarean); and surgery relating to the uterus, cervix and vagina.

KIT l

This kit relates to recovery procedures following birth, both vaginal and cesarean, with or without laceration and/or episiotomy. In particular, the kit

covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

This kit relates to recovery procedures following surgery of the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

PLASTIC SURGERY

These kits relate to recovery procedures following different types of plastic surgery including: rhinoplasty (nose) surgery; rhytidectomy (face lift) surgery; abdominoplasty ("tummy tuck") surgery; blepharoplasty (eyelids) surgery; breast including mastoplexy, mastectomy and breast enlargement surgery; liposuction surgery and face surgery including chemical peel, laser and microderm abrasion.

KIT l

This kit relates to recovery procedures following rhinoplasty surgery. In particular, the kit covering this procedure includes the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 2

This kit relates to recovery procedures following rhytidectomy (face lift) surgery. In particular, the kit covering this procedure includes the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 3

This kit relates to recovery procedures following abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery. In particular, the kit covering this procedure includes the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 4

This kit relates to recovery procedures following blepharoplasty (eyelid) surgery. In particular, the kit covering this procedure includes the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 5

This kit relates to recovery procedures following breast surgery including mastoplexy, mastectomy and breast enlargement surgery. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 6

This kit relates to recovery procedures following liposuction surgery. In particular, the kit covering this procedure includes the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 7

This kit relates to recovery procedures following facial surgery including chemical peel, laser surgery and microderm abrasion. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

ORTHOPEDIC PROCEDURES

The following home care kits relate to recovery procedures following different types of orthopedic surgeries, including knee (both arthroscopy and

cartilage); shoulder (both arthroscopy, and rotator cuff); and elbow (including tendons, excision of bone and bursa).

KIT l

This kit relates to recovery procedures for knee surgeries primarily arthroscopy, cartilage and meniscus surgery. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 2

This kit relates to recovery procedures following shoulder surgery including arthroscopy and rotator cuff surgery. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 3

This kit relates to recovery procedures following elbow surgery involving tendons, excision of bone and bursa surgery. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 4

This kit relates to recovery procedures following hand and wrist surgery including carpal tunnel and tendon surgery. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 5

This kit relates to recovery procedures following back and spine surgery including stenosis, fusions and discectomy surgery. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

OTOLARYNGOLOGY PROCEDURES

The following home kits relates to recovery procedures following different types of otolaryngology surgery including nasal and sinus (septoplasty and ethmoidectomy) throat (tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy) surgery; and otologic (stapedectomy and choleseatoma) surgery.

KIT l

This kit relates recovery procedures following nasal and sinus (septoplasty and ethmoidectomy) surgery. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 2

This kit relates to recovery procedures following throat (tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy) surgery. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

KIT 3

This kit relates to recovery procedures following otologic (stapedectomy and cholesteatoma) surgery. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

SKIN REPAIR KIT

This kit relates to recovery procedures following dermatological surgery such as tumor, keloid and mole removal; laceration repair and scar revision. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

DENTISTRY & ORAL SURGERY

This kit relates to recovery procedures following surgery for tooth extraction including the removal of wisdom teeth (impacted or not) and other bases for the removal of teeth. In particular, the kit covering these procedures include the following items for the following medical purposes:

The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except as those skilled in the art who have the present disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.