EP2012277B1 - System for registering and controlling specific tasks performed by at least one person in a health care centre - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a storage unit for storing characteristic data of an equipment and input data of another equipment in a personalized file. The former equipment is constituted of a hand washing and disinfecting unit (3), an access control device (7) and a passage detecting device (8), and detects and identifies an identification module e.g. radio frequency identification (RFID) strap, carried by person. A data control unit compares the data contained in the file with data in a reference file having tasks to be performed by the person, and indicates non potential matching between the files.

Description

The present invention relates to a system for recording and controlling specific tasks performed by at least one person in a medical center.

In hospitals, permanent compliance with hygiene standards is mandatory in order to limit the risk of infections, especially nosocomial infections.

A system to limit the risks of nosocomial infections is described in the document FR 2,872,315 .

The document FR 2,872,315 describes a system for checking compliance with a predefined sequence of actions.

• un badge d'identification RFID destiné à être porté par une personne, le badge comportant une mémoire vive et des moyens de dialogue sans fil avec des équipements complémentaires,
• une pluralité d'équipements comportant chacun un circuit de dialogue destiné à détecter un badge dans un périmètre défini et à enregistrer dans la mémoire vive de ce dernier une information caractéristique de l'équipement.

This system comprises:

• an RFID identification badge intended to be worn by a person, the badge comprising a random access memory and means of wireless dialogue with complementary equipment,
• a plurality of devices each having a dialogue circuit for detecting a badge in a defined perimeter and for recording in the RAM of the latter a characteristic information of the equipment.

Thus, it is possible to record in the RAM memory of an identification badge different tasks performed at the level of different equipment, by a person wearing the latter.

In addition, the system comprises means arranged to read the information contained in the random-access memory of the identification badge and to activate a function of a particular piece of equipment in a conditional manner with respect to the sequence of information contained in the badge of identification.

As a result, the system makes it possible, for example, to prevent the opening of a door if the person wearing the identification badge has not performed a precise sequence of tasks.

The system described in the document FR 2,872,315 allows you to record in a badge identification different tasks performed by a person carrying the latter.

The system described in the document FR 2,872,315 does not record all the tasks performed by a person wearing an identification badge but only those performed at the level of particular equipment.

In addition, the memory capacity of an identification badge is limited.

Therefore, it is necessary to regularly delete the oldest data recorded in the identification badge to free space in the RAM memory of the latter.

The system described in this document therefore does not allow long-term storage of tasks performed by a person wearing an identification badge.

In addition, the system describes the document FR 2,872,315 is not designed to signal the non-fulfillment by a person of a task that should have been performed.

The document WO 2005/079122 discloses a system according to the preamble of claim 1.

The document US 2001/0047286 describes a system for tracking and controlling tasks to be performed by persons belonging to the same organization, the system comprising at least one portable computer for storing data entered by a person and relating to tasks performed by the person, each portable computer comprising data transfer means for transmitting the data entered by a person to a central data processing and transfer unit after completion of the data entry by said person.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks, and its purpose is to provide a system for recording and checking specific tasks performed by at least one person in a medical center, which allows the long-term recording of the all the tasks performed by a person, and the reporting of a discrepancy between the tasks performed by that person and the tasks that he should have performed.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a recording and control system according to claim 1.

The data storage means provided in the central unit makes it possible to store in the long term a very large amount of data relating to all the tasks performed in the medical center by persons equipped with identification modules.

The configuration of the data transfer means belonging to the first and second equipment makes it possible to ensure a real-time transfer of information relating to the different tasks performed by each person equipped with an identification module.

Therefore, by viewing the custom file of a specific person, it is possible to know precisely in real time the various tasks performed by the latter.

In addition, the data control means provided in the central unit make it possible to signal the non-fulfillment by a person of a task that he should have performed.

These means of control thus make it possible to point out the members of the staff, the patients or the careless visitors and thus to determine the responsibilities in the event of nosocomial infection.

In any case the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing showing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this recording and control system.

The figure represents a system for recording and controlling the tasks performed by all the staff of a medical center 2, such as a hospital, a clinic or the like, and also those performed by the patients and by at least one patient. part of the visitors of this medical center.

The system includes a plurality of identification modules to be worn by all staff of the health center and patients. Visitors destined to enter sensitive areas of the medical center are also equipped with identification modules.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each identification module is an active RFID identification badge or bracelet comprising an electronic card carrying a unique identifier corresponding to a specific person and means of dialogue.

At each post office, all personnel put their own identification module and activate it via a key integrated in it or by passing near a dedicated terminal.

Similarly, when a patient or possibly a visitor enters the medical center, a badge or identification bracelet is assigned to him and the latter must wear it and activate it.

According to one embodiment of the invention, only members of the medical center and patients intended to enter risk areas are equipped with identification modules.

• des moyens de dialogue sans fil destinés à détecter et à identifier automatiquement un module d'identification porté par une personne lorsqu'il se trouve dans un périmètre défini, et à échanger des données avec le module d'identification détecté,
• des moyens de transfert de données destinés à transmettre des données caractéristiques de l'équipement à une unité centrale de traitement et de transfert de données lorsqu'un module d'identification a été détecté et identifié,
• des moyens d'horodatage des données transférées à l'unité centrale, les moyens d'horodatage étant synchronisés avec une horloge externe de référence.

The system also includes first equipment each comprising:

• wireless dialogue means for automatically detecting and identifying an identification module carried by a person when within a defined perimeter, and exchanging data with the detected identification module,
• data transfer means for transmitting data characteristic of the equipment to a central processing and data transfer unit when an identification module has been detected and identified,
• means for time stamping the data transferred to the central unit, the time stamping means being synchronized with an external reference clock.

It should be specified that the dialogue means comprise an RFID transponder when the identification module is constituted by an RFID badge or bracelet.

• des moyens d'affichage des tâches à effectuer par une personne déterminée,
• des moyens de saisie de données relatives à des tâches effectuées par ladite personne,
• des moyens de transfert de données destinés à transmettre les données saisies par ladite personne à l'unité centrale de traitement et de transfert de données dès que les données ont été saisies par ladite personne,
• des moyens d'horodatage des données transférées à l'unité centrale, les moyens d'horodatage étant synchronisés avec l'horloge externe de référence.

The system further comprises second devices each comprising:

• means for displaying the tasks to be performed by a specific person,
• means for entering data relating to tasks performed by said person,
• data transfer means for transmitting data entered by said person to the central data processing and transfer unit as soon as the data has been entered by said person,
• means for timestamping the data transferred to the central unit, the timestamping means being synchronized with the external reference clock.

Tasks entered in the input means provided in the second equipment are for example tasks of medical care, cleaning of premises, renewal of bedding, toilets, maintenance of filter water pipe or air, or delivery tray.

• des moyens de saisie de données relatives à un patient, telles que par exemple son identité, ses symptômes, ses allergies, ses prescriptions médicamenteuses, ses résultats d'analyse ou d'imagerie,
• des moyens de transfert de ces données à l'unité centrale de traitement et de transfert de données lorsque lesdites données ont été saisies.

The system also includes third equipment comprising:

• means for entering data relating to a patient, such as, for example, his identity, his symptoms, his allergies, his medication prescriptions, his analysis or imaging results,
• means for transferring these data to the central processing and data transfer unit when said data has been inputted.

• des moyens de stockage de données destinés d'une part à stocker, dans un fichier personnalisé, les données caractéristiques des premiers équipements ayant détectés et identifiés un module d'identification porté par une personne déterminée et les données saisies dans les seconds équipements par cette personne, et d'autre part à stocker, dans un fichier patient personnalisé, les données saisies dans les troisièmes équipements relatives à un patient,
• des moyens de contrôle de données destinés à comparer les données contenues dans chaque fichier personnalisé relatif à une personne déterminée avec celles contenues dans un fichier de référence comportant l'ensemble des tâches à effectuer par ladite personne et à signaler une éventuelle non concordance entre les deux fichiers.

The system further comprises a CPU and a CPU data transfer unit comprising:

• data storage means intended on the one hand to store, in a personalized file, the characteristic data of the first equipment having detected and identified an identification module carried by a specific person and the data entered in the second equipment by this person , and secondly to store, in a personalized patient file, the data entered in the third equipment relating to a patient,
• data control means for comparing the data contained in each personalized file relating to a specific person with those contained in a reference file comprising all the tasks to be performed by said person and to signal a possible mismatch between the two. files.

It should be noted that the data entered in the second equipment by a person and relating to a patient are also stored in the corresponding patient file.

It should be specified that each reference file relating to a staff member of the health center is made according to the basic tasks to be performed by this staff member and according to particular tasks to be performed for certain patients. The reference files relating to the staff members of the health center are thus made using at least a portion of the data stored in the personalized patient files.

It should also be noted that the reference file relating to a person is updated via dedicated input means connected to the storage means provided in the central unit UC, and that the tasks displayed by the means display provided in the second equipment correspond to the tasks contained in the reference file.

The first equipment comprises a plurality of units for washing and disinfecting the hands 3. These units for washing and disinfecting the hands 3 are in particular arranged in so-called "at risk" chambers 4, that is to say intended for to receive patients at risk of infection. The term "infectious risk" is understood to mean immunocompromised, infected or chemotherapy patients.

The medical center 2 also includes an operating room 5 and an analysis laboratory 6 comprising washing and disinfection units 3. Of course, other areas of the medical center may be equipped with washing and disinfection units 4 such as: for example, recovery rooms, imaging centers, treatment rooms and dining rooms.

• un lavabo,
• des moyens de distribution d'eau,
• des moyens de distribution de solution de lavage et de désinfection, telle qu'une solution hydro alcoolique,
• des moyens de distribution de papier d'essuyage,
• des moyens de contrôle de son utilisation destinés à empêcher le transfert de données caractéristiques de l'unité de lavage et de désinfection à l'unité centrale UC tant que la personne portant le module d'identification détecté par les moyens de dialogue prévus dans ladite unité ne s'est pas lavée les mains conformément à une procédure prédéterminée, et
• des moyens de mesure du temps de lavage des mains et de la quantité d'eau et de solution de lavage et de désinfection utilisée par la personne portant le module d'identification.

Each washing and disinfecting unit 3 comprises:

• a sink,
• water distribution means,
• means for dispensing washing and disinfecting solution, such as a hydroalcoholic solution,
• wiping paper dispensing means,
• means for controlling its use to prevent the transfer of characteristic data of the washing and disinfection unit to the central unit UC as long as the person carrying the module identification detected by the dialogue means provided in said unit has not washed the hands according to a predetermined procedure, and
• means for measuring the hand washing time and the amount of water and washing and disinfecting solution used by the person carrying the identification module.

When a person, for example a staff member of the health center, is in the vicinity of the hand washing and disinfecting unit, the unit detects the presence of the module carried by this person through the means of dialogue provided for in it.

However, the washing and disinfection unit does not transmit data to the central unit until the person has washed their hands, that is to say, as long as it has not operated by example the water distribution means, the washing solution distribution and disinfection means, and the hand wiping paper dispensing means.

When these different distribution means have been actuated by said person, the control means allow the transfer means provided in said unit to transfer to the central unit data concerning the fact that said person has washed his hands, these data being stored in the custom file for that person.

The amount of water and washing and disinfecting solution used by this person during the washing of his hands is also transferred to the central processing unit UC and stored in his personalized file.

It should be noted that the date and time of this hand washing by this person are also stored in his personalized file via the timestamping means provided in said unit.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each washing and disinfection unit comprises an infrared hand-held detector for actuating the water distribution means, the washing solution dispensing and disinfection means, and the means for dispensing hand wiping paper in a predefined sequence when the hands of a person wishing to wash their hands are detected.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each washing and disinfecting unit 3 comprises dosing means for dosing the amount of water and washing and disinfecting solution to be used. This dosage is for example related to the pathology of the patient present in the at-risk chamber equipped with this washing unit.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises simpler washing and disinfection units arranged in the other rooms of the medical center. These washing units differ from the washing units 4 in that they do not include means for measuring the hand washing time and the amount of water and washing and disinfecting solution used, nor an infrared detector, and neither of the dosing means.

The first devices comprise a plurality of access control devices 7 intended to prevent access to a particular area to an unauthorized person.

These access control devices 7 are in particular positioned at the doors of the operating room 5 and the analysis laboratory 6 and are, in this case, intended to prohibit access to the operating room 5 and the analysis laboratory. unauthorized persons, for example persons who are not equipped with an identification module or who are equipped with an identification module that does not give access to these rooms.

The crossing of a door equipped with an access control device by a person equipped with an identification module is detected by the dialogue means provided in the access control device, then the data relating to this crossing are transferred to the central unit via the transfer means provided in said device. The data relating to this crossing is then stored in the personalized file relating to the person who has crossed this door. The time and date of this crossing are also stored in the personalized file relating to this person via the timestamping means provided in the access control device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the access control devices comprise physical and anthropometric detection means for verifying that the detected identification module is worn by the person to whom the latter is assigned.

The first devices comprise a plurality of passage detection devices 8 arranged at each door of the medical center, and in particular at the doors of the rooms at risk 4, the operating room 5 and the analysis laboratory 6.

Thus, at each crossing of a door by a person carrying an identification module, the means of dialogue provided for in the passage detection device disposed at this door detect and identify the identification module carried by this person, then the data relating to this crossing are transferred to the central unit UC via the transfer means provided in the device and then these data are stored in the custom file relating to the person who has passed through the door.

Therefore, by viewing the personalized file of a specific person and grouping all the door crossings made by this person, it becomes easy to know precisely in real time the position of the latter that it is a member of staff, a patient or a visitor when the latter is equipped with an identification module.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the second equipment comprises a plurality of personalized portable terminals intended respectively to be worn by members of the staff of the health center or positioned on their care trolley.

When a staff member takes his service, he activates his portable terminal and visualizes on the latter the various tasks he must perform through a display screen provided on the latter.

As soon as he has performed a task, he enters his acknowledgment on his portable terminal by means of input keys provided on the latter. The data relating to this acknowledgment are transferred to the central unit via the transfer means provided in the portable terminal and then stored in its personalized file. Therefore, by viewing the custom file of a specific person, it is possible to know precisely in real time the various tasks performed by the latter.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the second devices each comprise wireless dialogue means for automatically detecting and identifying a module carried by a person when he is within a defined perimeter.

In this case, when a staff member seizes a portable terminal and activates it, the latter detects the identification module worn by this person and identifies the latter. The person who activated the portable terminal does not need to enter for example a personalized identification code through the input means provided in the latter.

As soon as said person is identified by the portable terminal, the latter transmits to him his tasks to perform contained in his reference file.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the second equipment comprises fixed terminals arranged at different locations of the medical center, and for example in the rooms at risk.

The third equipment comprises several data entry terminals 9 placed at different locations of the medical center, and in particular one at the reception 10 of the medical center 2.

The system also includes fourth equipment comprising means for viewing the data contained in the patient files.

The fourth equipment comprises fixed display terminals 11 arranged in the operating room 5, the analysis laboratory 6 and the at-risk rooms 4.

These fixed terminals thus allow a surgeon or a caregiver to directly view data relating to a patient before performing a surgical act or an act of care on the latter.

The system comprises warning means controlled by the central processing unit UC and intended to signal to a person carrying an identification module the non-fulfillment of a specific task or the non-fulfillment in the order of a sequence of tasks. determined.

The system comprises warning means constituted by luminous or audible alarms 12 positioned near the washing and disinfection units 3 arranged in the rooms at risk 4 and intended to signal to a person that he has not washed. hands after entering the said room at risk or that it has not performed its tasks according to a predetermined sequence stored in its custom file.

Of course, the activation of the warning means is stored in the custom file of the person who has not performed a specific task or has performed a sequence of tasks in the order.

According to another embodiment of the invention, each portable terminal comprises warning means controlled by the central unit and intended to signal to a person using said terminal the failure to perform a specific task.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the transfer means of the first, second and third equipment transmit the different data to the central unit UC by a wireless link, for example infrared or wifi type.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first, second, third and fourth equipments have the possibility of interacting with each other directly or via the central unit.

It should be noted that the means of control provided in the central unit may include means of publishing reports concerning the tasks performed by each staff member, patient and visitor, and by each sector of the medical center.

It is thus possible to visualize the tasks not carried out by a specific person or carried out late and thus to provide alerts on the members of the staff or the negligent sector.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the central unit comprises control means of the different equipment. These control means make it possible, for example, to power or switch off the different equipment remotely, to adjust the dosage of the means for dispensing the washing and disinfecting units. These control means can also make it possible to control certain equipment according to the data stored in the patient files.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises devices for measuring the ambient air temperature, the air temperature in refrigeration and conditioning systems, and the temperature of the air. water in water distribution pipes.

These measuring devices comprise data transfer means for transferring the measured temperature values to the central unit. The central unit comprises means for storing these temperature values and control means intended on the one hand to compare the different measured temperature values with reference temperature values and on the other hand to signal to an operator a possible mismatch between these different values two by two and therefore the need to perform a specific task. The specific task is to act on temperature control means so as to avoid a risk of legionellosis.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises bacterial detection devices for detecting the presence of certain types of bacteria in refrigeration and conditioning systems, and in water distribution pipes. These detection devices comprise data transfer means for transferring to the central unit any detection of bacteria in the refrigeration and conditioning systems, or in the water distribution pipes. The central unit comprises control means for signaling to an operator the presence of bacteria in a determined pipe and the need to replace the filter of the latter.

• des moyens de stockage de données destinés d'une part à stocker, dans un fichier personnalisé, les données caractéristiques des premiers équipements disposés dans ledit secteur et ayant détectés et identifiés le module d'identification porté par une personne et les données saisies par ladite personne dans les seconds équipements disposés dans ledit secteur, et d'autre part à stocker, dans un fichier patient personnalisé, les données relatives à un patient saisies dans les troisièmes équipements disposés dans ledit secteur,
• des moyens de contrôle de données destinés à comparer les données contenues dans chaque fichier personnalisé relatif à une personne déterminée avec celles contenues dans un fichier de référence comportant l'ensemble des tâches à effectuer par ladite personne dans ledit secteur et à signaler une éventuelle non concordance entre les deux fichiers.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the medical center is divided into several sectors, and each sector comprises a decentralized processing and data transfer unit comprising:

• data storage means intended on the one hand to store, in a personalized file, the characteristic data of the first equipment arranged in said sector and having detected and identified the identification module carried by a person and the data entered by said person in the second equipment arranged in said sector, and secondly to store, in a personalized patient file, the data relating to a patient entered in the third equipment arranged in said sector,
• data control means for comparing the data contained in each personalized file relating to a specific person with those contained in a reference file comprising all the tasks to be performed by said person in said sector and to signal a possible mismatch between the two files.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the central unit and the different decentralized units have the possibility of dialogue with each other and more particularly to exchange data. In addition, the central unit has the possibility to give orders to the decentralized units.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a decentralized unit of a given sector has the possibility of interacting with equipment arranged in another sector and more particularly of exchanging data with the latter and giving orders to these same equipments.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, in a degraded mode of operation, the decentralized units of the different sectors have the possibility of managing themselves.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above as examples but that it encompasses all variants. In particular, each identification module could be a magnetic badge, a mobile phone dedicated to specific frequencies or any other equivalent means of identification. In addition, the system could include a combination of the different identification modules mentioned above.

Claims (17)

1. A system for recording and checking specific tasks carried out by at least one person in a medical care center (2), such as a hospital, clinic or the like, the system comprising:

   - at least one identification module intended to be borne by a person,

   - first pieces of equipment (3, 7, 8), each including:

   - wireless dialog means intended to detect and to identify an identification module when it is found in a defined perimeter,

   - means for data transfer intended to transmit characteristic data of the piece of equipment to a central processing unit, and for data transfer when an identification module has been detected and identified,

   - a central unit for processing and transferring data (CU) comprising means for storing data intended to store in a customized file the characteristic data of the first pieces of equipment having detected and identified the identification module borne by said person,
   characterized in that the system further comprises second pieces of equipment each including:

   - means for displaying the tasks to be carried out by said person,

   - means for inputting data relating to tasks carried out by said person,

   - means for transferring data intended to transmit data inputted by said person to the central data processing and transfer unit as soon as the data have been inputted by said person,

   in that the data storage means are intended to store in the customized file the data inputted by said person in the second pieces of equipment,
   in that the central data processing and transfer unit (CU) comprises means for checking data intended to compare the data contained in the customized file with those contained in a reference file including the whole of the tasks to be carried out by said person and to report a possible inconsistency between both files,
   in that the tasks intended to be displayed by the display means provided in the second pieces of equipment correspond to tasks contained in the reference file relating to said person,
   in that the system comprises devices for measuring the temperature of ambient air, the temperature of the air in cooling and conditioning systems, and the temperature of the water in the water distribution conduits, the temperature measurement devices including data transfer means intended to transfer the measured temperature values to the central unit.
2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the second pieces of equipment each include wireless dialog means intended to detect and identify a module borne by a person when it is found in a defined perimeter.
3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it includes data inputting means laid out so as to update the reference file relating to a person, said inputting means being connected to the storage means provided in the central unit.
4. The system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises third pieces of equipment (9), including:

   - means for inputting data relating to a patient,

   - means for transferring these data to the central unit,

   and in that the data storage means made in the central unit (CU) are intended to store in a customized patient file, the inputted data relating to said patient.
5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that the data inputted into the second pieces of equipment by a person and relating to a patient are also stored in the corresponding patient file.
6. The system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises fourth pieces of equipment (11) including means for viewing data contained in the patient files.
7. The system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the medical care center is divided into several sectors, and in that each sector comprises a decentralized data processing and transfer unit comprising:

   - a data storage means intended to store in a customized file, characteristic data of the first pieces of equipment arranged in said sector and having detected and identified the identification module borne by said person and the data inputted by said person into the second pieces of equipment arranged in said sector,

   - data checking means intended to compare the data contained in the customized file with those contained in a reference file including the whole of the tasks to be carried out by said person in said sector and to report possible inconsistency between both files.
8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the central unit and the different decentralized units have the possibility of entering into dialog with each other.
9. The system according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the decentralized unit of a given sector has the possibility of entering into dialog with pieces of equipment arranged in another sector.
10. The system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the first pieces of equipment is a unit for washing and disinfecting hands (3).
11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that the washing and disinfection unit (3) comprises a means for checking its use intended to prevent transfer of characteristic data of the washing and disinfection unit to the central unit as long as the person bearing the identification module has not washed his/her hands.
12. The system according to one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the washing and disinfection unit (3) comprises means for distributing a washing and disinfection solution, and in that it comprises means for measuring the time for washing hands and the amount of washing and disinfection solution used by the person bearing the identification module.
13. The system according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one of the first pieces of equipment is an access control device (7) intended to prevent access to a particular area for a non-authorized person, for example a person not equipped with an identification module or equipped with an identification module which does not give him/her access to this given area.
14. The system according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises warning means (12) controlled by the central unit and intended to point out to a person bearing an identification module the non-accomplishment of a specific task.
15. The system according to claim 3 to 14, characterized in that the third pieces of equipment include several data input terminals (9), arranged at different locations of the medical care center.
16. The system according to one of claims 6 to 15, characterized in that the first, second, third and fourth pieces of equipment have the possibility of entering into dialog with each other directly or via the central unit.
17. The system according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the central unit includes means for storing the temperature values measured by the temperature measurement devices, and checking means intended to compare the different measured values of temperatures with reference temperature values on the one hand and to point out to an operator possible inconsistency between these different values two by two and therefore the requirement of carrying out a specific task on the other hand.

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