Patient-specific medication dispensing and notification system

p00001Administration of specific medications for a patient and notification system

Technical field

p00002This disclosure generally refers to devices and methods for providing health care and, in particular, refers to providing care to a patient through controlled access to medications.

Prior art

p00003It is well known in the medical community, and in particular, in hospitals, to provide centrally located medication and supplies management stations, such as wall cabinets, manually secured patient module drawers, and automated dispensing machines. These generally accessible stations have several functions including the administration of medications and supplies to patients. These stations work well for their intended purpose. However, there are disadvantages in these centralized stations. A disadvantage is that after a patient is discharged, the medications are often not recovered from the station, and therefore remain in the station. These easily accessible medications are often stolen or mixed at the station with medications for other patients.

p00004US 7,216,802 discloses a system and method for verifying information and controlling a response function when two or more pieces of information correspond to each other. The system includes an information device and an identification device. The information device has identification information stored therein. The identification device has identification information stored therein

<dl><dt /><dd>or about it. The information device obtains the identification information of the identification device and compares it with the identification information of the information device. If the identification information corresponds, the information device provides a response signal. The response signal can control a locking mechanism for a container to which the information device is fixed or provide an audible or visual indication. The system and method can be used to control the administration of prescribed medications to a patient or in other medical or non-medical applications. </dd></dl>

US Application No. 20066125356 discloses a wireless mobile care center system that is provided including a plurality of mobile care center carts, each capable of transporting a plurality of drawers or containers with medications or supplies specific to a patient. Mobile care center cars provide both self-identification of a patient's containers transported by the car, as well as real-time monitoring of the cars themselves. By combining these two characteristics, each specific drawer for a patient can be placed anywhere in the hospital at any given time. A method is also provided to use this location information to generate a plan

<dl><dt /><dd>or medication supply / extraction route, which can be used by supply personnel to ease the burden caused by making mobile drug carts. </dd></dl>

Document WO / 2006/060572 discloses a system (30), in which software and methods related to improved entry and administration of pharmaceutical orders by medical personnel are provided, and with improved pharmaceutical inventory control in an institution medical (31). An embodiment of the system (30) includes a pharmaceutical information management (35) having a memory (33) and a medication administration program product (53) that includes a set of instructions stored in the memory (33) of the server of pharmaceutical information management (35) to improve the provision of pharmacy services. The system

<dl><dt>(30)</dt><dd> It also includes computers for doctors of hospital establishment (61) to provide the entry of orders for computerized medical drugs, pharmacy computers (71) to arrange for the review and verification by a pharmacist of electronic orders for medications (71) to arrange the review and verification by a pharmacist of electronic orders for medications (57) made through medical equipment (61), and nursing unit computers of a hospital establishment (81), to arrange for review and introduction of electronic medication administration records (45). </dd></dl>

p00005The embodiments of the administration of specific medications for a patient and the notification system described herein provide the administration of specific medications for a patient with specific notifications from a patient to the healthcare provider responsible for dispensing the medications.

p00006The invention is defined in the independent claims. Other particular aspects are set forth in the dependent claims. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a medication administration system comprises a medication station and a controller that responds to the patient's admission status information. The medication station comprises at least one insurable compartment configured to contain the medication. The controller is configured to assign a patient to the insurable compartment such that the patient's medications are able to be placed in the insurable compartment. The controller is also configured to selectively allow access of the medications in the patient in the insurable compartment when the information of the patient's admittance status indicates that the patient is currently admitted, and restricts the access of the patient's medication recovery in the Insurable compartment when the patient's admission status information indicates that the patient is not currently admitted.

p00007In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, for the administration and notification of specific medications for a patient, comprises the following: receive an admission-discharged alert (ADT), evaluate from a list of patients whose medications are stored in a medication station to determine if the list includes the patient for whom the ADT alert has been received, and transmit a notification to regulate medications to the patient in response to the ADT alert received for the patient, if the list of patients treated by the medication station includes the patient for whom the ADT alert was received.

p00008In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium that has computer-executable instructions to cause a processor to execute instructions for controlling a medication station by performing the steps comprising receiving information on the status of patient admittance, and the allocation of at least one insurable compartment of a patient medication station, such that at least one medication for the patient is able to be placed in the insurable compartment. The computer-readable medium also comprises computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising allowing selective access to the medication in the insurable compartment when the admission status information indicates that the patient is currently admitted, and restricting access to recover the medication in the insurable compartment when the admission status information indicates that the patient is not currently admitted.

p00009Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or can be learned by implementing the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention can be realized and achieved with the structure particularly indicated in the written description and in the claims thereof, as well as with the accompanying drawings.

p00010It is to be understood that both the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide a more detailed explanation of the described embodiments as claimed.

p00011The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide greater understanding and which are incorporated into and constitute a part of the present specification, illustrate the described embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the described embodiments. In the drawings:

p00012Figure 1 illustrates an automated dispensing machine (ADM) for the administration and notification of specific medications for a patient according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the ADM of Figure 1 with the drawers extended. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ADM of Figure 1 showing the cabinet drawer rail. Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the back of the ADM cabinet of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a block diagram of the ADM electronic interface of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a block diagram of a network configuration for the ADM of Figure 1. Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process for the treatment of a patient using ADM of Figure 1. Figure 8 is a flowchart that illustrates a process for interacting with interactive interface software. of the ADM of Figure 1.

Detailed description

p00013In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a complete understanding of the present disclosure. It will be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the present description can be implemented without some of these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to complicate the disclosure.

p00014Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates an ADM 100 in accordance with certain embodiments.

p00015The ADM 100 is a system for the administration and notification of specific medications for a patient configured to provide the administration of specific medications for a patient with a patient's specific notifications regarding the patient's medications. The ADM 100 is a type of medication administration system. The ADM 100, through its electronic interface 110, allows authorized users, such as doctors, to access medications stored securely at station 100, while restricting access to unauthorized users. In addition, when a patient who is going to be, or is assigned to the ADM is admitted or removed from the facility in which the ADM 100 is used, the ADM 100 transmits an alert to either add or remove medications from the patient. Consequently, ADM helps prevent the disappearance of medications for patients, such as after discharge, or the mixing of medications between different current patients.

p00016The ADM comprises a cabinet 120 and the electronic interface 110. The cabinet 120 includes a plurality of modular storage compartments, here they are shown as drawers 122. The number and type of drawers 122 used can be configured inside the cabinet 120 to match the medication and input needs of the facility that uses the ADM 100. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two types of drawers 122: the input drawers 126 for use in securing general supplies and medical drawers 124 for use in securing medical supplies, such as medicines. Medical drawers 124 are insurable. In certain embodiments, input drawers 126 may also be insurable. The secured medical drawers 124 are electronically controlled, while the input drawers 126 are controlled manually. For example, a person can open and close a manually controlled input drawer 126 with little or no preliminary requirement, such as providing a password or code. Manually controlled drawers can be accessed (that is, opened or closed) by hand without impediments, similar to conventional storage drawers, or, alternatively, they can be accessed through a first clamping arrangement, while electronically controlled drawers are accessible through a second clamping arrangement.

p00017Figures 2-3 illustrate a typical configuration of the drawers 122 for the ADM 100. The drawers 122 are matrix drawers, which are drawers divided into compartments equally accessible by adjustable or fixed dividers 132. The number and type of dividers 132 used may be configured within each drawer 122 to match the medication and supplies needs of the facility using station 100.

p00018In certain embodiments, the drawer configuration 122 may be similar to the drawer configuration found in the commercially available product known today as the MedStation automated medication management system of Cardinal Health, Inc., Dublin, Ohio. A MedStation system can be configured with different types of drawers 122 including drawers with CUBIE receptacles, matrix drawers of different heights, and MiniDrawersTM. CUBIE, Matrix and Double Depth Matrix are terms understood by experts in the field. CUBIE receptacles, drawers 122 and related dispensing machines are fully described in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,116,461 and 6,338,007, which are incorporated herein by reference. There may also be specific CUBIE receptacles for a patient that contain multiple medications and supplies for a single patient.

p00019The input drawers 126 have handles 128, while medical drawers 124 do not have. In certain embodiments, any type of drawer 126 or 128 may have handles 128. The insurable medical drawers 124 automatically open a relatively short distance, for example, less than two inches, from the cabinet 120 when electronically unlocked. This can be achieved by solenoids loaded with springs. The input drawers 126 must be opened manually and do not open automatically when unlocked. In certain embodiments, the input drawers 126 also open automatically. The particular design of the drawer 122 may be any design chosen with sound engineering criteria. In the illustrated embodiment 100, the design of the drawer 122 includes the rails 134, as illustrated in Figure 3, which slidably connect the drawers 122 to the cabinet 120 in a well-known manner. Indicators 136 are used to indicate if a drawer 122 is unlocked. In certain embodiments, indicators 136 may be used to indicate whether drawer 122 contains the desired inputs. In the illustrated embodiment, the indicators 136 include an indicator light 136 mounted on a front surface of the cabinet 120, as shown, so that it can be easily observed when a drawer 122 is open. Alternatively, the indicator lights 136 could be on the drawers 122. The electronic interface 110 could also provide an appropriate indication.

p00020The ADM 100 is mobile in certain embodiments. Returning to Figure 1, the ADM 100 has at least a first wheel in contact with the ground 138 (an embodiment with four wheels shown), and at least a first handle 142 for use in transporting the ADM 100. In certain embodiments, other means of movement can be used. In certain embodiments, depending on the location and type of electronic interface 110, the cabinet 120 may also have a superior work surface, which may vary in size and shape.

p00021In certain aspects, the ADM 100 cabinet can include a lighting light inside the handle 142 to illuminate the drawers 122. In this way, the contents of the open drawer 122 are illuminated obliquely. This lighting light can be located in the handle 142 of the cabinet or attached to the bottom of the handle 142. The lighting light comes on when a drawer 122 is opened. The drawers 122 could also incorporate translucent containers and soft lighting from the bottom to illuminate the silhouette of the contents of the drawer 122.

p00022Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the rear part of the cabinet 120 of the ADM of Figure 1. As noted above, the secured drawers are electronically controlled. In the event that there is a loss of power in the ADM 100, and / or some malfunction of the electrical equipment, normal access to the drawers 122 is prevented, the cabinet 120 may be equipped with a manual release mechanism for use in Unlocking the drawers 122. An access system 144 is provided so that a manual release mechanism can be accessed. At least one of the rear panels 146 of the cabinet provides the required access system 144. This provides access to the manual release mechanism of each drawer 122.

p00023Figure 5 is a block diagram of the electronic interface 110 of the ADM 100 of Figure 1. The electronic interface 110 comprises a computing device 116, display device 112 and an input device 114.

p00024The display device 112 is a flat panel screen in the exemplary embodiment. In other embodiments, the screen 112 may be a cathode ray tube (CRT) screen, vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), light emitting diode (LED) screen, plasma display panel (PDP), liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED), or electron emitting screen with conduction surface (SED). The input device 114 is a keyboard. In certain embodiments, the input device 114 may be an integral keyboard with the cabinet, input touch screen, a mouse, or a microphone. For example, in embodiments without a physical keyboard, the input device 114 may be a virtual keyboard. The virtual keyboard automatically appears on screen 112 when the system detects an input field. The virtual keyboard is a feature that hospital staff appreciates even more than physical keyboards because it minimizes the number of objects in the room and also decreases the risk of infection and contamination.

p00025The computing device 116 comprises a processor 164, a communications module 162, and a memory 150. The processor 164, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), executes the software stored in the memory of the computing device 150 or somewhere else.

p00026The communication module 162 provides a networking capability to connect to a network 510, which is described in detail below. The ability to work in a network is achieved through a communication layer that allows data transmission. Networking can be achieved by using or installing the ADM 100 data cables in a central network device for the 510 network, such as a router or a switch, or by using a wireless connection. An alternative technology would be to use the existing telephone wiring of the data transfer facility, thus avoiding the cost and deadlines associated with the installation of a new wiring.

p00027Stored in memory 150 is software 152 that interacts with a system of admit-discharge-transfer (ADT), software 154 for interconnection with an electronic medical records server (EMR), interactive interface software 160, access information 156, an access register 156, and a list of active patients 166, and a list of patients discharged (or inactive) 168. Memory 150 may include volatile and / or non-volatile sections.

p00028The interactive interface software 160 is used in the interaction with a user of the ADM 100, as described in detail below with reference to Figure 8. The interactive interface software 160 maintains at least a list of the patients 166 being treated, whose elements are stored in the corresponding ADM 100 ("active patient list"), and, in certain embodiments, the software may maintain a list. separate from patients 168 who were being treated previously and whose elements were stored in ADM 100, but which are no longer active ("list of patients discharged"). Both lists 166 and 168 are stored and maintained in the memory 150 by the interactive interface software 160. The interactive interface software 160 references the access information 156 stored in the memory 150 during the authentication of a toilet that attempts to use the ADM 100 through the interactive software interface 160. The interactive interface software 160 communicates with and accesses the information of the ADT system interface software 152 and the electronic medical records interface (EMR) software 154, described below. In certain embodiments, interactive interface software 160 is configured to operate in any ADM with physical characteristics similar to the characteristics of the ADM 100 described herein. To provide other ADMs with the ADM interactive software functionality described here. For example, interactive interface software 160 is configured to run on the MedStation described above, as well as in the ADM described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10 / 810,379, entitled "POINT OF CARE STATION ", filed on March 26, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

p00029The ADT 152 system interface software is configured to receive and interpret alerts received from an ADT system. ADT system alerts, which are specific to each patient, include admission alerts, discharge alerts, and transfer alerts. In certain embodiments, the ADT 152 system interface software is configured to receive and interpret alerts containing admit, register, transfer or other patient admittance status information of any system. The EMR 154 interface software is configured to access, read and write information on a device that stores EMR. In certain embodiments, the ADT 152 system interface software and the EMR 154 interface software are standardized using standards available for Health Level Seven, Inc. (HL7), so that the ADM 100 can be used with any network of the installations. In certain embodiments, the ADM 100 contains software to interact with almost all major system providers that use their own or non-proprietary interfaces. The interactive interface software 160 is configured to issue or otherwise transmit, admit, register and transfer notifications in response to ADT alerts interpreted by the system interface software of ADT 152.

p00030The electronic interface 110 uses the interactive interface software 160 to control access to the elements stored in the cabinet 120. In order to access the elements, special access must first be granted. Two levels of access to the ADM 100 software systems are supported. Before the medicine can be administered, the health worker must log in with the access information. One method is to have the doctor enter a username and password, or simply a password to gain access to the items stored in drawers 122. Another method is for the toilet to use a slipband card authenticated with a password or With a fingerprint. The ADM 100 can be used with cards with magnetic stripe or chip, proximity cards or chips that the toilet has on top, and the like. The ADM 100 may also require a password and ID entry in order to gain access to the items stored in the compartments 28. The interactive interface software 160 may also initiate a timeout session and close the drawers of inputs 126 in response to closing a drawer 122.

p00031In certain aspects, the electronic interface 110 may be in a remote location with respect to the ADM 100. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, an ADM as described herein does not include an electronic interface. An ADM without an electronic interface may, for example, include an input to connect to an electronic interface with characteristics similar to the electronic interface 110 described herein, such as through a physical connection / port, or through a connection wireless

p00032The toilet interacts with the ADM 100 through the electronic interface 110. If the electronic interface 110 has been idle for a predetermined time, such as three minutes, the system will automatically disconnect. In certain embodiments, other predetermined amounts of time may be used. To log in to the same point again in the ADM 160 interface software, the access information is re-entered. If the same toilet enters the same access information, the location of the toilet in the interactive interface software 160 is preserved. If the login information for a different toilet is entered, the initial screen for interactive interface software 160 will be displayed. . In certain embodiments, there is no automatic logout. In certain embodiments, the ADM 100 shows a quick sign-out button to allow toilets to interrupt their session and leave the room for a moment, and secure the system

p00033In order to access the elements inside the drawers 122, while a toilet starts session, any of the authorized drawers 122 can be opened depending on the admittance status of a patient. In another embodiment, while a doctor is logged in, one or more of the authorized 126 input drawers can be opened.

p00034In the aspects that include the tracking of the elements, the element that is needed can be retrieved and registered on the screen. This mode of interaction works best for toilets with a clear mental image of which elements are in closet 120, or can quickly recognize an element in sight. This mode also allows access to and registration of the elements, while the interactive interface software 160 is in the middle of the operation of another task. In another embodiment, the screen 112 provides a screen interface for each drawer 122. This interface can illustrate any and all elements and their location in the sections of the drawer 122. This can be shown graphically with images or through a list of elements and their locations This can help the toilet to intuitively direct their attention to the relevant elements. If the toilet does not take anything out of the drawer, the on-screen menu for said drawer 122 will persist (even if drawer 122 has been closed again) until the toilet presses the "take nothing" button or goes to the next screen if another drawer 122 is open. If the toilet has taken an item or items and registered what the doctor has taken on the touch screen, the menu will disappear when the toilet closes drawer 122. In another embodiment, an "out of stock" can be provided next to Each button of an item to inform the product repleteners that items need more urgent attention - for example, a nurse who needed a particular item, but the item was not there. In another additional embodiment, an "dispatch" button may be provided to request that the product replenishers immediately come to the room with an additional dose.

p00035In certain aspects, ADM 100 may allow toilets to inform the system when a particular item has been used up and must be replaced. At least three alternative policies for the use of this interface 160 are possible:

p00036(1) a button that is pressed at any time that someone notices that a material has run out, (2) a button that is pressed when the lack of an item has been inconvenient for a toilet, (3) a button that works as a panic button to request that a product refill directly bring a new set of elements for said ADM 100.

p00037In certain aspects, memory 150 also includes a header information portal (BIG). The BIG is an application-independent system that allows easy and efficient access for mission-critical applications directly from the ADM 100. This makes it possible for medical staff to take advantage of applications throughout the facility regardless of technology (Web or Windows) Used for these applications. The BIG allows doctors and nurses to quickly and easily access a wide variety of medical applications and information, thus reducing the time it takes for the doctor to make the rounds. Whether it is used to consult a patient file, access the results of the laboratory / radiology or prescriptive applications, the ADM 100 acts as a window in the applications within the central unit of the hospital, such as through the use of the network 510 With BIG technology, only the purchase of verification software is required to implement the verification.

p00038The electronic interface 110 may be located on or in the cabinet 120. The electronic interface 110 may be removable or permanently attached to the cabinet 120. In certain aspects, parts of the electronic interface 110 may be connected to the cabinet 120 through an arm, such as an articulated arm

p00039Figure 6 is a block diagram of a network configuration for the ADM of Figure 1. A plurality of ADM 100 are connected to a network 510 through their respective communication modules 162. Also connected to the network is a device of console 622, such as a computer. The console device 622 may be located in a pharmacy, so that it is easily for an individual, such as a pharmacist, responsible for administering medications to an ADM 100. Console device 622 and ADM 100 together form the ADM 620 system of network 510. The other portion of network 510 is the network of facilities 630, which includes an ADT system 632 and a network server that stores REM 634. Each ADM 100 of the 510 network therefore has access to a patient's admission / discharge / transfer information, a patient's medical history, and possibly any other medical application or information.

p00040The ADT 632 system issues alerts for a patient, including alerts that a patient has been admitted, discharged or transferred from the facility. For example, if a John Doe patient is admitted to a hospital that uses an ADT 632 system, the ADT 632 system would issue an alert on the 510 network that the John Doe patient has been admitted. The alert would be received by an ADM 100 also connected to the 510 network, as illustrated below, which processes the information that the patient John Doe has been admitted to the hospital. The ADM 100 can then transmit a corresponding notification through the network 510 to the console 622.

p00041The EMR 634 server stores the electronic medical records information, and makes the information available through the 510 network in accordance with the appropriate security features and requirements. EMR information may include, for example, notes on the patient's medical history, family history, complaints, consultations, staff observations, laboratory tests, X-rays, prescription and medication allergy information, social history, and diagnoses.

p00042Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process 700 for medication management for a patient using the ADM of Figure 1. Process 700 begins in state 701 when the patient is admitted to the facility. The ADT 632 system issues an admission alert through the 510 network, in state 702 that the patient has been admitted. The electronic interface 110 of the ADM 100 receives the admission alert in state 703, and, in response, determines, in state 704 if the patient is already assigned to ADM 100. For example, interactive interface software 160 of ADM 100 can determine if the patient is present in the list of active patients ADM 166. If it is determined that the patient is already assigned to ADM 100, process 700 is completed. However, if it is determined that the patient is not assigned to ADM 100, the process proceeds to state 705. In certain embodiments, state 704 determines whether the patient is assigned to any ADM 100 in network 510.

p00043In state 705, the ADM 100 sends its own notification of admission to the patient. The ADM admission notification is issued to the devices within the ADM 620 system in the 510 network, including the 622 console. The admission notification can be transmitted according to any method known in the art, including, but not limited to, automated phone call, automated voicemail, short message service (SMS), enhanced messaging service (EMS) message , wireless application protocol notification (WAP), instant messaging, email, RSS response, on-screen and biper alerts.

p00044The admission alert received at console 522 notifies the console user, such as a pharmacist, that the patient has been admitted to the hospital. In response, the pharmacist accesses the patient's medical records from the EMR 634 server on the 510 network in order to obtain the patient's medical history, which includes the patient's prescription information. In state 706, the pharmacist (or other healthcare provider) assigns the patient a drawer of the patient module (PCD) 124, or a compartment or compartments in the PCD 124, in the corresponding ADM 100. The corresponding ADM 100 can be selected on the basis to the location of the patient in the facility, for example. In certain embodiments, a patient may be assigned multiple PCD 124. In certain embodiments, a patient may be assigned a portion of a drawer 124, such as a compartment in drawer 124. After the patient has been assigned in state 706, ADM 100 updates its list of the 166 active patients in state 707 to include the patient. In certain embodiments, the ADM 100 updates its list of active patients in response to the receipt of the admitted alert from ADT 532 system in state 703 or after determination in state 704. An ADM 100 can be selected to house the patient's medications depending on their proximity to the patient or the relevant nursing station. The PCD assignment is done through the ADM interactive interface software 160, such as by entering access information or entering / selecting the appropriate patient information, and then selecting a PCD 124 to assign it to the patient. The pharmacist or other healthcare provider can then administer the appropriate medications for PCD 124 in state 708, which is discussed in detail below with reference to Figure 8.

p00045When the patient is subsequently discharged, transfer , or otherwise leaves the hospital in state 709, the ADT 632 system issues a discharge alert (or transferred) for the patient in state 710. The ADM 100 receives the discharge alert, in state 711, and, in response, determines whether the patient is assigned to ADM 100 in state 712. For example, the interactive interface software 160 of the ADM 100 can determine if the patient is present in the ADM list of active patients 166. If it is determined that the patient is not assigned to the ADM 100, the process 700 is completed . However, if it is determined that the patient is assigned to any ADM 100, such as being on the list of active patients 166 for ADM 100, the process proceeds to state 713. In certain embodiments, state 712 determines if the patient is assigned to any ADM 100 in network 510.

p00046If it is determined that the patient discharged is an active ADM patient in state 712, then in state 713, ADM 100 sends its own discharge notification for the patient. The electronic interface 110 otherwise ignores the discharge alerts received for patients not assigned to the ADM 100. The notification discharged from the ADM is transmitted to the devices within the ADM system 620, including console 622 . For example, notification of discharge from ADM 100 is sent to the pharmacist's console 622, and may include information to notify the pharmacist to retrieve medications from the patient discharged from the patient's assigned PCD.

p00047Upon receipt of the discharge alert in console 622, the pharmacist in state 714 removes the patient's name from the list of active patients of ADM 166, and, in certain embodiments, adds the patient's name to the list of inactive patients of the ADM 168. In certain embodiments, this name deletion / addition is carried out automatically by the ADM 100 in response to the receipt of the discharge alert from the ADT 632 system in state 711 or after the determination made in the state 712. The addition of the patient's name to the list of inactive patients in ADM 168 causes ADM 100 to restrict access to PCD 124 previously assigned to that patient. The pharmacist or other authorized health worker can then recover the patient's medication from the respective PCD 124 in ADM 100 in state 715, after having been notified or notified by a discharge notification sent by ADM 100, as described above. . Unauthorized users or toilets will not be able to access PCD 124 of the patient discharged, even if they have been previously authorized.

p00048Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process 800 for interacting with the ADM interface software of Figure 1. Although Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment in which authorized users may have different levels of authorization, in others realizations, all authorized users can have the same level of authorization.

p00049The interaction process 800 begins in state 801 when the toilet is registered in the ADM 160 interactive interface software. As described above, access to the ADM 100 is granted to the toilet after the access information is entered. appropriate, according to the access information 156 stored in the memory 150 of the device. After the sanitary login successfully, the interactive interface software 160 determines the sanitary authorization level in state 802 by means of stored access information 156. In the illustrated embodiment, a health worker may have at least two different authorization levels: a first authorization level does not have access to empty a drawer of the patient module discharged, such as for a nurse, and a second higher authorization level which has access to empty a drawer of the patient module discharged, such as for a pharmacist. In embodiments where an authorized user may have only one level of authorization, the process would automatically proceed from state 801 to state 807.

p00050If in state 802, it is determined that the health care provider has the first level of authorization, the process goes to state 803, in which a list of active patients 166 is shown. The health worker selects an active patient from the list of active patients in state 804. In certain embodiments, if the patient is assigned to multiple drawers 124, the interactive interface software 160 may instruct the sanitary to select a drawer 124. Then, in state 805, the toilet has the option of either refilling the selected module drawer 124 of the patient, or administering medications from the selected module drawer 124 of the patient. The interactive interface software then provides the physician with access to the corresponding drawer of module 124 of the insured patient, such as electronically unlocking the drawer, so that the sanitary can complete the task of recharging or administering in state 806.

p00051However, if in the 802 state the healthcare provider determines that it has the second highest authorization level, the process moves to the 807 state, in which both a list of active patients 166 and a list of inactive patients 168 are shown. , in state 808, you can select an active patient from the list of active patients 166, or an inactive patient from the list of inactive patients 168. In certain embodiments, if the patient is assigned to multiple drawers, the interactive interface software 160 may indicate to the sanitary to select a drawer 124. Next, in state 809 the sanitary is given the option to recharge or administer medications from the medical drawer. module 124 selected from the patient, or emptying the medications from the drawer of module 124 selected from an inactive patient. If the healthcare provider selects either the recharge or administration of medications for an active patient, the process moves to state 806, as described above. If the toilet selects to empty a drawer of module 124 selected from an inactive patient, the interactive interface software 160 provides the toilet with access to the drawer of module 124 selected from the patient discharged, such as automatically unlocking the drawer, so that the toilet can complete the emptying task in state 810. Therefore, only a toilet with an appropriate level of access has access to medications in a drawer of module 124 of the patient discharged, while a toilet without the appropriate level of access cannot access medications in the drawer of module 124 of the patient discharged. A health worker could have been notified to log in to the ADM interface software to empty a drawer of module 124 of the patient discharged upon receipt of a notification at the pharmacist's console, as described above.

p00052After the sanitary task has been completed in any of states 806 or 810, the system records an access record of the sanitary identification, the task performed by the sanitary, and the time it took for the sanitary to perform the task. In certain embodiments, other information may be recorded, such as the administration, refilling or emptying of medications.

p00053In certain embodiments, the interactive interface software 160 of the ADM 100 is configured to track the movement of the medications contained in the cabinet 120, such as when a medication is loaded and removed, to whom the medication is assigned, and to which PCD 124 is assigned and / or medication These features can be achieved by adding additional tracking functionality to interactive interface software 160, such as by expanding states 806 and 810 in process 800 of Figure 8, which includes providing the restroom with information about medications. recharged or administered (in state 806) or emptied (in state 810).

p00054As illustrated above, the ADM 100 can be integrated into a larger system, perhaps of extensive health care facilities, to control supplies and medications. For example, the ADM 100 can complement at least two other devices known as the MedStation Pyxis and SupplyStation Pyxis units. In a recommended use, common and specific medications for each patient are stored in the ADM 100 while the MedStation unit maintains the first dose and controlled medications. The slower moving drugs may be located in the MedStation unit while the faster moving drugs may be contained within the cabinet 120 of the ADM 100. The MedStation and SupplyStation units can be used to manage a large volume of items while the ADM 100 can administer medications and supplies specific to each patient. It should be noted that the ADM 100 interactive interface software 160 can be configured to be in the interface with the MedStation units.