U.S. patent application number 12/825020 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-21 for pharmacy supply tracking system.
Invention is credited to Stephen A. Garrett, Shelton Louie.
Application Number | 20100268548 12/825020 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42981678 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100268548 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Louie; Shelton ; et
al. |
October 21, 2010 |
PHARMACY SUPPLY TRACKING SYSTEM
Abstract
A pharmacy supply container tracking system that automatically
detects and tracks a pharmacy supply container within a defined
area is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the system also
detects and tracks prescription orders of customers, and
automatically verifies that the correct pharmacy supply is used to
fill a particular prescription order. One disclosed system includes
using machine-readable wireless tags, such as Radio-Frequency
Identification ("RFID") tags, and their related readers to locate
objects through electromagnetic interrogation of a spatial region
to determine the presence of an object within that special
region.
Inventors: |
Louie; Shelton; (Vancouver,
WA) ; Garrett; Stephen A.; (Vancouver, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
42981678 |
Appl. No.: |
12/825020 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10928756 |
Aug 26, 2004 |
7747477 |
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12825020 |
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09715439 |
Nov 16, 2000 |
7672859 |
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10928756 |
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09829536 |
Apr 9, 2001 |
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09715439 |
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09991529 |
Nov 16, 2001 |
7496521 |
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09829536 |
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09991249 |
Nov 16, 2001 |
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09991529 |
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09991530 |
Nov 16, 2001 |
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09991249 |
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10223336 |
Aug 18, 2002 |
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09991530 |
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10223308 |
Aug 18, 2002 |
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10223336 |
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10925221 |
Aug 23, 2004 |
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10223308 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/2 ; 340/10.1;
705/333 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 40/63 20180101;
G07F 11/62 20130101; G16H 40/20 20180101; G06Q 10/087 20130101;
G06Q 10/0833 20130101; G07G 1/009 20130101; G07F 5/18 20130101;
G06Q 20/203 20130101; G07G 1/0036 20130101; G16H 20/13 20180101;
G07F 17/0092 20130101; G07F 9/002 20200501 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/2 ; 705/11;
340/10.1 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/00 20060101
G06Q010/00; G06Q 50/00 20060101 G06Q050/00; H04Q 5/22 20060101
H04Q005/22 |
Claims
1. A method for tracking a prescription supply container within a
defined area having a plurality of physically spaced apart
locations, said method including the following steps: positioning a
first tag reader near a first station in the defined area, said
first tag reader in communication with a computer system and able
to automatically detect the presence of a machine readable wireless
tag when said tag is moved by hand to a position in close proximity
to the first tag reader and send a first signal to said computer
system; tagging the prescription supply container with the machine
readable wireless tag; the computer system associating the tag with
identifying information related to the material received within the
prescription supply container; manually moving the prescription
supply container to an area in close proximity to said first tag
reader; the computer system detecting the presence of the
prescription supply container at the first station by automatically
sensing the machine readable remote tag attached to the supply
container; and, the computer system automatically recording the
location of the prescription supply container at said first
station.
2. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of claim
1, further including the step of: displaying the location of the
prescription supply container on a computer system display, thereby
facilitating the easy location of said prescription supply
container.
3. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of claim
1, further including the steps of: the computer detecting when the
machine readable wireless tag is removed from close proximity to
the first tag reader, and, the computer system recording the
removal of the prescription supply container from the first
position when the removal of the machine readable wireless tag from
close proximity to the first tag reader is detected.
4. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of claim
1, further including the steps of: automatically collecting timing
information about the amount of time the prescription supply
container remains at the first location; and, storing said timing
information into the computer system.
5. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of claim
4, further including the step of: associating the timing
information with a particular worker to evaluate worker
efficiency.
6. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of claim
5, wherein said defined area is a retail pharmacy.
7. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of claim
1, further including the steps of: positioning a second tag reader
near a second station in the defined area, the second station
spaced apart from the first station, said second tag reader in
communication with the computer system and able to automatically
detect the presence of the machine readable wireless tag when said
tag is moved by hand to a position in close proximity to the second
tag reader and send a first signal to said computer system; moving
by hand the supply container from said first station to said second
station; the computer system detecting the presence of the
prescription supply container at the second station by
automatically sensing the machine readable remote tag attached to
the supply container; and, the computer system automatically
recording the location of the prescription supply container at said
second station.
8. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of claim
7, wherein: said second station is a storage bin having a plurality
of cubbies, each said cubby having an individual identifier, and
each cubby having a cubby wireless machine readable tag reader in
communication with the computer system such that the presence of
said machine readable wireless tag within one of said plurality of
cubbies is automatically detected by that cubby's tag reader and
sends a cubby location signal to said computer system, said cubby
location signal including the individual identifier of said one of
said plurality of cubbies; and, the computer system processes said
cubby location signal to display the location of said tag at said
plurality of cubbies thereby allowing the location of said supply
container within said storage device.
9. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of claim
3, further including the steps of: a worker informing the computer
system of a desired supply container; the computer system
determining the location of the desired supply container; and, the
computer system alerting the worker of the location of the desired
supply container.
10. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of
claim 9, further including the step of the computer system alerting
the worker if a supply container other than the desired supply
container is removed from the first station.
11. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of
claim 9, wherein said alerting the worker step includes activating
a transducer near the desired supply container.
12. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of
claim 1, further including the step of the computer system
correlating expiration date information about the material within
the supply container with the supply container; and verifying that
the expiration date has not passed when the supply container is
present at the first station.
13. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of
claim 12, further including the step of the computer system
alerting a pharmacy worker if the expiration date has passed.
14. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of
claim 1, wherein said machine readable wireless tag is a radio
frequency identification tag and said first tag reader is a radio
frequency identification tag reader.
15. The method for tracking a prescription supply container of
claim 1, further including the steps of: operably securing a second
machine readable wireless tag to a customer's prescription order;
the computer system associating the second machine readable
wireless tag with customer identifying information related to the
customer's prescription order; manually moving the customer's
prescription order to an area in close proximity to said first tag
reader; the computer system detecting the presence of the
customer's prescription order at the first station by automatically
sensing the second machine readable remote tag attached to the
supply container; and, the computer system automatically recording
the location of the customer's prescription order at said first
station.
16. The method for tracking a prescription order supply container
of claim 15, further including the steps of: the computer system
uses the customer identifying information to determine the desired
contents of the customer's prescription order; the computer system
determines the contents of the supply container located at the
first station; and, the computer system validates that the desired
contents of the customer's prescription order match the contents of
the supply container.
17. The method for tracking a prescription order supply container
of claim 16, further including the step of the computer system
alerting a worker if the desired contents of a customer's
prescription order do not match the contents of the supply
container.
18. The method for tracking a prescription order supply container
of claim 17, wherein said alerting step includes the computer
system activating a transducer selected from an audible alarm, a
light, and a warning display.
19. The method for tracking a prescription order supply container
of claim 7, further including the steps of: assigning a desired
location to the prescription order supply container between the
first and second stations; informing the computer system of the
desired location; the computer system alerting a worker when the
detected location of the supply container differs from the desired
location.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/928,756, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,747,477 on
Jun. 29, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/715,439, filed on Nov. 16, 2000; Ser. No.
09/829,536, filed on Apr. 9, 2001; Ser. No. 09/991,529, filed on
Nov. 16, 2001; Ser. No. 09/991,249, filed on Nov. 16, 2001; Ser.
No. 09/991,530, filed on Nov. 16, 2001; Ser. No. 10/223,336, filed
on Aug. 18, 2002; Ser. No. 10/223,308, filed on Aug. 18, 2002; and
Ser. No. 10/925,221, filed on Aug. 23, 2004, the disclosures of
which are hereby incorporated by reference. This application also
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/496,940 filed on Aug. 21, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a pharmacy supply tracking
and storage system. In particular, it automatically detects and
tracks pharmacy supplies within a defined area thereby aiding
inventory tracking and location of these materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Pharmaceutical medications increase the lives and the
quality of lives of millions of people. Moreover, as the general
population ages and new beneficial drugs are introduced,
prescription order volumes to be filled at pharmacies and
distributed to individual customers and through health care
providers such as hospitals, convalescent centers, and the like,
are expected to double within the next few years. This present and
expected increase in order volume places enormous pressure on
pharmacists, other pharmacy workers, and health care providers, who
strive to fill and distribute each order efficiently, accurately
and quickly.
[0004] The process of retrieving, filling, and distributing a
prescription order to a patient or customer can include many
different people and organizations performing numerous tasks. An
error with any one of these tasks can lead to the mishandling of a
patient's prescription order. Such mishandling of a prescription
order often results in a patient not timely receiving their
prescription order or receiving a wrong, possibly even deadly,
prescription order or the like.
[0005] Timely and efficient filling of prescriptions is maximized
when a pharmacy worker can easily locate and retrieve supplies used
for filling individual prescriptions. Unfortunately, these supplies
are often misplaced within the pharmacy, or not replenished in a
timely manner, thereby hindering the timely filling of prescription
orders for customers and patients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Despite the known pharmacy supply tracking and distribution
systems, there remains a need for an economical, pharmacy supply
tracking and distribution system that automatically detects the
presence of a particular pharmacy supply and automatically tracks
its movement throughout the pharmacy. In addition to other benefits
that will become apparent in the following disclosure, the present
invention fulfills these needs.
[0007] The present invention is a pharmacy supply tracking system
that automatically detects and tracks a pharmacy supply within a
pharmacy. In a preferred embodiment the system also detects and
tracks prescription orders of customers, and automatically verifies
that the correct pharmacy supply is used to fill a particular
prescription order. One such system includes using tags, such as
Radio-Frequency Identification ("RFID") tags, and their related
readers to locate objects through electromagnetic interrogation of
a spatial region to determine the presence of an object within that
special region. A unique tag is operably secured to each
prescription order and each pharmacy supply, and tag readers, which
are in communication with a computer system, are positioned at
defined locations throughout the pharmacy, including within a first
storage area for storing pharmacy supplies, to detect the presence
of a tag within a defined physical location. Accordingly, the
computer system correlates the prescription orders and pharmacy
supplies with a database of information to allow both the
prescription orders and pharmacy supplies to be tracked and located
within the pharmacy.
[0008] Preferably, the first storage area includes a storage
cabinet having a plurality of cubbies therein, with each cubby
having its own tag reader. More preferably, the tag reader, which
is in communication with a computer system, is operably secured to
a multiplexer with a plurality of antennae extending therefrom.
Each antenna is positioned at a particular cubby location. The
multiplexer cycles through connecting each antenna such that all
locations are scanned using the common tag reader.
[0009] Preferably, in situations where the antenna are in close
proximity to each other, such as being in adjacent cubbies in the
container, the antenna signals are shielded from each other, say
for example, with a grounding circuit positioned therebetween. More
preferably, a antenna are formed onto a substantially planar frame
with a grounding circuit extending therearound, thereby directing
the tag reading signal substantially perpendicular to the planar
frame. Accordingly, the planar frame containing the antenna may be
positioned substantially vertically adjacent to a storage bin in a
pharmacy supply storage area, or positioned substantially
horizontally under a worker's work area. Accordingly, the
detectable field provided by the antenna can be limited to a very
specific physical area within a work area filled with other tracked
work areas positioned in very close proximity.
[0010] Additional objects and advantages of the present invention
will be apparent from the detailed description of the preferred
embodiment thereof, which proceeds with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an identification tag in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplar retail pharmacy
using a remote filling station to fill one or more prescription
orders, and return the filled prescriptions to the retail pharmacy
for distribution.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of simultaneous scanning of a
plurality of supply containers in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a prescription order having a
tag operably secured thereto with the tag having a plurality of
transducers thereon.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a prescription order tracking
system used in a pharmacy in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplar pharmacy
prescription order filling system showing a possible filling
process.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 8 is an exemplar schematic diagram of a multiplexed tag
reader array and related system in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 9 is an alternative exemplar schematic diagram of a
multiplexed tag reader array and related system.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an exemplar, planar, antenna
array card showing possible shielding encircling each antenna.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a top, side, and back view of the antenna array
card of FIG. 10.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a front isometric, exploded view of a storage bin
having an antenna array card operably secured thereto.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a rear, isometric, exploded view of the storage
bin and antenna array card of FIG. 12.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a front, isometric view of a storage structure
having a plurality of antenna array cards operably secured
thereto.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a front, isometric view of the storage structure
of FIG. 14 showing a possible connection to a computing device.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a side view of the storage structure of FIG.
15.
[0027] FIG. 17a is an exemplar, isometric view of a possible
workstation having a substantially horizontally mounted planar
frame containing at least one tag reader antenna therein.
[0028] FIG. 17b is an alternative exemplar, isometric view of a
possible workstation having a substantially horizontally mounted
planar frame containing at least one tag reader antenna
therein.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a top view of the workstation of FIG. 17a.
[0030] FIG. 19a is a top view of an exemplar array of tag reading
antenna directed to define a common scanning space or scanning
tunnel.
[0031] FIG. 19b is a top view of an alternative exemplar array of
tag reading antenna.
[0032] FIG. 20 is a front, isometric view of a portable
prescription supply container storage cart in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 21 is a rear, isometric view of the portable
prescription supply container storage cart in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 22 is an exemplar prescription supply container storage
cart and storage cabinet locking system in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] A prescription order 12 and/or pharmacy supply 13 tracking
and distribution system 10 having a pharmacy supply storage device
with a plurality of individually-identified cubbies therein is
disclosed in FIGS. 1-22.
[0036] In general and as shown in FIGS. 5 & 6, a prescription
order 12 is presented to the remote pharmacy 14 by a healthcare
provider, customer or other agent (hereafter collectively referred
to as a "healthcare provider") for a patient. Referring to FIG. 6,
the pharmacy or the healthcare provider assigns an identification
tag 16 to the prescription order 12. Tag reading devices 18 are
positioned at key locations throughout the pharmacy 14 (FIG. 5) and
the healthcare provider's facility 17 (FIG. 21) and in
communication with a computer system 20 having a display 22, such
that the movement of the prescription order 12 throughout the
pharmacy 14 and/or the healthcare provider's facility 17
automatically detects and records the location of the tag 16
without further worker input.
[0037] A plurality of tags may be simultaneously tracked, thereby
facilitating bulk processing and distribution of prescription
orders, particularly those received from the off-site facility 15.
Moreover, each tag preferably includes read-writable memory that is
preferably coded with key information about the prescription order,
such as the customer's name, identifying information, date of
birth, social security number, prescribed drug, insurance
information, directions for use, National Drug Control ("NDC")
number, and the like. Accordingly, a pharmacy worker within the
pharmacy, a worker at the healthcare provider's facility or even a
worker at a third remote location can quickly and easily determine
all relevant information about a particular prescription order
without necessarily having to first correlate a tag identification
code with a computer system database.
[0038] In addition, a worker can easily determine the location of
the prescription order 12 or pharmacy supply 13 within the pharmacy
and/or the healthcare provider's facility 17 by entering commands
in the computer system 20 with a user input device such as a
keyboard 120 to display the location of the prescription order 12
on the computer display 22. The individual elements forming the
present invention are discussed in greater detail below. [0039] A.
Tags
[0040] Preferably, one or more tag readers 18 locate tags 16
through electromagnetic interrogation of a spatial region to
determine the presence of an object. One such system is disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,756 to Engellenner, the disclosure of which
is hereby incorporated by reference. In general, the tag 16 is an
electromagnetic antenna and/or signal receiver which responds
either passively or actively to announce the presence (or absence)
of an object within a controlled region defined by a broadcasted
electromagnetic interrogation signal. Preferably, each tag 16
includes a coding mechanism for uniquely identifying it with
respect to other tags in the system.
[0041] FIG. 1 discloses an exemplar tag 16 and related components
for locating a prescription order 12 in a pharmacy 14. The computer
system 20 is operably connected to a transceiver 60a, such as for
example, a conventional Radio-Frequency Identification ("RFID")
tag, that transmits a signal 42 to a plurality of tags 16. Each tag
16 is assigned to travel with a unique prescription order 12, and
includes a transceiver 60b for receiving the signal and internal
circuitry such as a processor 48, power source 50 and memory 52
which contains a unique identifier for that tag and control logic
to preferably activate one or more transducers 17, which serve as
the worker signaling device when the tag 16 receiving a unique
signal 42 from the transmitter 40. Such transducers 17 may also be
operably secured to the tag reader 18 or some other structure as
needed to assist a worker.
[0042] Preferably, the transducer 17 are either a light 17a (FIG.
4) or audio speaker 17b (FIG. 4). More preferably, there are a
plurality of transducers 17 that can be individually activated on
each tag 16. For example, there can be three lights of different
colors (i.e. red, yellow, and green), which can be activated either
alone or in combination to identify the status of that prescription
order 12. With a different status being denoted by a different
transducer being activated.
[0043] More preferably, the memory 52 on the tag is read-writable
that is preferably coded with key information about the
prescription order and or pharmacy supply, such as the customer's
name, identifying information, date of birth, social securing
number, prescription number, proper storage instructions, known
side-effects, expiration date, prescribed drug, insurance
information, directions for use, National Drug Control ("NDC")
number, and the like.
[0044] Also, the computer system preferably monitors these
parameters and compares them to a known database of relevant
information to alert a worker if a particular pharmacy supply
should no longer be dispensed. For example, the computer system
preferably uses this tracked information to alert a worker if a
pharmacy supply has expired, been recalled, lost its Federal Drug
Administration ("FDA") approval, or the like.
[0045] The computer system 20 includes appropriate application
programs 136 (FIG. 7) and memory 122 (FIG. 7) to correlate a
customer's identifying information such as their name, phone
number, and the like, with the unique identifier and/or other
information in the memory of the tag traveling with that
prescription order. Accordingly, when a pharmacy worker wishes to
locate a customer's prescription order, he or she may find the
customer's identifying information on the computer system 20, and
cause the computer system to transmit the unique signal 42 through
the transceiver 60a to wirelessly activate one or more transducers
17 on the tag 16 associated with the customer's prescription order
12. For example, the tag's audio speaker 17b may make an audible
sound, or one or more lights 17a on the tag 16 may light and/or
blink.
[0046] Preferably, a plurality of fixed or handheld transceivers,
which are collectively referred to as tag readers 18 herein, are
spaced apart from each other and positioned at desired locations
within the pharmacy 14 to define spaced-apart interrogation zones
within the pharmacy. Each tag reader 18 includes a front-end
transmitter 62 that generates a digitally encoded signal 64.
Preferably, the signal 64 is chosen to facilitate a response from
only one uniquely coded tag 16. The receiver portion 66 of the tag
reader 18 can induce a coded signal detector that senses the
transponder signal 64 and correlates it with a stored code to
identify that the tag 16 is present in a particular interrogation
zone, thereby also determining the tag's location within the
pharmacy.
[0047] The computer system 20 can also use conventional
triangulation techniques to determine the location of the tag
within the pharmacy. In which case, only two spaced-apart tag
readers 18 need be placed within the pharmacy. Alternatively, using
quasi-sonar-type locating techniques, a single tag reader 18 could
be used determine the location of the tag within the pharmacy.
[0048] Each tag 16 can be either passive or active. In the passive
mode, the tag circuitry accumulates and then returns a signal, if
the interrogation signal matches a predefined code sequence stored
in memory in the tag's circuitry. In an active mode, each tag
further includes a power source 50 that assists with signal
amplification, detection and/or wave forming. [0049] B.
Prescription Supply Tracking
[0050] Tags 16 may also be used to track the location of the
prescription orders and prescription supplies 13 as they travel
throughout the pharmacy 14 and an off-site facility 15. For example
and referring to FIG. 5, a prescription order 12 is presented to
the pharmacy 14 and assigned an identification tag 16, preferably
with one or more transducers 17 thereon. Tag readers 18 are
positioned at key locations throughout the pharmacy 14 and in
communication with the computer system 20 having a display 22, such
that the movement of the prescription order 12 throughout the
pharmacy 14 automatically detects and records the location of the
tag 16 without further worker input. In addition to, or
alternatively, the transducers 17 can be operably secured to a tag
reader 18 or some other object.
[0051] Accordingly, a worker can easily determine the location of
the prescription order 12 and/or prescription supply 13 within the
pharmacy by entering commands in the computer system 20 with a user
input device such as a keyboard 120 to display the location of the
prescription order 12 and/or prescription supply 13 on the computer
display 22. Alternatively, the computer system can detect the
identity of a customer based on predetermined criteria such as by
detecting a tag operably secured to the customer, or through
bio-medical detection techniques such a retina or fingerprint
scanning, and initiating retrieval of the detected customer's
prescription order.
[0052] Each tag reader 18 is placed in communication with the
computer system such that information regarding the customer, his
prescription order position, and the status of his order can be
readily displayed on the computer display 22, and thereby
facilitates location of the prescription order 10 within the
pharmacy 14.
Preferably, the identification tags 16 are attached to the
prescription label, detachably secured to the prescription order,
or rigidly secured to a carrier 46 (FIG. 4) containing these
documents and other materials related to filling the prescription.
Tags 16 are also preferably operably secured to pharmacy supply
containers and the like. The tags themselves can be either rigidly
or detachably secured to the prescription order and/or pharmacy
supplies. For example, the tags can be directly secured to the
prescription order and/or pharmacy supply container with adhesive
or secured within a lid. Also, the tags can be secured to a
fastener, such as a paperclip, that is detachably secured to the
prescription order. [0053] 1. Pharmacy Prescription Order Filling
Procedure
[0054] Referring specifically to FIG. 6, an exemplary pharmacy,
which is preferably a retail pharmacy, prescription order filling
procedure is disclosed. In step P1, a prescription order, which
could include a written prescription form, a renewable prescription
label, or any other tangible medium documenting a request for a
prescription by a health care provider is presented to the pharmacy
either in person, via facsimile, via phone, or via a computer
transmission, such as e-mail. A pharmacy worker then reviews the
prescription order and attaches a unique tag 16 (FIG. 4) to it that
is readable by a tag reader 18 (FIG. 4) to determine its location
within the pharmacy 14.
[0055] As shown in Step P2, the pharmacy worker then determines if
the prescription order is for a new prescription. If not, the
worker determines if the prescription is refillable (Step P5). If
the prescription is not refillable, the pharmacy worker will
typically contact the physician or the physician's office to
determine if the prescription should be refilled (Step P6). If the
physician denies a refill, the customer is informed (Step P12). If
the physician does not answer the customer is notified and the
pharmacy typically holds the prescription order until the physician
calls back (Step P13).
[0056] If the pharmacy worker ultimately determines that the
prescription order is fillable, by the answers to any of Steps P2,
P5, or P6 being affirmative, the pharmacy worker then must
typically determines if the prescription order is able to be sent
to a remote filling facility or if it will be filled onsite within
the pharmacy itself (Step P20). [0057] A. Onsite Filling of
Prescription Order
[0058] If the pharmacy worker determines that the prescription
order is to be filled onsite, he or she first conducts an initial
review (Step P3) which includes checking the available inventory
for the prescribed drug (Step P4), determining if there is
available insurance (Step P7) and if required, obtaining approval
from the insurer and preparing the label and necessary billing and
information disclosure paperwork (Step P8).
[0059] Regarding Step P4, if the inventory is not in stock, the
pharmacy worker typically informs the customer and offers the
customer an opportunity to special order the prescribed drug (Step
P14). If there is only a partial amount of the prescribed drug in
stock, the pharmacy worker will typically initiate a procedure for
filling only a partial order (Step P15). This procedure typically
includes preparing additional paperwork to alert the customer that
only a partial order has been filled, and ordering additional
quantities of the prescribed drug.
[0060] Regarding Step P7, if the insurance coverage is denied, the
prescription order is typically held in an area pending the
customer being contacted to request authorization to proceed (Step
P16). If the insurer cannot be contacted, the pharmacy has the
option to either fill the prescription and alert the customer upon
pick-up, or hold the prescription order pending a response from the
insurer (Step P17).
[0061] After the initial review is complete, the prescription order
and related paperwork is presented to a technician for data entry
(Step P8) and filling (Step P9), the technician fills the
prescription order and attaches the label. The technician then
presents the filled prescription order and related paperwork to a
registered pharmacist for verification (Step P10).
[0062] Following verification, the filled prescription is placed in
a storage area pending customer pick-up (Step P11). [0063] B.
Filling at Remote Filling Facility
[0064] If in Step P20, the pharmacy worker determines that the
prescription order should be filled at an off site remote facility,
the prescription order is transmitted to an off-site facility,
usually electronically as shown in FIG. 2. In such case, the remote
filling facility will attach a new tag to the prescription order,
and if equipped with one, may code the tag's read-writable memory
52 (FIG. 1) with appropriate drug identifying and other information
about the prescription order.
[0065] At the remote filing facility, the prescription order is
filled in compliance with traditional filling practices, procedures
and regulations, including conducting an initial review, checking
insurance, labeling, data entry, filling, and verification (Step
P21). The filled prescription order is then combined with other
filled prescription orders to be delivered to the pharmacy and
transported essentially in bulk to the pharmacy as shown in FIG.
2.
[0066] Upon arrival at the pharmacy, the bulk shipment of filled
prescription orders are preferably positioned in bulk within an
interrogation zone of the computer system (Step 22), which
simultaneously reads the tag 16 on each prescription order in the
bulk shipment as shown in FIG. 3, and updates the computer system's
records with this information, including any new information added
by the remote filling facility to the tag's memory 52 (FIG. 1).
Each filled prescription is then placed in a storage area with
prescription orders that were filled on-site pending customer
pick-up (Step P11).
[0067] When a customer picks-up his or her filled prescription, the
pharmacy worker complies with applicable customer notice
requirements, and obtains the customer's signature (also called
"signature capture") confirming that they have received such notice
(if applicable) and that they have received the filled prescription
(Step P18). [0068] 2. Pharmacy Tracking Zones
[0069] In practice and referring specifically to FIG. 5, it is more
efficient to perform the various steps noted above at spaced apart
locations, or zones, throughout the pharmacy. For example,
prescription order intake (Step P1 of FIG. 6) and initial review
(Step P3 of FIG. 6) can be performed at location 21 (FIG. 5). Label
printing and data entry (Step P8 of FIG. 5) could be accomplished
at location 27 (FIG. 5). Prescription orders waiting from some form
of call back either from the customer, the insurer, or the health
care provider could be placed at location 27 (FIG. 5). Orders
waiting to be filled could be placed at location 28 (FIG. 4),
orders waiting pharmacist review and approval could be place at
location 23 (FIG. 4), and approved filled prescription orders could
be stored at location 30 (FIG. 4). Obviously, additional zones (24
& 28) could be added to accommodate a particular pharmacy's
practices and procedures.
[0070] Preferably each station includes a tag reader 18 in
communication with the computer system 20 for automatically
detecting the arrival of the tag 16 attached to the prescription
order 12 and or the pharmacy supply as it enters each location.
More preferably, the tag reader 18 detects both the arrival of the
tag 16 in that station, and the departure of that tag 16 from that
station, with the time interval at that station being determined
and recorded therefrom.
[0071] Each tag reader 18 is preferably fixed at a particular
location so that detecting the presence of a tag near the device
also automatically indicates the location of that tag 16 within the
pharmacy. The tag readers 18 can be rigidly mounted to a work area
or station, or portable (i.e. handheld) devices that are operably
connected to the station so that it can indicate a location within
the pharmacy of a detected tag. Such portable devices facilitate
scanning of prescription orders that are compiled in bulk, such as
a container of filled prescriptions arriving from an off-site
filing facility (Step P22, FIG. 6). Since each prescription order
in the container has a unique tag 16 the tag reader 18 can
simultaneously detect and record the location of multiple
prescription orders, a pharmacy worker can wave the tag reader 18
over the container to record the location of all prescription
orders in the container and obtain information recorded in the
read-writable memory of each tag. [0072] 3. Storage Bin
[0073] Space and efficiency can be optimized by storing pharmacy
supplies used by the pharmacy in a supply storage bin 30 and/or
filled prescription orders 12 to be held for pick-up into a common
will-call storage bin 30'. As best shown in FIGS. 14-16, the
storage bins 30, 30' each includes a plurality of cubbies 32, with
each cubby 32 being sized to receive a prescription order 12 and/or
a pharmacy supply container therein. Each cubby is uniquely
identified 34, such as by being individually numbered, and includes
a tag reader 18, which is preferably an economical antenna or the
like operably secured to a common tag reading device by a switching
device 36 (which is also commonly known as a multiplexer) for
determining whether a particular tag 16 is received within it. Each
tag reader 18 is preferably periodically in communication with the
computer system 20.
[0074] When a supply container is returned to the supply storage
bin 30, it is simply inserted into an available cubby 32.
Accordingly, the tag reader 18 associated with that cubby 32 sends
a signal to the computer system 20 denoting the particular location
and cubby number where the pharmacy supply is held. When a pharmacy
worker seeks that particular pharmacy supply in the future, the
worker enters the pharmacy supply's identifying information into
the computer system 20, and the particular bin number of the cubby
containing the pharmacy supply is displayed. The worker then
locates and removes the pharmacy supply from the identified
cubby.
[0075] Alternatively, and/or in addition to determining the cubby
number in which the customer's filled prescription order is
located, the computer system can activate one or more transducers
17 positioned near the filled prescription order or on the tag 16
secured to the prescription order to alert the worker of its
location.
[0076] The removal of the pharmacy supply from that particular
cubby 32 is detected by the tag reader 18 and reported to the
computer system 20. The tag 16 can remain affixed to the pharmacy
supply when used, thereby allowing it to be easily located and
retrieved in the future. [0077] 4. Storage Cart
[0078] As best shown in FIGS. 20 & 21, the storage area 30
having a plurality of bins 32 therein can also be made portable,
such as by placing it on wheels or casters, thereby defining a
portable prescription supply storage cart 31 that may be wheeled
throughout the pharmacy to allow easy access to a pharmacy supplies
contained therein.
[0079] Preferably, the portable prescription supply storage cart
includes a source of power, such as a battery or the like, an input
device such as a mouse and/or keyboard, and a portable tag reader
18 and monitor in communication with the computer system.
Accordingly, the cart serves as a stand-alone structure for
allowing a worker to easily locate a particular prescription supply
within a particular bin and administer the filled prescription to
the correct patient.
[0080] The computer system detects the presence and removal of a
tagged pharmacy supply and/or prescription order, thereby allowing
for the easy location of the tagged item. For example, transducers,
such as lights and speakers, on the cart and adjacent to the bins
can activate to direct a worker to the correct bin containing a
desired item.
[0081] It can be appreciated that the present system offers several
benefits. For example, it allows or real time inventory control of
pharmacy supplies, and it contributes to reducing the amount of
pharmacy supply "shrink." It can also be used to prevent expired,
recalled, or other drugs that should not be dispensed from actually
being dispensed to a customer or the like. Also, it allows a worker
to easily locate any pharmacy supply within the pharmacy, even if
it has been misplace by another worker or is currently being used
by another worker. [0082] c. Storage Bin Locking Structure
[0083] As shown schematically in FIG. 22, each bin, either in the
storage structure 30 or the cart 31 preferably includes a locking
structure 600 in communication with the computer system 20 to limit
access to filled prescription orders 16 or pharmacy supplies 17
placed therein. For example, a locking tray 602 can operably
receive a container 604 having the filled prescription 12 thereon.
The tray 602 is sized to secure the container 604 therein and to be
slidably received within a bin 32. One or more hooks 606 preferably
extend from the tray. The hooks 606 operably engage an electric
lock 608 received within or near the bin 32 thereby locking the
tray 602 within the bin 32. Accordingly, with the tray 602 locked
to the lock 608 within the bin 32 and the container 604 secured
within the tray 602, the container 604 cannot be removed from the
bin 32.
[0084] The electric lock 608 is in communication with the computer
system 20 that controls the lock 608 so as to only unlock the tray
602 from the lock 608 when predetermined criteria are met. For
example, a worker 620 can wear an identification tag 16 that is
detected by a tag reader 18 placed near the bin 32 in which the
worker 620 seeks to unlock. The computer system 20 first verifies
that the worker 620 is authorized to have access to the items the
locked bin, and opens the lock 608 only if the detected worker 620
is authorized. This locking system allows commonly prescribed
medications, which are often referred to in the industry as "top
100" medications, to be securely stored within a healthcare
facility, but also remain easily accessible to authorized workers,
particularly during times when the pharmacy is closed. [0085] C.
Computer System
[0086] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention relies on and incorporates
several common features of modern personal computers. The general
use, operation, and construction of a computer system is known and
has been disclosed in numerous patents such as U.S. Pat. No.
5,818,447 to Wolf et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,025 to Shakib et
al.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 6, the following discussion is intended to
provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing
environment in which the invention may be implemented. Although not
required, the invention will be described in the general context of
computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being
executed by a personal computer. Generally, program modules include
routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that
perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data
types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
invention may be practiced with other computer system
configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor
systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,
network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The
invention may also be practiced in distributed computing
environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices
that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed
computing environment, program modules may be located in both local
and remote memory storage devices.
[0088] With reference to FIG. 6, an exemplary system for
implementing the invention includes a general purpose computing
system in the form of a conventional personal computer 20,
including a processing unit 121, a system memory 122, and a system
bus 123 that couples various system components including the system
memory to the processing unit 121. The system bus 123 may be any of
several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory
controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a
variety of bus architectures. The system memory includes read only
memory (ROM) 124 and random access memory (RAM) 125. A basic
input/output system 126 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that
help to transfer information between elements within the personal
computer 20, such as during start-up, is stored in ROM 124. The
personal computer 20 further includes a hard disk drive 127 for
reading from and writing to a hard disk, not shown, a magnetic disk
drive 128 for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk
129, and an optical disk drive 130 for reading from or writing to a
removable optical disk 131 such as a CD ROM or other optical media.
The hard disk drive 127, magnetic disk drive 128, and optical disk
drive 130 are connected to the system bus 123 by a hard disk drive
interface 132, a magnetic disk drive interface 133, and an optical
drive interface 134, respectively. The drives and their associated
computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of computer
readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other
data for the personal computer 120. Although the exemplary
environment described herein employs a hard disk, a removable
magnetic disk 129 and a removable optical disk 131, it should be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of
computer readable media which can store data that is accessible by
a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital
video disk, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories (RAMs),
read only memories (ROM), and the like, may also be used in the
exemplary operating environment.
[0089] A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk,
magnetic disk 129, optical disk 131, ROM 124 or RAM 125, including
an operating system 135, one or more application programs 136,
other program modules 137, and program data 138. A user may enter
commands and information into the personal computer 20 through
input devices such as a keyboard 140, pointing device 142, and tag
readers 18. Other input devices (not shown) may include a
microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the
like.
[0090] These and other input devices are often connected to the
processing unit 121 through serial port interface 146 that is
coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other
interfaces, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal
serial bus (USB). A display 22 or other type of display device is
also connected to the system bus 123 via an interface, such as a
video adapter 148. In addition to the monitor, personal computers
typically include other peripheral output devices (not shown), such
as speakers and printers.
[0091] The personal computer 20 may operate in a networked
environment using logical connections to one or more remote
computers, such as a remote computer 149. The remote computer 149
may be another personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC,
a peer device, a personal digital assistant ("PDA"), or other
common network node, and typically includes many or all of the
elements described above relative to the personal computer 20,
although only a memory storage device 150 has been illustrated in
FIG. 7. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 7 include a local
area network (LAN) 151 and a wide area network (WAN) 152. Such
networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide
computer networks, intranets and the Internet.
[0092] When used in a LAN networking environment, the personal
computer 20 is connected to the local network 151 through a network
interface or adapter 153. When used in a WAN networking
environment, the personal computer 20 typically includes a modem
154 or other means for establishing communications over the wide
area network 152, such as the Internet. The modem 154, which may be
internal or external, is connected to the system bus 123 via the
serial port interface 146. In a networked environment, program
modules depicted relative to the personal computer 20, or portions
thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. It will
be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and
other means of establishing a communications link between the
computers may be used.
[0093] Preferably, a plurality of networked personal computers 20
are positioned within the pharmacy, one at the intake area (21,
FIG. 5), one at the customer pick-up area (29, FIG. 5), and one at
the data entry/label area (27, FIG. 5). [0094] D. Multiplexing Tag
Reader Array
[0095] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8-17 a plurality of tag readers 18,
which are distributed throughout the pharmacy 14, are preferably
integrated with a switching device 36 that periodically monitors
the status of each tag reader 18 and transmits that information to
the personal computer 20.
[0096] An exemplar multiplexing system 200 is disclosed in FIGS. 8
& 9. Preferably, the antenna 18' of each tag reader 18 is
operably secured to a multiplexer 36'. Such multiplexers 36' are
commonly known to those skilled in the art. A plurality of antenna
18' are operably secured to the multiplexer 36' such that the
multiplexer 36' connects each antenna 18' one-by-one to the tag
reader 18. Each antenna 18' is positioned at a specific location
within the pharmacy 14. For example, one or more antenna 18' can be
positioned adjacent to a particular work area 97 upstream of the
storage area 30, or can be positioned adjacent to a particular
cubby 32 in the storage area 30. A control register 202 monitors
which antenna 18' is connected to the tag reader 18 at a given time
and provides this information to the computer system 20, which also
detects a tracking signal from the tag reader 18 to determine the
presence and a tag and thereby determine its location within the
pharmacy 14.
[0097] Preferably, and as best shown in FIGS. 10-13, a plurality of
antenna 18' are formed onto a substantially planar frame 204 with a
signal shielding structure 206 encircling one or more antennas 18'.
For example, the antenna 18' can be a coil aligned on the planar
frame 204 and the signal-shielding structure 206 can be a short
circuit encircling the coil on the planar frame 204. Accordingly,
the interrogation field of the antenna 18' is directed
substantially perpendicular to the planar frame 204. Accordingly, a
large number of antenna 18' can be concentrated within a small
area, say for example, in a will-call storage device, with each
antenna detecting the presence of a tag only if placed within a
cubby immediately adjacent to the antenna 18'. Alternatively, the
shielding structure can be an electrically grounded frame that
surrounds an area in which an interrogation field of a tag reader
is directed.
[0098] Preferably, the tags operate at a relatively low frequency
band of around 13.56 megahertz (MHz). This frequency has been found
to allow a plurality of tags within a small area to each be
detected by a common tag reader. Moreover, tags operating at about
this frequency are able to penetrate through liquids and other
materials commonly found in a pharmacy without adversely affecting
the tracking performance of the tag.
[0099] Although less desirable, the tags operating at an ultra-low
frequency such as in the range of about 125 kilohertz (kHz) to
about 134.2 kilohertz (kHz) or in the ultrahigh frequency band of
between about 860 megahertz (MHz) to 960 megahertz (MHz) can also
be used.
[0100] Alternatively, the planar frame 204 containing one or more
antenna 18' may be positioned substantially horizontally on a work
area 97a, 97b as shown in FIGS. 17a, 17b & 18 with the fields
of the antenna directed substantially upward (FIG. 17a) or downward
(FIG. 17b). In such case, the signal shielding structure 206 need
not necessarily encircle each individual antenna 18' on the frame
204 as shown in FIG. 10. Rather, if needed the shielding structure
206 can encircle the entire frame 204 as best shown in FIG. 18
thereby defining a particular work area 97a and preventing the
antenna 18' from inadvertently detecting the presence of a tag in
an adjacent work area 97b.
[0101] Moreover, and referring to FIGS. 19a & 19b, a plurality
of antenna can be positioned around a scanning area and all
directed within that area to form a defined space or tunnel 600 in
which tags placed therein are scanned by signals generated from a
plurality of antenna. Such a scanning tunnel allows for more
accurate detection of all tags, particularly when a plurality of
tags are grouped together, such as in a bulk shipment received from
a remote pharmacy or other off site location.
[0102] If desired, the exterior of the storage area can include
transducers 17' thereon, such as lights, speakers, or the like that
are in communication with the computer system to alert a worker of
the location of a particular prescription order. Similarly, each
cubby of the storage device can also include transducers 17'
thereon to perform a similar function.
[0103] In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the
principles of the invention can be applied, it should be apparent
that the detailed embodiments are illustrative only and should not
be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. For example, the
computer system can correlate a particular "read only" code on a
tag with one or more aspects of the prescription order and/or
person to which it is associated with, and use this correlation
throughout the tracking system. Rather, the claimed invention
includes all such modifications as may come within the scope of the
following claims and equivalents thereto.
* * * * *