Apparatus, system and method for tracking drugs during a repackaging and administering process

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for tracking drugs during a transfer and administering process to reduce labeling errors that can occur during that process. The system includes a storage container reader that is configured to read a set of one or more storage-container-associated machine-readable indicia positioned on a container containing a drug. The set of one or more storage-container-associated machine-readable indicia identifies the drug. The system further includes an indicia-generating device that is configured to generate a drug-delivery-container-associated indicia identifying the drug based on the storage-container-associated machine-readable indicia. The set of one or more drug-delivery-container-associated indicia includes a set of one or more drug-delivery-container-associated machine-readable indicia. Optionally the system further includes a drug delivery container reader, wherein the drug delivery container reader is configured to read the set of one or more drug-delivery-container-associated machine-readable indicia. Optionally the system further includes a processing unit that generates an output signal corresponding to the drug based on the set of one or more drug-delivery-container-associated machine-readable indicia. Optionally the system further includes an output device that outputs a user-comprehensible output identifying the drug based on the output signal from the processing unit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to reducing errors in the identification of drugs in a repackaging and administering process, in particular where the repackaging takes place at the point-of-care.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Prior to administering a drug to a patient, the drug may require transfer from a storage container to a drug delivery container. The storage container may be, for example, a single-dose drug container. The drug delivery container may be, for example, a syringe. Typically, after the drug is transferred to the syringe, the person carrying out the transfer sometimes prepares a label by hand and applies it to the syringe to indicate the drug now contained in the syringe. In some situations, pre-prepared labels are provided to eliminate the need for the person to manually prepare the label. Some systems have been provided whereby the person can type in the name of the drug into a computer to print a label instead of having to prepare the label ma...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This system significantly reduces labeling errors, minimizes drug contamination, extends the shelf life of medications, and optimizes resource utilization by ensuring accurate and timely drug administration while reducing waste.

Problems solved by technology

Several different types of error can occur during this process all of which can lead to the syringe bearing a label indicating a different drug than is actually contained in the syringe.

Alternatively, the user may pull the correct drug from the drug cabinet, but may inadvertently prepare a label indicating the next drug that has to be prepared because that next drug is on the user's mind at the time.

Another problem is that some drugs have very similar names to other drugs, which increases the risk that a user will mistake one drug for another.

Once a syringe is mis-labeled many problems can occur.

If a patient receives the wrong drug, this can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Unfortunately, doctors treating the patient might not find out the true cause of the patient's reaction and therefore would not be easily able to properly treat it.

A problem with this approach is that the drugs expire relatively quickly once they are in the syringe, and often the drug manufacturer is not certain how quickly.

Additionally, storage of the drug in a syringe over several hours can in some situations lead to chemicals contained in the syringe components (eg. housing, plunger and seal) leaching into the drug.

If the patient reacts to these chemicals this can cause harm to the patient.

Whichever of these extra syringes is not used during the operation is discarded, since they cannot be repackaged with confidence in their expiry date or their safety.

This practice is, of course, wasteful of the discarded drugs and may also be costly.

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