Drug inventory management system

Abstract

Methods for conditioning medical devices within a medical facility to conserve the use of medication are provided. A method may include receiving medication inventory data from a medication inventory system, the medication inventory data including an ordered amount of medication ordered to supply a medical facility and a received amount of medication delivered to the medical facility. The method further includes generating a drug inventory indicator based on the drug inventory data, the drug inventory indicator indicating a likelihood of interruption of supply of the drug to the medical facility. The method may also include adjusting medical devices within the medical facility based on the medication inventory metrics to conserve the use of medication. Related methods and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter described herein relates to management systems for medication inventory, and more particularly, the subject matter described herein relates to management systems that detect the possibility of an interruption in the supply of medication. Background Art

[0002] Institutional pharmacies and medical facilities regularly order medications to supply the pharmacy and medical facilities and ensure that the medications needed to treat patients are available. When ordering medications, pharmacists, nursing staff, or prescribers typically manually review procurement and inventory management reports. However, such reports are often retrospective and may lack information about availability and any pre-existing drug shortages. As a result, medical professionals are unable to plan or predict current or future drug shortages, making it difficult for medical professionals to appropriately allocate and conserve the use of medications. In addition, current systems and devices are unable to detect and respond to supply fluctuations. This situation can also be harmful to patients because appropriate medications may be delayed or unavailable due to unforeseen drug shortages. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to some aspects, a method may include: receiving drug inventory data from a drug inventory system, the drug inventory data including an ordered quantity of drugs ordered to supply a medical facility and a received quantity of drugs delivered to the medical facility. The drug inventory data may be received after the received quantity is received by the medical facility. The method may also include: generating a drug inventory indicator based on the drug inventory data. The drug inventory indicator may indicate a likelihood of interruption in the supply of drugs to the medical facility. The method may also include: adjusting medical devices within the medical facility to conserve use of drugs based on the drug inventory indicator.

[0004] In some aspects of the method, adjusting includes sending an alert indicating a potential interruption in the supply of the medication to the medical facility.

[0005] In some aspects of the method, the alert includes one or more of: a recommended action at a medication dispenser associated with the medical facility, a request to select an alternative medication that is different from the medication ordered at the medical facility, a display of inventory levels of the medication at the medical facility, a display of historical usage of the medication at the medical facility, a display of inventory levels of the alternative medication at the medical facility, and a display of a second medication inventory indicator associated with the alternative medication.

[0006] In some aspects of the method, the recommended action includes moving at least a portion of the medication stored in the medication dispenser to a second medication dispenser.

[0007] In some aspects of the method, the second clinical need for the medication at the second medication dispenser is greater than the first clinical need for the medication at the medication dispenser.

[0008] In some aspects of the method, generating the inventory indicator includes determining a difference between an ordered quantity and a received quantity.

[0009] In some aspects of the method, the medication inventory indicator is a confidence level indicating a likelihood of an interruption in the supply of the medication to the medical facility.

[0010] In some aspects, the method further includes determining that the likelihood of an interruption in supplying the medication is a significant likelihood based on the medication inventory indicator corresponding to a threshold value.

[0011] In some aspects, the method further includes determining a shortage of the medication based on the medication inventory indicator corresponding to the second threshold.

[0012] In some aspects, the method further includes, prior to generating the drug inventory indicator, detecting a statistically significant metric compared to drug inventory data at the drug inventory system. The generating can be responsive to the detecting.

[0013] In some aspects, the method may also include detecting receipt of the received quantity at the medication inventory system.

[0014] In some aspects, the method further includes receiving updated drug inventory data from the drug inventory system, the updated drug inventory data including another ordered quantity of the drug ordered to supply the medical facility and another received quantity of the drug at the medical facility. The updated drug inventory data may be received after the other received quantity is received by the medical facility. The method may also include adjusting the drug inventory indicator based on the updated drug inventory data.

[0015] In some aspects, the method includes displaying a graphical element on a display based on the adjusted medication inventory indicator.The graphical element may indicate a change in the likelihood of an interruption in the supply of the medication to the medical facility.

[0016] In some aspects, the method further includes adjusting a protocol for handling a drug identified as having a supply disruption or shortage based on the drug inventory indicator.

[0017] In some aspects, the method further includes: detecting a request to access a medication dispenser to retrieve a medication identified as having a supply disruption or shortage. The method further includes: requiring one or more of a witness and enhanced authentication or log during access to the medication dispenser based on the adjustment to access the medication from the medication dispenser.

[0018] In some aspects, the method further includes identifying a shortage of the medication based on the medication inventory indicator.

[0019] In some aspects of the method, the medical facility includes a plurality of medical facilities.

[0020] In some aspects of the method, the medical facility is a first medical facility located in a first geographic area. The drug inventory data may be a first subset of inventory data related to the first medical facility. The drug inventory indicator may be a first drug inventory indicator indicating the possibility of an interruption in the supply of drugs to the first medical facility. The method may further include: receiving a second subset of drug inventory data from a drug inventory system, the second subset of drug inventory data including a second ordered quantity of drugs ordered to supply a second medical facility located in a second geographic area and a second received quantity of drugs at the second medical facility. The second subset of drug inventory data may be received after the second received quantity is received by the second medical facility. The method may also include: generating a second drug inventory indicator based on the second subset of drug inventory data. The second drug inventory indicator may indicate the possibility of an interruption in the supply of drugs to the second medical facility.

[0021] In some aspects, the method includes comparing a first medication inventory indicator to a second medication inventory indicator.

[0022] In some aspects, the method further includes detecting a trend in the likelihood of interruption in supply of the medication based on the comparison.

[0023] The embodiments of the current subject matter may include methods consistent with the description provided herein and articles including tangibly presented machine-readable media so that one or more machines (e.g., computers, etc.) perform one or more operations that implement the features. Similarly, a computer system is also described, which may include one or more processors and one or more memories connected to one or more processors. The memory (which may include a non-volatile computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium) may include one or more programs such as encoding, storage, etc., and the program enables one or more processors to perform one or more operations described herein. The computer-implemented method consistent with one or more embodiments of the current subject matter may be implemented by one or more data processors present in a single computing system or multiple computing systems. Such multiple computing systems may be connected and may exchange data and / or commands or other instructions, etc., via one or more connection devices, through direct connections between one or more of the multiple computing systems, etc., the connection device including, for example, a connection through a network (e.g., the Internet, a wireless wide area network, a local area network, a wide area network, a wired network, etc.).

[0024] Details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the specification and drawings, and from the claims. Although certain features of the presently disclosed subject matter are described for illustrative purposes in conjunction with the management of drug inventory, it should be readily understood that these features are not intended to be limiting. The claims appended hereto are intended to define the scope of the protected subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein, and together with the specification, are used to help explain some technical principles related to the disclosed embodiments. In these drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 depicts a block diagram illustrating a medication inventory management system according to some exemplary embodiments;

[0027] Figure 2 schematically depicts an exemplary medication inventory management system according to some exemplary embodiments;

[0028] Figure 3 depicts a system diagram illustrating an example of a medication inventory management system according to some exemplary embodiments;

[0029] Figure 4 depicts a flow chart illustrating a process for conserving the use of medications within a medical facility, according to some exemplary embodiments;

[0030] Figure 5 A block diagram illustrating a computing system according to some exemplary embodiments is depicted.

[0031] As required by practice, similar reference numerals refer to similar structures, features or elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Institutional pharmacies and medical facilities regularly order medications to supply the pharmacy and medical facilities and ensure that the medications needed to treat patients are available. Reports tracking medication inventory can be generated and provided to medical professionals (e.g., pharmacists, nursing staff, etc.). However, such medical professionals are often required to manually review reports to determine whether medications are available. Such reports are often retrospective, either providing information about pre-existing medication shortages or providing outdated information. This does not allow medical professionals enough time to plan or adapt to medication shortages. By relying on such reports, medical professionals may also make highly subjective and often inaccurate conclusions about possible medication shortages. In both cases, medical professionals are unable to properly allocate and preserve the use of medications. In addition, current systems and devices are unable to detect and respond to supply fluctuations. This situation can be harmful to patients because appropriate medications may not be available due to unforeseen medication shortages.

[0033] The drug inventory management system described herein can provide a wide range of useful analysis, which helps to improve tracking and predict potential or actual drug shortages. Therefore, the drug inventory management system wants to help medical professionals including drug prescribers to save the use of drugs and actively adapt to possible drug shortages. For example, the drug inventory management system can detect the potential or actual shortage of drugs in real time, such as dynamically adjusting at the drug dispenser, and / or recommend mitigation strategies to distribute and save drugs that may be in short supply. As used herein, "real-time" or "real-time" can refer to timely processing at or near the time when related articles are generated or detected or otherwise available. The drug inventory management system can also improve the accuracy of the prediction of the potential or actual shortage of drugs by relying on a large amount of accessible drug inventory data as a part of the drug inventory management system. The drug inventory management system can also provide information and other tools to prescribers for quickly and actively adjusting clinical and prescription practices to adapt to the potential or possible interruption of drug supply. The drug inventory management system can also help reduce the transfer of drugs that have been indicated as having a high probability of limited supply.

[0034] Figure 1 A system diagram illustrating an example of a medication inventory management system 100 is depicted, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. Figure 1 As shown, medication inventory management system 100 may include one or more data systems 120 , clients 250 , and inventory engine 110 .

[0035] The inventory engine 110, the client 250, and one or more data systems 120 may be communicatively coupled via a network 210. The client 250 may be a processor-based device, such as a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable device, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a workstation, etc. The client 250, which may display one or more generated drug inventory indicators and / or visualizations, may form part of or be separately coupled to one or more data systems (such as the dispensing system 102). The network 210 may be any wired and / or wireless network, including, for example, a public land mobile network (PLMN), a local area network (LAN), a virtual local area network (VLAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, etc.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 The one or more data systems 120 may include an access control system 108, a medical device 102, an electronic medical record (EMR) system 106, a medication inventory system 104, and the like.

[0037] The medical devices 102 may separately be coupled to and / or include the inventory engine 110. In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 includes a processor and a memory for storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform one or more operations described herein.

[0038] The medical device 102 may be located within a medical facility 150 and / or a pharmacy 170 (see Figure 2). The medical device 102 may include a dispenser system, such as a drug dispenser or dispensing station, an automatic dispensing cabinet, an anesthesia station, etc., to store drugs and deliver drugs when needed to treat patients. The medical device 102 (e.g., a dispenser system) can therefore provide convenient access to drugs for caregivers in patient care areas. For example, a separate dispenser system can be located in each patient care area of ​​a medical facility to supply drugs to each corresponding patient care area. Each patient care area can be used to treat different patients or different patient groups. As a result, there may be different clinical needs for specific drugs in each patient care area. In order to save specific drugs, the inventory engine 110 (as described in more detail below) can accurately and effectively predict the possibility of interruption in the supply of drugs. The inventory engine 110 can additionally or alternatively recommend moving drugs from one patient care area to another patient care area and / or can notify caregivers to better help caregivers make decisions about where drugs should be moved based on clinical needs. The medical device 102 can additionally or alternatively include an infusion pump, a waste disposal station, etc.

[0039] As described above, the medical device 102 may be located within a medical facility 150 and / or a pharmacy 170. As an example, Figure 3 A medication inventory management system 100 consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter is schematically illustrated. Figure 3 , the drug inventory management system 100 may include a medical facility 150, a pharmacy 170, and a drug supplier 160. The medical facility 150, the pharmacy 170, and the drug supplier 160 may be communicatively coupled to each other. The medical facility 150, the pharmacy 170, and the drug supplier 160 may additionally or alternatively be communicatively coupled to one or more data systems 120, a client 250, and / or an inventory engine 110.

[0040] The medical facilities 150 may include at least one facility, such as a first facility 152, a second facility 154, another facility n, etc. The medical facilities 150 may each be located in the same or different geographic regions, such as in the same or different zip codes, cities, countries, etc. The pharmacy 170 may form a part of the medical facility 150 and / or be separate from the medical facility 150. In some cases, the medical facility 150 may additionally or alternatively include one or more pharmacies 170, such as one, two, three, four, five, ten or more pharmacies 170. The pharmacy 170 may include one, two, three, four, five, one hundred, one thousand or more pharmacies. The drug supplier 160 may include one or more drug distributors, wholesalers, manufacturers, etc., from which the medical facility 150 and / or the pharmacy 170 may obtain drugs. The drug supplier 160 may include one, two, three, four, five, one hundred, one thousand or more drug suppliers 160.

[0041] A pharmacist at a pharmacy 170 may submit a purchase order including an ordered quantity of a drug to supply the pharmacy, fulfill a specific order, and / or supply a medical facility 150. As another example, a medical professional at a medical facility 150 may submit a purchase order including an ordered quantity of a drug to supply at least a portion of the medical facility 150. The purchase order including the ordered quantity of the drug may be sent to a drug supplier 160 as part of an order message to fulfill the purchase order. At the drug supplier 160, the order message may be received. In some cases, the drug supplier may then provide the quantity of the delivered drug to the corresponding medical facility 150 and / or pharmacy 170. Fulfillment (e.g., full fulfillment, partial fulfillment, etc.) may trigger the generation of a delivery message, such as an invoice, an advance shipping notice, an inventory event (e.g., a pharmacy or medical facility stocking a drug), etc.

[0042] In some cases, the drug supplier 160 may partially fulfill the purchase order. In other words, the drug supplier 160 may supply a certain amount of drugs to the medical facility 150 and / or the pharmacy 170, and the certain amount of drugs is an allocation (e.g., only a portion) of the ordered quantity of the drugs included in the purchase order. This situation may indicate the possibility of an interruption in the supply of drugs, such as a shortage. In other cases, the drug supplier 160 may not fulfill the purchase order. In other words, the received quantity may not include any drugs, so that the drug supplier 160 may not supply the ordered quantity of any drugs to the medical facility 150 and / or the pharmacy 170. This situation may indicate a significant possibility of an interruption in the supply of drugs, such as a shortage. Based on the ordered quantity and / or the delivered quantity, the inventory engine 110 can generate an inventory indicator indicating the possibility of an interruption in the supply of drugs.

[0043] Reference again Figure 2, the ordered quantity of the drug and the received or delivered quantity of the drug can be stored as drug inventory data in the data system 120, such as in the drug inventory system 104. In some embodiments, the drug inventory data can be an inference of the wholesaler's inventory. For example, as described herein, the drug inventory data can be used to infer possible shortages or other interruptions in the supply of the drug based on the ordered quantity of the drug and / or the received or delivered quantity of the drug.

[0044] In some embodiments, the ordered quantity of the medication and the received or delivered quantity of the medication are extracted from the order message and / or delivery message and / or inbound order processing, such as by the inventory engine 110, and stored in the medication inventory system 104. The medication inventory system 104 may include a database or other data storage for storing the ordered quantity of the medication and the received quantity of the medication.

[0045] In some embodiments, the medication inventory system 104 may additionally store medication inventory data including metadata corresponding to the ordered quantity of the medication. The metadata corresponding to the ordered quantity may include a timestamp of the purchase order, an identifier associated with the medical professional submitting the purchase order, an identifier associated with the medical facility 150 and / or the pharmacy 170, an identifier associated with the medication supplier 160 to which the purchase order is sent, medication information associated with the medication, etc. When a purchase order is submitted, metadata corresponding to the ordered quantity of the medication may be generated.

[0046] In some embodiments, the medication inventory system 104 may also store medication inventory data that includes metadata corresponding to the received quantity of the medication. The metadata corresponding to the received quantity may include a timestamp of the receipt of the purchase order, an identifier associated with the medical professional submitting the purchase order, an identifier associated with the medical facility 150 and / or the pharmacy 170, an identifier associated with the medication supplier 160, medication information associated with the medication, invoice information associated with the issued invoice, etc. Metadata corresponding to the delivered quantity of the medication may be generated when the medication supplier 160 receives the purchase order, when the purchase order is fulfilled, when the medication is delivered to the medical facility 150 and / or the pharmacy, when the medication is received or stored at the medical facility 150 and / or the pharmacy 170, etc. The medication inventory data may therefore be used to track the ordered quantity of the medication and compare the ordered quantity of the medication with the received quantity of the medication.

[0047] Reference again Figure 2, the medication inventory management system 100 may include a medical facility 150. The medical facility 150 may be a hospital, a patient treatment facility, etc. The medical facility 150 may include or be separate from a patient care area, a medical device, a medication dispenser, a pharmacy 170, etc. The medical facility 150 may include a plurality of medical facilities 150, such that the medication inventory system 104 receives and stores medication inventory data associated with the plurality of medical facilities 150.

[0048] In some cases, the drug inventory system 104 is communicatively connected to a large number of medical facilities. For example, the drug inventory system 104 may be communicatively connected to tens, hundreds, thousands, or more numbers of medical facilities. Therefore, the drug inventory system 104 may store or access a certain amount of drug inventory data that achieves statistical significance in supporting the predictions generated thereby. For example, a statistically significant amount of drug inventory data compared to the drug inventory data stored in the drug inventory system 104 may be represented by a measure of statistical significance. The measure of statistical significance may be a p-value, such as a p-value of less than 0.05. In some embodiments, the measure of statistical significance represents a statistically significant amount of drug inventory data that has been achieved over a period of time (e.g., 24 hours, a week, a month, a year, etc.).

[0049] Because the medication inventory system 104 is communicatively coupled to a large number of medical facilities 150, the medication inventory system 104 can quickly achieve a statistically significant amount of stored medication inventory data. Reliance on a statistically significant amount of stored medication inventory data quickly and efficiently improves the accuracy of predictions made by the inventory engine 110, improves the accuracy of metrics generated by the inventory engine 110, improves the speed at which the inventory engine 110 makes adjustments based on predictions or metrics, etc. Such an arrangement can also enable the medication inventory system 104 to achieve statistical significance more quickly than other systems, thereby enabling subsequent changes in medication sequencing to be made more quickly, thereby increasing the confidence in predictions made by the inventory engine 110, etc.

[0050] Figure 3 Schematically depicts a system diagram illustrating a medication inventory management system 100 according to some exemplary embodiments. Figure 3 , the inventory engine 110 can be communicatively coupled to one or more data systems 120. The inventory engine 110 can receive medication inventory data from one or more data systems 120, such as the medication inventory system 104. Based on the medication inventory data, the inventory engine 110 can generate an inventory indicator indicating a likelihood of an interruption in the supply of medication to the medical facility. Although in some cases, the methods and systems are described with respect to medical facilities, the methods and systems can also be applied to pharmacies, such as the pharmacy 170.

[0051] In some cases, inventory engine 110 may detect a statistically significant metric compared to medication inventory data stored in medication inventory system 104 prior to generating the medication inventory indicator. Inventory engine 110 may generate the inventory indicator in response to detecting the statistically significant metric.

[0052] The inventory index may include a score, a classifier (e.g., good signal, good performance, weak signal, poor performance, etc.), etc. The inventory engine 110 may determine the inventory index by comparing the ordered quantity of the drug with the received (e.g., delivered to the facility) quantity corresponding to the ordered quantity of the drug. The received quantity may correspond to the ordered quantity when the received quantity and the ordered quantity are associated with the same purchase order, the same transaction, at least a portion of shared metadata, etc. By comparing the received quantity with the ordered quantity, the inventory engine 110 may determine the difference between the ordered quantity and the received quantity. If the received quantity is less than the ordered quantity, the inventory engine 110 may detect the possibility of an interruption in supplying the drug. For example, the difference between the ordered quantity and the received quantity may indicate that the drug cannot be supplied and represents a new or existing shortage of the drug.

[0053] In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 can generate drug inventory indicators using machine learning techniques. The model can be implemented as a machine learning model to generate drug inventory indicators. For example, the model can be trained to accept various factors as input, such as the difference between the ordered quantity and the received quantity, the timestamp associated with the ordered quantity and / or the received quantity, the time of year associated with the drug inventory data, the demand for treatment substitutions (e.g., different drugs for treating the same condition), the supply of raw materials, weather conditions, etc. The model can provide drug inventory indicators as output, including a value or a set of values ​​indicating the possibility of an interruption in the supply of drugs. The drug inventory indicator can be accompanied by a confidence value indicating the possibility that the drug inventory indicator is associated with the corresponding classification (e.g., the possibility of an interruption in the supply of drugs). The device can use the confidence value to determine whether the drug inventory indicator is reliable or sufficient to determine to take action. Reliability or adequacy can be evaluated based on a confidence value corresponding to a threshold or a range of values.

[0054] Learning can be supervised, unsupervised, reinforced, or hybrid learning, whereby a variety of learning techniques are employed to generate a model. Learning can be performed as part of training. Training a model can include obtaining a set of training data and adjusting the characteristics of the model to obtain a desired model output. For example, three characteristics can be associated with the generation of a drug inventory indicator. In this case, training can include receiving the three characteristics as input to the model, and adjusting the characteristics of the model so that for each set of three characteristics, the output inventory indicator corresponds to the likelihood of an interruption in the supply of drugs to a medical facility. In this way, the model can output a value (e.g., a drug inventory indicator) associated with the state of the likelihood of an interruption in the supply of drugs to a medical facility.

[0055] In some embodiments, training can be dynamic. For example, the system can update the model using a collection of events. Detectable characteristics from the events can be used to adjust the model.

[0056] The model can be an equation, an artificial neural network, a recursive neural network, a convolutional neural network, a decision tree, or other machine-readable artificial intelligence structure. The characteristics of the structure that can be used to adjust during training can vary based on the model selected. For example, if a neural network is the model of choice, the features can include input elements, network layers, node density, node activation thresholds, weights between nodes, input or output value weights, etc. If the model is implemented as an equation (e.g., regression), the features can include weights for input parameters, thresholds or limits for evaluating output values, or criteria for selecting from a set of equations.

[0057] Once a model is trained, retraining can be included to refine or update the model to reflect additional data or specific operating conditions. Retraining can be based on one or more transactions detected by the apparatus described herein or as part of the methods described herein. For example, a threshold value indicating the likelihood of an interruption in the supply of medication to a medical facility can be defined, whereby after a threshold amount of medication inventory data is obtained and / or a threshold amount of medication inventory indicators are obtained, sufficient data is available to retrain the model. In some embodiments, retraining can be periodic based on the time that has passed since the previously trained model. Upon detection of a specified transaction, the system can activate the training process to adjust the model as described.

[0058] Other examples of machine learning and modeling features that may be included in the embodiments discussed above are described in “A survey of machine learning for big data processing” by Qiu et al. in EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing (2016), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0059] In some embodiments, the drug inventory indicator is a confidence level indicating the likelihood of an interruption in the supply of the drug to the medical facility.The inventory engine 110 can identify a shortage or potential shortage of a drug based on the drug inventory indicator (eg, confidence level).

[0060] The inventory engine may determine that the likelihood of an interruption in the delivery of the drug (e.g., at least a portion of the ordered drug is delivered, etc.) is a significant likelihood based on the drug inventory indicator corresponding to a threshold (e.g., a first threshold). Additionally or alternatively, the inventory engine may determine a shortage of the drug (e.g., no delivery of the ordered drug, receipt of a minimum amount of the ordered drug, etc.) based on the drug inventory indicator corresponding to a second threshold. The first threshold and the second threshold may be scaled. The first threshold and the second threshold may be represented by a p-value. The first threshold and the second threshold may be represented by a single p-value and / or a range of p-values. For example, the first threshold may include a p-value of 0.05 to 0.1. Therefore, when the drug inventory indicator corresponds to a p-value of 0.05 to 0.1, the inventory engine 110 may determine that there is an interruption. The second threshold may include a p-value less than 0.05. Therefore, when the drug inventory indicator corresponds to a p-value less than 0.05, the inventory engine 110 may determine that there is a shortage.

[0061] The first threshold and the second threshold may be adjusted, for example, by the medical facility. For example, the medical facility 150 may adjust the first threshold and / or the second threshold based on the tolerance of the medical facility 150 to drug shortages. The tolerance may depend on many factors, including the demand for the drug, the size of the medical facility, the location of the medical facility, etc.

[0062] As used herein, the term "corresponds" or "corresponds to" encompasses a structural, functional, quantitative and / or qualitative correlation or relationship between two or more objects, data sets, information, etc., preferably where the correspondence or relationship can be used to transform one or more of the two or more objects, data sets, information, etc. so as to be presented as being the same or equivalent. The correspondence relationship can be evaluated using one or more of a threshold, a value range, fuzzy logic, pattern matching, a machine learning evaluation model, or a combination thereof.

[0063] The thresholds described, such as the first threshold and / or the second threshold, can be static, dynamic, or adaptive. A static threshold is a predetermined threshold that remains constant. A dynamic threshold is based on changes to the system or items stored therein and varies throughout the operation of the system. For example, as the demand for a medication increases, it may be desirable to adjust the first threshold or the second threshold. Tolerances can be based on many factors, including the demand for medication, the size of the medical facility, the location of the medical facility, etc. Dynamic thresholds can be based on time or date. For example, there are times when fewer medication orders are requested in an environment. Adaptive thresholds can change in response to changes in the characteristics of the medical device and / or the items stored therein, and can vary based on parameters that the system can detect or receive. Whether static, dynamic, or adaptive, thresholds can be specified as values ​​or ranges of values.

[0064] The generated drug inventory indicators may be stored in the drug inventory system 104. The drug inventory indicators may be associated with corresponding purchase orders within the drug inventory system 104. This enables the inventory engine 110 to predict trends in the inventory indicators over time, display visualizations indicating trends, and compare the inventory indicators over time (e.g., beginning of the month, mid-month, end of the month, etc.). This may also enable the inventory engine 110 to compare inventory indicators across different geographic regions.

[0065] Based on the medication inventory index, the inventory engine 110 can adjust the medical devices 102 within the medical facility to conserve medication usage.

[0066] In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 can send an alert (e.g., visual, audio, audio-visual, etc.) indicating a potential interruption in the supply of the medication to the medical facility. The alert can be displayed on a medical device 102, such as a display of a medical device (e.g., a dispenser system), a display coupled to a clinician prescription system, etc. The alert can include one or more of a recommended action at a medication dispenser associated with the medical facility, a request to select an alternative medication different from the medication ordered at the medical facility, a display of an inventory level of the medication at the medical facility, a display of historical usage of the medication at the medical facility, a display of an inventory level of the alternative medication at the medical facility, and a display of a second medication inventory indicator associated with the alternative medication.

[0067] For example, the alarm may include a recommended action at the medication dispenser. The recommended action may include moving at least a portion of the medication stored at the medication dispenser to a second medication dispenser. The second dispenser may be located in a patient care area different from the first medication dispenser. In some embodiments, the clinical need for the medication may be greater at the second medication dispenser than at the first medication dispenser. The clinical need may be greater where the sickest patients are located and / or may be determined by a clinician. In some embodiments, the alarm includes information about the possibility of an interruption in the supply of the medication to notify the clinician and / or enable the clinician to determine where to move at least a portion of the medication.

[0068] In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 can detect that multiple clinicians from multiple patient care areas need a drug that has been identified as potentially in short supply (e.g., a potential for interruption of supply). The inventory engine 110 can arbitrate requests and recommend allocation of the drug where clinical need is highest, or provide information to clinicians to determine where clinical need is highest. The clinical need described herein can be based on therapeutic need (e.g., minimizing the potential for short supply due to high acuity levels or drug shortages in certain patient care areas), historical use, or other criteria specified by policy, medical facilities, or pharmacy practices.

[0069] In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 can cause an alarm to be displayed at a physician ordering system (such as at a medication dispenser, a pharmacy, etc.). For example, a visual element (e.g., a notification, an alarm, etc.) can be provided on a display connected to the physician ordering system. In other words, an alarm can be presented to the prescriber as a contextual alarm or visual icon when prescribing a medication. This can encourage appropriate therapeutic substitutions for medications that are subject to possible supply shortages or interruptions with more readily available therapeutic equivalents. The drug inventory index can be used, such as by the inventory engine 110 or by the prescriber, to filter, organize, or otherwise prioritize the presentation of available medications. The inventory engine 110 can also detect the effects of concomitant medications, such as medications that can usually be administered together or in sequence with medications that are subject to possible supply shortages or interruptions. For example, if it is detected that one of the medications is subject to possible supply shortages or interruptions, the inventory engine 110 can provide instructions to select one or each of the medications of the regimen for therapeutic alternatives. This can help save drug resources and reduce the impact of detected drug supply shortages or interruptions.

[0070] In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 can cause the display of a drug inventory index and / or a visual element indicating the possibility of an interruption in the supply of the drug. For example, the inventory engine 110 can cause a display via the client 250. In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 causes a visualization of changes in drug inventory indicators over time, comparisons between different geographic regions, comparisons between different drugs, etc. In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 generates a report including drug inventory indicators, etc. The report and / or visualization can include the current inventory level of the drug, historical use (e.g., average), many active treatment patient drug orders, etc. This enables clinicians to respond quickly to possible or probable drug supply interruptions and take measures to save drugs or determine suitable substitutes. The visualization can be or include adjusting one or more of the icons, colors, or fonts presented to indicate the supply status of the drug.

[0071] As described above, the inventory engine 110 can compare and / or be capable of comparing drug supplies across geographic regions. In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 can compare between a first drug inventory indicator associated with a drug at a first medical facility located within a first geographic region and a second drug inventory indicator associated with a drug at a second medical facility located within a second geographic region.

[0072] For example, the inventory engine 110 can generate a first medication inventory indicator based on a first subset of inventory data related to a first medical facility (eg, a first order quantity and a first delivery quantity). The first medication inventory indicator can indicate a likelihood of an interruption in supplying medication to the first medical facility.

[0073] The inventory engine 110 may also receive a second subset of the drug inventory data from the drug inventory system, the second subset of the drug inventory data including a second ordered quantity of the drug ordered to supply the second medical facility and a second received quantity of the drug delivered to the second medical facility. The inventory engine 110 may generate a second drug inventory indicator based on the second subset of the drug inventory data. The second drug inventory indicator may indicate a likelihood of an interruption in the supply of the drug to the second medical facility.

[0074] The inventory engine 110 may compare the first medication inventory indicator to the second medication inventory indicator and detect a trend in the likelihood of a discontinuation based on the comparison. The inventory engine 110 may cause a display of the trend, such as in a report, visualization, etc. The trend may enable prescribers to quickly and proactively adjust prescribing practices.

[0075] In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 receives updated drug inventory data from the drug inventory system 104, the updated drug inventory data including another ordered quantity of drugs ordered to supply medical facilities and another received quantity of drugs delivered to medical facilities. The inventory engine 110 (e.g., based on receiving updated drug inventory data) can adjust the drug inventory index using one or more methods as described herein. The inventory engine 110 can (e.g., via the client 250) display a graphical element on a display. The graphical element can indicate a change in the possibility of interruption of supplying drugs to medical facilities. For example, the inventory engine 110 can determine that the possibility of interruption of supplying drugs has been reduced to an acceptable level. Additionally or alternatively, the inventory engine 110 can determine that the drug is no longer in short supply. As a result, the inventory engine 110 can display a graphical element to alert the prescriber or clinician of the change in the possibility of interruption of supplying drugs to medical facilities. This enables the prescriber or clinician to quickly and proactively adjust the prescription or treatment practice.

[0076] In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 can adjust protocols for handling medications based on medication inventory indicators. For example, if a medication is identified as having a significant likelihood of supply disruption or as having a possible shortage, the price and / or demand for the medication may increase, thereby making the medication more valuable to a potential diverter. In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 can therefore adjust workflows for managing and / or dispensing medications, such as thereby requesting a witness to dispense medications, or adjusting the level of authority required to perform certain actions (e.g., dispense medications).

[0077] As an example, the inventory engine 110 may detect a request to access a medication dispenser to retrieve a medication that is identified as having a supply disruption or shortage. The inventory engine 110 may then require one or more of a witness and enhanced authentication or log during access to the medication dispenser based on the adjustment to access the medication from the medication dispenser. The enhanced authentication may include a password, a badge scan, image recognition of the requester's face, a thumbprint or other fingerprint scan, etc. Adjusting protocols for handling medications may reduce diversion of medications, such as by enhancing the security of the medications and by making it more difficult for would-be diverters to access the medications.

[0078] Figure 4 A flow chart illustrating a process 400 for conserving the use of medications according to some exemplary embodiments is depicted. Figure 4 , process 400 may be performed at least in part by inventory engine 110 and / or medication inventory management system 100 .

[0079] At 402, the inventory engine 110 may receive medication inventory data from a medication inventory system (e.g., medication inventory system 104). The medication inventory data may include an ordered quantity of medication ordered to supply a medical facility and a received quantity of medication at the medical facility. In some embodiments, the medication inventory data is received after the received quantity is received at the medical facility. For example, the inventory engine 110 may detect storage of the received quantity at the medication inventory system. After detecting storage of the received quantity at the medication inventory system, the inventory engine 110 may retrieve and process the medication inventory data.

[0080] At 404, the inventory engine 110 may generate a medication inventory indicator based on the medication inventory data. The medication inventory indicator may indicate a likelihood of an interruption in supplying the medication. The medication inventory indicator may represent a confidence level indicating a likelihood of an interruption in supplying the medication to the medical facility.

[0081] In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 generates the drug inventory index after detecting a statistically significant metric compared to drug inventory data at the drug inventory system. Generating drugs based on a large amount of drug inventory data improves the accuracy of the generated drug inventory index.

[0082] In some embodiments, the inventory engine 110 can generate a drug inventory indicator by determining the difference between the ordered quantity and the delivered quantity. The inventory engine 110 can identify a shortage of the drug based on the drug inventory indicator. For example, the inventory engine 110 can determine that the likelihood of interruption of drug delivery is a significant likelihood based on the drug inventory indicator corresponding to a threshold (e.g., a first threshold). The inventory engine 110 can additionally or alternatively determine a shortage of the drug based on the drug inventory indicator corresponding to a second threshold.

[0083] At 406 , the inventory engine 110 can adjust medical devices within the medical facility based on the medication inventory index to conserve medication usage.

[0084] For example, the inventory engine 110 can send an alarm indicating the possibility of interruption of the supply of drugs to the medical facility. The alarm can include a recommended action at a drug dispenser associated with the medical facility, a request to select an alternative drug different from the drug ordered at the medical facility, a display of the inventory level of the drug at the medical facility, a display of the historical use of the drug at the medical facility, a display of the inventory level of the alternative drug at the medical facility, and one or more of the display of a second drug inventory indicator related to the alternative drug. The recommended action can include, for example, moving at least a portion of the drugs stored in the drug dispenser to a second drug dispenser such as a second drug dispenser where there is a greater clinical need. The clinical need can be determined additionally or alternatively by a clinician. Accordingly, the drug inventory management system 100 can help save the use of drugs indicated as having a higher possibility of supply interruption or indicated as having a higher possibility of shortage. The drug inventory management system 100 helps prescribers and clinicians to adjust clinical and prescription practices more quickly and proactively to better consider changes in drug supply and better treat patients.

[0085] Figure 5 A block diagram of a computing system 500 consistent with an embodiment of the current subject matter is depicted. Figures 1 to 4 , computing system 500 may be used to implement medication inventory management system 100 , such as inventory engine 110 and / or any components therein.

[0086] like Figure 5 As shown, the computing system 500 may include a processor 510, a memory 520, a storage device 530, and an input / output device 540. The processor 510, the memory 520, the storage device 530, and the input / output device 540 may be interconnected via a system bus 550. The processor 510 is capable of processing instructions for execution within the computing system 500. Such executed instructions may implement, for example, one or more components of the inventory engine 110 and / or the drug inventory management system 100. In some exemplary embodiments, the processor 510 may be a single-threaded processor. Alternatively, the processor 510 may be a multi-threaded processor. The processor 510 is capable of processing instructions stored in the memory 520 and / or on the storage device 530 to display graphical information of a user interface provided via the input / output device 540.

[0087] Memory 520 is a computer readable medium (such as, volatile or non-volatile) that stores information within computing system 500. For example, memory 520 can store a data structure representing a configuration object database. Storage device 530 can provide permanent storage for computing system 500. Storage device 530 can be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, a magnetic tape device, a solid-state device, and / or any other suitable permanent storage device. Input / output device 540 provides input / output operations for computing system 500. In some exemplary embodiments, input / output device 540 includes a keyboard and / or a pointing device. In various embodiments, input / output device 540 includes a display unit for displaying a graphical user interface.

[0088] According to some exemplary embodiments, the input / output device 540 can provide input / output operations for the network device. For example, the input / output device 540 can include an Ethernet port or other networking port to communicate with one or more wired and / or wireless networks (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet).

[0089] In some exemplary embodiments, computing system 500 can be used to execute various interactive computer software applications, which can be used for the organization, analysis and / or storage of data in various formats. Alternatively, computing system 500 can be used to execute any type of software application. These applications can be used to perform various functions, such as planning functions (e.g., generating, managing, editing electronic spreadsheet files, word processing files and / or any other objects, etc.), computing functions, communication functions, etc. Applications can include various insertion functions, or can be independent computing products and / or functions. After activating the function in the application, the function can be used to generate a user interface provided via input / output device 540. The user interface can be generated by computing system 500 and presented to the user (e.g., on a computer screen monitor, etc.).

[0090] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuits, integrated circuits, specially designed ASICs, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various aspects or features can include embodiments in one or more computer programs that can be executed and / or interpreted on a programmable system, the programmable system including at least one programmable processor that can be dedicated or general, at least one programmable processor connected to receive data and instructions from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device and send data and instructions to them. A programmable system or computing system can include a client and a server. Clients and servers are usually far away from each other, and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship between a client and a server is generated by a computer program that runs in each computer and has a mutual client-server relationship.

[0091] These computer programs, which may also be referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components or codes, include machine instructions for programmable processors and may be implemented in high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming languages ​​and / or in assembly / machine languages. As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" refers to any computer program product, device and / or device for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, such as a disk, an optical disk, a memory and a programmable logic device (PLD), including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as machine-readable signals. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor. A machine-readable medium may, for example, store such machine instructions non-temporarily, such as a nonvolatile solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. A machine-readable medium may alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner, such as a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0092] To provide interaction with a user, one or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein may be implemented on a computer having a display device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode (LED) monitor for displaying information to a user, and a keyboard and pointing device, such as a mouse or trackball, whereby the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices may also be used to provide interaction with a user. For example, the feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and the input from the user may be received in any form, including auditory, voice, or tactile input. Other possible input devices include touch screens or other touch-sensitive devices such as single-point or multi-point resistive or capacitive tracking pads, voice recognition hardware and software, optical scanners, optical pointers, digital image capture devices, and associated interpretation software, and the like.

[0093] In the above description and claims, terms such as "at least one" or "one or more" may appear after a list of elements or features. The term "and / or" may also appear in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradictory to the context used, this phrase is intended to represent any one of the elements or features listed individually, or any element or feature that is combined with other listed elements or features. For example, the phrases "at least one A and B", "one or more of A and B", and "A and / or B" are intended to represent "single A, single B, or A and B together", respectively. A similar interpretation is also intended to be used for lists including three or more items. For example, the phrases "at least one of A, B and C", "one or more of A, B and C", and "A, B and / or C" are intended to represent "single A, single B, single C, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together", respectively. The term "based on" used above or in the claims is intended to represent "based at least in part", so that unlisted features or elements are also allowed.

[0094] As used herein, the term "message" encompasses a wide variety of formats for transmitting (e.g., sending or receiving) information. A message may include a machine-readable collection of information such as an XML file, a fixed field message, a comma-delimited message, JSON, a custom protocol, etc. In some embodiments, a message may include a signal for sending one or more representations of information. Although listed in the singular, it will be understood that a message may be composed, sent, stored, received, etc. in multiple components.

[0095] As used herein, the terms "adjust" or "adjusted" or "control" or "controlled" cover a wide variety of actions. For example, "adjusting" a device may include sending one or more messages to change the operating state or functional element of the device. The message may include specific instructions to be executed by the processor of the device to indicate the change. "Adjusting" may include storing a value in a location of a storage device for subsequent retrieval by the device to be controlled, sending a value directly to the device to be controlled via at least one wired or wireless communication medium, sending or storing a reference to a value, etc. For example, a control message may include a value for adjusting the power level of a power supply from a controlled device. As another example, a control message may activate or deactivate a structural element of a controlled device, such as a light, audio playback, a motor, a lock, a pump, a distribution cabinet, a distribution drawer, a distribution box, a display, or other components of the device described herein. "Controlling" or "adjusting" may include indirectly controlling a device by adjusting a configuration value used by the controlled device. For example, a control message may include a threshold value for a device characteristic (e.g., temperature, rate, frequency, etc.). The threshold value may be stored in a memory location and referenced by the controlled device during operation.

[0096] As used herein, the term "determine" or "determine" covers a wide variety of actions. For example, "determine" may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, generating, obtaining, searching (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), confirming, etc. via a hardware element without user intervention. In addition, "determine" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), etc. via a hardware element without user intervention. "Determine" may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, etc. via a hardware element without user intervention.

[0097] Depending on the desired configuration, the subject matter described herein can be implemented in systems, devices, methods and / or articles. The embodiments described above do not represent all embodiments of the subject matter described herein. On the contrary, they are merely some examples consistent with some aspects related to the subject matter. Although some variants have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are also possible. In particular, in addition to the features and / or variants described herein, further features and / or variants can also be provided. For example, the above-mentioned embodiments can be directed to various combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features, and / or combinations or sub-combinations of several more features disclosed above. In addition, the logical flows depicted in the accompanying drawings and / or described herein do not necessarily require a specific order or a continuous order to obtain the desired results. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system comprising: at least one data processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by at least one data processor, cause operations to be performed, the operations comprising: receiving medication inventory data from a medication inventory system, the medication inventory data including an ordered quantity of medication ordered to supply the medical facility and a received quantity of medication delivered to the medical facility, wherein the medication inventory data is received after the received quantity is received by the medical facility; generating a drug inventory indicator based on the drug inventory data, wherein the drug inventory indicator indicates a likelihood of an interruption in the supply of the drug to the medical facility; Adjust medical devices within medical facilities based on drug inventory indicators to conserve drug use.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: Adjustments include: Sending an alert indicating a potential disruption in the supply of medication to a medical facility.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein: The alert includes one or more of: a recommended action at a medication dispenser associated with the medical facility, a request to select an alternative medication that is different from the medication ordered at the medical facility, a display of inventory levels of the medication at the medical facility, a display of historical usage of the medication at the medical facility, a display of inventory levels of the alternative medication at the medical facility, and a display of a second medication inventory indicator associated with the alternative medication.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein: The recommended action includes moving at least a portion of the medication stored in the medication dispenser to a second medication dispenser.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein: The second clinical need for the medication at the second medication dispenser is greater than the first clinical need for the medication at the medication dispenser.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: Generating inventory indicators involves determining the difference between quantities ordered and quantities received.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The medication inventory indicator is a confidence level indicating the likelihood of an interruption in the supply of medication to the medical facility.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The operations further include determining that the likelihood of interruption in supplying the medication is a significant likelihood based on the medication inventory indicator corresponding to a threshold value.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein: The operations further include determining a shortage of the medication based on the medication inventory indicator corresponding to a second threshold.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The operations further include, prior to generating the medication inventory indicator, detecting a metric that is statistically significant compared to medication inventory data at the medication inventory system; and wherein generating is responsive to the detecting.

11. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The operations further include detecting receipt of the received quantity at the medication inventory system.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The operations further include: receiving updated medication inventory data from a medication inventory system, the updated medication inventory data including another ordered quantity of the medication ordered to supply the medical facility and another received quantity of the medication at the medical facility, wherein the updated medication inventory data is received after the other received quantity is received by the medical facility; Adjust drug inventory indicators based on updated drug inventory data.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein: The operations further include displaying a graphical element on the display based on the adjusted medication inventory indicator, wherein the graphical element indicates a change in the likelihood of an interruption in the supply of the medication to the medical facility.

14. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The operations further include adjusting a protocol for handling a medication identified as having a supply disruption or shortage based on the medication inventory indicator.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein: The operations further include: detecting a request to access a medication dispenser to retrieve a medication identified as having a supply disruption or shortage; One or more of a witness and enhanced authentication or log during access to the medication dispenser is required based on the regulation to access medication from the medication dispenser.

16. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The operations further include identifying a shortage of the medication based on the medication inventory indicator.

17. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: The medical facility includes a plurality of medical facilities.

18. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: The medical facility is a first medical facility located in a first geographic region; wherein the medication inventory data is a first subset of medication inventory data associated with the first medical facility; wherein the medication inventory indicator is a first medication inventory indicator that indicates a likelihood of an interruption in the supply of medication to the first medical facility; and wherein the operations further include: receiving a second subset of medication inventory data from the medication inventory system, the second subset of medication inventory data comprising a second ordered quantity of the medication ordered to supply a second medical facility located in a second geographic area and a second received quantity of the medication at the second medical facility, wherein the second subset of medication inventory data is received after the second received quantity is received by the second medical facility; A second medication inventory indicator is generated based on a second subset of the medication inventory data, wherein the second medication inventory indicator indicates a likelihood of an interruption in the supply of the medication to the second medical facility.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein: The operations further include comparing the first drug inventory indicator with the second drug inventory indicator.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein: The operations further include detecting a trend in likelihood of interruption in supply of the medication based on the comparison.

21. A method comprising: receiving medication inventory data from a medication inventory system, the medication inventory data including an ordered quantity of a medication ordered to supply the medical facility and a received quantity of the medication at the medical facility, wherein the medication inventory data is received after the received quantity is received by the medical facility; generating a drug inventory indicator based on the drug inventory data, wherein the drug inventory indicator indicates a likelihood of interruption in supply of the drug to the medical facility; and Adjust medical devices within medical facilities based on drug inventory indicators to conserve drug use.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein: Adjustments include: Sending an alert indicating a potential disruption in the supply of medication to a medical facility.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein: The alert includes one or more of: a recommended action at a medication dispenser associated with the medical facility, a request to select an alternative medication that is different from the medication ordered at the medical facility, a display of inventory levels of the medication at the medical facility, a display of historical usage of the medication at the medical facility, a display of inventory levels of the alternative medication at the medical facility, and a display of a second medication inventory indicator associated with the alternative medication.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein: The recommended action includes moving at least a portion of the medication stored in the medication dispenser to a second medication dispenser.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein: The second clinical need for the medication at the second medication dispenser is greater than the first clinical need for the medication at the medication dispenser.

26. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein: The build includes: Determine the difference between the quantity ordered and the quantity received.

27. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein: The medication inventory indicator is a confidence level indicating the likelihood of an interruption in the supply of medication to the medical facility.

28. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 27, further comprising: The likelihood of an interruption in supplying the medication is determined to be a significant likelihood based on the medication inventory indicator corresponding to a threshold value.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising: A shortage of the medication is determined based on the medication inventory indicator corresponding to a second threshold.

30. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 29, further comprising: Prior to generating the drug inventory index, detecting a statistically significant metric compared to drug inventory data at the drug inventory system; And wherein generating is responsive to detecting.

31. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 30, further comprising: Delivery of the received quantity is detected at the medication inventory system.

32. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 31, further comprising: receiving updated medication inventory data from the medication inventory system, the updated medication inventory data including another ordered quantity of the medication ordered to supply the medical facility and another received quantity of the medication at the medical facility, wherein the updated medication inventory data is received after the other received quantity is received by the medical facility; and Adjust drug inventory indicators based on updated drug inventory data.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising: A graphical element is displayed on the display based on the adjusted medication inventory indicator, wherein the graphical element indicates a change in the likelihood of an interruption in the supply of the medication to the medical facility.

34. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 33, further comprising: Adjust protocols for handling medications based on medication inventory metrics.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising: detecting a request to access a medication dispenser to retrieve a medication identified as having a supply disruption or shortage; as well as One or more of a witness and enhanced authentication or log during access to the medication dispenser is required based on the regulation to access medication from the medication dispenser.

36. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 35, further comprising: Identify drug shortages based on drug inventory metrics.

37. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 36, wherein: The medical facility includes a plurality of medical facilities.

38. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 37, wherein: The medical facility is a first medical facility located in a first geographic region; wherein the medication inventory data is a first subset of medication inventory data associated with the first medical facility; wherein the medication inventory indicator is a first medication inventory indicator that indicates a likelihood of an interruption in the supply of medication to the first medical facility; and wherein the method further comprises: receiving a second subset of medication inventory data from the medication inventory system, the second subset of medication inventory data comprising a second ordered quantity of the medication ordered to supply a second medical facility located in a second geographic area and a second received quantity of the medication at the second medical facility, wherein the second subset of medication inventory data is received after the second received quantity is received by the second medical facility; and A second medication inventory indicator is generated based on a second subset of the medication inventory data, wherein the second medication inventory indicator indicates a likelihood of an interruption in the supply of the medication to the second medical facility.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising: The first drug inventory index is compared to the second drug inventory index.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising: A trend in the likelihood of interruption in the supply of the medication is detected based on the comparison.

41. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one data processor, cause operations to be performed, the operations comprising: receiving medication inventory data from a medication inventory system, the medication inventory data including an ordered quantity of a medication ordered to supply the medical facility and a received quantity of the medication at the medical facility, wherein the medication inventory data is received after the received quantity is received by the medical facility; generating a drug inventory indicator based on the drug inventory data, wherein the drug inventory indicator indicates a likelihood of interruption in supply of the drug to the medical facility; and Adjust medical devices within medical facilities based on drug inventory indicators to conserve drug use.

42. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving medication inventory data from a medication inventory system, the medication inventory data comprising an ordered quantity of medication ordered to supply the medical facility and a received quantity of the medication at the medical facility, wherein the medication inventory data is received after the received quantity is received by the medical facility; means for generating a drug inventory indicator based on the drug inventory data, wherein the drug inventory indicator indicates a likelihood of interruption in the supply of drugs to the medical facility; A device for adjusting medical devices within a medical facility based on drug inventory indicators to conserve the use of drugs.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising: Apparatus for performing the method according to any one of claims 21 to 40.

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