Medicine weighing device and drug dispensing system

Abstract

To provide a medicine weighing device with which it is possible to reduce weighing time and effort, as compared with the case where a weighing suspend function and a resume function are provided and weighing is, thereby, started over again.SOLUTION: The medicine weighing device performs suspend processing and resume processing. The suspend processing involves processing for storing progress information indicating a progress state of whether or not weighing of the drugs included in prescription data is completed, in association with the prescription data, when an indication to suspend weighing for the prescription data is received before completion of weighing of all drugs included in the prescription data after completion of weighing of at least one drug included in the prescription data, as well as for suspending weighing for the prescription data. The resume processing involves reading out the progress information stored in association with the prescription data and resuming weighing for the prescription data when an indication to resume the weighing for the prescription data suspended by the suspend processing is received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention mainly relates to a drug weighing device that weighs drugs based on dispensing data.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a drug weighing device. The drug weighing device of Patent Document 1 has a touch panel and displays a "stop" button during drug weighing. When the stop button is touched, the drug weighing device stops weighing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Patent Document 1 only describes stopping weighing, and does not describe the processing after stopping weighing.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its main object is to provide a drug weighing device that can reduce the labor of weighing by providing a weighing interruption function and a restart function, as compared with the case of starting the weighing again from the beginning. Means and Effects for Solving the Problems

[0006] The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and its effects will be described.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drug weighing device having the following configuration. That is, the drug weighing device includes a weighing unit and a control unit. The weighing unit weighs drugs. The control unit performs control related to weighing of drugs according to dispensing data. The control unit performs an interruption process and a restart process. The interruption process is a process of interrupting the weighing of the dispensing data when, after completion of weighing of at least one drug included in the dispensing data and before completion of weighing of all drugs included in the dispensing data, an interruption instruction for weighing of the dispensing data is received, and storing progress information indicating the progress status of whether the weighing of the drugs included in the dispensing data has been completed in association with the dispensing data. The restart process is a process of restarting the weighing of the dispensing data by reading out the progress information stored in association with the dispensing data when a restart instruction for weighing of the dispensing data interrupted by the interruption process is received.

[0008] Thereby, even when the weighing of the dispensing data is interrupted, since the control unit reads out the progress information at the time of restart, the weighing can be performed from where it was interrupted.

[0009] In the above drug weighing device, it is preferable to have the following configuration. That is, after performing the interruption process of weighing the first dispensing data, when an instruction to start weighing the second dispensing data is received, the control unit starts weighing the second dispensing data. After completion of weighing of the second dispensing data or after performing the interruption process, when a restart instruction for weighing the first dispensing data is received, the control unit performs a restart process of restarting the weighing of the first dispensing data.

[0010] During the interruption of weighing of a certain dispensing data, weighing of another dispensing data can be performed using the same drug weighing device. Therefore, since the operation time of the drug weighing device does not become short, the drug weighing device can be effectively utilized.

[0011] In the above drug weighing device, when the control unit receives an interruption instruction for weighing of the dispensing data, it is preferable to perform a process of displaying information on drugs for which weighing has been completed on a display medium.

[0012] The dispenser can easily grasp the completion status of weighing of the interrupted dispensing data.

[0013] In the above-described medicine weighing device, when the control unit receives an interruption instruction for weighing of the dispensing data, it is preferable that the control unit performs a process of displaying information on the medicine that has not been completely weighed on a display medium.

[0014] The dispenser can easily grasp the remaining status of weighing of the interrupted dispensing data.

[0015] In the above-described medicine weighing device, when the control unit receives an interruption instruction for weighing of the dispensing data, it is further preferable that the control unit performs a process of displaying information indicating that the dispensing data has been interrupted on the display medium.

[0016] The dispenser can easily grasp that the dispensing data has been interrupted just by looking at the display medium.

[0017] In the above-described medicine weighing device, it is preferable to have the following configuration. That is, when the control unit receives an interruption instruction for weighing of the dispensing data, the control unit performs a process of displaying the identification information of the dispensing data for which weighing has been interrupted on a display medium. The process of displaying on the display medium is a process of printing a form. When the control unit acquires the identification information of the dispensing data from the printed form via a reading device, the control unit reads out the progress information stored in association with the dispensing data indicated by the identification information, and resumes weighing of the dispensing data for which weighing has been interrupted.

[0018] Thereby, the dispenser can resume weighing of the dispensing data by performing a simple operation of causing the reading device to read the identification information printed on the form.

[0019] In the above-described medicine weighing device, when starting to weigh the interrupted dispensing data, it is preferable that the control unit accepts a selection of whether to resume weighing using the progress information or to start weighing from the beginning without using the progress information.

[0020] Weighing can be started in an appropriate manner according to the circumstances of the dispenser.

[0021] The dispensing system includes the medicine weighing device and a packaging machine. When the weighing of the dispensing data is completed or an interruption instruction is received, the control unit performs a process of displaying the identification information of the dispensing data on a display medium. The process of displaying on the display medium is a process of printing a form. When the packaging machine acquires the identification information of the dispensing data from the form via a reading device, if it determines that the weighing of the dispensing data corresponding to the identification information is completed based on the progress information associated with the dispensing data, it accepts packaging; if it determines that the weighing of the dispensing data is not completed, it does not accept packaging.

[0022] Even if the medicine of the interrupted dispensing data is accidentally brought into the packaging machine, the packaging machine does not accept packaging, so it is possible to suppress the implementation of incorrect packaging.

[0023] In the above-described medicine weighing device, it is preferable to have the following configuration. That is, the weighing unit weighs the medicine to be put into a weighing container provided with a display medium. The control unit performs a process of displaying the information of the medicine put into the weighing container and completed weighing on the display medium.

[0024] The dispenser can grasp the information of the weighed medicine just by looking at the display medium of the weighing container.

[0025] In the above-described dispensing system, the following configuration is preferable. That is, the control unit performs a process of displaying the identification information of the dispensing data on the display medium. When the packing machine acquires the identification information of the dispensing data from the display medium of the weighing container via the reading device, if it determines that the weighing of the dispensing data is completed based on the progress information associated with the dispensing data indicated by the identification information, it accepts packing, and if the weighing of the dispensing data is not completed, it does not accept packing.

[0026] Even if the drug of the interrupted dispensing data is accidentally brought into the packing machine, the packing machine does not accept packing, so it is possible to suppress the occurrence of incorrect packing.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0027]

Figure 1

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] First, the terms used in this specification will be explained.

[0030] "Drug" refers to a pharmaceutical product for treating or preventing a patient's disease, and is a prescription pharmaceutical product prescribed based on a prescription. A drug is a concept including various dosage forms, and includes, for example, powders, tablets, capsules, aqueous solutions, and ointments.

[0031] "Dispensing" refers to the work of a dispenser preparing a drug by weighing the drug based on a prescription.

[0032] "Prescription data" (also referred to as "dispensing data") is the data obtained by digitizing the information (prescription information) described in a prescription, and includes, for example, the doctor who issued the prescription, the hospital where the patient was examined, the prescribed drug, the patient's information, the identification information of the prescription, etc. Prescription data is the data input into various dispensing devices and is created to operate various dispensing devices.

[0033] Drugs may be described in a prescription divided into Rp. "Rp" refers to the recipe of a prescription, and for the same Rp, for example, drugs with the same usage are described. Also, the data obtained by digitizing Rp is referred to as Rp data. That is, one piece of prescription data may include one or more Rp data.

[0034] Next, with reference to FIG. 1, an overview of the dispensing system 1 will be described.

[0035] The dispensing system 1 is introduced, for example, into a dispensing pharmacy. The dispensing system 1 is a system for assisting or managing dispensing. The dispensing system 1 includes a medicine weighing device 10, a management device 5, and a packaging machine 20. The medicine weighing device 10, the management device 5, and the packaging machine 20 are connected to a network such as a wired LAN or a wireless LAN, for example, and can communicate with each other.

[0036] The management device 5 is a computer equipped with a CPU, a RAM, a storage, a communication module, etc. The management device 5 performs various processes by the CPU executing a program stored in the storage. The management device 5 manages various information regarding prescriptions, medicines, patients, and dispensing. For example, a dispensing clerk inputs prescription information received from a patient and registers it in the management device 5. Instead of the dispensing clerk inputting, the management device 5 may receive the prescription information in a data format and register it. The management device 5 creates prescription data based on the prescription information and transmits it to dispensing devices such as the medicine weighing device 10 and the packaging machine 20. Note that the management device 5 may be configured as a part of the medicine weighing device 10 or the packaging machine 20.

[0037] The medicine weighing device 10 has a weighing function and an auditing function. The weighing function is a function of weighing the medicines included in the prescription data. The auditing function is a function of auditing (checking) whether the medicines included in the prescription data are weighed as per the prescription information (or having the dispenser audit (check) it). Note that the auditing function is not essential and can be omitted. Details of the medicine weighing device 10 will be described later.

[0038] The packaging machine 20 includes a packaging section 21, a processing device 22, and a reading device 23. The packaging section 21 divides the medicine weighed using the medicine weighing device 10 and individually packages it in wrapping paper. The processing device 22 is a microcontroller including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a communication module, an I / O port, etc. The processing device 22 performs predetermined processing by executing a program. The reading device 23 is a device capable of reading identification information such as barcodes described later.

[0039] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration of the medicine weighing device 10 will be described in detail.

[0040] The medicine weighing device 10 includes a weighing section 11 for performing weighing. The weighing section 11 weighs an object (medicine) placed on the weighing platform 11a. "Weighing" means measuring the mass value of an object (medicine), and the mass value obtained by weighing is the "weighing value". The weighing section 11 is an electronic balance and converts the weighing value of the object into a digital signal and outputs it. The weighing section 11 is, for example, a tuning fork vibration type, but other types may also be used.

[0041] A weighing container 19 is placed on the weighing platform 11a. The medicine to be weighed is put into the weighing container 19 and weighed. Further, a container barcode 19a on which the identification information of the weighing container is described is attached to the weighing container 19. The container barcode 19a is not an essential component and can be omitted. Note that the weighing container 19 is used together with the medicine weighing device 10, but the weighing container 19 is not a component of the medicine weighing device 10.

[0042] The medicine weighing device 10 includes, as parts related to information processing, a communication unit 12, a control unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a display unit 15. These are provided inside the housing 10a shown in FIG. 2. The communication unit 12 is a communication module and communicates with the management device 5 or the subcontracting machine 20. The control unit 13 is a CPU and performs processing for executing programs. The storage unit 14 is a storage such as a flash memory or an SSD, and stores programs and data necessary for control. The display unit 15 is a display device such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL. The screen generated by the control unit 13 executing the program is displayed on the display unit 15.

[0043] The medicine weighing device 10 includes, as devices related to input / output, a touch panel 16, a barcode reader (reading device) 17, and a form printer 18. The touch panel 16 is arranged overlapping the display unit 15 and can detect touch operations by the fingers of the dispenser or a touch pen, etc. The touch panel 16 is a capacitive type, but may be another type such as a pressure-sensitive type. Also, instead of or in addition to the touch panel 16, another type of input device (for example, a hardware key, a mouse, a trackball, etc.) may be provided. The barcode reader 17 reads the container barcode 19a of the weighing container 19, the barcode of the medicine container that houses the medicine stored in the dispensing shelf, etc., and the barcode described later on the form (display medium) printed by the form printer 18. In the dispensing system 1, identification information other than the barcode (for example, a two-dimensional code or an RFID tag, etc.) may be acquired. In this case, instead of the barcode reader 17, a two-dimensional code reader or an RFID reader is used. The form printer 18 prints a form showing information related to weighing at the time of interruption or completion of weighing. The detailed information displayed on the form will be described later. The barcode reader 17 and the form printer 18 are not essential components and can be omitted.

[0044] In this embodiment, the weighing unit 11, the display unit 15, the barcode reader 17, and the form printer 18 are separate devices and are connected wirelessly or by wire. This configuration is an example. For example, the weighing unit 11 and the display unit 15 may be integrated. Alternatively, the barcode reader 17 and the form printer 18 may be integrated. Integration means, for example, being arranged within one housing.

[0045] Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8, the weighing function will be described. Also, the auditing function will be briefly described together.

[0046] The flowcharts shown in FIG. 3 and subsequent figures are executed by the control unit 13 of the medicine weighing device 10. Specifically, when the control unit 13 executes a program, the processing of each flow of the flowchart in FIG. 3 is executed. Also, the control unit 13 detects a touch operation performed by the dispenser using the touch panel 16 and performs processing according to the dispenser's instruction. In the following, the description of the control unit 13 executing a program or the control unit 13 detecting the dispenser's touch operation may be omitted.

[0047] First, the control unit 13 creates an audit list screen and outputs it to the display unit 15, thereby causing the display unit 15 to display the audit list screen (weighing list screen) (S101), and waits for the dispenser to select prescription data. The display conditions of the audit list screen are various. For example, the audit list screen may be automatically displayed when the medicine weighing device 10 is started up. Alternatively, the audit list screen may be displayed when the dispenser gives an instruction to display the audit list screen.

[0048] Here, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the audit list screen will be described.

[0049] The "audit list screen" is a screen showing a list of prescription data to be audited. Since the prescription data to be audited is also the prescription data to be weighed, the audit list screen may be referred to as the weighing list screen. On the audit list screen 30, an un-audited tab 31, an interrupted tab 32, an audited tab 33, a deletion tab 34, and a list display area 30a are displayed.

[0050] When the dispenser selects the unexamined tab 31, a list of prescription data with progress information in an incomplete state (also simply referred to as "incomplete") is displayed in the list display area 30a (first display state). The "incomplete state" means that, as described later, the weighing of all the drugs included in the prescription data has not started. Therefore, the prescription data immediately after being received from the management device 5 is in an incomplete state. Also, since the audit is executed along with weighing, the incomplete state can also be referred to as an "unexamined state" in which the audit of all the drugs has not started. The control unit 13 causes a numbered item in parentheses to be displayed beside "unexamined" of the unexamined tab 31. This number indicates the number of prescription data in an incomplete state (hereinafter referred to as the number of incomplete items). By looking at the number of incomplete items, the dispenser can easily grasp the remaining status of dispensing.

[0051] In the list display area 30a, various information included in the prescription data is shown item by item using icons or character strings, etc. Specifically, in the prescription data in an incomplete state in FIG. 5, in order from the left, the dosage form icon, priority, reception date and time, reception number, patient ID, and prescription classification items are displayed. Although not shown, items such as medical institution (or ward), department of medicine, start date of use, total number of dispensings, and total number of drugs are further displayed. The dosage form icon is an icon indicating the dosage form of the drug included in the prescription data. The priority is information that divides the priority of dispensing into a plurality of levels. For example, the priority may be increased according to the elapsed time from the time when the prescription was received. Also, the dispenser or the pharmacist may be able to manually set the priority. The reception date and time is the date and time when the drug weighing device 10 received the prescription data from the management device 5. Note that the reception date and time may be the date and time when the management device 5 received the prescription information. The patient ID is identification information of the patient for identifying the patient. The prescription classification is information indicating classifications such as regular prescription and emergency prescription. Also, by the dispenser sliding the slider left and right or the like, the control unit 13 causes other items to be displayed in the list display area 30a. The above-described items are examples, and other items may be displayed. Also, for the prescription data in an incomplete state, the items to be displayed in the list display area 30a can be set in advance.

[0052] The prescription data that the control unit 13 causes to be displayed in the list display area 30a is sorted by predetermined items. In the present embodiment, priority is set as the default (initial state) item used for sorting the prescription data in the incomplete state. Therefore, as shown in the list display area 30a displaying the prescription data in the incomplete state of FIG. 5, the control unit 13 sorts and displays the prescription data so that the higher the priority, the higher the prescription data is displayed on the upper side of the list display area 30a. Note that the item used for sorting can be changed. For example, by selecting the reception date and time, the control unit 13 sorts and displays the prescription data so that the older the reception date and time, the higher the prescription data is displayed on the upper side of the list display area 30a.

[0053] The control unit 13 can also extract prescription data that satisfies a predetermined condition and cause it to be displayed in the list display area 30a. For example, on the audit list screen 30, a dosage form selection button 35 is displayed. The dosage form selection button 35 includes buttons indicating a plurality of types of dosage forms. The control unit 13 extracts the prescription data of the dosage form corresponding to the selected button and causes it to be displayed in the list display area 30a. Further, the control unit 13 can also cause the prescription data extracted using items other than the dosage form (for example, priority) to be displayed in the list display area 30a.

[0054] Each time the control unit 13 receives new prescription data from the management device 5, it updates the list display area 30a in the incomplete state and adds and displays the new prescription data. However, when the dispenser scrolls the list display area 30a up and down, updating the list display area 30a will interfere with the work of the dispenser. Therefore, the control unit 13 does not update the list display area 30a while the dispenser is scrolling the list display area 30a up and down. After the dispenser finishes scrolling the list display area 30a up and down and a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 13 updates the list display area 30a and displays the new prescription data.

[0055] When the dispenser selects the interruption tab 32, as shown in the figure below Fig. 5, a list of prescription data with progress information in the interrupted state (also simply referred to as "interrupted") is displayed in the list display area 30a (second display state). As will be described later, the "interrupted state" is a state in which the weighing of only some of the drugs included in the prescription data is completed and the weighing of other drugs is interrupted. After the weighing of at least one drug included in the prescription data is completed and before the weighing of all the drugs included in the prescription data is completed, the following interruption process is performed, so that the progress information of the prescription data changes from the weighing in progress to the interrupted state.

[0056] Even when a list of prescription data in the interrupted state is displayed in the list display area 30a, a plurality of items are displayed in the same way as when a list of prescription data in the unexamined state is displayed. The items displayed in the list display area 30a for the unexamined state prescription data and the interrupted state prescription data are basically common, but there may be items unique to the interrupted state. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 13 causes the interruption information to be displayed in the list display area 30a as an item unique to the interrupted state. The interruption information is the time when the interruption process was performed. In this way, some of the items displayed in the list display area 30a may be different between the unexamined state and the interrupted state. Also, in this embodiment, the interruption time is set as the default (initial state) item used for sorting the prescription data in the interrupted state. That is, the items used for sorting are different between the interrupted state and the unexamined state. Note that the date when the interruption process was performed may be used as the interruption information.

[0057] The control unit 13 causes a number with parentheses to be displayed next to "Interrupted" on the interruption tab 32. This number indicates the number of prescription data in the interrupted state (hereinafter referred to as the interruption count). Even when the unexamined tab 31 is selected and a list of unexamined state prescription data is displayed in the list display area 30a, the control unit 13 displays the interruption tab 32 and the interruption count. Thereby, the dispenser can confirm whether there is prescription data in the interrupted state while checking the list of unexamined state prescription data.

[0058] Note that the number of interruptions may be displayed in a display form different from that of this embodiment. For example, the control unit 13 may display the number of interruptions at a position different from the interruption tab 32 (for example, the empty space above the interruption tab 32). Further, instead of the number of interruptions, the presence or absence of prescription data in the interrupted state may be displayed. For example, by displaying a predetermined mark (for example, a red circle) beside the interruption tab 32, it may be indicated that prescription data in the interrupted state exists. Alternatively, by displaying a predetermined character string (for example, "There is prescription data for interruption", etc.) at a position different from the interruption tab 32, it may be indicated that prescription data in the interrupted state exists. The numerical value, mark, or character string indicating the number of interruptions corresponds to "a display indicating whether or not there is prescription data in the interrupted state".

[0059] In this embodiment, the control unit 13 switches between and displays a first display state in which only the prescription data in the unfinished state is displayed and a second display state in which only the prescription data in the interrupted state is displayed. Instead of this, the control unit 13 may display the prescription data in the unfinished state and the prescription data in the interrupted state together, and may add a display indicating that it is in the interrupted state. FIG. 6 shows an audit list screen 30 in which the prescription data in the interrupted state is further displayed in the list display area 30a for the unfinished state. Further, the control unit 13 displays an item indicating whether or not it is in the interrupted state as one item in the list display area 30a, and attaches a check mark to the item column if it corresponds to the prescription data in the interrupted state. Also, the prescription data in the interrupted state may be preferentially displayed above the list display area 30a.

[0060] When the dispenser selects the audited tab 33, a list of prescription data with progress information in the completed state (also simply referred to as "completed") is displayed in the list display area 30a. The "completed state" means that the weighing of all the drugs included in the prescription data has been completed, as described later. Since the audit is performed along with weighing, the completed state can also be rephrased as the "audited state" in which the audit of all the drugs has been completed. When the dispenser selects the delete tab 34, a list of prescription data in the deleted state is displayed in the list display area 30a. Since the prescription data in the audited state and the deleted state have a low importance level, the number of each case is not displayed (it may be displayed). Also, the audited tab 33 or the delete tab 34 may be omitted.

[0061] Next, each state of the prescription data will be described from the perspective of data management. The storage unit 14 stores the progress information shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 11 for each prescription data. Note that the storage of the progress information is not limited to the storage unit 14, and it may be stored, for example, in the management device 5 together with the prescription data and the weighing result (including the weighed value). The "progress information" is information indicating the progress status of weighing in the prescription data. Specifically, the progress information includes the progress information of the prescription data, the progress information of the Rp data, and the progress information of the drug.

[0062] In this embodiment, since the progress status of weighing is managed with the drug as the minimum unit, the progress information also includes the progress information of the drug. However, the progress information of weighing may be managed with the Rp data as the minimum unit. In this case, it is not essential to store the progress information of the drug. Also, when the prescription data is not divided into Rp data, the progress information of the prescription data and the progress information of the drug will be stored.

[0063] The progress information of prescription data is classified into four categories: "uncompleted", "weighing", "interrupted", and "completed". The "uncompleted" prescription data basically refers to a state where weighing has not been started (a state where weighing of all drugs included in the prescription data has not started). However, "uncompleted" includes a state where weighing has not progressed at all, such as when interruption processing is performed before the start of drug weighing. Note that "cancelled" prescription data means stopping weighing without assuming resumption, which is a different concept from "interrupted". The "weighing" prescription data refers to a state where weighing is currently in progress (weighing has started). The "interrupted" prescription data refers to a state where, after the start of weighing (after the start), the prescription data, Rp data, and drug progress information are stored on the premise of resumption, and weighing is temporarily stopped. The "completed" prescription data refers to a state where weighing is completed (a state where weighing of all drugs included in the prescription data is completed).

[0064] The progress information of Rp data is classified into four categories: "uncompleted", "weighing", "interrupted", and "completed". The "uncompleted" Rp data refers to a state where weighing of all drugs included in the Rp data has not started. The "weighing" Rp data refers to a state where weighing of the drugs included in the Rp data has started. The "interrupted" Rp data refers to a state where, after the start of weighing of the drugs included in the Rp data, the Rp data and drug progress information are stored on the premise of resumption, and weighing is temporarily stopped. The "completed" Rp data refers to a state where weighing of all drugs included in the Rp data is completed.

[0065] The progress information of drugs is classified into two categories: "uncompleted" and "completed". The "uncompleted" drug data refers to a state where drug weighing has not started. The "completed" drug data refers to a state where drug weighing is completed.

[0066] When the dispenser performs an operation to select uncompleted or interrupted prescription data as the weighing target, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 15 to display the prescription data screen 40 shown in FIG. 7 for the selected prescription data (S102), and waits for the dispenser to select Rp and drugs.

[0067] The prescription data screen is a screen that shows the details of prescription data. Also, when the control unit 13 receives prescription data from the management device 5, it performs a prescription check on the combination of drugs or the usual dosage, etc., and if there is a problem, it causes a warning to be displayed on the prescription data screen 40. As shown in FIG. 7, on the prescription data screen 40, a prescription information area 41, an Rp tab 42, an Rp information area 43, and a drug information area 44 are displayed.

[0068] In the prescription information area 41, basic information regarding the prescription data, in other words, information other than drugs, is displayed. In the prescription information area 41, for example, the reception number, hospital, dispenser, patient name, information regarding the patient, etc. are displayed.

[0069] The Rp tab 42 is displayed for each Rp data included in the prescription data. The Rp tab 42 is a selection button for selecting the Rp data to be weighed. Each time the Rp tab 42 is operated, the Rp data to be weighed is switched, and the Rp data to be weighed is displayed in the Rp information area 43 and the drug information area 44 described later. On the Rp tab 42, an indication (characters "not yet" or "completed") indicating whether the dispensing of the corresponding Rp data has been completed is displayed. Thereby, during the display of a certain Rp data, the progress information of another Rp data can be easily grasped.

[0070] In the Rp information area 43 and the drug information area 44, information regarding weighing according to the Rp data is displayed. In the Rp information area 43, information regarding Rp data in general, for example, the usage method, the ID of the weighing container 19 used for weighing, the start date of use, is displayed. In the drug information area 44, information for each drug included in the Rp data, for example, for each drug, the drug classification, drug name, daily dose (dosage per day), total amount (total dosage of the Rp data), weighed value, authentication skip icon, etc. are displayed. In the drug classification, an icon indicating whether the drug corresponds to a specific type (for example, a highly toxic drug or a narcotic drug, etc.) is displayed. The authentication skip icon is an icon for skipping the authentication of whether the drug in the Rp data matches the drug picked up by the dispenser from the dispensing shelf, etc. The information in each of the Rp information area 43 and the drug information area 44 is an example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0071] Also, by selecting the Rp data and having the dispenser read the container barcode 19a of the weighing container 19 using the barcode reader 17, the identification information (container ID) of the weighing container 19 used for weighing the drug contained in the selected Rp data can be registered (stored) in association with the Rp data. Note that this process is not always required and can be omitted by operating the "Skip" shown in FIG. 7.

[0072] The control unit 13 displays the prescription data screen 40 on the display unit 15 and changes the progress information of the prescription data selected as the weighing target from "uncompleted" to "weighing" (S103). As a result, it is stored as progress information that the weighing of the prescription data to be weighed has been started.

[0073] When the prescription data to be weighed is selected (S102) and the Rp data and drug to be weighed are selected, the control unit 13 changes the progress information of all the Rp data included in the prescription data from "uncompleted" to "weighing" (S104). Next, the control unit 13 starts weighing the selected Rp data and drug to be weighed (S105). Specifically, the control unit 13 causes the weighing screen 50 shown in FIG. 8 to be displayed on the display unit 15. Note that when the Rp data to be weighed is selected, the progress information of only the Rp data may be changed from "uncompleted" to "weighing".

[0074] In addition, a button 45 to return to the list is displayed on the prescription data screen 40. When the dispenser stops weighing the prescription data, the button 45 to return to the list is operated. When the button 45 to return to the list is operated, the control unit 13 displays the audit list screen 30. Further, the control unit 13 changes the progress information of the prescription data and the progress information of the Rp data included in the prescription data from "weighing" to "uncompleted".

[0075] The weighing screen 50 is the screen displayed while weighing the medicine. On the weighing screen 50, a medicine information area 51, a weighing bar area 52, a weighing value area 53, a determination area 54, an OK button 55, and a cancel button 56 are displayed.

[0076] In the medicine information area 51, the prescription data of the weighing target, Rp data, or basic information about the medicine is displayed. The weighing bar area 52 is the part that graphically displays the weighing value. In the weighing bar area 52, the target lower limit value, the weighing target value, and the target upper limit value are displayed as percentages (%) and numerical values (g). Also, the bar gets longer as the weighing value increases. The dispenser may perform the weighing so that the bar exceeds the target lower limit value and does not exceed the target upper limit value. Thereby, the dispenser can intuitively grasp the relationship between the current weighing value and the target value. In the weighing value area 53, the current weighing value is displayed numerically. In the determination area 54, the determination result of the weighing value is shown. When the weighing value exceeds the target lower limit value and does not exceed the target upper limit value, "OK" is displayed in the determination area 54, and otherwise, "NG" is displayed in the determination area 54. Thereby, it is possible to audit (or let the dispenser audit) whether the medicine included in the prescription data is weighed as per the prescription information. The display mode of the current weighing value and the target value is an example, and any of the above-described display elements may be omitted or displayed in other modes.

[0077] The OK button 55 is the button that the dispenser operates when completing the weighing of the medicine. When the OK button 55 is operated, the control unit 13 completes the current weighing and changes the progress information of the corresponding medicine from "incomplete" to "complete" (S106). Further, the control unit 13 stores the weighing value at the time when the weighing is confirmed in the storage unit 14 in association with the prescription data, Rp data, and the medicine. Then, the control unit 13 displays the weighing screen 50 of the next medicine included in the Rp data of the weighing target. Note that the control unit 13 may display the prescription data screen 40 of the prescription data of the weighing target and wait for the selection by the dispenser of the next medicine to be weighed.

[0078] The cancel button 56 is a button that an operator operates when canceling the weighing of a drug. When the cancel button 56 is operated, the control unit 13 cancels the weighing of the drug that is currently the weighing target, so the progress information of the corresponding prescription data and Rp data is not changed from "weighing". When the weighing is canceled, the control unit 13 displays the prescription data screen 40 of the reselected prescription data and waits for the operator to select a drug.

[0079] The control unit 13 determines whether or not the weighing of all drugs of the Rp data to be weighed is completed (S107), and repeats the above processing until the weighing of all drugs of the Rp data is completed. When the control unit 13 determines that the weighing of all drugs of the Rp data to be weighed is completed, it determines whether or not there is an instruction to complete the Rp data (S108). This determination process is, for example, when the progress information of all drugs included in the Rp data to be weighed becomes "completed", the control unit 13 displays a completion button on the display unit 15, and determines based on whether or not it is operated. When adding an excipient to a drug, the completion button is operated after the weighing of the excipient is completed.

[0080] When the control unit 13 determines that there is an instruction to complete the Rp data to be weighed, as shown in FIG. 4, it changes the progress information of the Rp data from "weighing" to "completed" (S109). Next, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the weighing of all Rp data of the prescription data to be weighed is completed (S110). When the control unit 13 determines that the weighing of all Rp data is not completed, it selects the next Rp data included in the prescription data to be weighed as the weighing target, displays the weighing screen 50, and starts weighing (S105). Note that the control unit 13 may display the prescription data screen 40 of the prescription data to be weighed and wait for the operator to select the next Rp data to be weighed. The processing for the next Rp data and subsequent Rp data is the same as the processing from S104 to S108 described above, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0081] When the control unit 13 determines that all the Rps of the prescription data to be weighed are completed, as shown in FIG. 4, it changes the progress information of the prescription data from "weighing" to "completed" (S111). The process of this determination is, for example, when the progress information of all the Rp data included in the prescription data becomes "completed", the control unit 13 displays a completion button on the display unit 15, and determines based on whether it is operated or not. As described above, the process regarding the weighing of the prescription data to be weighed is completed. Thereafter, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 15 to display an audit list screen (S101), and waits for the dispenser to select the prescription data.

[0082] As described above, the dispenser can perform weighing using the medicine weighing device 10. Further, by storing and appropriately updating the progress information of the weighing, the progress status of the dispensing can be clarified.

[0083] Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, the interruption process will be described.

[0084] The "interruption process" is a process performed on the prescription data and Rp data being weighed, and is a process of interrupting the weighing on the premise of resumption while storing the progress information of the weighing of the medicine included in the prescription data. For example, if the prescription data includes two Rp data, Rp1 and Rp2, and the interruption process is performed after only the weighing of Rp1 is completed, the weighing of Rp1 can be omitted by reading out the progress information of Rp1 for which the weighing is completed at the time of resumption (first interruption process). Also, if the Rp data includes two medicines, A and B, and the interruption process is performed after only the weighing of medicine A is completed, the weighing of medicine A can be omitted by reading out the progress information of medicine A for which the weighing is completed at the time of resumption (second interruption process). In this embodiment, it is possible to perform both the first interruption process and the second interruption process. However, it may be possible to perform only either the first interruption process or the second interruption process.

[0085] If none of the weighings of the drugs included in the prescription data have been completed, there are no weighings that can be omitted when resuming, so there is no need to perform an interruption process. Therefore, if none of the weighings of the drugs included in the prescription data have been completed, the prescription data is in an incomplete state rather than an interrupted state. In other words, when the weighing of one drug included in the prescription data is completed, the control unit 13 can perform the interruption process.

[0086] Examples of cases where the dispenser interrupts the weighing include, for example, a case where the dispenser has an urgent matter after the start of weighing, a case where the dispenser notices that some drugs are insufficient after the start of weighing and goes to another dispensing pharmacy with which they are affiliated to get them, a case where a query of doubt is made after the start of weighing, etc. In the case of a drug weighing device that cannot perform the interruption process, the weighing of the corresponding prescription data has to be aborted. In this case, the weighings that have been performed so far for the corresponding prescription data will be wasted.

[0087] The control unit 13 performs the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 after starting the Rp data and the weighing of the drug (S104). This will be specifically described below. The control unit 13 determines whether or not the weighing of at least one drug has been completed (S201). When the control unit 13 determines that the weighing of at least one drug has been completed, as shown in FIG. 10, it changes the return-to-list button 45 to the interruption button 46 and displays it (S202). The interruption button 46 is a button that triggers the interruption process, and when the dispenser operates the interruption button 46, the dispenser gives an interruption instruction. Since the return-to-list button 45 is a button used when returning to the audit list screen 30 and switching to another prescription data, by displaying the interruption button 46 at the same position, a display that is easy for the dispenser to understand can be realized. Note that the screen on which the interruption button 46 is displayed and the position at which the interruption button 46 is displayed are examples, and they may be different from this embodiment.

[0088] The control unit 13 waits for an interruption instruction from the dispenser by displaying the interruption button 46, and determines whether an interruption instruction has been given (S203). When the control unit 13 determines that an interruption instruction has been given, it performs interruption processing. Specifically, the control unit 13 performs the processes of S204 and S205 to change the progress information of the prescription data and the Rp data.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 13 changes the progress information of the prescription data from "weighing" to "interrupted" (S204). This is because when the weighing of one drug is completed, it does not correspond to "incomplete", and since the weighing of all drugs is not completed, it does not correspond to "completed" either.

[0090] The control unit 13 changes the progress information of the Rp data as shown in FIG. 11 in accordance with the following rules (S205). When the progress information of the Rp data is already "completed" or "incomplete", the control unit 13 leaves the progress information of the Rp data unchanged as "completed" or "incomplete" (Rp1 in FIG. 11). When the progress information of the Rp data is "weighing", the control unit 13 changes the progress information of the Rp data to "incomplete" or "interrupted". Specifically, when the progress information of the drug does not include "completed", the control unit 13 changes the progress information of the Rp data to "incomplete" (Rp3 in FIG. 11). In this case, the weighing of the corresponding Rp data has not been started, and there is no need to change it to "interrupted". When the progress information of at least one drug is "completed", the control unit 13 changes the progress information of the Rp data to "interrupted" (Rp2 in FIG. 11). In this case, since the weighing of at least some of the drugs included in the corresponding Rp data is completed, it is necessary to change it to "interrupted" in order to omit the weighing of this drug at the time of resumption. Note that even when the progress information of all the drugs included in the Rp data is "completed" and the progress information of the Rp data is not "completed", the control unit 13 changes the progress information of the Rp data to "interrupted". This is because there is a possibility of performing weighing of excipients, etc. at the time of resumption.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 13 does not change the progress information of the drug. When the progress information of the drug is already "completed", the control unit 13 leaves it as "completed" without changing the progress information of the drug (Rp1 and Rp2 in FIG. 11). When the progress information of the drug is "incomplete", the control unit 13 leaves it as "incomplete" (Rp2 and Rp3 in FIG. 11).

[0092] As described above, the progress information is changed for the prescription data and the Rp data. Next, the control unit 13 displays the audit list screen 30 in the state where the un-audited tab 31 is selected on the display unit 15 (S206). As a result, a list of prescription data in an incomplete state is displayed on the audit list screen 30, so that it is easy for the dispenser to select another prescription data after the interruption process. Note that the interrupted prescription data is displayed by selecting the interruption tab 32. Note that the process of S206 is an example, and another screen, for example, the audit list screen 30 in the state where the interruption tab 32 is selected may be displayed on the display unit 15. In this case, the location where the interrupted prescription data is stored is easy for the dispenser to grasp.

[0093] By performing the above interruption process, the drug weighing device 10 can store the information necessary for restart as progress information. After that, the drug weighing device 10 becomes capable of weighing another prescription data. Therefore, for example, after interrupting the first prescription data, it is possible to weigh new second prescription data. As a result, a decrease in the operation rate of the drug weighing device 10 is suppressed, and the drug weighing device 10 can be effectively utilized. Also, after starting the weighing of the second prescription data, the second prescription data can be further interrupted. That is, the drug weighing device 10 can store a plurality of prescription data in an interrupted state.

[0094] Next, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the document processing will be described.

[0095] "Document processing" is a process performed by the control unit 13 to output a document regarding the weighing of drugs included in the prescription data. A "document" is a paper medium for the document printer 18 to print information, and information regarding prescription data in an interrupted state or a completed state is shown.

[0096] The form is printed in Rp data units or prescription data units. The drug weighing device 10 of the present embodiment can preset whether it is in Rp data units or prescription data units, and the form is printed according to the setting. Note that the drug weighing device 10 may be configured to print the form only in Rp data units or only in prescription data units.

[0097] When the control unit 13 determines that the interruption instruction in S203 has been issued, it accesses the set information and determines whether the form is set to be printed in Rp data units or in prescription data units.

[0098] When the control unit 13 determines that the form is set to be printed in Rp data units, it prints an interruption form for the Rp data for which weighing has been interrupted. For example, when there is a change in the progress information shown in FIG. 11 (from "weighing" to "interrupted"), it is determined that Rp2 is the Rp data for which interruption has occurred, and an interruption form for Rp2 is printed.

[0099] FIG. 12 shows an interruption form when printed in Rp data units. As shown in FIG. 12, the form 60 includes a form barcode 61, a status description column 62, a basic information description column 63, a patient information description column 64, a dispensing information description column 65, and an Rp information description column 66.

[0100] The form barcode 61 is printed with a barcode indicating the dispensing number. The dispensing number is a unique number (unique identification information) for specifying prescription data and Rp data. The dispensing number is, for example, a number obtained by combining a prescription number unique to the prescription data and a number indicating the Rp data. Therefore, by reading the form barcode 61 using the barcode reader 17 or the reading device 23, the prescription data and the Rp data can be specified. The form barcode 61 of the interruption form is used when resuming the weighing of the interrupted prescription data (details will be described later). Note that each time the weighing of the interrupted prescription data is resumed, a new dispensing number may be generated, stored in the storage unit 14, and the generated dispensing number may be printed on the form barcode 61.

[0101] In the status description column 62, the progress information of the Rp data is described (the corresponding progress information is described in framed characters). That is, it is specified that the form 60 printed at the time of interruption is a "discontinued" form, and it is specified that the form 60 printed at the time of completion is a "completed" form.

[0102] In the basic information description column 63, basic information regarding the prescription data is described. Specifically, the same information as that displayed in the prescription information area 41 is displayed in the basic information description column 63. Note that "Device No." is described in the basic information description column 63. "Device No." is information for specifying the drug weighing device 10. For example, when a plurality of drug weighing devices 10 are provided in a pharmacy, the drug weighing device 10 that performed the weighing can be easily specified by looking at the "Device No.".

[0103] In the patient information description column 64, information regarding the patient who is the target of the prescription data is described. In the dispensing information description column 65, information regarding dispensing is described. The information regarding dispensing includes information on the dispenser, the dispensing date, and the dispensing time. The dispensing time includes the start time and the end time. When "interrupted" is indicated in the status description column 62, the end time corresponds to the interruption time. That is, the interruption time is described in the form 60 printed at the time of interruption. Note that an item for the interruption time may be provided and the specific interruption time may be described therein.

[0104] In the Rp information description column 66, information regarding the weighing of the Rp data is displayed. Specifically, the same information as that displayed in the Rp information area 43 and the drug information area 44 is described in the Rp information description column 66. For drugs that have not been weighed, information indicating that they have not been weighed, for example, the character "unweighed", is described. Therefore, the dispenser can identify the drugs that have not been weighed by looking at the Rp information description column 66.

[0105] The information described in the form 60 is an example and may be omitted or added. For example, the status description column 62 may be omitted. Even in this case, since the information indicating the existence of unweighed drugs is described in the Rp information description column 66, the dispenser can distinguish the type of form (interrupted or completed). Note that the information regarding unweighed drugs may not be described in the Rp information description column 66. Also, as an audit result, the determination result of the weighed value displayed in the determination area 54 may be displayed on the form 60.

[0106] When the control unit 13 determines that the weighing of all the drugs in the Rp data to be weighed is completed without the interruption instruction in S203 (S106), it prints a completed form.

[0107] FIG. 13 shows a completed form when printed in Rp data units. As shown in FIG. 13, the completed form 60 includes a form barcode 61, a status description column 62, a basic information description column 63, a patient information description column 64, a dispensing information description column 65, and an Rp information description column 66, similar to the interrupted form 60.

[0108] In the completed form, it is specified in the status description column 62 that it is a "completed" form. Also, in the form completed after interruption, two dispensing times are shown in the dispensing information description column 65. That is, the end of the first dispensing time is the interruption time, and the start of the second dispensing time is the restart time. In other words, the completed form 60 describes information for specifying whether the dispensing has been interrupted in the past. Note that a column for describing the presence or absence of interruption may be provided in the form 60. Also, in the completed form, the weighed values are described for all the drugs in the weighing results of the drugs described in the Rp information description column 66.

[0109] When the control unit 13 determines that the interruption instruction in S203 is given and the setting is to print the form in prescription data units, it prints an interruption form for the prescription data for which weighing has been interrupted. Here, the process of printing an interruption form for prescription data is similar to the process of printing an interruption form for Rp data described above. The difference is that the former process is in prescription data units while the latter process is in Rp data units. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, the description will be focused on the differences.

[0110] Compared with the interruption form in Rp data units, the interruption form in prescription data units has different form barcodes 61 and Rp information description columns 66. The form barcode 61 of the interruption form in prescription data units shows unique identification information (specifically, the prescription number) for identifying the prescription data. Since it is printed in prescription data units, there is no need to include identification information related to Rp data. Also, in the Rp information description column 66 of the form to be printed, information about all drugs in all Rp data (including information indicating non-weighed or weighing values) is described. Note that it may be possible not to describe information about non-weighed drugs.

[0111] Here, regarding the setting for printing the form, regardless of whether the setting is in Rp data units or prescription data units, the weighing value for the weighed drugs that have not yet been printed on the completed form is printed on the interruption form. For example, when the interruption instruction is given at the timing shown in FIG. 11 and the setting is in Rp data units, the drugs included in Rp1 are not the printing targets because the completed form has already been printed. Also, drug C in Rp2 is weighed and the completed form has not been printed, so it is the printing target for the interruption form. Also, when the interruption instruction is given at the timing shown in FIG. 11 and the setting is in prescription data units, the drugs included in Rp1 are the printing targets for the interruption form because the completed form has not yet been printed. Similarly, drug C in Rp2 is also the printing target for the interruption form.

[0112] The form output as described above is handled in a set with, for example, a weighing container 19 that contains a weighed drug. Therefore, just by looking at the form, the dispenser can grasp the details of the drug measured out in the weighing container 19. In particular, during an interruption, since the dispensing will be temporarily stopped, the weighed drug will be temporarily placed in the dispensing room. Therefore, in order to indicate the details of the placed drug, it is preferable to print an interruption form and handle it in a set with the weighing container 19.

[0113] Next, with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the process (particularly the restart process) performed when restarting weighing will be described.

[0114] The "restart process" is a process of restarting the weighing of prescription data in an interrupted state, and is also a process of reading out the progress information stored during the interruption process and utilizing it as necessary.

[0115] When the interruption tab 32 of the audit list screen 30 is selected, the control unit 13 causes the prescription data in the interrupted state to be displayed in the list display area 30a. When prescription data is selected from the list of prescription data in the interrupted state while the weighing of the drug included in another prescription data has not started (S301), the control unit 13 accepts the selected prescription data as the prescription data to be restarted (S303).

[0116] Further, the control unit 13 determines whether the barcode reader 17 has read the form barcode 61 of the form printed during the interruption (S302). The control unit 13 accepts the prescription data associated with the read form barcode 61 as the prescription data to be restarted (S303). However, when the weighing of the drug included in another prescription data has started, the control unit 13 does not accept the prescription data read by the barcode reader 17 as the prescription data to be restarted, and when the weighing of the drug included in another prescription data is completed, the control unit 13 accepts the prescription data read by the barcode reader 17 as the prescription data to be restarted.

[0117] After receiving the prescription data to be resumed, as shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 15 to display a resumption confirmation screen 70 (S304). The resumption confirmation screen 70 is a screen for allowing the dispenser to confirm starting the weighing of the prescription data in the interrupted state, and for allowing the dispenser to select whether to resume the weighing from the middle using the progress information of the corresponding prescription data or to start the weighing again from the beginning. As shown in FIG. 15, on the resumption confirmation screen 70, a prescription information display area 71, a progress status display area 72, a resume button 73, and a start-over button 74 are displayed.

[0118] Basic information regarding the prescription data is described in the prescription information display area 71. Specifically, information similar to or a part of the information displayed in the prescription information area 41 or the information description column 63, the patient information description column 64, and the dispensing information description column 65 is displayed in the prescription information display area 71. Note that, as information specific to the prescription information display area 71, interruption information (for example, "interruption date and time", "dispenser") may be displayed. Thereby, it is easy to confirm that the prescription data intended by the dispenser to be resumed matches the prescription data in the interrupted state received by the drug weighing device 10. Also, it is easy to confirm that the dispenser attempting to resume the weighing and the dispenser who interrupted the weighing match.

[0119] Progress information indicating the progress status of the prescription data to be resumed is displayed in the progress status display area 72. In the progress status display area 72, for example, the Rp data included in the prescription data and the progress information of completion, interruption, and incompletion of the weighing of the drug are displayed. Note that in the progress status display area 72 shown in FIG. 15, for only the Rp data (Rp2) in the interrupted state, the name of the individual drug and the progress information of the drug are displayed. This is because it is clear that the weighing of all the drugs included in the completed Rp data (Rp1) is completed, and it is clear that the weighing of all the drugs included in the incomplete Rp data (Rp3) is incomplete. However, for all the Rp data, the name of the individual drug and the progress information of the drug may be displayed.

[0120] The resume button 73 is a button for the dispenser to operate when resuming weighing from the middle using the read progress information. The dispenser can give a resume instruction by operating the resume button 73. The redo button 74 is a button for the dispenser to operate when restarting weighing from the beginning without using the read progress information. The dispenser can give a redo instruction by operating the redo button 74. For example, when a part of the weighed medicine is scattered or a long time has passed, the dispenser selects to redo.

[0121] In this embodiment, there are two options: resume weighing while inheriting all the progress information of the prescription data, or discard all the progress information of the prescription data and redo. Instead of this, it may be possible to resume weighing while inheriting only the selected part of the Rp data or the progress information of the medicine.

[0122] Note that the display of the resume confirmation screen 70 is not an essential process and can be omitted. That is, after the prescription data in the interrupted state is selected as the weighing target, the resume process of the selected prescription data may be performed without the confirmation of the dispenser. In this case, the process of selecting the prescription data to be resumed from the list corresponds to the resume instruction, and reading the form barcode 61 also corresponds to the resume instruction.

[0123] The control unit 13 determines whether there is a resume instruction (S305). When the control unit 13 determines that there is a resume instruction, it performs a resume process (S306). Specifically, the control unit 13 reads out the progress information of the prescription data to be weighed, displays the prescription data screen 40 reflecting the progress information, and waits for the selection of the medicine to be weighed. In addition, since the weighing values of some medicines are stored in association with the prescription data, these weighing values are also read out and displayed on the prescription data screen 40. Note that after performing the resume process, the control unit 13 may display information (for example, a character string such as "resume") indicating that it is the resumed prescription data on the prescription data screen 40.

[0124] Also, the process of reading the weighing value in the restart process is not an essential process. For example, in the restart process, only the progress information indicating whether the weighing has been completed is read. Even in this case, interruption and restart of weighing are achievable.

[0125] Basically, since it is considered that the same dispenser performs dispensing before and after the interruption (at the time of interruption and restart), the drug weighing device 10 of the present embodiment does not change the dispenser before and after the interruption. When receiving the prescription data to be restarted, the control unit 13 may authenticate the dispenser and prevent the weighing from restarting if the dispensers do not match before and after the interruption. Alternatively, the dispenser may be changeable before and after the interruption. In this case, for example, a button for changing the dispenser may be displayed on the restart confirmation screen 70.

[0126] The control unit 13 determines whether there is a re-do instruction (S307). When the control unit 13 determines that there is a re-do instruction, it changes all the Rp data and the progress information of the drug to "incomplete" and waits for the dispenser to select the Rp data and the drug (S308).

[0127] Thus, the process performed at the time of restarting the weighing is completed. Thereafter, the above-described weighing is continuously performed. By performing the restart process, it is not necessary to weigh again the drugs weighed before the interruption. Therefore, the weighed drugs are not wasted, and the work of weighing before the interruption is not wasted. Therefore, dispensing can be performed efficiently.

[0128] Next, with reference to FIG. 16, the process in which the packaging machine 20 determines permission and prohibition of packaging will be described. The process shown in FIG. 16 is a process performed by the processing device 22 of the packaging machine 20.

[0129] After the dispenser performs weighing using the medicine weighing device 10, the dispenser performs packaging using the packaging machine 20. At this time, the dispenser causes the ticket barcode 61 to be read by the reading device 23. The processing device 22 acquires the reading result of the ticket barcode 61 by the reading device 23 (S401). Next, the processing device 22 specifies the progress information of the corresponding Rp data using the dispensing number specified by reading the ticket barcode 61 (S402). Specifically, the processing device 22 communicates with the medicine weighing device 10 or the management device 5 to receive the progress information of the Rp data corresponding to the dispensing number from the medicine weighing device 10 or the management device 5.

[0130] Based on the specified progress information, the processing device 22 determines whether the progress information of the Rp data is completed (S403). In the present embodiment, since packaging is performed in units of Rp, the progress information of the Rp data is specified to determine whether the progress information of the Rp data is completed. However, when there is no Rp data or when packaging is performed in units of prescription data, etc., the progress information of the prescription data may be specified to determine whether the progress information of the prescription data is completed.

[0131] When the processing device 22 determines that the progress information of the Rp data is "completed" (in other words, when it is determined that the weighing of all the medicines included in the Rp data is "completed"), the processing device 22 accepts the packaging (S404). When the processing device 22 determines that the progress information of the Rp data is not "completed" (in other words, when it is determined that the Rp data is "incomplete" or "being weighed", or when it is determined that the weighing of at least a part of the medicines included in the Rp data is "incomplete"), the processing device 22 rejects the acceptance of the packaging (S405).

[0132] Thereby, the processing device 22 accepts the packaging only for the Rp data for which the weighing is completed. Therefore, when the weighing container 19 in which the medicine of the Rp data for which the weighing is not completed is weighed is accidentally brought into the packaging machine 20, the packaging is not executed, so that unnecessary packaging can be prevented from being performed.

[0133] Next, with reference to FIG. 17, a modified example of displaying identification information such as a barcode indicating a dispensing number in addition to the form 60 will be described.

[0134] In the above embodiment, the identification information of the prescription data and the Rp data is displayed on the display medium by printing the identification information indicating the dispensing number on the form 60. However, the process of printing the dispensing number on the form 60 is an example, and the identification information of the dispensing data may be displayed on the display medium by another method. For example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code may be displayed on the dispenser's terminal or the weighing container 19.

[0135] FIG. 17 shows the weighing container 19 provided with the electronic paper 19b. Further, the weighing unit 11 of the medicine weighing device 10 includes a rewriting device 11b. The rewriting device 11b can change the information to be displayed on the electronic paper 19b by wirelessly transmitting a predetermined signal to the electronic paper 19b. The electronic paper 19b displays the medicine name, the weighing value, the dispensing number, and the identification information (barcode, etc.) of the dispensing number on the electronic paper 19b at the completion of weighing. Thereby, the dispenser can grasp the information regarding the weighing of the medicine contained in the weighing container 19 (electronic paper 19b) just by looking at the weighing container 19 (electronic paper 19b).

[0136] Also, when performing packaging after weighing using this weighing container 19, the identification information (dispensing number) displayed on the electronic paper 19b may be read by the reading device 23, and the progress information of the prescription data or the Rp data associated with the identification information displayed on the electronic paper 19b may be read out. Further, the container barcode 19a of the weighing container 19 may be read by the reading device 23, and the progress information of the prescription data or the Rp data associated with the identification information (container ID) of the weighing container 19 may be read out. In this case, the same process as the flowchart of FIG. 16 is executed to determine whether to accept the packaging. And the same effect can be exhibited.

[0137] As described above, the drug weighing device 10 of the present embodiment includes a weighing unit 11 and a control unit 13. The weighing unit 11 weighs drugs. The control unit 13 performs control related to the weighing of drugs according to dispensing data. The control unit 13 performs interruption processing and restart processing. The interruption processing is a process of storing progress information indicating the progress of whether the weighing of the drugs included in the dispensing data is completed in association with the dispensing data when an interruption instruction for weighing the dispensing data is received after the completion of the weighing of at least one drug included in the dispensing data and before the completion of the weighing of all the drugs included in the dispensing data, and interrupting the weighing of the dispensing data. The restart processing is a process of reading out the progress information stored in association with the dispensing data and restarting the weighing of the dispensing data when a restart instruction for weighing the dispensing data interrupted by the interruption processing is received.

[0138] Thereby, even when the weighing of the dispensing data is interrupted, since the control unit 13 reads out the progress information at the time of restart, the weighing can be performed from where it was interrupted.

[0139] In the drug weighing device 10 of the present embodiment, when the control unit 13 receives an instruction to start weighing the second dispensing data after performing the interruption processing for weighing the first dispensing data, the control unit 13 starts weighing the second dispensing data. When the control unit 13 receives a restart instruction for weighing the first dispensing data after the completion of weighing the second dispensing data or after performing the interruption processing, the control unit 13 performs restart processing to restart weighing the first dispensing data.

[0140] During the interruption of weighing certain dispensing data, weighing of other dispensing data can be performed using the same drug weighing device 10. Therefore, since the operation time of the drug weighing device 10 does not become short, the drug weighing device 10 can be effectively utilized.

[0141] In the drug weighing device 10 of the present embodiment, when the control unit 13 receives an interruption instruction for weighing the dispensing data, the control unit 13 performs a process of displaying information on the drugs for which weighing has been completed on a display medium (such as a form 60, an electronic paper 19b, an external terminal, etc.).

[0142] The dispenser can easily grasp the completion status of weighing of the interrupted dispensing data.

[0143] In the drug weighing device 10 of the present embodiment, when the control unit 13 receives an instruction to interrupt the weighing of dispensing data, it performs a process of displaying information on drugs whose weighing is not completed on a display medium (such as a form 60, an external terminal, etc.).

[0144] The dispenser can easily grasp the remaining status of weighing of the interrupted dispensing data.

[0145] In the drug weighing device 10 of the present embodiment, when the control unit 13 receives an instruction to interrupt the weighing of dispensing data, it further performs a process of displaying information indicating that the dispensing data has been interrupted on a display medium (such as a form 60, an external terminal, etc.).

[0146] Just by looking at the display medium, the dispenser can easily grasp that the dispensing data has been interrupted.

[0147] In the drug weighing device 10 of the present embodiment, when the control unit 13 receives an instruction to interrupt the weighing of dispensing data, it performs a process of printing a form 60. When the control unit 13 acquires the identification information of the dispensing data from the printed form 60 via the barcode reader 17, it reads out the progress information stored in association with the dispensing data indicated by the identification information, and resumes the weighing of the dispensing data for which the weighing has been interrupted.

[0148] Thereby, the dispenser can resume the weighing of the dispensing data by performing a simple operation of causing the barcode reader 17 to read the identification information printed on the form.

[0149] In the drug weighing device 10 of the present embodiment, when starting the weighing of the interrupted dispensing data, the control unit 13 accepts a selection of whether to resume the weighing using the progress information or to start the weighing from the beginning without using the progress information.

[0150] The weighing can be started in an appropriate manner according to the circumstances of the dispenser.

[0151] In the dispensing system 1 of the present embodiment, when the weighing of dispensing data is completed or when an interruption instruction is received, the control unit 13 performs a process of printing the form 60. When the subcontracting machine 20 acquires the identification information of the dispensing data from the form 60 via the reading device 23, based on the progress information associated with the dispensing data indicated by the identification information, if it is determined that the weighing of the dispensing data is completed, the subcontracting is accepted; if the weighing of the dispensing data is not completed, the subcontracting is not accepted.

[0152] Even if the drug of the interrupted dispensing data is mistakenly brought into the subcontracting machine 20, since the subcontracting machine 20 does not accept the subcontracting, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of incorrect subcontracting.

[0153] In the drug weighing device 10 of the present embodiment, the weighing unit 11 weighs the drug to be put into the weighing container 19 provided with the form printer 18. The control unit 13 performs a process of displaying the information of the drug put into the weighing container 19 and completed weighing on the electronic paper 19b.

[0154] The dispenser can grasp the information of the weighed drug only by looking at the electronic paper 19b of the weighing container 19.

[0155] In the dispensing system 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 13 performs a process of displaying the identification information of the dispensing data on the electronic paper 19b. When the subcontracting machine 20 acquires the identification information of the dispensing data from the electronic paper 19b of the weighing container 19 via the reading device 23, based on the progress information associated with the dispensing data indicated by the identification information, if it is determined that the weighing of the dispensing data is completed, the subcontracting is accepted; if the weighing of the dispensing data is not completed, the subcontracting is not accepted.

[0156] Even if the drug of the interrupted dispensing data is mistakenly brought into the subcontracting machine 20, since the subcontracting machine 20 does not accept the subcontracting, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of incorrect subcontracting.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0157] 1 Dispensing system 10 Medicine weighing device 11 Weighing section 13 Control section 20 Packaging machine

Claims

1. A weighing unit for weighing a drug, A control unit for controlling the weighing of the drug according to dispensing data, Comprising, The control unit, After completion of weighing of at least one drug included in the dispensing data and before completion of weighing of all drugs included in the dispensing data, when receiving an interruption instruction for weighing of the dispensing data, stores progress information indicating the progress status of whether weighing of the drugs included in the dispensing data has been completed, in association with the dispensing data, and performs an interruption process for interrupting the weighing of the dispensing data, When receiving a restart instruction for weighing of the dispensing data whose weighing has been interrupted by the interruption process, reads out the progress information stored in association with the dispensing data, and performs a restart process for restarting the weighing of the dispensing data, A drug weighing device characterized by performing the above.

2. The drug weighing device according to Claim 1, After performing an interruption process for weighing of the first dispensing data, when receiving an instruction to start weighing of the second dispensing data, the control unit starts the weighing of the second dispensing data, After completion of weighing of the second dispensing data or after performing an interruption process, when receiving a restart instruction for weighing of the first dispensing data, the control unit performs a restart process for restarting the weighing of the first dispensing data. A drug weighing device characterized by this.

3. The drug weighing device according to Claim 1, When receiving an interruption instruction for weighing of the dispensing data, the control unit performs a process of displaying information on drugs whose weighing has been completed on a display medium. A drug weighing device characterized by this.

4. The drug weighing device according to Claim 1, When receiving an interruption instruction for weighing of the dispensing data, the control unit performs a process of displaying information on drugs whose weighing has not been completed on a display medium. A drug weighing device characterized by this.

5. The drug weighing device according to Claim 3 or 4, When receiving an interruption instruction for weighing of the dispensing data, the control unit further performs a process of displaying information indicating that the dispensing data has been interrupted on the display medium. A drug weighing device characterized by this.

6. The drug weighing device according to Claim 1, When receiving an interruption instruction for weighing of the dispensing data, the control unit performs a process of displaying the identification information of the dispensing data whose weighing has been interrupted on a display medium, The process of displaying on the display medium is a process of printing a form. When the control unit acquires the identification information of the dispensing data from the printed form via a reading device, it reads out the progress information stored in association with the dispensing data indicated by the identification information, and resumes the weighing of the dispensing data for which the weighing has been interrupted. A pharmaceutical weighing device characterized by this.

7. The pharmaceutical weighing device according to claim 1, When starting the weighing of the interrupted dispensing data, the control unit accepts a selection of whether to resume the weighing using the progress information or to start the weighing from the beginning without using the progress information. A pharmaceutical weighing device characterized by this.

8. The pharmaceutical weighing device according to claim 1, and A packing machine that packs the medicine weighed by the pharmaceutical weighing device, In a dispensing system comprising: When the weighing of the dispensing data is completed or when an interruption instruction is received, the control unit performs a process of displaying the identification information of the dispensing data on a display medium. The process of displaying on the display medium is a process of printing a form. In the packing machine, when the identification information of the dispensing data is acquired from the form via a reading device, based on the progress information associated with the dispensing data indicated by the identification information, if it is determined that the weighing of the dispensing data is completed, packing is accepted, and if the weighing of the dispensing data is not completed, packing is not accepted. A dispensing system characterized by this.

9. The pharmaceutical weighing device according to claim 1, The weighing unit weighs the medicine to be put into a weighing container provided with a display medium. The control unit performs a process of displaying information on the medicine put into the weighing container and completed weighing on the display medium. A pharmaceutical weighing device characterized by this.

10. The pharmaceutical weighing device according to claim 9, and A packing machine that packs the medicine weighed by the pharmaceutical weighing device, In a dispensing system comprising: The control unit performs a process of displaying the identification information of the dispensing data on the display medium. In the packing machine, when the identification information of the dispensing data is acquired from the display medium of the weighing container via a reading device, based on the progress information associated with the dispensing data indicated by the identification information, if it is determined that the weighing of the dispensing data is completed, packing is accepted, and if the weighing of the dispensing data is not completed, packing is not accepted. A dispensing system characterized by this.

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