Drug weighing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a drug weighing apparatus capable of performing detection of reading, even when the reading of identification information on a drug container is performed for the purpose of changing the drug to be weighed during the weighing of the target drug.SOLUTION: A drug weighing apparatus includes a weighing unit and a control unit. The weighing unit weighs a drug. The control unit, after determining a drug to be weighed on the basis of acquired identification information on the drug and during a period until weighing of the drug to be weighed is completed, determines whether identification information on a drug container corresponding to a drug different from the drug to be weighed has been acquired.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention mainly relates to a medicine weighing device that weighs medicines to be weighed. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a drug weighing device. The drug weighing device is equipped with a barcode reader that reads the barcode on a drug bottle. The drug weighing device waits to read the barcode on the drug bottle while in standby mode before a prescription is selected and drug weighing begins, or while in standby mode after weighing one drug is completed. When the drug weighing device determines while in standby mode that the barcode on a drug bottle containing a drug in the prescription has been read, it selects that drug as the drug to be weighed and begins weighing that drug. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 154202 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 does not mention accepting reading of the barcode of a medicine bottle at any time other than during standby. Therefore, with the medicine weighing device of Patent Document 1, once a medicine has been selected as the one to be weighed, the medicine to be weighed cannot be changed, and even if the identification information of the medicine container is read with the aim of changing the medicine to be weighed, this cannot be detected.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its main object is to provide a medicine weighing device that can detect when the identification information of a medicine container is read in order to change the medicine being weighed while the medicine is being weighed.

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

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medicine weighing device having the following configuration. That is, the medicine weighing device includes a weighing unit and a control unit. The weighing unit weighs a medicine. After determining the medicine to be weighed and before weighing of the medicine to be weighed is completed, the control unit determines whether or not identification information of a medicine container corresponding to a medicine different from the medicine to be weighed has been acquired.

[0008] This makes it possible to detect that the identification information of another medicine container is read in order to change the medicine to be weighed while the medicine is being weighed.

[0009] In the above-mentioned drug weighing device, it is preferable that the control unit changes the drug to be weighed if, after determining the drug to be weighed and before the weighing of the drug to be weighed is completed, the control unit acquires identification information of a drug container corresponding to a drug different from the drug to be weighed.

[0010] This allows the drug to be changed while the drug is being weighed, simply by obtaining the identification information of another drug container.

[0011] In the above-mentioned drug weighing device, it is preferable that the control unit accepts the option of whether to change the drug to be weighed if, after determining the drug to be weighed and before the weighing of the drug to be weighed is completed, the control unit acquires identification information of a drug container corresponding to a drug different from the drug to be weighed.

[0012] This allows the change of the medicine to be weighed to be canceled if identification information of a different medicine container is acquired by mistake while the medicine to be weighed is being weighed.

[0013] In the medicine weighing device, when the control unit changes the medicine to be weighed, it is preferable that the control unit deletes the weighed value of the medicine to be weighed before the change.

[0014] This reduces the workload of the dispenser.

[0015] In the medicine weighing device, it is preferable that the control unit reads the identification information of the medicine container using a reading device, and specifies the identification information of the medicine based on the identification information of the medicine container and a medicine database.

[0016] This allows identification information of the medicine to be identified simply by reading the medicine container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] Block diagram of a dispensing system. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a first flowchart showing the flow of weighing a medicine. [Figure 4] 10 is a second flowchart showing the flow of weighing a medicine. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an audit list screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a prescription content screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a weighing preparation screen. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a weighing object change confirmation window displayed superimposed on the weighing screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] First, the terms used in this specification will be explained.

[0020] A "drug" is a medicine used to treat or prevent a patient's illness, and is a prescription drug that is prescribed based on a prescription. The concept of a drug encompasses various dosage forms, such as powders, tablets, capsules, liquids, and ointments.

[0021] A "medicine container" is a container for storing medicine, and a medicine bottle is one example of a medicine container. Note that the medicine container is not limited to a medicine bottle, and also includes, for example, a medicine bag.

[0022] "Preparation" refers to the work of a pharmacist preparing medicine by weighing the medicine based on a prescription.

[0023] "Prescription data" refers to the information written on a prescription (prescription information) converted into digital form, and includes, for example, the doctor who issued the prescription, the hospital where the patient was examined, the prescribed medication, patient information, prescription identification information, etc. Prescription data is input into various dispensing devices and used to operate the various dispensing devices. Furthermore, prescription data that is used for dispensing is called dispensing data. Dispensing data is a type of prescription data.

[0024] A prescription may list drugs in separate Rp. "Rp" refers to the prescription recipe, and the same Rp may list drugs with the same usage, for example. Furthermore, Rp data is the data version of Rp. In other words, one prescription data may contain one or more Rp data.

[0025] Next, an overview of the dispensing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0026] The dispensing system 1 is installed in, for example, a dispensing pharmacy. The dispensing system 1 is a system that assists or manages dispensing. The dispensing system 1 includes a drug weighing device 10, a management device 5, and a packaging machine 20. The drug weighing device 10, the management device 5, and the packaging machine 20 are connected to a network such as a wired LAN or wireless LAN, and are capable of communicating with each other.

[0027] The management device 5 is a computer equipped with a CPU, RAM, storage, a communication module, etc. The management device 5 performs various processes by the CPU executing programs stored in the storage. The management device 5 manages various information related to prescriptions, drugs, patients, dispensing, etc. For example, a dispensing clerk inputs prescription information received from a patient and registers it in the management device 5. Note that instead of the dispensing clerk inputting the information, the management device 5 may receive and register the prescription information in digital form. The management device 5 creates prescription data based on the prescription information and transmits it to dispensing equipment such as the drug weighing device 10 and the packaging machine 20. Note that the management device 5 may be configured as a part of the drug weighing device 10 or the packaging machine 20 within the housing of the drug weighing device 10 or the packaging machine 20.

[0028] The drug weighing device 10 has a weighing function and an auditing function. The weighing function is a function of weighing the drugs included in the prescription data. The auditing function is a function of verifying (or having the dispensing person verify) whether the drugs included in the prescription data have been weighed according to the prescription data. Note that the auditing function is not essential and can be omitted. Details of the drug weighing device 10 will be described later.

[0029] The packaging machine 20 divides the medicine weighed by the medicine weighing device 10 and packages the medicine individually in packaging paper.

[0030] Next, the configuration of the medicine weighing device 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0031] The drug weighing device 10 includes a weighing unit 11 for weighing. The weighing unit 11 weighs an object (drug) placed on a weighing platform 11a. "Weighing" means measuring the mass value of the object (drug), and the mass value obtained by weighing is the "weighed value." The weighing unit 11 is an electronic balance, and converts the weighed value of the object into a digital signal and outputs it. The weighing unit 11 is, for example, a tuning fork vibrator type, but may be of another type. The control unit 13 acquires the weighed value from the weighing unit 11 and stores it in the memory unit 14.

[0032] A weighing container 19 is placed on the weighing platform 11a. The medicine to be weighed is poured from the medicine container into the weighing container 19 and weighed. A container barcode 19a bearing identification information of the weighing container is attached to the weighing container 19. The container barcode 19a is not an essential component and can be omitted. Although the weighing container 19 is used together with the medicine weighing device 10, the weighing container 19 is not a component of the medicine weighing device 10.

[0033] Drug weighing device 10 includes, as information processing parts, a communication unit 12, a control unit 13, a memory unit 14, and a display unit 15. These are provided in housing 10a shown in FIG. 2. Communication unit 12 is a communication module that communicates with management device 5 or packaging machine 20. Control unit 13 is a CPU that performs processing to execute programs. Memory unit 14 is a storage such as a flash memory or SSD, and stores programs and data necessary for control. Display unit 15 is a display device such as an LCD or organic EL. A screen generated by control unit 13 executing a program is displayed on display unit 15.

[0034] Drug weighing device 10 includes input / output devices, such as a touch panel 16, a reading device 17, and a report printer 18. Touch panel 16 is disposed on display unit 15 and can detect touch operations using a dispensing doctor's finger or a touch pen. Touch panel 16 is a capacitance type, but may be a pressure-sensitive type or other type. Alternatively, or in addition to touch panel 16, other input devices (e.g., hardware keys, a mouse, a trackball, etc.) may be provided. Reading device 17 is, for example, a barcode reader, and reads container barcode 19a of weighing container 19, barcodes on drug containers containing drugs stored on a dispensing shelf, etc., and barcodes printed by report printer 18. If a two-dimensional code or RFID tag is used instead of a barcode, a reader appropriate for the code or RFID tag is used as reading device 17. Report printer 18 prints a report indicating weighing information when weighing is interrupted or completed. Form printer 18 is not an essential component and can be omitted. Furthermore, reading device 17 may be provided by a dispensing system manufacturer, or a commercially available product prepared by a dispensing pharmacy may be connected to drug weighing device 10.

[0035] In this embodiment, the weighing unit 11, display unit 15, reading device 17, and form printer 18 are separate devices and are connected wirelessly or by wire. This configuration is one example, and for example, the weighing unit 11 and display unit 15 may be integrated. Alternatively, the reading device 17 and form printer 18 may be integrated. "Integration" means, for example, arranging them in a single housing.

[0036] Next, the weighing function will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 9. The audit function will also be briefly described.

[0037] The flowcharts shown in Figures 3 and 4 are executed by the control unit 13 of the drug weighing device 10. Specifically, the control unit 13 executes a program to execute the processing of each flow in the flowchart of Figure 3. Furthermore, the control unit 13 detects touch operations performed by the dispensing staff using the touch panel 16, and performs processing according to the instructions of the dispensing staff. In the following, explanations of the control unit 13 executing a program and the control unit 13 detecting the dispensing staff's touch operations may be omitted.

[0038] First, control unit 13 creates an audit list screen and outputs it to display unit 15, thereby causing display unit 15 to display the audit list screen (weighing list screen) (S101), and waits for the dispensing staff to select prescription data. There are various conditions for displaying the audit list screen, and for example, the audit list screen may be automatically displayed when drug weighing device 10 is started up. Alternatively, the audit list screen may be displayed when the dispensing staff issues an instruction to display the audit list screen.

[0039] The audit list screen will be described below with reference to FIG. 5. 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 prescription data that is a candidate for weighing, the audit list screen may be rephrased as a weighing list screen. The audit list screen 30 displays an Unaudited tab 31, a Suspended tab 32, an Audited tab 33, a Deleted tab 34, and a list display area 30a. Furthermore, when the conditions described below are met and the user returns to the audit list screen 30, a prescription data weighing completion notification bar 36 is temporarily displayed.

[0040] When the pharmacist selects the Unaudited tab 31, a list of prescription data in an incomplete state is displayed in the list display area 30a. An "uncompleted state" means that weighing of all drugs included in the prescription data has not yet begun. Therefore, prescription data immediately after being received from the management device 5 is in an incomplete state. Furthermore, because auditing is performed in conjunction with weighing, the uncompleted state can also be rephrased as an "unaudited state" in which auditing of all drugs has not yet begun. The control unit 13 displays a number in parentheses next to "Unaudited" on the Unaudited tab 31. This number indicates the number of prescription data items in an incomplete state. By looking at the number of uncompleted items, the pharmacist can easily understand the remaining status of dispensing.

[0041] In the list display area 30a, various pieces of information included in the prescription data are displayed by item using icons or text, etc. Specifically, for the incomplete prescription data in FIG. 5, the following items are displayed from left to right: dosage form icon, priority, reception date and time, reception number, patient ID, and prescription category. Although not shown, the following items are further displayed: medical institution (or ward), medical department, start date of use, total number of dispensed medications, and total number of medications. The dosage form icon indicates the dosage form of the medication included in the prescription data. The dosage form icon corresponds to "type information" indicating the type of medication. Note that the type of medication may be indicated by text instead of the dosage form icon. The priority is information that classifies the priority of medication into multiple categories. For example, the priority may be increased depending on the amount of time elapsed since the prescription was received. Furthermore, the priority may be manually set by a dispensing clerk or dispenser. The reception date and time is the date and time when the medication weighing device 10 received the prescription data from the management device 5. Note that the reception date and time may also be the date and time when the management device 5 received the prescription information. The patient ID is patient identification information for identifying the patient. The prescription classification is information indicating classification such as regular prescription, special prescription, etc. Furthermore, when the pharmacist slides the slide bar left or right, the control unit 13 displays other items in the list display area 30a. The above-mentioned items are only examples, and other items may be displayed. Furthermore, for prescription data in an incomplete state, the items to be displayed in the list display area 30a can be set in advance.

[0042] The prescription data displayed by the control unit 13 in the list display area 30a is sorted by a predetermined item. In this embodiment, priority is set as the default (initial state) item used for sorting incomplete prescription data. Therefore, as shown in the list display area 30a displaying incomplete prescription data in 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 in 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 in the list display area 30a.

[0043] When the pharmacist selects the interrupted tab 32, a list of prescription data in an interrupted state is displayed in the list display area 30a. The "interrupted state" refers to a state in which weighing of only some of the drugs included in the prescription data has been completed, and weighing of the other drugs has been interrupted. Even when a list of prescription data in an interrupted state is displayed in the list display area 30a, multiple items are displayed, just as when a list of prescription data in an unaudited state is displayed. In addition, the control unit 13 displays a number in parentheses next to "interrupted" in the interrupted tab 32. This number indicates the number of prescription data in an interrupted state.

[0044] When the dispensing professional selects the audited tab 33, a list of prescription data in a completed state is displayed in the list display area 30a. "Completed state" means that all drugs included in the prescription data have been weighed. When the dispensing professional selects the deleted tab 34, a list of prescription data in a deleted state is displayed in the list display area 30a. Prescription data in a completed state and a deleted state are less important, so the number of each is not displayed. However, the number of each may be displayed. Also, the audited tab 33 or the deleted tab 34 may be omitted.

[0045] Next, the control unit 13 performs processing related to the selection of prescription data to be weighed. After displaying the audit list screen 30 on the display unit 15, the control unit 13 determines whether or not prescription data has been selected (S102). Specifically, when the dispensing practitioner performs an operation on the audit list screen 30 to select prescription data in an incomplete or suspended state as the prescription data to be weighed, the control unit 13 determines that the prescription data has been selected. Then, the control unit 13 displays a prescription content screen of the selected prescription data to be weighed on the display unit 15 (S103), and waits for an instruction from the dispensing practitioner to prepare for weighing.

[0046] The prescription content screen will be described below with reference to FIG. 6. The "prescription content screen" is a screen for displaying prescription data contents all together on one screen. The audit list screen described above displays an overview of each prescription data, but does not display detailed prescription data such as RP data information and drug information included in the prescription data. The weighing preparation screen described below displays only information for one RP data, and the displayed RP data can be switched. In contrast, the prescription content screen simultaneously displays information for all RP data (especially the drug name, dosage, and total amount included in the RP data). The dispenser determines whether to weigh the prescription data by looking at the prescription content screen. As shown in FIG. 6, the prescription content screen 40 displays a prescription information area 41, an RP list information area 42, a confirmation item area 43, and a weighing preparation button 44.

[0047] The prescription information area 41 displays basic information about the prescription data, in other words, information other than the drug. For example, the prescription information area 41 displays the reception number, hospital name, pharmacist, patient name, information about the patient, etc. If the patient is a pediatric or elderly patient, an icon indicating that the patient is a pediatric or elderly patient is displayed next to the patient's name. The color of this icon may also be different depending on the patient's gender.

[0048] The RP list information area 42 displays information on all RP data for the selected prescription data. Note that if there is a large number of RP data and they do not fit in the RP list information area 42, information on all RP data can be displayed by scrolling. The RP list information area 42 displays an audit status column, a drug name / usage column, and a total amount column for each RP data. The audit status column displays whether weighing and auditing have been completed. If weighing and auditing of RP data has not been completed, an icon indicating this (more specifically, a circle without a check mark) and the words "unaudited" are displayed. Furthermore, prescription data in a suspended state may include RP data for which weighing and auditing have been completed. If weighing and auditing of RP data has been completed, an icon indicating this (more specifically, a circle with a check mark) and the words "audited" are displayed.

[0049] A list of the check results of the dispensing contents of the prescription data is displayed in the confirmation item area 43. By looking at the confirmation item area 43, the dispensing person can see at a glance that there are no items that have not been checked. When the dispensing person wants to weigh the prescription data displayed on the prescription content screen 40, he or she operates the weighing preparation button 44.

[0050] Note that displaying the prescription content screen 40 is not essential, and the control unit 13 may omit displaying the prescription content screen 40 and instead display a weighing preparation screen 50 (described later) on the display unit 15. Also, the confirmation item area 43 may be omitted from the prescription content screen 40.

[0051] After displaying the prescription content screen 40 on the display unit 15, the control unit 13 determines whether or not there is an instruction to prepare for weighing (S104). When the control unit 13 detects that the dispensing person has operated the weighing preparation button 44, it determines that there is an instruction to prepare for weighing. Then, the control unit 13 displays the weighing preparation screen on the display unit 15 (S105). When the control unit 13 displays the prescription data to be weighed on the weighing preparation screen, it ends the process related to the selection of the prescription data to be weighed.

[0052] The weighing preparation screen will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. The weighing preparation screen is a screen for displaying prescription data and information related to weighing. As shown in Fig. 7, the weighing preparation screen 50 displays a prescription information area 51, a weighing mode display area 52, an Rp tab 53, an Rp information area 54, a drug information area 55, a confirmation item button 56, and a menu button 57. In addition, when the Rp data is switched because a condition described below is satisfied, an Rp switch notification bar 58 is temporarily displayed.

[0053] The prescription information area 51 displays the same information as the prescription information area 41 on the prescription content screen 40 described above. Furthermore, the drug weighing device 10 can set a weighing mode according to the type of drug (dosage form). The drug weighing device 10 can set a weighing mode according to, for example, powder, liquid, or topical preparation (ointment). The weighing mode display area 52 displays the currently set weighing mode.

[0054] The Rp tab 53 is displayed for each Rp data included in the prescription data. The Rp tab 53 is a selection button for selecting the Rp data to be weighed. Each time the Rp tab 53 is operated, the Rp data to be weighed is switched, and the Rp data to be weighed is displayed in the Rp information area 54 and the drug information area 55 described below. The Rp tab 53 displays an indicator (the characters "Not yet" or "Completed") indicating whether or not the dispensing of the corresponding Rp data has been completed. This makes it easy to know whether or not the weighing of another Rp data has been completed while one Rp data is being displayed.

[0055] The RP information area 54 and the drug information area 55 display information related to weighing according to the RP data. The RP information area 54 displays information related to the RP data in general, such as dosage, the ID of the weighing container 19 used for weighing, and the start date of use. The drug information area 55 displays information about each drug included in the RP data, such as the drug category, drug name, daily amount (dose per day), total amount (total dose in the RP data), weighed value, and authentication skip icon for each drug. The drug category displays an icon indicating whether the drug is a specific type (e.g., a powerful drug or a narcotic). The authentication skip icon is an icon for skipping authentication to determine whether the drug in the RP data matches the drug picked up by the pharmacist from a dispensing shelf, etc. The information in the RP information area 54 and the drug information area 55 is an example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0056] Furthermore, by selecting Rp data and having the pharmacist read the container barcode 19a of the weighing container 19 using the reader 17, the identification information (container ID) of the weighing container 19 used to weigh the medicine included in the selected Rp data can be associated with the Rp data and registered (stored). Note that this process is not necessarily required, and can be omitted by operating "skip" shown in Figure 7.

[0057] The confirmation item button 56 is a button for displaying the check results of the prescription data (the contents displayed in the confirmation item area 43). The menu button 57 is a button for displaying setting items related to weighing.

[0058] The control unit 13 performs processing related to the selection of the drug to be weighed while the weighing preparation screen 50 is displayed. After the control unit 13 displays the weighing preparation screen 50 on the display unit 15, the control unit 13 accepts a change to the Rp data (S106). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, Rp1-2 is active, and therefore Rp1-2 is in the selected state. In this state, if Rp1-3 is selected, Rp1-3 becomes active, and the state is changed to Rp1-3 being selected.

[0059] The control unit 13 also determines whether the reading device 17 has acquired the identification information of the medicine container (S107). As described above, the reading device 17 reads the barcode of the medicine container, and the control unit 13 acquires (receives) the read result. The read result of the barcode of the medicine container includes the identification information of the medicine container. Here, the identification information of the medicine container corresponds to the identification information of the medicine. More specifically, the dispensing system 1 utilizes a medicine database. The medicine database is a database of information related to medicines. The medicine database stores the corresponding information such as the medicine identification number, the identification information of the medicine container, the name of the medicine, and other information related to the medicine. Therefore, by acquiring the identification information of the medicine container and referring to the medicine database, the control unit 13 can identify the identification information of the medicine. Hereinafter, identifying the identification information of the medicine in the above-described manner will be simply referred to as "identifying the identification information of the medicine." Note that the process of identifying the identification information of the medicine in this embodiment is an example and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the control unit 13 may identify the drug identification information by having the pharmacist input information registered in association with the drug identification information in the drug database, or by having an external device transmit the information.

[0060] When the control unit 13 acquires the identification information of the medicine container, it determines whether the identification information of the medicine container has been registered in the medicine database (S108). If the identification information of the medicine has been registered, the control unit 13 uses the medicine database to identify the identification information of the medicine associated with the acquired identification information of the medicine container. Next, the control unit 13 determines whether the identified identification information of the medicine is included in the identification information of the medicine in the Rp data (S110).

[0061] If the dispensing staff has prepared the correct drug container, the identification information of the identified drug is included in the drug identification information of the Rp data. Therefore, if the determination in step S110 is Yes, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 15 to display a weighing screen for weighing this drug (S111). In addition, the control unit 13 determines the drug whose identification information has been identified as the drug to be weighed.

[0062] On the other hand, if the dispensing staff prepares an incorrect medicine container, the identification information of the identified medicine is not included in the medicine identification information of the Rp data. Therefore, if the determination in step S110 is No, the control unit 13 displays an error screen on the display unit 15 (S112) and returns to the processing of step S109.

[0063] If the identification information of the medicine container is not registered in the medicine database in step S108, the control unit 13 registers the acquired identification information of the medicine container in the medicine database (S113). Specifically, the control unit 13 displays a list of medicines included in the Rp data on the display unit 15, and prompts the dispensing person to select a medicine contained in the medicine container read this time. The control unit 13 associates the identification information of the medicine selected by the dispensing person with the identification information of the medicine container read this time, and registers them in the medicine database. Thereafter, the control unit 13 displays the above-mentioned weighing screen on the display unit 15 (S111). The control unit 13 also determines the medicine whose identification information has been registered as the medicine to be weighed.

[0064] The weighing screen will be described below with reference to Fig. 8. The weighing screen is a screen that is displayed while a medicine is being weighed. As shown in Fig. 8, a weighing screen 60 displays a medicine information area 61, a weighing bar area 62, a weighed value area 63, a judgment area 64, and a confirm button 65.

[0065] The drug information area 61 displays prescription data, Rp data, or basic information about the drug to be weighed. The weighing bar area 62 graphically displays the weighing value. The weighing bar area 62 displays the target lower limit, target weighing value, and target upper limit as a percentage (%) and a numerical value (g). The bar lengthens as the weighing value increases. The dispenser simply weighs the drug so that the bar exceeds the target lower limit but does not exceed the target upper limit. This allows the dispenser to intuitively understand the relationship between the current weighing value and the target value. The weighing value area 63 displays the current weighing value numerically. The judgment area 64 shows the judgment result of the weighing value. If the weighing value exceeds the target lower limit but does not exceed the target upper limit, "OK" is displayed in the judgment area 64; otherwise, "NG" is displayed in the judgment area 64. This makes it possible to verify (or have the dispenser verify) whether the drug included in the prescription data has been weighed according to the prescription data. The display manner of the current weighed value and the target value is an example, and any of the above-mentioned display elements may be omitted or displayed in a different manner.

[0066] The Confirm button 65 is a button that the dispenser operates when completing the weighing of the medicine. Note that by operating a button displayed on the weighing screen 60, the current weighing of the medicine can also be canceled or skipped.

[0067] Here, in conventional drug weighing devices, after weighing has started, identification information of other drug containers is not acquired until weighing of the drug to be weighed is completed. In contrast, in the present embodiment, control unit 13 determines whether or not identification information of other drug containers has been acquired after determining the drug to be weighed and until weighing of the drug to be weighed is completed (S114). Note that the determination in step S114 is not limited to directly determining whether or not identification information of other drug containers has been acquired, but may also be based on whether or not identification information of the drug associated with the identification information of the other drug container has been identified.

[0068] Generally, when weighing the drugs included in the Rp data, they are weighed in the order listed on the prescription. However, for example, after the dispensing staff has the reader 17 read the barcode on the drug container for drug B in Rp1-2, the dispensing staff may realize that it would have been better to weigh drug C first. For example, when weighing two drugs of different colors, the dispensing staff may weigh them in an order that makes it less noticeable if a small amount of contamination occurs within the acceptable range. Also, after having the reader 17 read the barcode on the drug container for drug B, the dispensing staff may realize that drug B needs to be refilled and may wish to weigh drug C while asking someone else to refill drug B. It is also possible that the dispensing staff may mistakenly have the reader 17 read the barcode on the drug container for a drug that is not to be weighed.

[0069] When the control unit 13 determines that it has acquired the identification information of another medicine container, it determines whether or not there is an instruction to change the medicine to be weighed (S115). Note that when the control unit 13 acquires the identification information of the medicine container containing the medicine to be weighed, it does not determine whether or not there is an instruction to change the medicine to be weighed. In other words, even if the control unit 13 acquires the identification information of the medicine container containing the medicine to be weighed again, it does not proceed to the YES process in step S114. This is because when such identification information is acquired, it is highly likely that the identification information has simply been erroneously read twice.

[0070] The specific determination method is as follows. That is, the control unit 13 displays a weighing target change confirmation window 70 shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit 15, superimposed on the weighing screen 60. The weighing target change confirmation window 70 displays (1) that the identification information of another drug container has been read (that the identification information of another drug container has been acquired), and (2) a question as to whether or not to change the drug to be weighed. Furthermore, a change button 71 and a cancel button 72 are displayed in the weighing target change confirmation window 70. When the dispensing person operates the change button 71, the control unit 13 determines that an instruction to change the drug to be weighed has been given. When the dispensing person operates the cancel button 72, the control unit 13 determines that an instruction to change the drug to be weighed has not been given. Note that the name of the drug may be identified based on the identification information of the drug container and the drug database, and the name of the drug may be displayed in the weighing target change confirmation window 70.

[0071] If it is determined that an instruction to change the drug to be weighed has been given, the control unit 13 deletes the weighed value of the drug to be weighed before the change from the storage unit 14 (S116). Next, the control unit 13 performs the process of step S108, in other words, the process after acquiring the identification information of the drug container to select the drug to be weighed. In this way, when changing the drug to be weighed, by avoiding special processing for the change as much as possible and using normal processing, the number of flows executed by the control unit 13 can be reduced.

[0072] In this way, in this embodiment, even after the drug to be weighed has been determined and before the weighing of this drug is completed, the drug to be weighed can be changed simply by having the reading device 17 read the barcode of another drug container.

[0073] When the control unit 13 acquires the identification information of another medicine container, it may perform processing equivalent to steps S108 to S110, and after confirming that the medicine contained in the medicine container whose identification information has been acquired is included in the Rp data, it may perform the processing of step S115 (display processing of weighing target change confirmation window 70). Furthermore, when the medicine contained in the medicine container whose identification information has been acquired is not included in the Rp data, there is no need to change the medicine to be weighed, so the process returns to the processing of step S114 without proceeding to the processing of step S115.

[0074] If it is determined in step S116 that there is no instruction to change the drug to be weighed, the control unit 13 hides the weighing target change confirmation window 70 and continues weighing while displaying the weighing screen 60 for the drug to be weighed again. The control unit 13 determines whether or not weighing of the drug to be weighed has been completed (S117). Specifically, the control unit 13 determines that weighing has been completed when the Confirm button 65 is operated. Alternatively, the control unit 13 may determine that weighing has been confirmed when "OK" is displayed in the determination area 64 and the weighed value has stabilized (i.e., when the amount of change per predetermined time has become approximately zero) or when the weighing container 19 is lifted after the weighed value has stabilized.

[0075] When the control unit 13 determines that weighing of the medicine to be weighed has been completed, it stores the weighed value at the time of completion in the storage unit 14 in association with the prescription data, Rp data, and medicine identification information (S118).

[0076] Next, the control unit 13 determines whether or not weighing of all medicines in the Rp data has been completed (S119). If weighing of all medicines in the Rp data has not been completed, the control unit 13 returns to the process of step S107 and waits for reading of identification information of unweighed medicine containers in the same Rp data.

[0077] When weighing of all drugs in the Rp data is completed, the control unit 13 determines whether weighing of all Rp data (in other words, weighing of all drugs belonging to the prescription data to be weighed) is completed (S120). When weighing of all Rp data is not completed (i.e., when unweighed Rp data remains), the control unit 13 selects the next Rp data and returns to the processing of step S105. When weighing of all Rp data is completed, the control unit 13 returns to the processing of step S101 and waits for the selection of the next prescription data to be weighed.

[0078] Next, the user interface when switching between Rp data or prescription data will be described.

[0079] Drug weighing device 10 can execute a completion confirmation mode and a confirmation skip mode for Rp data, and can switch between modes according to the settings of the dispensing person. Similarly, drug weighing device 10 can execute a completion confirmation mode and a confirmation skip mode for prescription data, and can switch between modes according to the settings of the dispensing person.

[0080] First, the Rp data completion confirmation mode will be described. When weighing of all drugs in the Rp data has been completed and unweighed Rp data remains, the drugs in the unweighed Rp data must be weighed next. In the completion confirmation mode, when weighing of all drugs in the Rp data has been completed, a selection window for selecting whether to complete weighing of the Rp data or not is displayed on the display unit 15. In detail, if the control unit 13 determines Yes in step S119 and No in step S120, it displays the selection window, and after receiving an instruction to complete, causes the display unit 15 to display the weighing preparation screen 50.

[0081] On the other hand, in the Rp data confirmation skip mode, the selection window is not displayed, the weighing of the current Rp data is considered to be complete, and the system automatically switches to the next Rp data. In detail, when the control unit 13 determines Yes in step S119 and No in step S120, it sets the current Rp data as weighing complete, switches to the next Rp data, and displays the weighing preparation screen 50 on the display unit 15. At this time, the control unit 13 displays an Rp switching notification bar 58 on the weighing preparation screen 50. The Rp switching notification bar 58 states that the Rp data has been switched. The Rp switching notification bar 58 automatically disappears over time, so no operation by the dispensing technician is required.

[0082] Next, the prescription data completion confirmation mode will be described. When weighing of all Rp data of the prescription data is completed, in the completion confirmation mode, a selection window for selecting whether to complete weighing of the prescription data or not is displayed on the display unit 15. In detail, when the control unit 13 determines Yes in step S120, it displays the selection window, and after receiving an instruction to complete, it causes the display unit 15 to display the audit list screen 30.

[0083] On the other hand, in the prescription data confirmation skip mode, the selection window is not displayed. In other words, when weighing of all Rp data of the prescription data is completed, the weighing of the prescription data is automatically completed without displaying the selection window. In detail, when the control unit 13 determines Yes in step S120, the control unit 13 displays the audit list screen 30 on the display unit 15 without displaying the selection window. At this time, the control unit 13 displays a prescription data weighing completion notification bar 36 on the audit list screen 30. The prescription data weighing completion notification bar 36 states that weighing of the prescription data has been completed and the audit list screen 30 has been displayed. The prescription data weighing completion notification bar 36 is automatically hidden over time, so no operation by the dispensing technician is required.

[0084] Here, excipients may be weighed after all drugs in the Rp data have been weighed. Therefore, in confirmation skip mode, the following process is preferably performed to ensure an opportunity to weigh excipients. That is, conditions for adding excipients can be set in advance in the drug weighing device 10. In confirmation skip mode, if these conditions are met, the control unit 13 displays a weighing screen for weighing excipients without automatically switching to the next Rp data. Examples of these conditions include the weight of a single dose being less than a threshold, the patient's age (child or adult), or a predetermined drug. This allows the device to automatically transition to excipient weighing mode when an excipient is needed, and automatically proceed to the next process when an excipient is not needed.

[0085] Here, if confirmation skip mode is set for both the Rp data and the prescription data, the number of confirmation operations required by the pharmacist is reduced, thereby reducing the burden on the pharmacist.

[0086] As described above, drug weighing device 10 of this embodiment includes weighing unit 11 and control unit 13. Weighing unit 11 weighs drugs. After determining the drugs to be weighed and before weighing of the drugs to be weighed is completed, control unit 13 determines whether or not it has acquired identification information of a drug container corresponding to a drug different from the drug to be weighed.

[0087] This makes it possible to detect that the identification information of another medicine container is read in order to change the medicine to be weighed while the medicine is being weighed.

[0088] In the drug weighing device 10 of this embodiment, after determining the drug to be weighed and before the weighing of the drug to be weighed is completed, if the control unit 13 acquires identification information of a drug container corresponding to a drug different from the drug to be weighed, the control unit 13 changes the drug to be weighed.

[0089] This allows the drug to be changed while the drug is being weighed, simply by obtaining the identification information of another drug container.

[0090] In the drug weighing device 10 of this embodiment, after the control unit 13 has determined the drug to be weighed and before the weighing of the drug to be weighed is completed, if the control unit 13 acquires identification information of a drug container corresponding to a drug different from the drug to be weighed, the control unit 13 accepts the option of whether to change the drug to be weighed.

[0091] This allows the change of the medicine to be weighed to be canceled if identification information of a different medicine container is acquired by mistake while the medicine to be weighed is being weighed.

[0092] In the drug weighing device 10 of this embodiment, when the control unit 13 changes the drug to be weighed, it deletes the weighed value of the drug to be weighed before the change.

[0093] This reduces the workload of the dispenser.

[0094] In medicine weighing device 10 of this embodiment, control unit 13 reads the identification information of the medicine container using reading device 17, and specifies the identification information of the medicine based on the identification information of the medicine container and the medicine database.

[0095] This allows identification information of the medicine to be identified simply by reading the medicine container. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1. Dispensing System 10. Drug weighing device 11 Weighing section 13 Control Unit 20 portion packaging machine

Claims

1. a weighing unit that weighs the drug; a control unit that determines whether or not identification information of a medicine container corresponding to a medicine other than the medicine to be weighed has been acquired after determining the medicine to be weighed and before weighing of the medicine to be weighed is completed; A drug weighing device comprising:

2. The drug weighing device according to claim 1, A drug weighing device characterized in that the control unit changes the drug to be weighed if, after determining the drug to be weighed and before the weighing of the drug to be weighed is completed, identification information of a drug container corresponding to a drug different from the drug to be weighed is acquired.

3. The drug weighing device according to claim 1, The control unit of this drug weighing device is characterized in that after determining the drug to be weighed and before the weighing of the drug to be weighed is completed, if it acquires identification information of a drug container corresponding to a drug different from the drug to be weighed, it accepts the option of whether to change the drug to be weighed.

4. The drug weighing device according to claim 2 or 3, The drug weighing device, wherein, when a drug to be weighed is changed, the control unit deletes the weighed value of the drug to be weighed before the change.

5. The drug weighing device according to claim 1, The control unit of the medicine weighing device is characterized in that a reading device reads identification information of a medicine container, and specifies identification information of the medicine based on the identification information of the medicine container and a medicine database.

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