Information processing system, information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To select a dispensing pharmacy suitable for a patient according to the stock state of medicines and the congestion state of dispensing pharmacies.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes a prescription acquisition unit that acquires a prescription of a patient, a prescription analysis unit that analyzes the prescription, a pharmacy extraction unit that extracts a plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to an analysis result of the prescription, a congestion situation confirmation unit that confirms a congestion situation of each of the plurality of dispensing pharmacies, a candidate pharmacy extraction unit that extracts a predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies from the plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to the congestion situation, a selection information acquisition unit that receives selection of one dispensing pharmacy by the patient from the predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies, and a stock situation confirmation unit that confirms a stock situation of the one dispensing pharmacy.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Prescriptions can generally be filled at any dispensing pharmacy. As of the end of fiscal year 2022, there were more than 62,000 dispensing pharmacies. This makes it difficult for patients to choose which dispensing pharmacy to fill their prescriptions at.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that is used by a patient who receives a prescription with a two-dimensional code that encodes the prescription information, and that is configured to be able to communicate via a network with a mobile terminal having a current location acquisition means and a two-dimensional code reading means, and that provides the patient with information related to dispensing pharmacies that have stock of the medicines prescribed by the prescription, and that includes a map information storage means that stores map information, a dispensing pharmacy information storage means that stores position information of the dispensing pharmacy for each dispensing pharmacy information and medicine stock information, a medicine information storage means that stores medicine information including medication instruction and commentary information for the prescribed medicine, a prescription information receiving means that receives from the mobile terminal the prescription information read from the two-dimensional code, the patient's current location information acquired by the current location acquisition means, and the patient's destination information, a route searching means that searches for a route between the patient's current location and the destination by referring to the map information storage means, and a device that searches for a route along the searched route by referring to the dispensing pharmacy information storage means. a drug information extraction means for extracting drug information relating to the prescribed drug by referring to the drug information storage means based on the prescription information; and a processing result transmission means for transmitting to the mobile terminal a processing result showing the extracted drug information and the dispensing pharmacies identified by the information processing means along with the route on a map, and on the other hand, for transmitting to the mobile terminal an error message prompting the patient to make another setting if the information processing means determines that there is no dispensing pharmacy on the route that has the drug related to the prescription information in stock.

[0004] Also, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a step in which a data transmission / reception unit of a service server receives pharmacy search request information transmitted from a user device, a step in which a pharmacy information management unit of the service server extracts at least one or more pieces of pharmacy information contained in the pharmacy search request information, a step in which a user management unit of the service server transmits at least one or more pieces of pharmacy information to the user device, a step in which the user management unit requests prescription information from the user device and receives it, a matching pharmacy management unit of the service server transmits prescription drug information contained in the prescription information to a pharmacy terminal included in at least one or more pieces of pharmacy information, sends confirmation request information to confirm whether or not the drug can be dispensed, and receives acceptance information regarding whether or not the drug can be dispensed, and a step in which the matching pharmacy management unit confirms the confirmation request information and sends confirmation to the pharmacy terminal that has accepted the dispensing. and transmitting at least one pharmacy information item to the user device, wherein the pharmacy search request information includes current location information, destination information, and transportation information transmitted from the user device. The step of extracting pharmacy information further includes extracting pharmacy information items within a predetermined radius of a travel route of the user device generated using the current location information and the destination information. The transportation information includes automobile, public transportation, bicycle, or walking. If the transportation route is public transportation, the pharmacy information is extracted using departure, destination, or transfer information of the user device. If the transportation route is an automobile, the pharmacy information is extracted using the automobile's travel route, and pharmacy information located on the right or left side of the travel route is selected and extracted.

[0005] Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 3 discloses a drug management device that cooperates with multiple pharmacies and manages information regarding drugs prescribed to patients at medical facilities, and includes an inventory storage means that updates the drugs in stock at each of the multiple pharmacies at predetermined intervals and stores the information as inventory information, a pharmacy selection means that receives medical record information that identifies the drugs prescribed to the patient and selects a pharmacy that corresponds to the medical record information based on the inventory information in the inventory storage means, and a pharmacy presentation means that presents the selected pharmacy as a candidate pharmacy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4934229 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7226860 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-211603 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Patent Documents 1 and 2 assume that the patient will pick up the medicine in person, and select a pharmacy based on the patient's location information, the route to the in-person pharmacy, and medicine inventory information. In recent years, legal changes have led to an increase in the number of online pharmacies in addition to face-to-face pharmacies. Online pharmacies eliminate the need for patients to travel to a pharmacy, and prescriptions can be filled even if the pharmacy is far from the patient's current location. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare ordinance stipulates a limit on the number of prescriptions that can be processed by each pharmacist at a dispensing pharmacy. Therefore, if prescriptions are received at a particular pharmacy, it takes time for the pharmacy to dispense the medicine, and patients have to wait longer to receive medication instructions and receive their prescriptions.

[0008] However, even if the technologies of Patent Documents 1 and 2 are used, the number of pharmacies that can accept prescriptions becomes too large based solely on stock information for prescription drugs, making it difficult to select an appropriate pharmacy.

[0009] Patent Document 3 discloses that stock information is constantly updated to prevent drugs from running out of stock at pharmacies visited by patients. However, since each dispensing pharmacy handles a large variety of drugs and the stock status of each drug is constantly changing, it is not realistic to use the technology of Patent Document 3 to constantly grasp the stock status of all drugs held by all dispensing pharmacies and share it in a system, as this would impose a heavy load on the system and on the dispensing pharmacies.

[0010] Thus, there was a problem in that a patient could not select a suitable pharmacy depending on the drug inventory status and the pharmacy's congestion status.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that enable a patient to select a pharmacy that is suitable for them based on the drug inventory status and the pharmacy's congestion status. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is an information processing system comprising: a prescription acquisition unit that acquires a patient's prescription; a prescription analysis unit that analyzes the prescription; a pharmacy extraction unit that extracts a plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to the analysis results of the prescription; a congestion status confirmation unit that checks the congestion status of each of the plurality of dispensing pharmacies; a candidate pharmacy extraction unit that extracts a predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies from among the plurality of dispensing pharmacies as candidate dispensing pharmacies according to the congestion status; a selection information acquisition unit that accepts the patient's selection of one dispensing pharmacy from among the predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies; and an inventory status confirmation unit that checks the inventory status of the one dispensing pharmacy.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that includes a prescription acquisition unit that acquires a patient's prescription, a prescription analysis unit that analyzes the prescription, a pharmacy extraction unit that extracts a plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to the analysis results of the prescription, a congestion status confirmation unit that checks the congestion status of each of the plurality of dispensing pharmacies, a candidate pharmacy extraction unit that extracts a predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies from among the plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to the congestion status, and a selection information acquisition unit that accepts the patient's selection of one dispensing pharmacy from among the predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention is an information processing method executed by a computer, comprising: a prescription acquisition step of acquiring a patient's prescription; a prescription analysis step of analyzing the prescription; a pharmacy extraction step of extracting a plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to the prescription analysis results; a congestion status confirmation step of checking the congestion status of each of the plurality of dispensing pharmacies; a candidate pharmacy extraction step of extracting a predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies from the plurality of dispensing pharmacies as candidate dispensing pharmacies according to the congestion status; and a selection information acquisition step of accepting selection of one dispensing pharmacy by the patient from the predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute a prescription acquisition step of acquiring a patient's prescription, a prescription analysis step of analyzing the prescription, a pharmacy extraction step of extracting a plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to the results of the prescription analysis, a congestion status confirmation step of checking the congestion status of each of the plurality of dispensing pharmacies, a candidate pharmacy extraction step of extracting a predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies from the plurality of dispensing pharmacies as candidate dispensing pharmacies according to the congestion status, and a selection information acquisition step of accepting the patient's selection of one dispensing pharmacy from the predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, a dispensing pharmacy suitable for a patient can be selected depending on the drug inventory status and the congestion status of the dispensing pharmacy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system SYS according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a patient terminal device 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device 2 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a pharmacy database 3 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a pharmacy terminal device 4 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of information processing in the information processing system SYS according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing in the information processing system SYS according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 2 according to the present embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0019] The information processing system SYS acquires a patient's prescription, analyzes the acquired prescription, and extracts multiple dispensing pharmacies based on the prescription analysis results.The information processing system SYS then checks the congestion status of each of the multiple dispensing pharmacies and extracts a predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies from the multiple dispensing pharmacies based on the congestion status.Furthermore, the information processing system SYS accepts the patient's selection of one dispensing pharmacy from the predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies and checks the inventory status of that pharmacy.The information processing system SYS will be described in more detail.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system SYS according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system SYS includes a patient terminal device 1, an information processing device 2, a pharmacy database 3, and a pharmacy terminal device 4. The patient terminal device 1, the information processing device 2, the pharmacy database 3, and the pharmacy terminal device 4 are connected to each other via a network NW so that they can communicate with each other.

[0021] The patient terminal device 1 is a terminal device used by a patient, such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or PC. The patient terminal device 1 acquires prescription information from a medical institution. The prescription information may be a paper prescription, an electronic prescription, or identification information such as a prescription ID for identifying the prescription. In this case, if the prescription is paper, the patient terminal device 1 acquires an image of the prescription photographed by a camera provided in the patient terminal device 1 as the prescription information.

[0022] The patient terminal device 1 also receives and acquires patient information input by the patient, such as the patient's name, place of residence, and date of birth.

[0023] The patient terminal device 1 also receives and acquires designation information input by the patient. The designation information is information that designates a dispensing pharmacy selected by the patient himself / herself.

[0024] Furthermore, the patient terminal device 1 presents to the patient a predetermined number of dispensing pharmacies, for example, five, selected by the information processing device 2. The patient selects one dispensing pharmacy from the presented predetermined number of dispensing pharmacies. When the patient terminal device 1 acquires a confirmation request including the inventory confirmation result from the information processing device 2 based on the patient's selection, it presents it to the patient, who then confirms the content.

[0025] The information processing device 2 is a server device. The information processing device 2 acquires prescription information from the patient terminal device 1. The information processing device 2 analyzes (confirms) the prescription information and checks whether the prescription satisfies specific conditions. The specific conditions include, for example, at least one of a prescription for a specific medical department, a prescription for a specific disease, a prescription for a specific drug, etc. If the prescription satisfies the specific conditions, the information processing device 2 refers to pharmacy flag information stored in the pharmacy database 3 and extracts candidate pharmacies from among multiple dispensing pharmacies.

[0026] The information processing device 2 checks the congestion status of each of the extracted candidate pharmacies and extracts a predetermined number (for example, five) of candidate pharmacies that are not crowded. The information processing device 2 sends the predetermined number of candidate pharmacies to the patient terminal device 1 and obtains selection information for one of the candidate pharmacies from the patient. Based on the selection information, the information processing device 2 checks the stock status of the prescribed medication for one candidate pharmacy. The information processing device 2 sends a confirmation request for one candidate pharmacy, including the medication stock status, to the patient terminal device 1, and prompts the patient to confirm. The information processing device 2 sends prescription information to one candidate pharmacy depending on the patient's confirmation results.

[0027] The pharmacy database 3 is a database that stores pharmacy flag information. Specifically, the pharmacy database 3 stores pharmacy flag information for a plurality of dispensing pharmacies. The pharmacy flag information is information that associates, for each dispensing pharmacy, whether the pharmacy can handle specific medical departments such as gynecology, psychiatry, and pediatrics, whether the pharmacy can handle specific diseases such as diabetes, atopy, and asthma, and whether the pharmacy has stock of specific drugs such as drug A, drug B, and drug C.

[0028] The pharmacy terminal device 4 is a terminal device such as a smartphone, tablet device, or PC used by pharmacists and patients at each dispensing pharmacy. The pharmacy terminal device 4 accepts advance registration of pharmacy flag information for each dispensing pharmacy. When the pharmacy terminal device 4 acquires prescription information from the information processing device 2, it provides medication instructions, dispenses medication, etc.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the patient terminal device 1 will be described in detail.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the patient terminal device 1 according to this embodiment. The patient terminal device 1 includes a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, an output unit 13, and a control unit .

[0031] The communication unit 11 has a function of communicating with other devices in the information processing system SYS via a network. The communication unit 11 outputs various information and signals received from other devices to the control unit 14. The communication unit 11 also transmits various information and signals output from the control unit 14 to other devices.

[0032] The input unit 12 is an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a power button, and a setting button.

[0033] The output unit 13 is an output device such as a display unit and a speaker.

[0034] The control unit 14 has a function of controlling the patient terminal device 1. The control unit 14 includes a prescription information acquisition unit 141 , a patient information acquisition unit 142 , a designated information acquisition unit 143 , a candidate pharmacy presentation unit 144 , a pharmacy selection unit 145 , and a receipt confirmation unit 146 .

[0035] The prescription information acquisition unit 141 acquires prescription information in response to a reading operation by a medical institution or a patient. The prescription information acquisition unit 141 transmits the acquired prescription information to the information processing device 2.

[0036] The patient information acquiring unit 142 accepts input of patient information from a patient and acquires the patient information. The patient information includes the patient's name, date of birth, place of residence, etc. The patient information acquiring unit 142 transmits the acquired patient information to the information processing device 2.

[0037] The designated information acquisition unit 143 acquires designated information input by the patient. The designated information is information indicating a pharmacy selected by the patient himself / herself. When the designated information is input, the designated information acquisition unit 143 transmits the designated information to the information processing device 2.

[0038] The candidate pharmacy presentation unit 144 presents a predetermined number of dispensing pharmacies selected by the information processing device 2 to the patient as candidate pharmacies.

[0039] The pharmacy selection unit 145 allows the patient to select one candidate pharmacy from a predetermined number of dispensing pharmacies. The pharmacy selection unit 145 transmits information about the selected candidate pharmacy to the information processing device 2.

[0040] The receipt confirmation unit 146 acquires a confirmation request for one candidate pharmacy from the information processing device 2. The confirmation request includes the stock status of the prescribed drug at that candidate pharmacy. In response to an operation by the patient, the receipt confirmation unit 146 transmits information indicating that the confirmation has been completed to the information processing device 2.

[0041] Next, the configuration of the information processing device 2 will be described.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 2 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 2 includes a communication unit 21, an input unit 22, an output unit 23, a control unit 24, and a storage unit 25.

[0043] The communication unit 21 has a function of communicating with other devices in the information processing system SYS via a network. The communication unit 21 outputs various information and signals received from other devices to the control unit 24. The communication unit 21 also transmits various information and signals output from the control unit 24 to other devices.

[0044] The input unit 22 is an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a power button, and a setting button.

[0045] The output unit 23 is an output device such as a display unit, a speaker, or the like.

[0046] The control unit 24 has a function of controlling the information processing device 2. The control unit 24 includes a prescription information confirmation unit 241, a patient information acquisition unit 242, a designated information confirmation unit 243, an extraction unit 244, a selection information acquisition unit 245, an inventory status confirmation unit 246, and a confirmation information generation unit 247. The extraction unit 244 includes a pharmacy extraction unit 2441, a congestion status confirmation unit 2442, and a candidate pharmacy extraction unit 2443.

[0047] The prescription information confirmation unit 241 acquires prescription information from the patient terminal device 1. The prescription information confirmation unit 241 stores the prescription information in the storage unit 25 in association with the patient ID. The prescription information confirmation unit 241 also analyzes the prescription information and confirms whether or not it satisfies specific conditions. The prescription information confirmation unit 241 outputs information indicating whether or not it satisfies specific conditions to the extraction unit 244.

[0048] The patient information acquisition unit 242 acquires patient information from the patient terminal device 1. The patient information acquisition unit 242 stores the patient information in the storage unit 25 in association with the patient ID.

[0049] The designated information confirmation unit 243 acquires designated information from the patient terminal device 1. If there is designated information, the designated information confirmation unit 243 outputs the designated information to the stock status confirmation unit 246. On the other hand, if there is no designated information, the designated information confirmation unit 243 does not perform any processing, and the extraction unit 244 executes candidate pharmacy extraction processing in accordance with the prescription information acquired by the prescription information confirmation unit 241.

[0050] When the information indicating whether or not a specific condition is met indicates that the specific condition is met, the pharmacy extraction unit 2441 extracts multiple dispensing pharmacies by referring to the pharmacy flag information stored in the pharmacy database 3. Specifically, the pharmacy extraction unit 2441 checks whether the specific condition met by the prescription can be met and whether the drug is in stock by referring to the pharmacy flag information, and extracts dispensing pharmacies that can be met or have stock from among the dispensing pharmacies for which pharmacy flag information is registered. The pharmacy extraction unit 2441 outputs information on the extracted dispensing pharmacies to the congestion status confirmation unit 2442.

[0051] When the information indicating whether or not a specific condition is met indicates that the specific condition is not met, the pharmacy extraction unit 2441 extracts a plurality of dispensing pharmacies by referring to the pharmacy information and patient information stored in the storage unit 25. Specifically, the pharmacy extraction unit 2441 extracts a predetermined number of dispensing pharmacies that are located in the residence of the patient included in the patient information. The pharmacy extraction unit 2441 transmits the extracted predetermined number of dispensing pharmacies to the patient terminal device 1 as candidate pharmacies.

[0052] When dispensing pharmacy information is input from the pharmacy extraction unit 2441, the congestion status confirmation unit 2442 confirms the congestion status for each dispensing pharmacy included in the dispensing pharmacy information. The congestion status is the total number of patients waiting for medication instructions and the total number of patients waiting for stock status confirmation for each dispensing pharmacy. The number of patients waiting for medication instructions and the total number of patients waiting for stock status confirmation for each dispensing pharmacy are obtained from the values ​​of counters described below. The congestion status confirmation unit 2442 outputs the total number of patients waiting for medication instructions and the total number of patients waiting for stock status confirmation for each dispensing pharmacy to the candidate pharmacy extraction unit 2443.

[0053] When the total number of patients waiting for medication instruction and the total number of patients waiting for stock status confirmation for each dispensing pharmacy is input from the congestion status confirmation unit 2442, the candidate pharmacy extraction unit 2443 extracts a predetermined number (for example, five) of dispensing pharmacies in order of the smallest total number of patients waiting for medication instruction and the smallest total number of patients waiting for stock status confirmation. The candidate pharmacy extraction unit 2443 transmits the predetermined number of dispensing pharmacies as candidate pharmacies to the patient terminal device 1.

[0054] The selection information acquisition unit 245 acquires selection information from the patient terminal device 1. The selection information is information indicating one dispensing pharmacy selected from a predetermined number of candidate pharmacies. The selection information acquisition unit 245 outputs the selection information to the inventory status confirmation unit 246.

[0055] When the selection information is input from the selection information acquisition unit 245, the stock status confirmation unit 246 confirms the stock status of the prescribed drug for one dispensing pharmacy. Specifically, the stock status confirmation unit 246 confirms the stock status of the prescribed drug by inquiring about the stock status of the prescribed drug from the pharmacy terminal device 4 of the corresponding dispensing pharmacy.

[0056] When the confirmation information generation unit 247 acquires the stock status from the pharmacy terminal device 4, it generates a confirmation request representing a final confirmation for one dispensing pharmacy and transmits the generated confirmation request to the patient terminal device 1. The confirmation request includes information representing the stock status for one dispensing pharmacy, i.e., whether or not the prescribed drug is in stock. When the confirmation information generation unit 247 acquires the confirmation result from the patient terminal device 1, it reads the patient's prescription information from the storage unit 25 and transmits the prescription information to the pharmacy terminal device 4 of one dispensing pharmacy.

[0057] The storage unit 25 stores prescription information 251, patient information 252, and pharmacy information 253. The pharmacy information 253 is information in which the pharmacy name, pharmacy address, number of pharmacists, etc. are associated with each dispensing pharmacy.

[0058] Next, the configuration of the pharmacy database 3 will be described.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the pharmacy database 3 according to this embodiment. The pharmacy database 3 includes a communication unit 31, an input unit 32, an output unit 33, a control unit 34, and a storage unit 35.

[0060] The communication unit 31 has a function of communicating with other devices in the information processing system SYS via a network. The communication unit 31 outputs various information and signals received from other devices to the control unit 34. The communication unit 31 also transmits various information and signals output from the control unit 34 to other devices.

[0061] The input unit 32 is an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a power button, and a setting button.

[0062] The output unit 33 is an output device such as a display unit, a speaker, or the like.

[0063] The control unit 34 has a function of controlling the pharmacy database 3 . The control unit 34 includes an information transmission unit 341 .

[0064] The information transmitting unit 341 transmits the pharmacy flag information to the information processing device 2 in response to a request from the information processing device 2.

[0065] The storage unit 35 stores pharmacy flag information 351.

[0066] Next, the configuration of the pharmacy terminal device 4 will be described.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the pharmacy terminal device 4 according to this embodiment. Pharmacy terminal device 4 includes a communication unit 41, an input unit 42, an output unit 43, and a control unit 44.

[0068] The communication unit 41 has a function of communicating with other devices in the information processing system SYS via a network. The communication unit 41 outputs various information and various signals received from other devices to the control unit 44. The communication unit 41 also transmits various information and various signals output from the control unit 44 to other devices.

[0069] The input unit 42 is an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a power button, and a setting button.

[0070] The output unit 43 is an output device such as a display unit, a speaker, or the like.

[0071] The control unit 44 has a function of controlling the pharmacy terminal device 4. The control unit 44 includes a flag information registration unit 441, an inventory confirmation unit 442, and a prescription reception unit 443.

[0072] As a preparation, the flag information registration unit 441 receives input of pharmacy flag information. The flag information registration unit 441 stores the input flag information in the pharmacy database 3 as pharmacy flag information.

[0073] The inventory confirmation unit 442 obtains an inquiry about the stock status of the prescribed drug from the information processing device 2. When the inventory confirmation result for the drug is input at the dispensing pharmacy, the inventory confirmation unit 442 transmits the stock status to the information processing device 2.

[0074] The prescription receiving unit 443 acquires prescription information from the information processing device 2 and receives the prescription.

[0075] Next, the flow of information processing will be described.

[0076] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of information processing in the information processing system SYS according to this embodiment. In step ST101, the pharmacy terminal device 4 receives input of flag information at the dispensing pharmacy as advance preparation. Then, the pharmacy terminal device 4 executes the process of step ST102.

[0077] In step ST102, the pharmacy terminal device 4 stores the pharmacy flag information in the pharmacy database 3. Next, the patient terminal device 1 executes the process of step ST103.

[0078] In step ST103, the patient terminal device 1 accepts the input of prescription information by the patient. Then, the patient terminal device 1 executes the process of ST104.

[0079] In step ST104, the patient terminal device 1 transmits the input prescription to the information processing device 2. Next, the patient terminal device 1 executes the process of step ST105.

[0080] In step ST105, the patient terminal device 1 accepts the patient information input by the patient. Then, the patient terminal device 1 executes the process of ST106.

[0081] In step ST106, the patient terminal device 1 transmits the input patient information to the information processing device 2. Next, the patient terminal device 1 executes the process of step ST107.

[0082] In step ST107, the patient terminal device 1 accepts input of designated information by the patient. Then, the patient terminal device 1 executes the process of ST108.

[0083] In step ST108, the patient terminal device 1 transmits the inputted designation information to the information processing device 2. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step ST109. Here, if no designation information is input in step ST107, the patient terminal device 1 omits the processes of steps ST107 and ST108, and the information processing device 2 executes the process of step ST109.

[0084] In step ST109, the information processing device 2 analyzes the prescription information and checks whether the prescription satisfies a specific condition. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step ST110.

[0085] In step ST110, the information processing device 2 acquires the pharmacy flag information from the pharmacy database 3. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step ST111.

[0086] In step ST111, the information processing device 2 refers to the pharmacy flag information and extracts one or more dispensing pharmacies that meet the specific conditions of the prescription from the pharmacy flag information. Then, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step ST112.

[0087] In step ST112, the information processing device 2 checks the congestion status for each of the extracted one or more dispensing pharmacies. Then, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step ST113.

[0088] In step ST113, the information processing device 2 extracts a predetermined number of dispensing pharmacies as candidate pharmacies in ascending order of the total number of patients. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step ST114.

[0089] In step ST114, the information processing device 2 transmits a predetermined number of candidate pharmacies to the patient terminal device 1. Next, the patient terminal device 1 executes the process of step ST115.

[0090] In step ST115, the patient terminal device 1 presents a predetermined number of candidate pharmacies to the patient and accepts the selection of one dispensing pharmacy. Then, the patient terminal device 1 executes the process of step ST116.

[0091] In step ST116, the patient terminal device 1 transmits selection information indicating one dispensing pharmacy selected by the patient to the information processing device 2. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step ST117.

[0092] In step ST117, the information processing device 2 inquires about the stock status of the prescribed medicine for one dispensing pharmacy from the pharmacy terminal device 4. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step ST118.

[0093] In step ST118, the information processing device 2 transmits a confirmation request indicating whether or not the drug has been confirmed at one dispensing pharmacy, including the drug stock status, based on the inquiry result, to the patient terminal device 1. Next, the patient terminal device 1 executes the process of step ST119.

[0094] In step ST119, the patient terminal device 1 presents a confirmation request to the patient. Then, the patient terminal device 1 executes the process of step ST120.

[0095] In step ST120, the patient terminal device 1 transmits a confirmation result indicating confirmation in response to the patient's operation to the information processing device 2. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step ST121.

[0096] In step ST121, the information processing device 2 transmits the prescription information to the pharmacy terminal device 4 of one dispensing pharmacy. Then, the pharmacy terminal device 4 executes the process of step ST122.

[0097] In step ST122, the pharmacy terminal device 4 accepts the prescription, and then the process in FIG.

[0098] Next, the flow of information processing will be described.

[0099] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing in the information processing system SYS according to this embodiment. In step S101, the patient terminal device 1 accepts input of prescription information by the patient. The patient terminal device 1 also accepts input of patient information by the patient. The patient terminal device 1 transmits the prescription information and patient information to the information processing device 2. Thereafter, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S102.

[0100] In step S102, the information processing device 2 determines whether or not the designation information has been acquired from the patient terminal device 1. If the designation information has been acquired (step S102: YES), the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S108. On the other hand, if the designation information has not been acquired (step S102: NO), the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S103.

[0101] In step S103, the information processing device 2 analyzes the prescription information and checks whether the prescription satisfies a specific condition. Then, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S104.

[0102] In step S104, the information processing device 2 refers to the pharmacy flag information and extracts one or more dispensing pharmacies that meet the specific conditions of the prescription. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S105.

[0103] In step S105, the information processing device 2 checks the congestion status for each of one or more dispensing pharmacies. Specifically, the information processing device 2 checks the number of patients waiting for stock confirmation based on the value of the stock confirmation counter, and checks the number of patients waiting for medication instructions based on the value of the medication instruction waiting counter. The information processing device 2 calculates the total number of patients waiting for stock confirmation and the number of patients waiting for medication instructions for each dispensing pharmacy. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the processing of step S106.

[0104] In step S106, the information processing device 2 extracts a predetermined number of dispensing pharmacies as candidate pharmacies from among one or more dispensing pharmacies in order of the smallest total number of patients waiting for stock confirmation and the smallest total number of patients waiting for medication instructions for each dispensing pharmacy. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S107.

[0105] In step S107, the information processing device 2 checks whether or not selection information has been acquired from the patient terminal device 1. If selection information has not been acquired (step S107 NO), the information processing device 2 repeats the process of step S107. On the other hand, if selection information has been acquired (step S107 YES), the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S108.

[0106] In step S108, the information processing device 2 increments the value of the stock confirmation counter by 1. The stock confirmation counter is reset every day, for example, at midnight, and is provided for each dispensing pharmacy. The stock confirmation counter is stored in the storage unit 25 of the information processing device 2. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S109.

[0107] In step S109, the information processing device 2 inquires about the stock status of the prescribed drug at one dispensing pharmacy indicated by the selection information. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S110.

[0108] In step S110, when the information processing device 2 acquires the inquiry result from the pharmacy terminal device 4 of one dispensing pharmacy, it decrements the value of the stock confirmation counter of the one dispensing pharmacy by 1. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S111.

[0109] In step S111, the information processing device 2 transmits a confirmation request including the stock status to the patient terminal device 1. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S112.

[0110] In step S112, the information processing device 2 determines whether or not to change one dispensing pharmacy, based on the confirmation result acquired from the patient terminal device 1. If a change is to be made for one dispensing pharmacy (YES in step S112), the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S104. On the other hand, if a change is not to be made for one dispensing pharmacy (NO in step S112), the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S113.

[0111] In step S113, the information processing device 2 determines one dispensing pharmacy as the prescription transmission destination. After that, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S114.

[0112] In step S114, the information processing device 2 increments the value of the medication instruction counter by 1. The medication instruction counter is reset every day, for example, at midnight, and is a counter provided for each dispensing pharmacy. The medication instruction counter is stored in the memory unit 25 of the information processing device 2. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S115.

[0113] In step S115, the information processing device 2 transmits the prescription information to the pharmacy terminal device 4 of one dispensing pharmacy indicated by the selection information. Next, the pharmacy terminal device 4 executes the process of step S116.

[0114] In step S116, the pharmacy terminal device 4 dispenses medicine and provides medication instructions to the patient for the prescription. Next, the information processing device 2 executes the process of step S117.

[0115] In step S117, when the information processing device 2 acquires information indicating that medication instruction has been completed from the pharmacy terminal device 4, it decrements the value of the medication instruction counter for that one dispensing pharmacy by 1. Then, the processing in FIG. 7 is terminated.

[0116] Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 2 will be described.

[0117] FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 2 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 2 is configured to include a CPU 201, a drive unit 202, a storage medium 203, an input unit 204, an output unit 205, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 206, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 207, an auxiliary storage unit 208, and an interface unit 209.

[0118] The CPU 201, drive unit 202, input unit 204, output unit 205, ROM 206, RAM 207, auxiliary storage unit 208, and interface unit 209 are interconnected via a bus. The CPU 201 referred to here refers to a processor in general, and includes not only a device called a CPU in the narrow sense, but also, for example, a GPU, a DSP, etc. The CPU 201 referred to here is not limited to being realized by a single processor, but may be realized by combining multiple processors of the same or different types.

[0119] The CPU 201 controls the information processing device 2 by reading and executing programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 208, ROM 206, and RAM 207, reading various data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 208, ROM 206, and RAM 207, and writing the various data to the auxiliary storage unit 208 and RAM 207. The CPU 201 also reads various data stored in the storage medium 203 via the drive unit 202, and writes the various data to the storage medium 203. The storage medium 203 is a portable storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk, a flexible disk, or a flash memory, and stores various data. The drive unit 202 is a device that reads and writes data from and to a storage medium 203 such as an optical disk drive, a flexible disk drive, or a flash memory.

[0120] The input unit 204 is an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a power button, a setting button, and an infrared receiver. The output unit 205 is an output device such as a display unit and a speaker. The ROM 206 and RAM 207 store programs and various data for operating each functional unit of the pharmacy database 3.

[0121] The auxiliary storage unit 208 is a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or the like, and stores programs for operating the various functional units of the information processing device 2 and various data. The interface unit 209 has a communication interface and is connected to the network NW or other devices in the information processing system SYS via wire or wirelessly.

[0122] For example, the communication unit 21 in the functional configuration of the information processing device 2 in Figure 3 above corresponds to the interface unit 209 in Figure 8, the input unit 22 in Figure 3 corresponds to the input unit 204 in Figure 8, the output unit 23 in Figure 3 corresponds to the output unit 205 in Figure 8, the control unit 24 in Figure 3 corresponds to the CPU 201 in Figure 8, and the memory unit 25 in Figure 3 corresponds to the memory medium 203, ROM 206, RAM 207, and auxiliary memory unit 208 in Figure 8.

[0123] As described above, the information processing system SYS according to this embodiment includes a prescription acquisition unit (prescription information acquisition unit 141) that acquires the patient's prescription, a prescription analysis unit (prescription information confirmation unit 241) that analyzes the prescription, a pharmacy extraction unit 2441 that extracts a plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to the prescription analysis results, a congestion status confirmation unit 2442 that checks the congestion status of each of the plurality of dispensing pharmacies, a candidate pharmacy extraction unit 2443 that extracts a predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies from the plurality of dispensing pharmacies as candidate dispensing pharmacies according to the congestion status, a selection information acquisition unit 245 that accepts the patient's selection of one dispensing pharmacy from the predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies, and an inventory status confirmation unit 246 that checks the inventory status of one dispensing pharmacy.

[0124] In this way, the information processing system SYS can select a pharmacy that is suitable for the patient based on the drug inventory status and the congestion status of the pharmacy. In addition, the patient can select a pharmacy that offers short waiting times for medication instructions and inventory checks, thereby improving convenience for the patient.

[0125] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to that described above, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0126] The program running on the information processing device 2 according to one aspect of the present invention may be a program that controls one or more processors, such as a central processing unit (CPU), to implement the functions described in the above-described embodiments and modifications of the present invention (a program that causes a computer to function). The term "computer" as used herein also includes quantum computers. Information handled by each of these devices may be temporarily stored in random access memory (RAM) during processing, and then stored in various storage devices such as flash memory and hard disk drives (HDDs), where it may be read, modified, or written by the CPU or the like as needed.

[0127] Note that part or all of the pharmacy database 3 in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be implemented by a computer having one or more processors. In this case, the control function may be implemented by recording a program for implementing the control function on a computer-readable recording medium, and reading and executing the program recorded on the recording medium into a computer system.

[0128] The term "computer system" used here refers to a computer system built into the information processing device 2, and includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Also, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system.

[0129] Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" may include a medium that dynamically stores a program for a short period of time, such as a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, or a medium that stores a program for a fixed period of time, such as volatile memory within a computer system that serves as a server or client in such a case. The program may also be one that realizes part of the above-mentioned functions, or one that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0130] Furthermore, part or all of the information processing device 2 in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be realized as an LSI, which is typically an integrated circuit, or as a chipset. Furthermore, each functional block of the information processing device 2 in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be individually formed into a chip, or part or all of them may be integrated into a chip. The integrated circuit implementation method is not limited to LSI, and may be realized using a dedicated circuit and / or a general-purpose processor. Furthermore, if an integrated circuit implementation technology that replaces LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology, it is also possible to use an integrated circuit based on that technology.

[0131] While the embodiments and modifications have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings as one aspect of the present invention, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments and modifications, and design changes within the scope of the present invention are also included. Furthermore, various modifications of one aspect of the present invention are possible within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, configurations in which elements described in the above embodiments and modifications are substituted with elements that achieve the same effect are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] SYS Information Processing System 1. Patient terminal device 2. Information processing equipment 3. Pharmacy Database 4 Pharmacy terminal equipment 11 Communications Department 12 Input section 13 Output section 14 Control Unit 141 Prescription Information Acquisition Department 142 Patient Information Acquisition Department 143 Specified information acquisition unit 144 Candidate Pharmacy Presentation Department 145 Pharmacy Selection Department 146 Verification Department 21 Communications Department 22 Input section 23 Output section 24 Control Unit 241 Prescription Information Verification Department 242 Patient Information Acquisition Department 243 Designated Information Verification Department 244 Extraction part 2441 Pharmacy Extraction Department 2442 Congestion Status Check Department 2443 Candidate Pharmacy Extraction Department 245 Selection information acquisition unit 246 Inventory Status Check Department 247 Confirmation Information Generation Unit 25 Memory section 251 Prescription Information 253 Pharmacy Information 31 Communications Department 32 Input section 33 Output section 34 Control Unit 341 Information Transmission Department 351 Pharmacy Flag Information 35 Storage section 41 Communications Department 42 Input section 43 Output section 44 Control Unit 441 Flag Information Registration Unit 442 Inventory Check Department 443 Prescription Reception Department 201 CPU 202 Drive section 203 Storage medium 204 Input section 205 Output section 206 ROM 207 RAM 208 Auxiliary storage 209 Interface Section

Claims

1. a prescription acquisition unit that acquires a patient's prescription; a prescription analysis unit that analyzes the prescription; a pharmacy extraction unit that extracts a plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to an analysis result of the prescription; a congestion status confirmation unit for confirming the congestion status of each of the plurality of dispensing pharmacies; a candidate pharmacy extraction unit that extracts a predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies from the plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to the congestion status; a selection information acquisition unit that receives a selection of one dispensing pharmacy by the patient from among a predetermined number of the candidate dispensing pharmacies; an inventory status confirmation unit that confirms the inventory status of the one dispensing pharmacy; Equipped with Information processing system.

2. The congestion status is the total number of patients waiting for medication instructions and the total number of patients waiting for stock status confirmation for each of the dispensing pharmacies. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. the candidate pharmacy extraction unit extracts a predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies from among the plurality of dispensing pharmacies in ascending order of the total number of patients; The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. a prescription acquisition unit that acquires a patient's prescription; a prescription analysis unit that analyzes the prescription; a pharmacy extraction unit that extracts a plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to an analysis result of the prescription; a congestion status confirmation unit for confirming the congestion status of each of the plurality of dispensing pharmacies; a candidate pharmacy extraction unit that extracts a predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies from the plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to the congestion status; a selection information acquisition unit that receives a selection of one dispensing pharmacy by the patient from among a predetermined number of the candidate dispensing pharmacies; Equipped with Information processing device.

5. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: a prescription acquisition step of acquiring a prescription for the patient; a prescription analysis step of analyzing the prescription; a pharmacy extraction step of extracting a plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to an analysis result of the prescription; a congestion status confirmation step of confirming the congestion status of each of the plurality of dispensing pharmacies; a candidate pharmacy extraction step of extracting a predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies from the plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to the congestion status; a selection information acquisition step of receiving a selection of one dispensing pharmacy by the patient from among a predetermined number of the candidate dispensing pharmacies; having Information processing methods.

6. On the computer, a prescription acquisition step of acquiring a prescription for the patient; a prescription analysis step of analyzing the prescription; a pharmacy extraction step of extracting a plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to an analysis result of the prescription; a congestion status confirmation step of confirming the congestion status of each of the plurality of dispensing pharmacies; a candidate pharmacy extraction step of extracting a predetermined number of candidate dispensing pharmacies from the plurality of dispensing pharmacies according to the congestion status; a selection information acquisition step of receiving a selection of one dispensing pharmacy by the patient from among a predetermined number of the candidate dispensing pharmacies; A program to execute.

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