Drug delivery support system, drug delivery support method, and program
The drug supply support system efficiently identifies and manages refill prescriptions through image processing and patient management, enhancing medication dispensing efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SUGI PHARMA SYSTEMS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing drug supply systems lack efficient methods to distinguish and manage refill prescriptions, leading to inefficiencies in medication dispensing processes.
A drug supply support system that includes an image reading unit, storage unit, refill determination unit, and display unit to identify and manage refill prescriptions based on prescription images, using image comparison and eligibility information, and integrates patient management to streamline medication dispensing.
Facilitates quick identification and processing of refill prescriptions, improving medication dispensing efficiency and reducing errors by distinguishing refill prescriptions from others.
Smart Images
Figure 2026106695000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a drug supply support system, a drug supply support method, and a program.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes that "The first central server or computer 109 has a first database, and a set of first functional features associated with data and functions related to medical devices and user interfaces. The second central server or central computer 108a has a second database and a set of second functional features. The first central computer 109 is encrypted and connected to the second computer 108a, and the medical device 120 and the user interface 118 do not communicate directly with the second central computer 108a. The user interface 118 can receive data from the second database related to the set of second functional features of the second central computer 108a via the first central computer 109." (Abstract). [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-185857
Summary of the Invention
[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drug supply support system for supporting the supply of drugs based on a prescription. The drug supply support system includes an image reading unit, a storage unit, a refill determination unit, and a refill display unit. The image reading unit captures a target prescription to be processed and generates a prescription image obtained by reading the target prescription. The storage unit stores the read target prescription so that it cannot be taken out. The refill determination unit determines whether the target prescription is a refill prescription for which drugs should be supplied in multiple times. The refill display unit, when the refill determination unit determines that the target prescription is a refill prescription, displays that the target prescription is a refill prescription in association with the prescription image.
[0004] In the above, the refill determination unit may have an image comparison unit and an image determination unit. The image comparison unit compares the prescription image with a refill reference image, which is a pre-stored image of a refill prescription. The image determination unit determines whether the target prescription is a refill prescription or not based on the similarity between the prescription image and the refill reference image calculated by the image comparison unit.
[0005] In the above, the drug provision support system may further include a patient input unit. The patient input unit inputs refill eligibility information indicating whether the target prescription is a refill prescription or not. The refill determination unit may determine that the target prescription is a refill prescription based at least partially on the refill eligibility information.
[0006] In the above, the refill determination unit may further include an image recognition unit. The image recognition unit identifies the prescription image as an additional refill reference image when the refill eligibility information indicates that it is a refill prescription.
[0007] In the above, if the image determination unit determines that a target prescription is a refill prescription based on its similarity, but the refill eligibility information indicates that it is not a refill prescription, the image identification unit may identify the prescription image of the target prescription as a non-refill reference image. The image comparison unit may further determine whether the target prescription is a refill prescription or not based on the similarity between the prescription image and the non-refill reference image.
[0008] In the above, the drug provision support system may further include a prescription reception unit. The prescription reception unit issues a reception number associated with the target prescription in accordance with the determination made by the refill determination unit.
[0009] In the above, the drug provision support system may further include a receipt output unit. The receipt output unit issues a receipt for the relevant prescription in response to the prescription reception unit issuing a reception number.
[0010] In the above, the refill determination unit may generate refill information indicating whether or not the target prescription is a refill prescription. The drug provision support system may further include a patient management unit. The patient management unit stores at least the refill information, reception number, and prescription image in association.
[0011] In the above, the drug provision support system may further include a patient input section. The patient input section inputs patient information, which is patient information related to drug prescriptions. The patient management section may store the patient input information linked to a reception number.
[0012] In the above, the drug provision support system may further include a dispensing request unit. The dispensing request unit may display at least one of the prescription image and the dispensing information read from the prescription image in the dispensing room. The patient management unit may provide at least one of the prescription image and the dispensing information read from the prescription image to the dispensing request unit.
[0013] In the above, the drug provision support system may further include a dispensing status input unit. The dispensing status input unit may input dispensing status information for the target prescription in the dispensing room. The patient management unit may store the dispensing status information linked to the reception number.
[0014] In the above, the patient management department may identify prescriptions for which dispensing has been completed from the dispensing status information. The drug provision support system may further include a reception status display unit that displays the reception number of the said prescription.
[0015] In the above, the drug provision support system may further include a reception status display unit. The reception status display unit displays completed prescriptions, which are prescriptions for which dispensing has been completed. The patient management unit may identify completed prescriptions based on the dispensing status information.
[0016] In the above, the drug provision support system may further include a store input unit. The store input unit may input prescription completion information from the pharmacy terminal indicating that the prescription processing for the target prescription has been completed. The patient management unit may complete the management of the target prescription based on the prescription completion information for the target prescription.
[0017] In the above, the image reading unit, storage unit, and patient input unit may be provided in a reception device that receives prescriptions from patients. The reception device may take in the target prescription from a prescription intake slot provided on the same side as the patient input unit.
[0018] In the above, the reception device may be able to retrieve prescriptions from a prescription retrieval opening located on the opposite side of the patient input section.
[0019] A second aspect of the present invention provides a drug provision support method that assists in providing drugs based on prescriptions. The drug provision support method comprises an image reading step, a storage step, a refill determination step, and a refill display step. In the image reading step, a target prescription to be processed is taken in, and a prescription image is generated by reading the target prescription. In the storage step, the read target prescription is stored in a way that prevents it from being retrieved. In the refill determination step, it is determined whether the target prescription is a refill prescription in which the drug should be provided multiple times. In the refill display step, if the refill determination unit determines that the target prescription is a refill prescription, it displays that the target prescription is a refill prescription in association with the prescription image.
[0020] In a third aspect of the present invention, a program is provided which is executed by a computer and causes the computer to function as a drug delivery support system. The drug delivery support system comprises an image reading unit, a storage unit, a refill determination unit, and a refill display unit. The image reading unit takes in a target prescription to be processed and generates a prescription image of the target prescription. The storage unit stores the read target prescription so that it cannot be retrieved. The refill determination unit determines whether the target prescription is a refill prescription in which the drug should be delivered multiple times. When the refill determination unit determines that the target prescription is a refill prescription, the refill display unit displays that the target prescription is a refill prescription in association with the prescription image.
[0021] Note that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all features of the present invention. Also, sub - combinations of these feature groups can also form an invention.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0022] [Figure 1] An example of the layout of the pharmacy 10 in which the drug - providing support system 100 of the present embodiment is used is shown. [Figure 2] An example of the configuration of the drug - providing support system 100 according to the present embodiment is shown. [Figure 3] An example of the flow of the drug - providing support method according to the present embodiment is shown. [Figure 4] An example of the reception device 20 according to the present embodiment is shown. [Figure 5] An example of the reception ticket 500 according to the present embodiment is shown. [Figure 6] An example of the reception ticket 600 according to the present embodiment is shown. [Figure 7] An example of the waiting - room display screen according to the present embodiment is shown. [Figure 8] An example of the management display screen according to the present embodiment is shown. [Figure 9] An example of the computer 2200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part is shown.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0023] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.
[0024] Figure 1 shows an example of the layout of a pharmacy 10 in which the drug provision support system 100 of this embodiment is used. The pharmacy includes a waiting room 30, a store counter 40, and a dispensing room 50. The reception device 20 receives prescriptions from patients. The waiting room 30 is equipped with the reception device 20, and patients wait there until their medication is dispensed. The waiting room 30 may be equipped with a display 35 that shows the dispensing status of prescriptions, etc. At the store counter 40, store staff hand over medications to patients, handle payments, and provide medication guidance, etc. At the dispensing room 50, pharmacists dispense medications according to prescriptions, etc. Note that the layout in Figure 1 is just an example and is not limited thereto.
[0025] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the drug delivery support system 100 according to this embodiment. The drug delivery support system 100 processes prescriptions received from patients and supports the provision of medications based on those prescriptions. In particular, the drug delivery support system 100 supports the provision of medications using so-called refill prescriptions, which allow for multiple prescriptions of medications.
[0026] The drug provision support system 100 includes a patient input unit 110, an image reading unit 120, a refill determination unit 130, an image comparison unit 132, an image determination unit 134, an image identification unit 136, a storage unit 140, a prescription reception unit 150, a reception slip output unit 152, a patient management unit 160, a store display unit 170, a refill display unit 172, a store input unit 174, a dispensing request unit 180, a dispensing status input unit 182, and a reception status display unit 190.
[0027] The drug provision support system 100 may be installed in the pharmacy described in Figure 1. The drug provision support system 100 may be implemented by a single computer or by multiple collaborating computers. For example, the reception device 20 may be implemented by a computer equipped with a patient input unit 110, an image reading unit 120, a refill determination unit 130, a prescription reception unit 150, and a reception slip output unit 152, etc.
[0028] The waiting room 30 may be equipped with a computer that functions as a reception status display unit 190.
[0029] The store counter 40 may be equipped with a computer (also called a "pharmacy store terminal") that functions as a patient management unit 160, a store display unit 170, and a store input unit 174. The pharmacy store terminal may have some of the functions of the reception device 20 (for example, a refill determination unit 130, etc.) in place of the reception device 20.
[0030] The dispensing room 50 may be equipped with a computer that functions as a dispensing request unit 180 and a dispensing status input unit 182. Alternatively, a computer installed at the store counter 40 may also function as the dispensing request unit 180 and the dispensing status input unit 182.
[0031] The computers comprising the drug delivery support system 100 may be personal computers (PCs), tablet computers, smartphones, workstations, server computers, or general-purpose computers, and may also be computer systems in which multiple computers are connected.
[0032] Alternatively, the computer constituting the drug delivery support system 100 may be a dedicated computer designed for drug delivery support, or it may be dedicated hardware implemented by a dedicated circuit. The drug delivery support system 100 may be implemented by a single device (computer), or it may be implemented by multiple devices with assigned roles. In the drug delivery support system 100, although not specifically described below, memory / hard disks, etc., are provided, and information necessary for processing is stored as appropriate, and information is transmitted between each processing module such as the refill decision unit 130 and the patient management unit 160.
[0033] The patient input unit 110 is located in the reception device 20 and inputs information necessary for prescribing medication from the patient. For example, the patient input unit 110 inputs patient input information, which is patient information related to medication prescription. The patient input unit 110 supplies the patient input information to the prescription reception unit 150.
[0034] For example, the patient input unit 110 inputs refill eligibility information indicating whether the target prescription is a refill prescription or not. The patient input unit 110 supplies the refill eligibility information to the refill determination unit 130. The patient input unit 110 may be, for example, a touch panel provided on the reception device 20.
[0035] The image reading unit 120 takes in the prescription to be processed (also called the "target prescription") from the patient who has come to the store and generates a prescription image of the target prescription. The image reading unit 120 is installed in the reception device 20. The image reading unit 120 may be implemented using a scanner or the like.
[0036] The image reading unit 120 supplies the prescription image to the refill determination unit 130. The image reading unit 120 supplies the read target prescription to the storage unit 140.
[0037] The refill determination unit 130 determines whether the target prescription is a refill prescription in which medication should be provided multiple times. The refill determination unit 130 generates information (also called "refill information") indicating whether the target prescription is a refill prescription. The refill determination unit 130 includes an image comparison unit 132, an image determination unit 134, and an image identification unit 136.
[0038] The image comparison unit 132 compares the prescription image with a refill reference image, which is a pre-stored image of a refill prescription. The image comparison unit 132 may calculate the similarity between the prescription image and the refill reference image.
[0039] The image determination unit 134 determines whether the target prescription is a refill prescription based on the similarity between the prescription image calculated by the image comparison unit 132 and the refill reference image. In addition to / or instead of the similarity, the image determination unit 134 may determine that the target prescription is a refill prescription based at least partially on the refill eligibility information. The image determination unit 134 supplies refill information indicating whether the target prescription is a refill prescription to the prescription reception unit 150.
[0040] The image recognition unit 136 identifies the prescription image as an additional refill reference image when the refill eligibility information indicates that it is a refill prescription. This allows the refill determination unit 130 to handle a variety of refill prescriptions. The refill determination unit 130 supplies the prescription image and refill information to the prescription reception unit 150.
[0041] The storage unit 140 stores the target prescription read by the image reading unit 120 in a manner that prevents it from being removed. The storage unit 140 may be located within the reception device 20.
[0042] The prescription reception unit 150 receives prescriptions read by the image reading unit 120. The prescription reception unit 150 issues a reception number associated with the prescription in response to the refill determination unit 130's determination of whether or not it is a refill prescription. The prescription reception unit 150 outputs the reception number, prescription image, refill information, and patient input information to the patient management unit 160. The prescription reception unit 150 outputs the reception number to the reception slip output unit 152.
[0043] The reception slip output unit 152 issues a reception slip to the patient. For example, the reception slip output unit 152 issues a reception slip for the relevant prescription in response to the prescription reception unit issuing a reception number. The reception slip output unit 152, which contains the reception number, may be connected to the printer of the reception device 20, and the printer may print and output the reception slip.
[0044] The patient management unit 160 manages the status of patients who have submitted prescriptions and / or the dispensing status of medications. The patient management unit 160 stores at least refill information, reception number, and prescription image linked together. The patient management unit 160 may further store patient input information linked to the reception number.
[0045] The patient management unit 160 provides information related to the target prescription to the dispensing room. For example, the patient management unit 160 may provide the dispensing request unit 180 with at least one of the prescription image and the dispensing information read from the prescription image. This enables the dispensing room 50 to dispense the medication related to the target prescription.
[0046] The patient management unit 160 manages dispensing status information, which is information regarding the dispensing status of target prescriptions in the dispensing room 50. For example, the patient management unit 160 may obtain dispensing status information from the dispensing status input unit 182 and store the dispensing status information linked to the reception number.
[0047] The patient management unit 160 identifies prescriptions that have been dispensed based on dispensing status information. It provides the reception number of the identified prescription to the reception status display unit 190.
[0048] The patient management unit 160 terminates the management of the target prescription once the prescription has been processed. For example, the patient management unit 160 receives prescription completion information from the store input unit 174 indicating that the prescription processing for the target prescription has been completed, and based on the prescription completion information, it completes the management of the target prescription.
[0049] The store display unit 170 displays information output by the drug provision support system 100 on a display for store staff, etc. For example, the store display unit 170 displays information such as the dispensing status of prescription drugs on a display on a pharmacy store terminal received from the patient management unit 160. The store display unit 170 has a refill display unit 172.
[0050] The refill display unit 172 may indicate whether or not the target prescription is a refill prescription. For example, if the refill determination unit 130 determines that the target prescription is a refill prescription, the refill display unit 172 will display that the target prescription is a refill prescription, associated with the prescription image.
[0051] The store input unit 174 inputs the necessary information into the pharmacy terminal. For example, the store input unit 174 inputs prescription completion information from the pharmacy terminal, indicating that the prescription processing for the target prescription has been completed.
[0052] The dispensing request unit 180 receives information related to the target prescription from the patient management unit 160. For example, the dispensing request unit 180 displays at least one of the prescription image and the dispensing information read from the prescription image on a display or the like installed in the dispensing room 50.
[0053] The dispensing status input unit 182 inputs dispensing status information for the target prescription in the dispensing room 50. For example, the dispensing status input unit 182 receives dispensing status information from dispensing staff such as pharmacists via input devices such as keyboards and mice, and provides the dispensing status information to the patient management unit 160.
[0054] The reception status display unit 190 displays the reception status of prescriptions on a display 35 installed in the waiting room 30. For example, the reception status display unit 190 receives the reception number of a prescription for which dispensing has been completed from the patient management unit 160 and displays the reception number.
[0055] According to the drug provision support system 100, it reads prescriptions received from patients and uses images of those prescriptions to assist in dispensing medications. In particular, the drug provision support system 100 determines from the prescription image whether it is a refill prescription and displays this on the pharmacy terminal. This allows refill prescriptions to be distinguished from other prescriptions and processed quickly, such as for returns.
[0056] Figure 3 shows an example of the flow of the drug provision support method according to this embodiment. The drug provision support system 100 supports drug provision by executing each of the processes S100 to S800, for example. The order of the processes S100 to S800 may be changed, and some processes may be omitted.
[0057] First, in S100, the patient input unit 110 inputs patient input information, which is patient information related to drug prescriptions, from the patient who has come to the pharmacy via the reception device 20. The patient input information may be any information necessary for the pharmacy to prescribe drugs to the patient. For example, the patient input information may include one or more of the following: the number of visits, whether it is the first visit or not, whether generic drugs are desired, the method of receiving medication, whether there is a medication record book, and the method of identity verification.
[0058] The patient input information includes information indicating the type of prescription. For example, the patient input unit 110 may input refill eligibility information as part of the patient input information, indicating whether the target prescription is a refill prescription or not. The patient input unit 110 outputs the patient input information to the prescription reception unit 150 and outputs the refill eligibility information to the refill determination unit 130.
[0059] Next, in S200, the target prescription is taken from the patient who has come to the store. The image reading unit 120 of the reception device 20 reads the target prescription inserted by the patient and generates a prescription image. The read prescription is stored in the storage unit 140 of the reception device 20.
[0060] Next, in S300, the refill determination unit 130 determines whether the target prescription is a refill prescription in which the drug should be provided multiple times. The refill determination unit 130 may determine whether or not it is a refill prescription based on the prescription image generated in S200.
[0061] For example, the image comparison unit 132 calculates the similarity between the prescription image and the refill reference image, which is a pre-stored image of a refill prescription. The image comparison unit 132 may calculate the similarity using known image processing methods. In addition to / instead of the similarity of the images themselves, the image determination unit 134 may convert the characters in the images into text data using OCR or the like, and treat the similarity of the text data as at least part of the similarity of the two images.
[0062] The image determination unit 134 may determine that the target prescription is a refill prescription if the similarity is above a threshold. If there are multiple refill reference images, the image comparison unit 132 may calculate the similarity for each refill reference image, and the image determination unit 134 may use the highest similarity, the lowest similarity, or the average or median of the similarities to determine whether or not it is a refill prescription.
[0063] The image determination unit 134 may determine whether a target prescription is a refill prescription based not only on its similarity to the refill reference image, but also on its similarity to the prescription image and the non-refill reference image, which is a prescription image other than a refill prescription. For example, the image determination unit 134 may determine that a target prescription is a refill prescription if the similarity between the prescription image and the refill reference image is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and the similarity between the prescription image and the non-refill reference image is equal to or less than a second threshold. The image comparison unit 132 may calculate the similarity between the non-refill reference image and the prescription image in the same manner as the similarity calculation between the refill reference image and the prescription image.
[0064] If there are multiple non-refill reference images, the image comparison unit 132 may calculate the similarity for each of the non-refill reference images. The image determination unit 134 may use the highest similarity or the average of the similarities to determine whether or not it is a refill prescription.
[0065] The image determination unit 134 may determine that the target prescription is a refill prescription based on the refill eligibility information entered in S100, in addition to / before the similarity. For example, the image determination unit 134 may determine that the target prescription is a refill prescription if the similarity satisfies the threshold condition and the refill eligibility information indicates that it is a refill prescription (i.e., if the eligibility of the refill prescription directly entered by the patient matches the eligibility determined from the image, indicating a refill).
[0066] If the result determined by image similarity does not match the refill eligibility information (especially if the image-based determination indicates that it is not a refill, while the refill eligibility information indicates that it is a refill), the image determination unit 134 may prioritize the refill eligibility information, or it may suspend the determination and later allow the pharmacy staff to input their determination via the pharmacy terminal. For example, the refill determination unit 130 may display the prescription image on the store display unit 170 via the patient management unit 160 to allow the staff to confirm the prescription image, input the staff's determination of whether or not it is a refill prescription into the store input unit 174, obtain the input result via the patient management unit 160, and use the staff's determination as the determination result of whether or not it is a refill prescription.
[0067] The image recognition unit 136 may add and store refill reference images and / or non-refill reference images based on the refill suitability information for later use. For example, if the refill suitability information indicates that it is a refill prescription, the image recognition unit 136 may identify and store the prescription image as an additional refill reference image. If the image determination unit 134 determines that a target prescription is a refill prescription based on similarity, but the refill suitability information indicates that it is not a refill prescription, the image recognition unit 136 may identify and store the prescription image of the target prescription as a non-refill reference image.
[0068] The refill determination unit 130 may determine whether a target prescription is a refill prescription based on the number of times the refill prescription can be used and the number of times it has been used. In other words, even if the target prescription can be determined to be a refill prescription by the above determination method, if the number of times it has been used has reached (number of usable times - 1), the refill determination unit 130 may treat it as a regular prescription instead of a refill prescription and generate refill information.
[0069] For example, the image recognition unit 136 may read the text in the prescription image of the target prescription using OCR or the like, determine the number of times it can be used and the number of times it has been used based on the read text, and determine whether the number of times it has been used has reached (number of times usable - 1).
[0070] The refill determination unit 130 outputs the result of determining whether or not it is a refill prescription as refill information to the prescription reception unit 150. The refill determination unit 130 also outputs the prescription image to the prescription reception unit 150.
[0071] In S400, the prescription reception unit 150 issues a reception number. The prescription reception unit 150 issues reception numbers in the order in which prescriptions are received for prescriptions read by the image reading unit 120. The prescription reception unit 150 links the reception number, prescription image, refill information, and patient input information, etc., and outputs them to the patient management unit 160. The prescription reception unit 150 outputs the reception number to the reception slip output unit 152.
[0072] In S500, the reception slip output unit 152 outputs a reception slip. The reception slip output unit 152 may print the reception slip using the printer of the reception device 20. The reception slip output unit 152 may output a reception slip on which the reception number is written.
[0073] Figure 4 shows an example of a reception device 20 according to this embodiment. At least some of the processes from S100 to S500 may be performed via the reception device 20 shown in the figure. The reception device 20 may be provided with a housing containing a storage compartment 140, a touch panel 410, a prescription intake slot 420, an authentication terminal 430, a printer 440, and a prescription retrieval slot 450.
[0074] The touch panel 410 presents information to the patient in S100, and the patient inputs patient input information. For example, the touch panel 410 functions as a patient input unit 110, displaying questions regarding patient input information (e.g., whether the patient wants generic drugs, whether it is a refill prescription or not), and the patient inputs patient information by touching the answer options on the touch panel 410.
[0075] The prescription input slot 420 is an input slot into which a patient can insert the target prescription. When the target prescription is inserted into the prescription input slot 420 in S200, the image reading unit 120 generates a prescription image of the target prescription. The prescription input slot 420 may be located on the same side as the patient input unit 110 (i.e., the touch panel 410). This allows the reception device 20 to take in the target prescription from the same side as the patient input unit 110.
[0076] The authentication terminal 430 is a terminal used for patient authentication. For example, patient authentication can be performed by placing a health insurance card or My Number card, etc., in a designated location on the authentication terminal 430 and / or by entering a PIN, etc. into the authentication terminal. Patient authentication may be performed by the patient input unit 110.
[0077] Printer 440 prints and outputs the reception slip. In S500, printer 440 outputs the reception slip based on information such as the reception number output from reception slip output unit 152.
[0078] The prescription dispensing port 450 may be an opening for retrieving prescriptions stored in the storage unit 140. When multiple patients submit prescriptions to the reception device 20, the read prescriptions accumulate in the storage unit 140. Pharmacy staff collect the accumulated prescriptions from the prescription dispensing port 450. Refill prescriptions with remaining uses must be returned to the patient. The staff collects prescriptions that the refill indicator 172 indicates as refill prescriptions from the prescription dispensing port 450 and returns them to the patient.
[0079] The reception device 20 may automatically return prescriptions that have been identified as refill prescriptions. For example, the reception device 20 may not store prescriptions that the refill determination unit 130 has determined to be refill prescriptions and that still have remaining uses in the storage unit 140, but instead automatically return them from the prescription retrieval port 450.
[0080] The prescription dispensing slot 450 may be located on the opposite side from the patient input unit 110 (i.e., the touch panel 410). This allows the reception device 20 to retrieve prescriptions from the opposite side of the patient input unit 110. Alternatively, the prescription dispensing slot 450 may be located on the same side as the patient input unit 110 (i.e., the touch panel 410), and / or to the side of the patient input unit 110 (for example, on the side of the reception device 20).
[0081] There may be multiple prescription dispensing slots 450. For example, refill prescriptions that have remaining uses and need to be returned can be returned to the patient from a prescription dispensing slot 450 located on the same side as the patient input unit 110, while other prescriptions can be collected by a store employee from a prescription dispensing slot 450 located on the opposite side of the patient input unit 110.
[0082] Figure 5 shows an example of a reception slip 500 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the reception slip 500 has a reception number (reception number 001 in the figure) printed on it. The reception slip 500 also displays a two-dimensional code (waiting status two-dimensional code in the figure). By scanning the waiting status two-dimensional code with a smartphone or other device, the patient can check the dispensing status of the prescription linked to the reception number.
[0083] Figure 6 shows an example of a reception slip 600 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the reception slip 600 displays a reception number and a two-dimensional code indicating the dispensing status, as well as a two-dimensional code for the medical questionnaire (referred to as the "medical questionnaire two-dimensional code" in the figure). When a patient scans the medical questionnaire two-dimensional code with a smartphone or other device, a website for entering the medical questionnaire is displayed, and the patient management unit 160 can acquire the entered information as part of the patient input information.
[0084] In S600, the drug provision support system 100 manages and displays the prescription acceptance status. The drug provision support system 100 may display the prescription acceptance status in the waiting room 30 and the store counter 40.
[0085] The patient management unit 160 manages patient input information including the reception number and refill information, prescription images, and dispensing status information received from the prescription reception unit 150 in S400 by linking them together. For example, the dispensing status information may include information indicating one of the following: "received," "dispensing in progress," "dispensing completed," "checking," and "prescription completed."
[0086] "Received" may refer to the period after the issuance of a receipt number (or receipt slip) for the prescription but before dispensing begins. "Dispensing in progress" may refer to the period after dispensing has begun in dispensing room 50 for the prescription but before dispensing is completed. "Dispensing completed" may refer to the period after dispensing is completed in dispensing room 50 for the prescription but before the prescription has been dispensed to the patient. "Verification in progress" may refer to the period in dispensing room 50 where the dispensing details, etc., are being verified for the prescription. "Prescription completed" may refer to the period after the prescription has been dispensed to the patient (or payment has been completed).
[0087] The patient management unit 160 may provide the reception status display unit 190 with dispensing status information linked to the reception number, and the reception status display unit 190 may display dispensing status information for each reception number.
[0088] Figure 7 shows an example of a waiting room display screen according to this embodiment. The reception status display unit 190 may display a screen including the dispensing status information shown in Figure 7 on a display installed in the waiting room 30. As shown in the figure, the reception status display unit 190 displays the dispensing status information as reception numbers for "received," reception numbers for "dispensing in progress," and reception numbers for "dispensing completed." As shown in Figure 7, the reception status display unit 190 may combine the reception numbers for "received" and "dispensing in progress" and display them together as "dispensing in progress."
[0089] The patient management unit 160 may display the dispensing status to the patient via a website. For example, the patient management unit 160 may generate or edit a website showing the dispensing status for each reception number, generate a two-dimensional code indicating the URL of the website (for example, the waiting status two-dimensional code shown in Figures 5 and 6), and supply it to the reception slip output unit 152.
[0090] The patient management unit 160 provides the store display unit 170 and the dispensing request unit 180 with the dispensing status linked to the reception number, and the store display unit 170 and the dispensing request unit 180 may display the dispensing status for each reception number. The patient management unit 160 may further display patient input information, including refill information linked to the reception number, and a prescription image to the store display unit 170 and the dispensing request unit 180.
[0091] Figure 8 shows an example of a management display screen according to this embodiment. The store display unit 170 may display the management display screen shown in Figure 8 on a display provided on the store counter 40 or the like.
[0092] As shown in the diagram, the store display unit 170 displays multiple reception numbers in the reception number display area 800 and accepts the selection of one of the reception numbers. For example, suppose reception number 001 (marked with a thick border in the diagram as "Reception 001") is selected.
[0093] The store display unit 170 displays information (e.g., patient input information, etc.) and dispensing status (e.g., "dispensing completed") for the prescription with the selected reception number (e.g., "reception 001") in the patient input information display area 810. Here, the refill display unit 172 of the store display unit 170 indicates in the patient input information display area 810 whether or not the target prescription is a refill prescription. For example, in Figure 8, "Prescription type: Refill" is displayed in the patient input information display area 810. The store display unit 170 displays the prescription image with the selected reception number (e.g., "reception 001") in the prescription image display area 820.
[0094] The refill display section 172 may display not only refill prescriptions but also the types of prescriptions. For example, the refill display section 172 may display whether the target prescription is any one of a refill prescription, a paper prescription, and an electronic prescription. The refill display section 172 may display the type of prescription by the type name (e.g., "refill prescription", "paper prescription", and "electronic prescription"), or alternatively, may display it in an abbreviated form. As an example, the refill display section 172 may display "refill prescription" as "Li", "paper prescription" as "Zhi", and "electronic prescription" as "Dian". The refill display section 172 may display a color corresponding to the type of prescription. For example, the refill display section 172 may display only the refill prescriptions that require return in a color different from the colors of other prescriptions (e.g., black) (e.g., red).
[0095] In S700, the patient management section 160 updates the dispensing status information based on the information from the pharmacy 50. The dispensing request section 180 displays the dispensing status of the received prescription. For example, the dispensing request section 180 may display the management display screen according to FIG. 8 on a display or the like provided in the pharmacy 50.
[0096] Here, the dispensing status input section 182 inputs the dispensing status information of the target prescription in the pharmacy 50. For example, when the dispensing status is "received", the dispensing status input section 182 inputs the information of the target prescription for which dispensing has started from the dispenser and outputs it to the patient management section 160. In contrast, the patient management section 160 updates the dispensing status information of the prescription for which the start of dispensing has been input from the dispensing status input section 182 from "received" to "dispensing". [[ID=]10]
[0097] For example, when the dispensing status is "dispensing" or "confirming", the dispensing status input section 182 inputs the information of the target prescription for which dispensing has been completed from the dispenser and outputs it to the patient management section 160. In contrast, the patient management section 160 updates the dispensing status information of the prescription for which the completion of dispensing has been input from the dispensing status input section 82 from "dispensing" or "confirming" to "dispensing completed".[[ID=]13]
[0098] For example, the dispensing status input unit 182 receives information from the dispensing staff regarding prescriptions where the dispensing status is "dispensing in progress" and where there are items to be confirmed by the pharmacist or other personnel (e.g., confirmation of prescription details with the doctor or patient), and outputs this information to the patient management unit 160. In response, the patient management unit 160 updates the dispensing status information of prescriptions for which the dispensing status input unit 182 has received input that items to be confirmed have arisen, from "dispensing in progress" to "under review."
[0099] After the dispensing status information for the target prescription becomes "dispensing completed," the medication for the target prescription is dispensed at S800. The medication may be dispensed at the store counter 40. Alternatively, the medication may be dispensed by mail, picked up in a locker, etc. Payment for the medication may also be processed at the same time.
[0100] Upon completion of the prescription, the store clerk enters prescription completion information into the store input unit 174, indicating that the prescription processing for the target prescription has been completed. The store input unit 174 provides the prescription completion information to the patient management unit 160. In response, the patient management unit 160 completes the dispensing management of the target prescription related to the prescription completion information. The patient management unit 160 may store the patient input information and prescription image, etc., of the target prescription linked to the reception number as past prescription information.
[0101] As described above, according to the drug provision support method of this embodiment, the drug provision support system 100 determines from the prescription image whether it is a refill prescription and displays it on the pharmacy terminal. This allows refill prescriptions to be distinguished from other prescriptions and processed quickly, such as for returns.
[0102] Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, where a block may represent (1) a stage in a process in which an operation is performed or (2) a section of a device having the role of performing the operation. Specific stages and sections may be implemented by dedicated circuits, programmable circuits supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or processors supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. Dedicated circuits may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuits may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc.
[0103] Computer-readable media may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions to be executed by a suitable device, and as a result, computer-readable media having instructions stored therein will comprise a product containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multipurpose disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.
[0104] Computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages such as Smalltalk®, Java®, C++, and traditional procedural programming languages such as the C programming language or similar programming languages.
[0105] Computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet to the processor or programmable circuit of a programmable data processing device such as a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or another computer, and the computer-readable instructions may be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.
[0106] Figure 9 shows an example of a computer 2200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 2200 can cause the computer 2200 to function as an operation or one or more sections of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, or to execute such operation or one or more sections, and / or to cause the computer 2200 to execute a process or a stage of such process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to perform a particular operation associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.
[0107] The computer 2200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, RAM 2214, a graphics controller 2216, and a display device 2218, which are interconnected by a host controller 2210. The computer 2200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242, which are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.
[0108] The CPU 2212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2230 and RAM 2214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 2216 retrieves image data generated by the CPU 2212 from a frame buffer provided in RAM 2214 or from itself, and displays the image data on the display device 2218.
[0109] The communication interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides them to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from the IC card and / or writes programs and data to the IC card.
[0110] The ROM 2230 stores boot programs and / or programs that depend on the computer 2200's hardware, which are executed by the computer 2200 when activated. The input / output chip 2240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 2220 via parallel ports, serial ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, etc.
[0111] The program is provided on a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable medium and installed on a hard disk drive 2224, RAM 2214, or ROM 2230, which are also examples of computer-readable medium, and executed by the CPU 2212. The information processing described within these programs is read by the computer 2200, resulting in coordination between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured to realize the manipulation or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 2200.
[0112] For example, when communication is performed between a computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded into RAM 2214 and, based on the processing described in the communication program, instruct the communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing. Under the control of the CPU 2212, the communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as RAM 2214, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM 2201, or an IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes received data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area provided on the recording medium.
[0113] The CPU 2212 reads all or necessary parts of a file or database stored on an external storage medium such as a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), or an IC card into the RAM 2214, and may perform various types of processing on the data in the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 then writes the processed data back to the external storage medium.
[0114] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 2212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from RAM 2214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the program instruction sequence, and write the results back to RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 may also retrieve information in files, databases, etc., within the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries are stored in the recording medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU 2212 may search among the multiple entries for an entry that matches the condition for which the attribute value of the first attribute is specified, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.
[0115] The programs or software modules described above may be stored on or near computer 2200 on a computer-readable medium. Alternatively, recording media such as hard disks or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as computer-readable media, thereby providing programs to computer 2200 via the network.
[0116] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
[0117] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform them in that order. The notation "A and / or B" may mean "A, B, or A and C." The notation "A, B and / or C" may mean "any one of A, B, and C, or any combination of two or more of these." [Explanation of symbols]
[0118] 10 Pharmacies 20 Reception device 30 Waiting room 35 displays 40 store counters 50 Pharmacy 100 Drug Delivery Support Systems 110 Patient Input Section 120 Image reading unit 130 Refill Judgment Unit 132 Image comparison section 134 Image Judgment Unit 136 Image Recognition Unit 140 Storage Unit 150 Prescription Reception Department 152 Receipt Printing Unit 160 Patient Management Department 170 Store display section 172 Refill display section 174 Store Input Section 180 Dispensing Request Department 182 Dispensing Status Input Section 190 Reception Status Display Unit 410 Touch Panel 420 Prescription slot 430 Authentication terminal 440 Printers 450 Prescription Dispensing Dispenser 500 Reception slips 600 Reception slips 800 Reception number display area 810 Display area for patient input information, etc. 820 Prescription image display area 2200 Computers 2201 DVD-ROM 2210 Host Controller 2212 CPU 2214 RAM 2216 Graphics Controller 2218 Display Devices 2220 Input / Output Controller 2222 Communication Interface 2224 Hard Disk Drive 2226 DVD-ROM drive 2230 ROM 2240 Input / Output Chip 2242 keyboard
Claims
1. A drug delivery support system that assists in providing medications based on prescriptions, An image reading unit that takes in the target prescription to be processed and generates a prescription image of the target prescription, A storage unit that stores the read prescription in a way that prevents it from being removed. A refill determination unit that determines whether the aforementioned prescription is a refill prescription for which the aforementioned drug should be provided multiple times, When the refill determination unit determines that the target prescription is a refill prescription, the refill display unit displays that the target prescription is a refill prescription in association with the prescription image, A drug delivery support system equipped with the following features.
2. The refill determination unit is, The aforementioned prescription image is compared with a refill reference image, which is a pre-stored image of a refill prescription, and the image comparison unit compares the prescription image with a refill reference image. An image determination unit determines whether the target prescription is a refill prescription based on the similarity between the prescription image calculated by the image comparison unit and the refill reference image, Having, The drug delivery support system according to claim 1.
3. The system further includes a patient input unit for inputting refill eligibility information indicating whether or not the aforementioned prescription is a refill prescription, The refill determination unit determines that the target prescription is a refill prescription based at least partially on the refill eligibility information. A drug delivery support system according to claim 1 or 2.
4. When the aforementioned refill eligibility information indicates that it is a refill prescription, The system further includes an image recognition unit that identifies the prescription image as an additional refill reference image. The drug delivery support system according to claim 2.
5. If the image determination unit determines that the target prescription is a refill prescription based on the similarity, but the refill eligibility information indicates that it is not a refill prescription, The image recognition unit identifies the prescription image of the target prescription as a non-refill reference image, The image comparison unit determines whether the target prescription is a refill prescription based on the degree of similarity between the prescription image and the non-refill reference image. The drug delivery support system according to claim 4.
6. The system further includes a prescription reception unit that issues a reception number associated with the target prescription in accordance with the determination made by the refill determination unit. The drug delivery support system according to claim 1.
7. The system further includes a receipt output unit that issues a receipt slip for the target prescription in response to the prescription reception unit issuing the reception number. The drug delivery support system according to claim 6.
8. The refill determination unit generates refill information indicating whether the target prescription is a refill prescription or not. The system further includes a patient management unit that stores at least the refill information, the reception number, and the prescription image in association with each other. The drug delivery support system according to claim 6.
9. It further includes a patient input section for inputting patient information, which is patient information related to drug prescriptions. The aforementioned patient management unit stores the patient input information linked to the reception number. The drug delivery support system according to claim 8.
10. The system further includes a dispensing request unit that displays at least one of the prescription image and the dispensing information read from the prescription image in the dispensing room. The patient management unit provides the dispensing request unit with at least one of the prescription image and the dispensing information read from the prescription image. The drug delivery support system according to claim 8.
11. The pharmacy further comprises a dispensing status input unit for inputting dispensing status information of the target prescription in the dispensing room, The aforementioned patient management unit stores the dispensing status information linked to the aforementioned reception number. The drug delivery support system according to claim 10.
12. The system further includes a store input unit for inputting prescription completion information from a pharmacy terminal, indicating that the prescription processing for the aforementioned prescription has been completed. The Patient Management Department completes the management of the target prescription based on the prescription completion information of the target prescription. The drug delivery support system according to claim 11.
13. The image reading unit, the storage unit, and the patient input unit are provided in a reception device that receives prescriptions from patients. The reception device takes in the target prescription from a prescription intake slot located on the same side as the patient input unit. The drug delivery support system according to claim 3.
14. The reception device allows prescriptions to be retrieved from a prescription retrieval opening located on the opposite side of the patient input section. The drug delivery support system according to claim 13.
15. A method of supporting the provision of medications based on prescriptions, The process includes an image reading step where the target prescription to be processed is taken in, and an image of the prescription is generated from the read version of the target prescription, A storage stage in which the read prescription is stored in a way that prevents it from being removed, A refill determination stage in which it is determined whether the aforementioned prescription is a refill prescription in which the aforementioned drug should be provided multiple times, In the refill determination stage, if it is determined that the target prescription is a refill prescription, a refill display stage is performed in which the fact that the target prescription is a refill prescription is displayed in association with the prescription image. A drug delivery support method that includes the following features.
16. It is executed by a computer, and the computer, A drug delivery support system that assists in providing medications based on prescriptions, An image reading unit that takes in the target prescription to be processed and generates a prescription image of the target prescription, A refill determination unit that determines whether the aforementioned prescription is a refill prescription for which the aforementioned drug should be provided multiple times, When the refill determination unit determines that the target prescription is a refill prescription, the refill display unit displays that the target prescription is a refill prescription in association with the prescription image, A drug delivery support system equipped with A program that makes it function as such.