Server equipment, computer programs, and pharmaceutical inventory management methods

Abstract

We provide server equipment, inventory management equipment, and programs to improve the maintenance of appropriate inventory levels of pharmaceuticals in medical institutions. [Solution] In the inventory management system 10, the server device 12 is capable of communicating with the client device 11. The communication interface 121 receives inventory lot information ST from the client device 11, which specifies the quantity and date of receipt of pharmaceuticals recorded in the medical institution's inventory. The storage 123 stores the inventory lot information ST. When the communication interface 121 receives outbound information DL from the client device 11, which specifies the outbound quantity of pharmaceuticals to be excluded from inventory, and inventory lot information ST specifying the expiration date of the pharmaceuticals is stored in the storage 123, the processor 122 subtracts the outbound quantity from the quantity specified by the inventory lot information ST that specifies the earlier expiration date first.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server device capable of communicating with a client device. The present disclosure also relates to a computer program executable by a processor mounted on the server device. The present disclosure also relates to a method for inventory management of pharmaceuticals executed by the server device and the client device.

Background Art

[0002] In a medical institution, when placing an order to purchase pharmaceuticals from a wholesaler, maintaining an appropriate inventory level in the medical institution is taken into consideration. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for changing the order content according to the likelihood of a patient's return. Specifically, when there is a high likelihood that a patient will return to receive a prescription for a certain pharmaceutical, a change is made to increase the purchase quantity of that pharmaceutical.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is a demand to enhance the maintainability of an appropriate inventory level of pharmaceuticals in a medical institution.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One example aspect that can be provided by the present disclosure is a server device capable of communicating with a client device, an interface that receives inventory lot information specifying the quantity and receipt date of pharmaceuticals recorded in the inventory of a medical institution from the client device, a storage that stores the inventory lot information, When the interface receives outbound information from the client device that specifies the outbound quantity of the pharmaceutical product to be excluded from the inventory, and inventory lot information that specifies the expiration date of the pharmaceutical product is stored in the storage, a processor first subtracts the outbound quantity from the quantity specified by the inventory lot information that specifies an earlier expiration date. It is equipped with.

[0006] One example of an embodiment that may be provided by this disclosure is a computer program executable by a processor installed in a server device capable of communicating with a client device, By being executed, the server device will The client device receives inventory lot information from the medical institution, which identifies the quantity of pharmaceuticals recorded in the medical institution's inventory and the date of receipt. The aforementioned inventory lot information is stored in storage, When the client device receives outbound information that specifies the quantity of the pharmaceutical product to be excluded from the inventory, and inventory lot information that specifies the expiration date of the pharmaceutical product is stored in the storage, the outbound quantity is first subtracted from the quantity specified by the inventory lot information that specifies an earlier expiration date.

[0007] One example of an embodiment that may be provided by this disclosure is a method for managing the inventory of pharmaceuticals, We accept inventory lot information that identifies the quantity of pharmaceuticals recorded in the inventory of medical institutions and the date of receipt. The aforementioned inventory lot information is stored in storage, When the system receives outbound information that specifies the quantity of the pharmaceutical product to be excluded from the inventory, and inventory lot information that specifies the expiration date of the pharmaceutical product is stored in the storage, the outbound quantity is first subtracted from the quantity specified by the inventory lot information that specifies an earlier expiration date.

[0008] By issuing stock lots with earlier expiration dates, it is possible to reduce the waste of pharmaceuticals in healthcare facilities. On the other hand, the adoption of such an issuance method may result in discrepancies in inventory status compared to when issuance is performed using the common FIFO (First-In, First-Out) method in inventory management. According to the configurations described in each of the above examples, it is possible to accurately grasp the inventory status while allowing an issuance method that can promote the reduction of pharmaceutical waste in healthcare facilities. Therefore, it is possible to improve the ability to maintain appropriate levels of pharmaceutical inventory in healthcare facilities. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This illustrates the configuration of an inventory management system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows an example of the functional configuration of the inventory management system. [Figure 3] This illustrates the subtraction process performed by the server device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows an example of the processing flow executed by the server device. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows another example of the processing flow executed by the server device. [Figure 6] Figure 1 shows another example of the processing flow executed by the server device. [Figure 7] This explains the aggregation process performed by the server device shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Examples of embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing referenced in the following description, the elements shown have been made recognizable as necessary. The scale is being changed.

[0011] As used in the present disclosure, the term "medical institution" means an institution where medical staff provide explanations about pharmaceuticals to patients. Examples of "medical institutions" include hospitals, clinics, clinics, dispensaries, pharmacies, drugstores, nursing facilities, care houses, and nursing homes. Examples of "medical staff" include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, care managers, and dietitians.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of an inventory management system 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. The inventory management system 10 includes a client device 11 and a server device 12.

[0013] The client device 11 is a device for providing information. The client device 11 is used in a medical institution. Therefore, there may be a plurality of client devices 11. Note that the same client device used by a plurality of users with different accounts may be regarded as a plurality of client devices. The client device 11 may be a stationary device installed at a specific location or a portable device that can be carried by a user.

[0014] The server device 12 is installed at a location remote from the client device 11. The client device 11 and the server device 12 are configured to perform two-way data communication via a communication network 20.

[0015] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the client device 11 includes a communication interface 111. On the other hand, the server device 12 includes a communication interface 121. Each of the communication interface 111 and the communication interface 121 is a hardware interface configured to enable two-way data communication between the client device 11 and the server device 12.

[0016] The client device 11 includes a processor 112 and a user interface 113. The user interface 113 is a hardware interface that mediates the exchange of information between the user and the processor 112 and receives instructions from the user to cause the client device 11 to perform a predetermined operation. In the present embodiment, the user interface 113 includes a display.

[0017] The processor 112 and the user interface 113 may be mounted in a common housing or provided in a distributed manner in independent housings.

[0018] The predetermined operation performed by the client device 11 includes the creation of inventory lot information ST. When a certain pharmaceutical product is counted in the inventory of a medical institution, an inventory lot is formed. The term "inventory lot" used in the present disclosure means a unit set of pharmaceutical products generated by a single inventory counting operation.

[0019] Specifically, the inventory lot information ST is configured to include information that can identify the pharmaceutical product, the quantity received, the receipt date, the expiration date, and information that can identify the manufacturing lot. The unit of quantity can be appropriately determined according to the specifications of the pharmaceutical product (tablets, packages, boxes, sheets, capsules, pieces, books, pills, tubes, cans, sets, bags, cylinders, bottles, blisters, syringes, sets, kits, cassettes, centimeters, grams, milliliters, MBQ, ML or G, batches, packaging units or units, etc.).

[0020] The term "manufacturing lot" used in the present disclosure means a unit that can identify the manufacturer of the pharmaceutical product. Examples of manufacturing lots include the factory where the pharmaceutical product was manufactured, the production line, the device, etc. Note that at least one of the information that can identify the expiration date and the manufacturing lot may be omitted from the input.

[0021] A predetermined operation performed by the client device 11 includes sending inventory lot information ST to the server device 12. The processor 112 sends the inventory lot information ST from the communication interface 111. The transmitted inventory lot information ST is received by the communication interface 121 of the server device 12.

[0022] The server device 12 includes a processor 122 and a storage device 123. The processor 122 is configured to store inventory lot information ST received via the communication interface 121 in the storage device 123. The storage device 123 can be a memory device that can be implemented using semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, or the like.

[0023] Figure 3 illustrates the inventory lot information ST stored in storage 123. In this example, the inventory lot information ST includes the first inventory lot information ST1, the second inventory lot information ST2, the third inventory lot information ST3, and the fourth inventory lot information ST4.

[0024] The predetermined operations performed by the client device 11 include the creation and transmission of the outbound information DL. When the quantity of pharmaceuticals to be removed from the inventory at the medical institution is determined, the user of the client device 11 creates the outbound information DL, which specifies that quantity. The processor 112 transmits the outbound information DL from the communication interface 111. The transmitted outbound information DL is received by the communication interface 121 of the server device 12.

[0025] The processor 122 of the server device 12 is configured to subtract the quantity to be shipped first from the quantity identified by the inventory lot information that has an earlier expiration date, when the shipping information DL is received via the communication interface 121. Figure 4 illustrates the processing flow executed by the processor 122 configured in this way.

[0026] The processor 122 determines whether the outbound shipment information DL has been received via the communication interface 121 (STEP 11). This process is repeated until it is determined that the outbound shipment information DL has been received (NO in STEP 11).

[0027] When it is determined that the outbound information DL has been received (YES in STEP 11), the processor 122 selects the inventory lot information ST stored in storage 123 that identifies the earliest expiration date. In the example shown in Figure 3, the earliest expiration date is identified by the third inventory lot information ST3.

[0028] Next, processor 122 subtracts the outgoing quantity identified by outgoing information DL from the quantity identified by the specified inventory lot information (STEP 12).

[0029] In the example shown in Figure 3, the quantity of goods issued identified by the outbound information DL is 100. The processor 122 subtracts 100 from the quantity of 30 identified by the third inventory lot information ST3. Since the subtraction result is less than 0, the quantity identified by the third inventory lot information ST3 becomes 0. The quantity of goods to be issued to be subtracted becomes 70.

[0030] Next, processor 122 determines whether any pharmaceuticals remain in the inventory lot corresponding to the inventory lot information that has been subtracted (STEP 13). If they remain (YES in STEP 13), the process returns to STEP 11 and waits for the next outbound information DL.

[0031] If no pharmaceuticals remain in the inventory lot in question (NO in STEP 13), the processor 122 determines whether information for other inventory lots corresponding to inventory lots containing pharmaceuticals is stored in the storage 123 (STEP 14). If it is determined that information for other inventory lots corresponding to inventory lots containing pharmaceuticals is not stored in the storage 123 (NO in STEP 14), the processor 122 determines that the medical institution does not have any inventory of the pharmaceuticals in question and terminates the subtraction process.

[0032] If it is determined that other inventory lots remain (YES in STEP 14), the process returns to STEP 12. That is, the processor 122 selects the inventory lot information ST stored in storage 123 that has the next earliest expiration date and performs the subtraction described above.

[0033] In the example shown in Figure 3, since information on other inventory lots corresponding to the inventory lot in which the drug remains is stored in storage 123, the fourth inventory lot information ST4, which has the next earliest expiration date, is specified. Next, the processor 122 subtracts 70 from the quantity of 100, which is the quantity specified by the fourth inventory lot information ST4. The quantity specified by the fourth inventory lot information ST4 becomes 30. Since the drug remains in the inventory lot, the process moves to the waiting state for the outbound information DL.

[0034] Figure 3 illustrates, with dashed lines, the case where the quantity of goods to be shipped is deducted using the so-called FIFO (First-In, First-Out) method, which is common in inventory management. In this method, the quantity of goods to be shipped is deducted first from inventory lot information for which the earliest receipt date is specified.

[0035] Therefore, first, the first inventory lot information ST1 is specified, and the quantity of 60 identified by this information is subtracted from the quantity of 100 issued. Since the result of the subtraction is less than 0, the quantity identified by the first inventory lot information ST1 becomes 0. The quantity of 40 issued to be subtracted becomes 40. Since other inventory lot information corresponding to the inventory lot in which the pharmaceuticals remain is stored in storage 123, the second inventory lot information ST2, which has the earliest received date identified, is then specified. Subsequently, 40 is subtracted from the quantity of 100 identified by the second inventory lot information ST2. The quantity identified by the second inventory lot information ST2 becomes 60. Since the pharmaceuticals remain in the inventory lot, the process moves to the waiting state for the issued information DL.

[0036] The processor 122 is configured to transmit lot identification information LS, which identifies the inventory lot that has undergone subtraction processing along with the quantity after subtraction, from the communication interface 121 to the client device 11. The transmitted lot identification information LS is received by the communication interface 121 of the client device 11.

[0037] The processor 112 of the client device 11 provides information via the user interface 113 indicating the stock lot to be issued, along with the quantity to be issued, based on the lot identification information LS. Based on the information provided, the user of the client device 11 performs the task of issuing a specified quantity of pharmaceuticals from the identified stock lot.

[0038] By issuing stock lots with earlier expiration dates, it is possible to reduce the waste of pharmaceuticals in medical institutions. On the other hand, as is clear from the above comparison, there may be discrepancies in inventory status between this method and the general FIFO (First-In, First-Out) method. The configuration according to this embodiment allows for an issuing method that promotes the reduction of pharmaceutical waste in medical institutions while also enabling accurate inventory status. Therefore, it is possible to improve the ability to maintain appropriate stock levels of pharmaceuticals in medical institutions.

[0039] As mentioned above, the inventory lot information ST created in the client device 11 may not include information that identifies the expiration date of the pharmaceutical product.

[0040] Figure 5 shows another example of the processing flow executed by the processor 122 of the server device 12, which can handle such cases. Processing elements that are substantially the same as those described with reference to Figure 4 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0041] In this example, when it is determined that the outbound information DL has been received at the communication interface 121 (YES in STEP 11), the processor 122 determines whether inventory lot information without a specified expiration date is stored in the storage 123 (STEP 21). If no such inventory lot information is stored (NO in STEP 21), the process moves to STEP 12, and the subtraction process described with reference to Figure 4 is performed.

[0042] If inventory lot information without a specified expiration date is stored in storage 123 (YES in STEP 21), processor 122 selects the inventory lot information and subtracts the quantity issued by the issued information DL from the quantity specified by the inventory lot information (STEP 22). If there are multiple inventory lot information entries without a specified expiration date, the inventory lot information with the earliest received date is selected.

[0043] Next, processor 122 determines whether any pharmaceuticals remain in the inventory lot corresponding to the inventory lot information that has been subtracted (STEP 23). If they remain (YES in STEP 23), the process returns to STEP 11 and waits for the next outbound information DL.

[0044] If no pharmaceuticals remain in the inventory lot in question (NO in STEP 23), the process proceeds to STEP 12, where the subtraction process described in Figure 4 is performed.

[0045] In other words, in this example, if inventory lot information for which the expiration date of the drug cannot be identified is stored in storage 123, the processor 122 first subtracts the quantity to be issued from the quantity identified by the inventory lot information. With this configuration, drugs with unknown expiration dates are given priority for issuance, which can further promote the reduction of drug waste in medical institutions.

[0046] In medical institutions, priority may be given to the issuance of pharmaceuticals with specific expiration dates. In this case, the user of client device 11 may include information specifying the expiration date in the issuance information DL. The conditions related to the expiration date may take on a certain range.

[0047] Figure 6 shows another example of the processing flow executed by the processor 122 of the server device 12, which can handle such cases. Processing elements that are substantially the same as those described with reference to Figure 5 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0048] In this example, when it is determined that the outbound information DL has been received at the communication interface 121 (YES in STEP 11), the processor 122 determines whether the information specifying the expiration date is included in the outbound information DL (STEP 31). If the information specifying the expiration date is not included in the outbound information DL (NO in STEP 31), the process moves to STEP 21, and the subtraction process described with reference to Figure 5 is performed.

[0049] If the information specifying the expiration date is included in the outbound information DL (YES in STEP 31), the processor 122 specifies the inventory lot information with an expiration date that matches the specified conditions, and subtracts the outbound quantity specified by the outbound information DL from the quantity specified by that inventory lot information (STEP 32). If there are multiple inventory lot information items with expiration dates that match the conditions, the inventory lot information with the earliest expiration date is specified. Alternatively, inventory lot information with an earlier receiving date may be specified.

[0050] Next, processor 122 determines whether any pharmaceuticals remain in the inventory lot corresponding to the inventory lot information that has been subtracted (STEP 33). If they remain (YES in STEP 33), the process returns to STEP 11 and waits for the next outbound information DL.

[0051] If no pharmaceuticals remain in the inventory lot in question (NO in STEP 33), the process proceeds to STEP 21, where the subtraction process described in Figure 5 is performed.

[0052] In other words, in this example, if the outbound information DL specifies a particular expiration date, the processor 122 first subtracts the outbound quantity from the quantity specified by the inventory lot information that specifies that expiration date. With this configuration, it is possible to flexibly respond to outbound requests that differ from normal rules, and thus further promote the reduction of pharmaceutical waste in medical institutions.

[0053] As illustrated in Figure 7, if multiple inventory lot information entries that identify the same expiration date and the same manufacturing lot are stored in the storage 123, the processor 122 may be configured to aggregate the quantities of pharmaceuticals identified by each of the multiple inventory lot information entries in the inventory lot information entry that identifies the earliest receiving date.

[0054] In this example, the expiration date and manufacturing lot identified in the newly stored fifth inventory lot information ST5 match the expiration date and manufacturing lot identified in the first inventory lot information ST1. The identified receiving date is earlier in the first inventory lot information ST1 than in the fifth inventory lot information ST5.

[0055] Therefore, the processor 122 adds the quantity of pharmaceuticals identified by the fifth inventory lot information ST5 to the quantity of pharmaceuticals identified by the first inventory lot information ST1.

[0056] With this configuration, by grouping inventory lots that can be considered essentially the same drug, it is possible to achieve the aforementioned effect of subtracting the quantity to be shipped first from the quantity identified by inventory lot information that specifies an earlier expiration date, while realizing inventory management operations similar to the FIFO method.

[0057] Each of the processors 112 of the client device 11 and 122 of the server device 12, which have the various functions described above, can be realized by at least one general-purpose microprocessor operating in cooperation with at least one general-purpose memory. Examples of general-purpose microprocessors include CPUs, MPUs, and GPUs. Examples of general-purpose memory include ROMs and RAMs. In this case, the ROM may store a computer program that performs the above-described processing. ROM is an example of a non-temporary computer-readable medium in which a computer program is stored. The general-purpose microprocessor selects at least a portion of the program stored in the ROM and loads it onto the RAM, and then works with the RAM to execute the above-described processing. The computer program may be pre-installed in the general-purpose memory, or it may be downloaded from an external server device via a communication network and then installed in the general-purpose memory. In this case, the external server device is an example of a non-temporary computer-readable medium in which a computer program is stored.

[0058] Each of processors 112 and 122 may be implemented by at least one dedicated integrated circuit capable of executing the above-described computer program. Examples of dedicated integrated circuits include microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, etc. In this case, the above-described computer program is pre-installed in a memory element included in the dedicated integrated circuit. This memory element is an example of a computer-readable medium in which the computer program is stored. Each of processors 112 and 122 can also be implemented by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a dedicated integrated circuit.

[0059] The configurations described herein are merely examples to facilitate understanding of this disclosure. Each configuration example may be modified or combined with other configuration examples as appropriate, as long as it does not deviate from the intent of this disclosure.

[0060] In the processing example explained with reference to Figure 7, when multiple inventory lot information items that identify the same expiration date and the same manufacturing lot are stored in storage 123, the quantities of pharmaceuticals identified by each of the multiple inventory lot information items are aggregated in the inventory lot information item that identifies the earliest receiving date.

[0061] However, the system may be configured so that the quantities of pharmaceuticals are aggregated only if the expiration date, manufacturing lot, and receiving date are all the same.

[0062] At least a portion of the processing flow described with reference to each of Figures 4 to 7 may be executed in the processor 112 of the client device 11.

[0063] The configurations listed below also constitute part of this disclosure. Item 1: A server device capable of communicating with client devices, An interface that receives inventory lot information from the client device, which identifies the quantity of pharmaceuticals recorded in the medical institution's inventory and the date of receipt, Storage for storing the aforementioned inventory lot information, When the interface receives outbound information from the client device that specifies the outbound quantity of the pharmaceutical product to be excluded from the inventory, and inventory lot information that specifies the expiration date of the pharmaceutical product is stored in the storage, a processor first subtracts the outbound quantity from the quantity specified by the inventory lot information that specifies an earlier expiration date. It is equipped with Server device. Item 2: If inventory lot information for which the expiration date of the pharmaceutical product cannot be identified is stored in the storage, the processor first subtracts the quantity issued from the quantity identified by the inventory lot information for which the expiration date cannot be identified. The server device described in item 1. Item 3: If the outbound information specifies a particular expiration date, the processor first subtracts the outbound quantity from the quantity specified by the inventory lot information that specifies the expiration date. The server device described in item 1 or 2. Item 4: When multiple inventory lot information entries that identify the same expiration date and the same manufacturing lot are stored in the storage, the processor aggregates the quantities of the pharmaceuticals identified by each of the multiple inventory lot information entries in the inventory lot information entry that identifies the earliest receiving date. A server device as described in any one of items 1 through 3. Item 5: When multiple inventory lot information items that identify the same receiving date, the same expiration date, and the same manufacturing lot are stored in the storage, the processor sums the quantities of the pharmaceuticals identified by each of the multiple inventory lot information items. A server device as described in any one of items 1 through 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 11: Client device, 12: Server device, 121: Communication interface, 122: Processor, 123: Storage, DL: Outbound information, ST: Inventory lot information

Claims

1. A server device capable of communicating with client devices, An interface that receives inventory lot information from the client device, which identifies the quantity of pharmaceuticals recorded in the medical institution's inventory and the date of receipt, Storage for storing the aforementioned inventory lot information, When the interface receives outbound information from the client device that specifies the outbound quantity of the pharmaceutical product to be excluded from the inventory, and inventory lot information that specifies the expiration date of the pharmaceutical product is stored in the storage, a processor first subtracts the outbound quantity from the quantity specified by the inventory lot information that specifies an earlier expiration date. It is equipped with Server device.

2. If inventory lot information for which the expiration date of the pharmaceutical product cannot be identified is stored in the storage, the processor first subtracts the quantity issued from the quantity identified by the inventory lot information for which the expiration date cannot be identified. The server device according to claim 1.

3. If the outbound information specifies a particular expiration date, the processor first subtracts the outbound quantity from the quantity specified by the inventory lot information that specifies the expiration date. The server device according to claim 1.

4. When multiple inventory lot information entries that identify the same expiration date and the same manufacturing lot are stored in the storage, the processor aggregates the quantities of the pharmaceuticals identified by each of the multiple inventory lot information entries in the inventory lot information entry that identifies the earliest receiving date. The server device according to claim 1.

5. When multiple inventory lot information items that identify the same receiving date, the same expiration date, and the same manufacturing lot are stored in the storage, the processor sums the quantities of the pharmaceuticals identified by each of the multiple inventory lot information items. The server device according to claim 1.

6. A computer program that can be executed by a processor installed in a server device capable of communicating with a client device, By being executed, the server device will The client device receives inventory lot information from the medical institution, which identifies the quantity of pharmaceuticals recorded in the medical institution's inventory and the date of receipt. The aforementioned inventory lot information is stored in storage, When the client device receives outbound information that specifies the quantity of the pharmaceutical product to be excluded from the inventory, and inventory lot information that specifies the expiration date of the pharmaceutical product is stored in the storage, the quantity to be outbound is first subtracted from the quantity specified by the inventory lot information that specifies an earlier expiration date. Computer program.

7. A method for managing pharmaceutical inventory, We accept inventory lot information that identifies the quantity of pharmaceuticals recorded in the inventory of medical institutions and the date of receipt. The aforementioned inventory lot information is stored in storage, When receiving outbound information that identifies the quantity of the pharmaceutical product to be excluded from the inventory, and when inventory lot information that identifies the expiration date of the pharmaceutical product is stored in the storage, the quantity to be outbound is first subtracted from the quantity identified by the inventory lot information that identifies the earlier expiration date. Inventory management methods.

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