396 results about "Pharmacist" patented technology

This invention relates to the dispensing, creation, and selecting of memory devices that are used with interactive medication containers, dispensers, reminders, or consoles that hold or otherwise organize one or more medication vials or containers. The memory device is attached or adhered to a medication container or vial and has information corresponding to medication and prescription information. The memory device can be prepared when a standard medication label is printed by a pharmacist and can be part of the standard printed label. In other instances the memory device is separate from the medication label. When separate, the memory device has a printed section that identifies the dosing schedule or medication name that corresponds to the reminder schedule the memory device is associated with. The pharmacist or the customer / patient can match the text printed on the memory device with the text of the medical container label to ensure the memory device is only attached to the correct medication container.

The present invention relates to assisting patients in the taking of medication, and to assisting third parties in accumulating information regarding patient medication intake. The invention may be embodied a system including a portable medication monitor used in association with an instrumented medication package to provide intake data acquisition and patient support functions. The system may further be connected to a computer or computer network allowing information distribution between the medication monitor and third parties, such as physicians or pharmacists.

An integrated pharmacy system receives prescription information, creates a substitution reference list identifying the requested medical item and a plurality of equivalent medical items, automatically selects one of the items identified on the substitution reference list, fills the prescription, checks the accuracy of the filled prescription, facilitates the sales exchange, and creates an archive of the transaction, although not all steps need to be performed for every application. The integrated pharmacy system can also prevent unauthorized users from performing improper functions such as, for example, attempting to dispense an item which is not a proper substitute for the requested item. The present invention, by automatically substituting equivalent medical items for a requested medical item and by automatically archiving each prescription transaction, simplifies the prescription filling and record keeping requirements for the pharmacy technician and pharmacist.

Provided are methods for executing an action in response to a request for a service using location information in conjunction with service-specific parameters. A user may request a provider of a specified service (e.g., taxi, plumber, pharmacist, etc.). In evaluating the request, providers may be evaluated based on the location information in addition to service-specific parameters. An action in response may include merely displaying selected service provider(s) in response to the request, or acting on behalf of the user by communicating with a selected service provider.

A treatment Device is provided which enables a Doctor / Pharmacist to provide patient specific instructions in a textual format to a patient. The instructions are converted by a speech synthesizer provided in the Device into an audibly perceptible format. When configured as a hand-held unit, the Device may store a plurality of medications. Upon activation or automatically, instructions saved in the device are communicated to a patient / user via various audible, visual and / or tactile indicators. The instructions are provided to the device via a Platform which enables Doctors and Pharmacists input instructions into the Platform, which, via a Platform interface, are saved into a storage device provided in the Device. In an additional embodiment, a removable medication dispensing cartridge is provided which facilitates the controlled and automatic dispensing of a medication to a patient based upon a treatment schedule. Patient compliance information with a treatment schedule may be provided by the Device.

A medical information system receives patient data and information from various sources and displays such information in a variety of formats for use by members of a medical team in a hospital, clinic, or office. The system receives patient information from doctors, pharmacists, patient monitoring equipment, testing laboratories, and / or computer databases. Access to selected subsets of patient information is provided by user selection of specific data sets identified by job function selection icons. A member of the medical team can record observations about a patient using key words and phrases which can be supplemented with additional text for customized notation. Multiple types of patient data are selectively displayed simultaneously, and to multiple remote users. The system can access stored data according to user-specified formulae to compute a score or metric which reflects a relationship between various factors, each factor being weighted appropriately according to its significance as defined in the formula. A user can selectively display data in graphic form by “clicking” on a row of tabular data in a tabular region of the display and “dragging and dropping” that row to a graphic display region of the display.

The automated drug discrimination system inspects the drug being dispensed during the dispensing process so that the pharmacist can be certain the correct formulation, dosage and quality of pharmaceuticals were dispensed so the pharmacist does not need to spend as much time examining the dispensed drug. The pills are dispensed through a dispensing area using a dispensing apparatus and are collected in a collection area. At least two sensors take a plurality of measurements of an aggregate of the pills during the dispensing process or of each pill as it moves through the dispensing area. A discrimination system compares the measurements taken to verify that the pills dispensed are the type of pharmaceuticals intended to be dispensed as identified in the individual prescription for at least one of formulation and dosage of the pill.

A system, software, and methods related to enhanced pharmaceutical order entry and administration by medical personnel, and enhanced pharmaceutical inventory control within a medical institution are provided. An embodiment of the system includes a pharmaceutical information management server having memory and a medication administration program product including a set of instructions stored in the memory of the pharmaceutical information management server to enhance provision of pharmacy services. The system also includes medical institution physician computers to provide for computerized physician medication order entry, pharmacy computers to provide for review and verification by a pharmacist of electronic medication orders placed through the physician computers, and medical institution nursing unit computers, to provide for review of and input to electronic medication administration records.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for processing phone-in prescription requests. The apparatus is in the form of a prescription processing network that includes a prescription processing system and a communication device remotely located from the prescription processing system. The communication device is used to establish a communication channel with the prescription processing system and submit a prescription request over the communication channel. A pharmacist, associated with the prescription processing system, prepares a completed prescription form based, at least in part, on the submitted prescription request. The prescription processing network also includes a pharmacy for receiving the completed prescription form, and filling the prescription request based on the completed prescription form.

The present invention provides for a software-based computing environment that uses data communication systems or networks, including the Internet and World Wide Web technologies, to implement a dosage calculator, which assists the clinician in managing patients receiving intrathecal therapy. The invention provides for a communications environment for clinicians, pharmacists, drug pump manufactures, and patients to assess the information supplied by an implantable drug pump, and to integrate data from other data sources in order to provide optimization of the life of the drug pump and the therapeutic substance formulations for the patient.

A pharmacy medication verification system is particularly useful for verifying medications to be dispensed to hospital patients while minimizing or eliminating verification by a pharmacist. Typically, a technician or robot picks the medications from storage bins in accordance with a medical prescription or stocking order and uses various sensors to ensure that the correct medication was picked and enters a medication container. The system typically provides correct and incorrect medication indicators as well as correct and incorrect entry indicators. Error reports may be generated when appropriate to communicate any relevant errors to the pharmacist, who can then verify that the correct medications are in the container. In one aspect, the containers are in the form of patient drawers which fit within a cart for delivery to hospital rooms. A containment device may be used to secure the drawer or other container during the verification process.

This is the invention of a telemedicine system using internet, optical fiber, which is included medical reservation system, video conference system, e-carte, e-medical certificate, e-medical consent form and e-prescription and e-commerce. The medical examination is done using these. The consultation is possible by e-mail. Patient reserves using medical reservation system in internet, sees a doctor using a video conference system, pays by credit card by using e-commerce and gets medicine by e-prescription. Before seeing a doctor, patient submits e-medical consent form to agree on the medical examination using telemedicine system. Doctor sees a patient using video conference system, records using e-carte and prescribes using e-prescription. Inspection and medical examination between doctors are also possible. Pharmacist prescribes using e-prescription. By this system, patient soften mental burden and waist of time, doctor and pharmacist ease economical burden. Medical examination between long-distance and homemedicine are also possible.

A treatment Device is provided which enables a Doctor / Pharmacist to provide patient specific instructions in a textual format to a patient. The instructions are converted by a speech synthesizer provided in the Device into an audibly perceptible format. When configured as a hand-held unit, the Device may store a plurality of medications. Upon activation or automatically, instructions saved in the device are communicated to a patient / user via various audible, visual and / or tactile indicators. The instructions are provided to the device via a Platform which enables Doctors and Pharmacists input instructions into the Platform, which, via a Platform interface, are saved into a storage device provided in the Device. In an additional embodiment, a removable medication dispensing cartridge is provided which facilitates the controlled and automatic dispensing of a medication to a patient based upon a treatment schedule. Patient compliance information with a treatment schedule may be provided by the Device.

A secure method and apparatus for data exchange that allows a client's or patient's financial data, medical records, and other information to be stored on a card-shaped compact disk, with multiple levels of encryption to preserve privacy. The trusted record disc can be read on any computer with a network or internet connection, but access to the information on the disc is restricted according to a password protected hierarchical encryption policy. In order to obtain access to the restricted information, an individual user needs to enter a unique password that is sent to a central server. The server confirms the password and returns an electronic key to the user's computer. The electronic key unlocks the encryption and allow the user to view only the information that is permitted (under federal patient, financial privacy or other laws). Thus, in the medical setting, physicians can review the patient's entire medical record and make changes to it. Nurses, pharmacists, and billing clerks have differing predetermined levels of access.

This invention relates to the dispensing, creation, and selecting of memory devices that are used with interactive medication containers, dispensers, reminders, or consoles that hold or otherwise organize one or more medication vials or containers. The memory device is attached or adhered to a medication container or vial and has information corresponding to medication and prescription information. The memory device can be prepared when a standard medication label is printed by a pharmacist and can be part of the standard printed label. In other instances the memory device is separate from the medication label. When separate, the memory device has a printed section that identifies the dosing schedule or medication name that corresponds to the reminder schedule the memory device is associated with. The pharmacist or the customer / patient can match the text printed on the memory device with the text of the medical container label to ensure the memory device is only attached to the correct medication container.

A medical information system receives patient data and information from various sources and displays such information in a variety of formats for use by member of a medical team in a hospital, clinic, or office. The system receives patient information from doctors, pharmacists, patient monitoring equipment, testing laboratories, and / or computer databases. Access to selected subsets of patient information is provided by user selection of specific data sets identified by job function selection icons. A member of the medical team can record observations about a patient using key words and phrases which can be supplemented with additional text for customized notation. Multiple types of patient data are selectively displayed si- multaneously, and to multiple remote users. The system can access stored data according to user-specified formula to compute a score or metric which reflects a relationship between various factors, each factor being weighted appropriately according to its significance as defined in the formula. A user can selectively display data in graphic form by “clicking” on a row of tabular data in a tabular region of the display and “dragging and dropping” that row to a graphic display region of the display.

The invention provides an intelligent prescription auditing system and an intelligent prescription auditing method. The system is provided with an input module, various databases, a prescription auditing module, a dispensing explaining module, and an output module. The method is implemented as follows: a doctor refines a prescription through the input module and then sends the prescription to the prescription auditing module; after receiving the prescription, the pharmacist reviews writing rules, indications, dosage, incompatibility and drug interactions of the prescription according to various databases; the doctor returns checking comments of the disqualified prescription to the prescription input module so as to modify or re-issue the prescription or give suggestions, and sends the qualified prescription to the dispensing explaining module; after receiving the prescription, an allocation doctor allocates medicines; after receiving the prescription, a dispensing doctor generates prescription information, a medication explaining matter and the like of dispensing explaining, which are printed by the output module and then explained to a patient. The invention provides a medicine dispensing control system and a medicine dispensing control method which are capable of effectively avoiding great prescription, irregular prescription, unsuitable medication for the prescription and unconventional prescription.

A method of discriminating between orders is comprised of evaluating a queue of orders based on whether each prescription within each order can be filled in an automated or non-automated manner. A set of workstations for each prescription is then determined based on the evaluating. For those orders that can be filled entirely in an automated manner, the set of workstations for each prescription excludes a pharmacist review workstation. Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method of operating a prescription filling facility of the type having automated equipment and non-automated equipment for filling orders, the improvement comprising identifying an order that can be filled with automated equipment and routing at least one container to be filled for the order in a manner that eliminates a review of the order by a pharmacist. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be relied upon in construing the claims

The manual filling of vaporizable substances into the filling chamber of an inhaler by the user is suitable, in particular, for the requirements of a medical application only in limited circumstances. As a rule, there is the risk of an incorrect dosage. Moreover, many patients are not at all capable of carrying out such a difficult task owing to their motor skills ailments or other conditions that render them disabled. Medical application therefore requires an economical form that has already been pre-dosed with the desired substance (medicament) by the pharmacist or the pharmaceutical company and that is a standardized single-use component. A dosage pad that has already been pre-dosed by the manufacturer ensures that the proper amount of medication is used. In particular, a dosage pad containing a medicament that is vaporizable by heat in an inhaler and that is effectual upon inhalation avoids the problems associated attempting to fill an inhaler manually with the correct dosage.

An exemplary medication order processing system (10) includes a plurality of nursing stations (12, 14, 16). Physician orders prescribing medications for patients are faxed from the nursing stations to a computer which is included in an interchange fax station (28) located at the pharmacy. Physician orders for medications are selectively sent to either a priority or normal fax number based on the urgency associated with delivering the medication to the patient. The interchange fax station is operative to prioritize the orders and to present them to pharmacists working at pharmacist work stations (40, 42). Pharmacist work stations are enabled to review, electronically annotate, and input orders reviewed at the pharmacy work station into a pharmacy order system of the facility. Input to the pharmacy order system results in the medication being administered to the patient. Pharmacists are also enabled to handle discrepancies and to present issues to the originators of the orders so as to resolve questions before the input of the medication order into the pharmacy order system.

Varying the daily dose of either or both of the estrogen and the progestogen administered for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is readily and inexpensively accomplished, without the necessity of the physician prescribing a new product each time the daily dose of the estrogen or progestogen is changed, by administering preferably transdermally the estrogen and the progestogen contained in separate extrudable pharmaceutical compositions from a dispenser which contains means, preferably adjustable only by the attending physician or dispensing pharmacist, for varying the volume of either or both of the respective compositions which is dispensed as a single dose from the dispenser in response to a defined digital dispensing manipulation of the dispenser thereby facilitating optimal compliance to a combination of HRT with individually adjusted dosages of the estrogen and progestogen.

A novel telehealth video conferencing system (process) that is designed to enable the patient user to have a real-time or near real-time 2 way tele-conference / consult including the transfer of patient specific biometric information with a health care provider team (one or more health care providers simultaneously, i.e. a team consisting of a pharmacist, physician, mental health provider, clinical lab, mental health provider, orthopedist, podiatrist, dentist, clinical specialist, etc. . . . ) located remotely from the telehealth digital / video patient user portal. The present invention, the IPWP is an interactive-digital health care provider network to patient portal designed to provide patients with the same level of quality care that they would expect to receive if they were physically in a multispecialty doctor or health care providers' (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, dentist, ophthalmologist, orthopedist, podiatrist, medical specialty clinic, hospital, etc. . . . ) office. However, the patients that utilize the IPWP will interact with their health care provider / s on a computer / notebook / smart device screen / monitor via existing secure digital web or cellular camera technology in a mobile or stationary, enclosed / private HIPP compliant environment at a retail pharmacy or a pharmacy supported location (workplace, educational facilities, retail stores, etc. . . . that have an in-house, adjacent or an electronic dispensing pharmacy). Current statistics demonstrate that 80% of primary care provider visits result in the health care provider writing a script for medication. Medication management is critical to safe, effective quality care and has been an issue of health care reforms Accountable Care Organization concept since 2009. In order for the patient to receive comparable care to what they would receive in a multispecialty provider / doctor's office with an onsite pharmacy, the IMP will combine the use of existing biometric sensor technologies (i.e. Strain Gauge Tech, IR Thermometer, etc.) in order for the system to take patient real time biometric information such as height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, EKG, blood glucose, body temperature, etc. . . . as well as identify the patient positively by both video capture and biometric scanning (fingerprint, iris scan, driver's license photo, etc. . . . ). It also has the capability to upload information from certain glucose readers in order for the physician to better assess a patient's blood sugar levels and may incorporate the use of magnified micro camera technology and lighting to look at a patient's microanatomy (ear canals, nasal passages, skin conditions, color and eye examination, etc. . . . ). In addition to the use of sensor technology the IPWP can incorporate the use of antimicrobial materials or technologies (copper ions, silver ions, UV light, HEPA filters, etc. . . . ) to reduce the communication of disease from patient to patient. The monitor, web camera, and other vital components will be designed to be permanently or temporarily (mobile system) located within a secure / private enclosure at a pharmacy or pharmacy supported location (private kiosk, room, booth, enclosure, space, etc. . . . ). All patient information and electronic forms will be transmitted via a secure encrypted web based digital or cellular portal to multiple providers as needed simultaneously for a seamless 3-way (or more) consultation / communication. The IPWP will be linked to a smartphone / computer / Internet / web app that will allow the patient to view availability and schedule appointments at their local pharmacies IPWP or alternatively on a walk-in, as needed basis. Lastly, the unit will be equipped with electronic payment technologies such as card (swipe) readers, etc. . . . to capture / collect payment from credit cards, PayPal and debit cards for all health care services provided including, but limited to co-pays, payments, prescriptions, lab test, etc. . . . .In summary the ability of the patient portal system to provide real time, multiple simultaneously communicating health care providers with real time biometric information (including the onsite or tele pharmacist) is a novel process not limited to the single provider video / audio access currently patented. This new dimension to telehealth promises a telehealth experience that at a minimum matches the diagnostics ability and access of a multispecialty clinic or traditional hospital setting while exceeding the clinical / diagnostic ability of a single health care provider's office or clinic that is more accessible at a 50% reduced cost and resulting in better health outcomes.

The automated drug discrimination system inspects the drug being dispensed during the dispensing process so that the pharmacist can be certain the correct formulation, dosage and quality of pharmaceuticals were dispensed so the pharmacist does not need to spend as much time examining the dispensed drug. The pills are dispensed through a dispensing area using a dispensing apparatus and are collected in a collection area. At least two sensors take a plurality of measurements of an aggregate of the pills during the dispensing process or of each pill as it moves through the dispensing area. A discrimination system compares the measurements taken to verify that the pills dispensed are the type of pharmaceuticals intended to be dispensed as identified in the individual prescription for at least one of formulation and dosage of the pill.

A dispenser for dispensing restricted goods such as pharmaceuticals by an pharmacist to a purchaser with a prescription includes a cabinet containing an inventory storage system, a purchaser transaction module, a reject system and a control system. The inventory storage system includes product storage in rows and columns. The purchaser transaction module including an audio communication link from the dispenser to the pharmacist, a payment transaction system in the dispenser to verify payment for the product and an issue tray in the dispenser that is locked until the pharmacist releases the product to the purchaser. The reject system securely removes product to a reject hopper at any time after the product is held by the product selection device but prior to the pharmacist releasing the product from the issue tray. The control system includes means to enable the pharmacist to view the prescription and the purchaser. The control unit includes a product identification system that identifies and stores the location of each product by its row and column and cooperates with a product selection device that verifies that the product selected is correct and holds and carries the product from its storage location to one or more of a printing location, viewing location and issue tray all located within the dispenser. The pharmacist is able to actuate the reject system or unlock the issue tray.

An automatic pill dispensing system and apparatus are disclosed that include a plurality of pill storage cartridges, a control system configured to dispense pills at predetermined times and intervals. The dispensed medications, dosage times, patient compliance information, other prescription information are programmed or available to a caregiver, physician, other medical personnel or pharmacist either directly or remotely by a caregiver through an interface that is not accessible to the patient. The apparatus signals the patient at appropriate times and pills are dispensed when the patient depresses a single dispense button to discharge the prescribed medications into a tray.

A method for preparing both main label and warning label portions for a container useful in dispensing drugs by a pharmacist in which the main label portion contains specific drug or patient information and the warning label portion contains one or more warnings specific to the drug or patient information includes the steps of providing a backing sheet having the main label portion and the warning label portion releasably adhered thereto, printing the drug or patient information on the warning label during only one printing pass, and then affixing both the main label portion and the warning label portion to a drug container.