Closed Loop Medication System for Real-Time Error Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a paper-based medical care environment, there are challenges with outdated information leading to medication errors due to lack of real-time data access, delayed communication between healthcare professionals, and potential misinterpretation of handwritten prescriptions, which can result in adverse medication events.
Innovation Solution
A closed loop medication use system and method utilizing computer hardware and software to facilitate communication and task performance, enabling real-time data access and transmission between physicians, pharmacists, and nurses for accurate medication prescription, verification, dispensing, and administration, including the use of bar-coded packets and robotic dispensing systems to ensure the right medication, dosage, route, and timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a paper-based care environment is used for medication ordering and documentation, then the system is simple and easy to implement, but information becomes outdated and inaccessible in real-time, leading to medication errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical paper-based system with an electronic information system. Physicians, pharmacists, and nurses use computer terminals to access and update patient medication information in real-time, eliminating the delays and errors inherent in paper-based documentation and handoff processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic system serves multiple functions within a single integrated platform: physicians can order medications, pharmacists can verify and dispense, nurses can administer and monitor, and all parties can access updated information simultaneously. This multi-functional system replaces multiple separate paper processes.
2Productivity
If handwritten prescriptions are used, then the ordering process is quick and convenient, but misinterpretation occurs leading to medication errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces handwritten prescriptions with electronic prescribing through computer terminals. The system uses standardized digital formats and dropdown menus for medication selection, eliminating handwriting interpretation issues while maintaining quick ordering capability through efficient electronic interfaces.
3Reliability
If real-time communication between healthcare professionals is implemented, then medication errors are reduced, but system complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication functions for medication ordering, verification, dispensing, and administration into a single integrated electronic system. All healthcare professionals interact with the same centralized database through their respective terminals, ensuring real-time information sharing without requiring multiple separate communication channels.
4Measurement precision
If automated verification and dispensing systems are used, then medication accuracy is improved, but the extent of automation increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated verification where the system provides immediate feedback to pharmacists and nurses about medication appropriateness, dosage accuracy, and potential interactions. The system cross-checks ordered medications against patient profiles and provides real-time alerts for errors, enabling automated precision while maintaining professional oversight.
Data Source
AI summary
A closed loop medication use system and method includes selecting a medication to prescribe to a patient based on patient information, such as laboratory results, radiology results, and patient allergies, healthcare industry practices, patient-care site specific guidelines, and medication information. The selected medication is prescribed on an unverified prescription order that is then transcribed. Transcribing includes performing multiple crosschecks of the prescription order to real-time patient information, healthcare industry practices, and medication information to generate a verified prescription order. After transcribing, the appropriate dispensing method is determined for the prescription order and dispensed. The dispensed medication is administered after confirmation by the administering clinician of the right patient, right medication, right dosage, right route, and right time. The whole process of medication use described above is monitored continuously in real-time. The monitored information is communicated to the prescribing, transcribing, dispensing and administering parts of the system.