Drug Short Naming System for Patient Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients and caregivers face difficulties in identifying and remembering multiple prescription drugs due to complex and unfamiliar brand, generic, or chemical names, especially when managing multiple prescriptions and communicating drug information among various caregivers.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for assigning and displaying short, easy-to-remember names or graphical symbols for prescription drugs, using a common naming convention that can be selected and printed on medication containers and reference cards, along with dosing regime indications, to simplify identification and administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If brand, generic or chemical names are used to label drugs, then legal requirements are met and drug identification is standardized, but the names are long, complex and unfamiliar to patients, making identification and remembering difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug identification accuracyVSAvoidpatient ability to identify and remember drugs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex drug identification task into two parts: the official drug name (for legal and medical accuracy) and a simplified short name or graphical symbol (for patient recognition). This segmentation allows the system to maintain legal compliance while improving patient usability through easier-to-remember identifiers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces short names and graphical symbols as intermediary elements between the official drug names and the patient. These intermediaries serve as mediators that bridge the gap between medical precision and patient comprehension, making drug identification more accessible without sacrificing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If multiple prescription drugs are managed using their official names, then complete drug information is maintained, but identifying and remembering multiple drugs becomes cumbersome and confusing for patients and caregivers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug information completenessVSAvoidtime required for patients and caregivers to identify and manage multiple medications

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the medication management system into official drug names (maintained for information completeness) and simplified short names/graphical symbols (used for quick identification). This allows caregivers and patients to rapidly distinguish between multiple medications using the simplified identifiers while the complete drug information remains available when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates simplified copies (short names and graphical symbols) of the official drug names. These copies serve as quick-reference identifiers that capture the essential identification function without the complexity of the full drug names, enabling faster medication management while preserving access to complete drug information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If multiple caregivers are involved in patient care, then comprehensive care coverage is achieved, but communicating drug information among multiple caregivers becomes difficult due to complex drug names

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecare coordination completenessVSAvoidease of drug information communication among caregivers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces short names and graphical symbols as intermediary communication tools among multiple caregivers. These simplified identifiers serve as common reference points that facilitate clear and efficient drug information exchange between different caregivers, reducing miscommunication while maintaining accurate drug identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent promotes homogeneity in drug identification by establishing a consistent naming convention and graphical symbol system across all medications. This standardized approach ensures that all caregivers use the same simplified identifiers, making drug information communication more uniform and less prone to errors regardless of which caregiver is involved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentUS8583457B1Method of coordinating and displaying a short name of a drug

Publication Date: 2013.11.12 WALGREEN CO

AI summary

A system and methods for coordinating and displaying a short name of a drug are disclosed. The short name may be a subset of the prescribed drug's name, it may be an independent name, or it may be a graphical symbol. Short names for multiple drugs of a patient may be related by a common naming convention. Short names may be printed onto a reference card along with an indication corresponding to the drug's dosing regime. Short names may also be printed onto medicament container labels, additional instruction sheets, labels used for stocking and the like. The short name may be selectable and may be stored.