Drug Verification Apparatus Using Barcode Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Labeling errors in medical facilities can occur due to misinterpretation of computer-readable codes, leading to incorrect drug administration, as barcodes associated with one drug are mistakenly placed on another, and errors in the database can result in incorrect information retrieval.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that includes a memory device storing a formulary with drug entries, a user input device for verification, and a code reader to interpret computer-readable codes, prompting users to verify the drug information after scanning, ensuring accurate matching of retrieved information with the drug's label.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated barcode scanning is used for drug identification, then drug administration speed is improved, but labeling errors may increase due to misinterpretation of codes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug administration speedVSAvoidlabeling accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the pharmacist receives displayed drug information from the barcode scan and must actively confirm or correct it. This feedback loop ensures that automated scanning speed is maintained while human verification prevents labeling errors through direct confirmation of drug identity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The display device acts as an intermediary between the barcode scanner and the pharmacist. It presents the scanned information for review, allowing the pharmacist to verify accuracy before proceeding. This intermediary step maintains both speed (by avoiding manual lookup) and reliability (by enabling verification).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual verification of drug information is required, then labeling accuracy is improved, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabeling accuracyVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically scanning and displaying drug information before the pharmacist needs to proceed with administration. This pre-processing eliminates the need for manual database lookup, reducing verification time while maintaining accuracy through the required confirmation step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The display device creates a visual copy of the drug information from the barcode scan, allowing the pharmacist to quickly verify accuracy without accessing the full database. This copied information can be reviewed and confirmed rapidly, reducing verification time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Speed

If database errors occur, then information retrieval speed is improved, but drug identification accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation retrieval speedVSAvoiddrug identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback by displaying retrieved drug information for pharmacist confirmation. This allows the system to maintain fast database retrieval speeds while the human operator provides feedback to correct any identification errors, ensuring both speed and precision in drug identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9262585B2First time confirmation of database entry

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORP

AI summary

Provided is an apparatus that stores a formulary. The apparatus includes a memory device that stores the formulary, the formulary comprising a plurality of drug entries. A user input device allows a user to verify a drug of the plurality of drug entries of the formulary. A code reader interprets computer-readable codes. After a computer-readable code that is associated with the drug is read by the code reader, the drug is verified using the user input device.