Electronic Prescription System Real-Time Data Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current prescription systems face challenges such as illegible handwriting leading to adverse drug events and increased healthcare costs, as well as inefficiencies in electronic medical records and direct-to-physician advertising, which necessitate a more effective method for delivering relevant information to prescribers during the prescription process.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and apparatus that delivers customized information, including drug interactions, advertisements, and patient data, to prescribers through an electronic prescription system in real-time, utilizing data from various sources to tailor prescriptions and provide targeted messaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If handwritten prescriptions are used, then physicians can easily write prescriptions, but illegibility leads to adverse drug events and increased healthcare costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of handwritten prescriptions with an electronic prescription system. Physicians use computer interfaces to write prescriptions electronically, which are then transmitted digitally to pharmacies. This substitution eliminates illegibility issues while maintaining ease of use through standardized electronic forms and templates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of prescriptions that can be perfectly replicated and transmitted without degradation of quality. The electronic prescription system generates standardized digital formats that ensure accurate transmission of prescription information from physician to pharmacy, eliminating the copying errors that occur with handwritten notes.
2Reliability
If electronic prescription systems are implemented, then prescription accuracy improves, but systems are easily duplicated by unauthorized persons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements different security measures at different stages of the prescription process. Electronic prescriptions use encryption and authentication protocols for transmission, while maintaining accessibility for authorized parties. The system applies selective access controls that allow pharmacists to view and process prescriptions while preventing unauthorized duplication or modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces secure intermediary systems between physicians and pharmacies that verify authentication and prevent unauthorized access. The electronic prescription network uses intermediaries to validate digital signatures, verify provider credentials, and ensure prescription integrity during transmission, thereby preventing duplication by unauthorized persons.
3Loss of information
If traditional advertising methods are used, then pharmaceutical companies can promote drugs, but direct-to-physician advertising on prescription pads is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional print advertising on prescription pads with electronic advertising delivered through the electronic prescription system. Pharmaceutical companies can send targeted digital advertisements, drug interaction warnings, and educational materials directly to physicians' computer interfaces, eliminating the inefficiency of printed ads while improving information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent delivers advertising and informational content to physicians before they complete the prescription process. The system can pre-load drug information, safety warnings, and promotional materials that appear on the physician's screen during prescription entry, ensuring the information is received and considered before the prescribing decision is finalized.
4Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive patient data is collected, then personalized prescription information can be delivered, but data privacy and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements differentiated data handling based on sensitivity and purpose. The system collects and processes only the minimum necessary patient information required for each specific function, such as demographics for basic personalization, while applying stronger security measures to sensitive health information. Data is encrypted at rest and in transit, with access controls tailored to specific data types and user roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces secure intermediary layers that manage patient data collection, storage, and transmission. The electronic prescription system acts as an intermediary that aggregates necessary patient information from multiple sources, applies security protocols, and delivers personalized content while protecting underlying patient data. The system uses intermediaries to anonymize or aggregate data where possible, reducing security risks while maintaining personalization capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a computer-implemented method and apparatus that delivers information to a prescriber that is prescribing medication via an electronic prescription system, the information is delivered at the time of entering the prescription and prior to completion of entering the prescription information. The information delivered is responsive to information about the prescriber, the patient, and/or other relevant conditions from any or all of a number of sources. The information delivered to the prescriber may include drug interaction information, warnings, legally required statements, potential alternative medications, advertisements, coupons, etc. The data to which the specific information delivered to the prescriber is responsive may include prescriber information, such as the location, age, gender, medical specialty, practice size, geographic location etc, information about the patient, such as age, gender, insurance information, location, previous medical history, height, weight, etc. The data also may include information not specific to the prescriber or patient per se, such as local or national laws, current local weather, local allergen counts, etc. The data may be collected from various sources, including the prescriber's medical records database, insurance carrier databases, public information available over the internet or from other sources, purchased information such as subscription lists, weather, pollution, and allergy information, etc.