Opioid Custody Chain Tracking System for Diversion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient-controlled analgesia pumps for opioid pain medications are susceptible to diversion due to the high likelihood of surplus medication and inadequate custodial oversight.
Innovation Solution
A system that establishes a custody chain for opioid pain medication cartridges by tracking location, content, and individual handling, using data processors, content meters, and identification systems to detect anomalies indicative of diversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If patient-controlled analgesia pumps are used to allow direct patient control over opioid delivery, then patient autonomy and pain management effectiveness are improved, but susceptibility to medication diversion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring system that acts as a mediator between the patient-controlled pump and the medication supply. This system tracks the medication flow, verifies patient identity through biometric authentication, and maintains a custody chain of records, thereby enabling patient autonomy while preventing unauthorized diversion through automated oversight
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms by monitoring medication delivery in real-time, tracking cartridge location and status, and recording all access events. This feedback loop allows the system to detect anomalies, verify proper usage, and alert authorities when diversion is suspected, thus maintaining patient control while preventing abuse
2Reliability
If comprehensive tracking and monitoring systems are implemented to prevent diversion, then medication security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal tracking components and standardized protocols that can be integrated across multiple devices and locations. The custody chain system uses common identification methods, standardized data formats, and interoperable interfaces, allowing comprehensive monitoring without proportionally increasing complexity at each individual point
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated self-monitoring capabilities where the tracking devices and monitoring software automatically record, verify, and report medication flow without requiring constant manual intervention. The system self-audits its own operations, reducing the operational complexity burden while maintaining high security standards
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a data processor and a memory storing instructions. The instructions may result in operations when executed by the data processor. The operations may include determining, based on location data from a positioning system, a presence of a cartridge at a location. The cartridge may include a substance. A quantity of the substance may be determined based on content data from a content meter at the location. Diversion of the substance may be detected based on the cartridge being present at the location and/or the quantity of the substance. Related methods and articles of manufacture, including apparatuses and computer program products, are also disclosed.