Automated Label Verification System for Pharmacy Order Fulfillment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing pharmacy prescription filling process is labor-intensive and prone to human error, with inefficiencies arising from the manual handling and verification of products, particularly in the picking, labeling, and verification stages, which can lead to increased handling touches and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a storage carousel with a rotating mechanism and pick-to-light instructions to streamline the retrieval of products, combined with an automated label and verification machine to minimize human touches and enhance the efficiency of the labeling and verification process, while ensuring accurate product handling and authorization for controlled substances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual handling and verification methods are used in the prescription filling process, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but the number of human touches increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprescription filling efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of human touches

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automated label printing and verification. The label printer automatically generates patient labels based on prescription data, and the verification system automatically checks label accuracy without requiring manual intervention at each step, thereby reducing human touches while maintaining operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical handling is replaced with automated systems including robotic picking mechanisms, automated label printers, and electronic verification systems. These systems substitute human hands and eyes with machines that can operate continuously without fatigue, increasing productivity while reducing the number of human touches required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple verification steps are implemented, then accuracy and reliability improve, but process complexity and handling time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel verification accuracyVSAvoidverification process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple verification functions are merged into a single integrated verification station that combines barcode scanning, label printing, and accuracy checking. This consolidation maintains high reliability through comprehensive verification while reducing process complexity by eliminating separate verification steps and equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The verification system implements immediate feedback mechanisms where scan results are instantly compared against prescription data, and any discrepancies are automatically flagged for correction. This real-time feedback ensures high accuracy while simplifying the process by providing clear, immediate guidance rather than requiring complex multi-step verification procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If automated label printing is implemented, then labeling speed and consistency improve, but equipment complexity and initial setup requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabeling speedVSAvoidautomated labeling equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The label printing system is designed as a multi-functional device that can handle various label formats, sizes, and prescription types through a single interface. This universality increases labeling speed and consistency while reducing the need for multiple specialized devices, thereby managing equipment complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading prescription data and label templates into the automated printer before the actual labeling process begins. This preparation reduces setup requirements during operation and simplifies the equipment by having configurations ready in advance, thereby increasing labeling speed without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9122783B2Automated label and verification systems and methods for filling customer orders of medical items

Publication Date: 2015.09.01 OMNICARE INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for filling a customer order. An automated label and verification machine is used to print and apply patient labels to products containing medical items and then verify the product label and patient label on each of the products. In order to supply the automated label and verification machine with a batch of different products making up the customer order, a user is sent to a storage carousel and prompted to pick the products from storage locations rotated into location adjacent to a door in the cage surrounding the storage carousel. The use of the storage carousels maximizes the number of distinct products and amount of those products that may be stored in close relation to the automated label and verification machine, thereby making the process more space and time efficient.