Pharmacy Network Workflow Segmentation for Order Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmacy networks face inefficiencies due to the inability to effectively sub-divide and distribute the processing of prescription orders across different organizational units within the network, leading to systemic inefficiencies and increased costs from equipping every store with identical resources for handling all drug prescriptions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that divides prescription order workflow into portions that can be processed by multiple organizational units within a pharmacy network, utilizing a task object to distribute and manage the processing of prescription orders, allowing for flexible workflow implementation and resource allocation based on demand and expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single retail store processes all prescription orders locally, then the store maintains full control and simplicity in operations, but the pharmacy network experiences system-wide inefficiency and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the prescription processing workflow into distinct functional components (order entry, verification, filling, payment processing) that can be distributed across different organizational units within the pharmacy network. Each unit handles specific tasks rather than complete orders, enabling parallel processing and load distribution while maintaining network-wide efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal task object that can be passed between different organizational units regardless of their specific capabilities. This task object serves multiple functions: carrying order information, tracking processing status, and enabling inter-unit communication. The system allows any organizational unit to perform any processing function, creating flexibility and eliminating the need for every store to have identical resources.
2Reliability
If every store is equipped with identical resources for handling all prescriptions, then each store operates independently and autonomously, but the network incurs increased costs and resource underutilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing capabilities of multiple organizational units into a coordinated network system. Instead of each store maintaining complete independent capabilities, the system combines resources across the network to handle different processing functions. This allows specialized resources to be consolidated and shared, improving utilization efficiency while maintaining reliable processing through the coordinated effort of multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network computer system as an intermediary that coordinates between organizational units. This intermediary manages task object routing, tracks processing status, and ensures reliable completion of prescriptions even when individual units are unavailable. The intermediary enables resource sharing and load balancing across the network, improving overall efficiency without compromising reliability.
3Productivity
If prescription processing is distributed across multiple organizational units, then network efficiency improves and resource utilization optimizes, but the system complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic workflow system where the processing path of each prescription is determined in real-time based on current organizational unit availability, workload conditions, and prescription characteristics. The task object can be routed to different units at different stages of processing, and the system adapts to changing conditions automatically. This dynamic approach enables efficient load balancing and resource utilization while managing complexity through flexible, situation-based routing rather than rigid predefined paths.
Data Source
AI summary
An information system and method that provides the ability to reroute portions of prescription order work between a plurality of organizational units in order to leverage capacity, expertise, or other resources to increase network efficiency.