Pharmacy Order Workflow Segmentation and Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmacy networks face inefficiencies due to the inability to effectively sub-divide and distribute prescription order processing tasks across different organizational units within the network, leading to system-wide inefficiencies and excessive resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that divides prescription order workflow into portions, allowing distribution and processing by multiple organizational units within a pharmacy network, utilizing a task object to manage and route tasks through queues, enabling flexible workflow planning and resource allocation based on customer preferences, resource availability, and specialized expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single retail store performs all processing steps for each received prescription, then the store can complete the entire workflow independently, but the pharmacy network cannot efficiently utilize its network resources to sub-divide work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the prescription processing workflow into distinct segments (order entry, verification, fulfillment, etc.) that can be independently assigned to different organizational units. This segmentation enables the system to distribute processing tasks across multiple stores while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized workflow definitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a workflow engine as an intermediary component that manages task distribution between organizational units. This intermediary handles the complexity of routing, queue management, and coordination, allowing individual stores to focus on execution without managing the distribution logic themselves.
2Productivity
If there is no way to sub-divide work into portions processed by different organizational units, then the system remains simple to implement, but the pharmacy network cannot benefit from efficient use of network resources
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow engine is designed as a universal system that can handle various prescription processing scenarios and be configured for different organizational structures. It provides multi-functional capabilities including task distribution, queue management, and workflow monitoring, reducing the need for multiple specialized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows flexible configuration of workflow parameters such as task routing rules, queue priorities, and organizational unit assignments. These parameter changes enable the same core system to adapt to different network structures and processing requirements without requiring system redesign.
3Productivity
If original order data is processed locally at each store, then data processing is simple and fast, but the system cannot distribute processing tasks across multiple organizational units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a task object that contains a reference to the original order data rather than copying the entire data set. This reference mechanism allows multiple organizational units to access and process the same original data without duplication, maintaining data integrity while enabling distributed processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a nested data structure where the task object contains references to the original order data, which in turn contains all the necessary information. This nesting allows hierarchical access to data at different levels of the processing workflow without requiring data duplication at each level.
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.