Pharmacy Order Workflow Segmentation for Specialty Medication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmacy networks face inefficiencies due to the lack of ability to sub-divide prescription order processing across different organizational units within the network, leading to system-wide inefficiencies and excessive resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that divide 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 across various queues, allowing for flexible workflow implementation and resource distribution.
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 system experiences inefficiency and excessive resource allocation across the network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the prescription order processing workflow into distinct segments or portions that can be independently processed by different organizational units within the pharmacy network. Each segment represents a specific processing step that can be routed to different stores based on workload and capability, enabling efficient resource distribution across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically assigns different portions of the workflow to different organizational units based on real-time conditions such as store workload, location, and capability. This dynamic routing allows the system to optimize resource allocation by directing tasks to the most appropriate store at any given time, rather than using a static one-size-fits-all approach.
2Productivity
If there is no ability to sub-divide work into portions processed by different organizational units, then the system structure remains simple, but the pharmacy network cannot efficiently use its network resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system or workflow management layer that coordinates and distributes different portions of the prescription order processing workflow to various organizational units. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of routing and coordination, allowing individual stores to focus on executing their assigned tasks without managing the overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If all processing steps are performed at a single store, then the workflow is straightforward and easy to manage, but the system cannot redistribute workload to optimize resource use
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow is segmented into manageable portions that can be independently assigned and executed by different organizational units. This segmentation maintains operational simplicity at each individual store level while enabling efficient workload distribution across the network through the workflow management system.
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.