Pharmacy Workflow Distribution via Task Object Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmacy networks face inefficiencies due to each store processing prescription orders independently, leading to suboptimal use of resources and increased costs, especially when handling specialty or non-standard drugs, as existing systems are not designed to divide work across different organizational units effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that distribute and process prescription order workflow by dividing tasks into portions that can be processed by multiple organizational units within a pharmacy network, using a task object to manage and route work across queues, allowing for flexible workflow planning and resource allocation based on capacity and expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single retail store processes all prescription orders independently, then each store maintains operational independence and simplicity, but network-wide resource utilization is suboptimal and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the prescription order processing workflow into distinct task objects that can be independently routed to different organizational units. Each task object represents a discrete unit of work (e.g., data entry, verification, fulfillment) that can be processed separately by different stores or departments within the network, enabling parallel processing and better resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a workflow management system that acts as an intermediary between prescription orders and processing resources. This intermediary system receives original order data, creates task objects, and intelligently routes them to appropriate organizational units based on workload, expertise, and capacity, thereby coordinating network-wide processing without requiring complex direct connections between all stores.
2Loss of energy
If work is distributed across multiple organizational units, then resource utilization optimizes and costs reduce, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal task object structure that can represent any type of processing task across different organizational units. This standardized task object format allows the same system infrastructure to handle diverse workflows (data entry, verification, fulfillment, specialty processing) without requiring unit-specific processing logic, thereby reducing system complexity while enabling flexible resource distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes routing parameters based on organizational unit capacity, expertise, and current workload. The workflow management system adjusts task routing decisions in real-time by evaluating parameters such as store specialty capabilities, available staff expertise, and current queue lengths, thereby optimizing resource utilization without requiring a fixed complex routing structure.
3Productivity
If specialty processing is concentrated at designated centers, then expertise is optimized and cost efficiency improves, but processing time may increase due to additional routing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary routing decisions by analyzing task characteristics and organizational unit capabilities before task assignment. The workflow management system pre-identifies which tasks require specialty processing and pre-routes them to appropriate designated centers, avoiding unnecessary intermediate stops and reducing overall processing time despite the distributed architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous processing by maintaining active queues at multiple organizational units and enabling parallel task execution. While specialty tasks are routed to designated centers, routine tasks continue processing at local stores simultaneously, ensuring that the overall workflow maintains continuous productive action without idle time or sequential bottlenecks.
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.