Secure Medication Transport Module with Real-Time Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medication distribution systems lack continuous tracking of medications from the pharmacy to the patient bedside, as the location of medications becomes unknown after leaving the pharmacy and before administration, leading to insecure handling and lack of real-time location monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A secure transport module attached to a mobile system, such as a point-of-care cart, which maintains medication security and tracks the module's location using a real-time location system, ensuring continuous monitoring from dispensing to administration, with features like a closed configuration to prevent access and a control element for secure communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If medications are transported in loose items or non-secure locations, then ease of operation is improved, but security and tracking capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides medication transport into discrete secure modules that can be individually attached to and removed from the mobile cart. Each module is a self-contained unit with its own security features and tracking capability, allowing flexible configuration while maintaining security and traceability throughout the transport process.
2Reliability
If medications are stored in secure transportable compartments at the pharmacy, then security is improved, but continuous tracking capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile cart system incorporates real-time location tracking and communication capabilities that continuously report the location and status of attached secure modules. This feedback mechanism ensures that while medications remain secured in their protective compartments, their location is continuously monitored and communicated to the central system, eliminating the information loss that occurs during transport.
3Loss of information
If a secure transport module is attached to a mobile system, then continuous tracking is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile cart is designed as a multi-functional platform that combines secure module attachment, real-time location tracking, communication capabilities, and medication administration functions in a single system. This universal design allows the same base unit to serve multiple purposes, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate specialized systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and process for delivering medications includes systems and methods for attaching a secure transport module that contains one or more doses of one or more medications to a docking location on a mobile system at a first location, moving the mobile system to a second location, and removing a dose of at least one of the one or more medications from the secure transport module.