Managing medications at the bedside
First Claim
1. A method for dispensing different types of medication to a plurality of patients, the method comprising:
- receiving, by an affixed secured first storage apparatus in a stationary location within an individual patient'"'"'s room, a request for a medication from the individual patient;
determining, by a medication dispensing system, if the requested medication is an optional medication;
confirming, via the first storage apparatus, compatibility of the requested medication with medications currently being administered to the individual patient;
selectively dispensing the requested medication, only if the requested medication is an optional medication compatible with medications currently being administered to the individual patient, from the affixed secured first storage apparatus; and
dispensing, from a separate mobile second storage apparatus carrying required medications for the plurality of patients, one of the required medications for the individual patient, the second storage apparatus being movable between patient rooms with the affixed secured first storage apparatus remaining in the stationary location within the individual patient'"'"'s room.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for dispensing medications to hospitalized individuals through a first apparatus containing optional medications that is configured to be replenished by optional medication from a central storage location. Some embodiments provide that the first apparatus is associated with an individual patient. The first apparatus is preferably secured at a location near the individual patient, such as, for example, within the individual patient'"'"'s room. By creating multiple dispensing apparatuses, a caregiver who administers required medications no longer has to retrieve optional medications from a central storage location.
51 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for dispensing different types of medication to a plurality of patients, the method comprising:
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receiving, by an affixed secured first storage apparatus in a stationary location within an individual patient'"'"'s room, a request for a medication from the individual patient; determining, by a medication dispensing system, if the requested medication is an optional medication; confirming, via the first storage apparatus, compatibility of the requested medication with medications currently being administered to the individual patient; selectively dispensing the requested medication, only if the requested medication is an optional medication compatible with medications currently being administered to the individual patient, from the affixed secured first storage apparatus; and dispensing, from a separate mobile second storage apparatus carrying required medications for the plurality of patients, one of the required medications for the individual patient, the second storage apparatus being movable between patient rooms with the affixed secured first storage apparatus remaining in the stationary location within the individual patient'"'"'s room. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for dispensing different types of medication to a plurality of patients, the method comprising:
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determining, by a medication dispensing system, if a medication requested from an individual patient is an optional medication; confirming, via an affixed secured first storage apparatus stationarily located within the individual patient'"'"'s room, compatibility of the requested medication with medications currently being administered to the individual patient; selectively dispensing the requested medication, after confirming the requested medication is an optional medication compatible with medications being administered to the individual patient from the affixed secured first storage apparatus; and dispensing, from a separate mobile second storage apparatus carrying required medications for the plurality of patients, one of the required medications for the individual patient, the second storage apparatus being movable between patient rooms with the affixed secured first storage apparatus remaining stationarily located within the individual patient'"'"'s room, wherein the optional medications comprise non-prescription medications and the required medications comprise prescription medications. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification