System and method for automated prescription management

• US 20020052760A1
• Filed: 03/27/2001
• Published: 05/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whittier Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Whittier Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Munoz, David Raul, Oksan, Emre, Munoz, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,426,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

An automated Triage Administrator system that links data for prescription requests, prescription refill requests, medical history requests and a patient'"'"'s prescription history in a data base. The system allows pharmacies and physicians access to the desired medical information by fax or internet protocols. The system also provides all newly issued and current prescriptions to be joined into one “Super Prescription” for convenient distribution.

Claims

1. A method of processing a prescription refill request via an interactive voice response system, the method comprising the steps of:

providing access to an interactive response system;

prompting for a pharmacy identification;

prompting for a patient identification; and

prompting for an NDC number of a medication corresponding to the prescription to be filled.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing an authorization for the requested refill.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

confirming the pharmacy identification;

confirming the patient identification; and

confirming the medication.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

prompting for the date the prescription was last filled;

prompting for the identification of the original prescribing physician; and

prompting for the quantity of the medication.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each response to a prompt is followed by a confirmation of the reponse and the prescription refill request is assigned a unique tracking identification.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

creating a database entry for each prescription refill request, the database entry including the NDC identification and a corresponding commercial or generic name of the medication corresponding to the NDC identification, whereby a physician or individual may consider and provide the refill authorization based on the commercial or generic name of the medication.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

providing a physician or other user access to the database entry;

prompting the physician or other user for the confirmation that the requested prescription is compatible with other medications, if any, prescribed to the patient;

prompting the physician or other user to enter comments;

prompting the physician or other user to indicate approval of the request; and

prompting the physician or other user to dispatch the indication of approval and corresponding comments, if any, to the requesting pharmacy.

8. A method of creating a computer database of patient information and providing access to the database of patient information, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a record for each patient;

entering a unique patient identification for each respective record;

entering patient prescription information for each respective record; and

providing access to the patient records.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the patient identification step includes entering the patient name, date of birth and social security number.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the patient information step includes entering patient drug intolerance, if any, relevant ICD-9 codes, if any, and medical insurance, if any.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the prescription information step includes entering any patient prescriptions, including the name of the original prescribing physician and details on patient medical insurance.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of accessing the records via a wireless network or a wire network, whereby the office of the patient'"'"'s doctor may access the records via a terminal located in the doctor'"'"'s office, or remotely, via a wireless PDA device in order to maintain or otherwise access the patient'"'"'s record.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

accessing a patients records;

entering information regarding a new prescription into the patient record;

compiling a report of all patient prescriptions;

selecting pharmacies to submit the report;

submitting the report to each of the selected pharmacies for the purpose of bidding;

receiving the bids from the pharmacies; and

providing the bids to the patient for consideration.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of advising the winning pharmacy of the patients selection.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of entering the new prescription includes entering a new prescription prescribed by the patients physician or another physician.

16. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of processing requests for patient information by third party health care entities or individuals.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of confirming the identity of the requesting health care entity, confirming the identity of the patient being the subject of the request, and dispatching the requested patient information via email or facsimile.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of confirming the identity of the entity includes confirming that the entity is authorized to receive the requested information.

19. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of sorting records by medication, whereby it is possible to identify patients who have been given a medication which has been recalled, identify patients who may benefit from a new drug or identify patients who may qualify for clinical trials for new therapy.

20. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of providing third parties the capability to access the database via an interactive voice response system.

21. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of providing third parties the capability to access the database via an internet connection.

22. An interactive voice response system of processing a prescription refill request, the system comprising:

means for providing access to an interactive response system;

means for prompting for a pharmacy identification;

means for prompting for a patient identification; and

means for prompting for an NDC number of a medication corresponding to the prescription to be filled.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising:

means for creating a database entry for each prescription refill request, the database entry including the NDC identification and a corresponding commercial or generic name of the medication corresponding to the NDC identification, whereby a physician or individual may consider and provide the refill authorization based on the commercial or generic name of the medication.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising:

means for accessing a patient'"'"'s record;

means for entering information regarding a new prescription into the patient record;

means for compiling a report of all patient prescriptions;

means for selecting pharmacies to submit the report;

means for submitting the report to each of the selected pharmacies for the purpose of bidding;

means for receiving the bids from the pharmacies; and

means for providing the bids to the patient for consideration.

24. A system of creating a computer database of patient information and providing access to the database of patient information, the system comprising:

means for establishing a record for each patient;

means for entering a unique patient identification for each respective record;

means for entering patient prescription information for each respective record; and

means for providing access to the patient records.