Method and system for electronic assistance in dispensing pharmaceuticals

• US 20060161294A1
• Filed: 03/20/2006
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnicare LLC (CVS Health Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Omnicare Incorporated (CVS Health Corporation)
• Inventors: DiMaggio, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,712,584 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/235
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

A system and method for electronic assistance in dispensing pharmaceuticals, utilizing software, hardware and barcode technology to yield error free, clinically correct, adjudicated prescriptions. The system is adaptive to the preferences of an authorized user, by being configurable on the basis of when and what type of warnings are given in particular circumstances, based on entries in a field, and whether the order can proceed. Additionally, the invention allows for automated and electronically assisted refilling of orders. The invention allows for tracking and monitoring of prescription orders through barcode labeling and scanning.

Claims

1. A system for electronically assisting in dispensing pharmaceuticals comprising the steps of:

configuring a computer system with an authorized user;

entering data, relating to a prescription order, into fields of said computer system;

determining whether a check is to be performed on said data entered in to said fields;

generating a warning to said user if said system determines a check is to be performed and said data entered into said field requires said warning;

verifying a prescription order by a pharmacist;

determining if a payor is available for said prescription order;

adjudicating said prescription order by sending said prescription order to a billing queue;

generating a prescription label associated with said item and said prescription order;

pulling said item from a stock location;

labeling said item with said prescription label;

verifying that said item matches said prescription order;

verifying that said prescription order matches a delivery tote;

generating a packing list of all items in said delivery tote; and

delivering said item.

2. A system for electronically assisting in dispensing pharmaceuticals as defined in claim 1, and further comprising the steps of:

generating a barcode corresponding to said prescription order;

generating said prescription label with said barcode;

scanning said prescription label with a barcode scanning apparatus to verify that said item matches said prescription order; and

scanning said prescription label with a barcode scanning apparatus to verify that said prescription order is in correct delivery tote.