POINT-OF-CARE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20070233583A1
• Filed: 06/11/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Point Of Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: i STAT Corporation (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Davis, Graham, Zaltsman, Lyudmila, Gibson, Paul, TIRINATO, Jody, Zelin, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,552,071 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/02 Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/00 Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/04 in respect of time
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0223 based on inventory
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 Item locations
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for controlling an inventory of point-of-care diagnostic devices. The inventory includes a main inventory and at least one subinventory. Each device has an ambient temperature shelf life. Data associated with the devices is entered, including: the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the main inventory; and the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the subinventory. A first timestamp is associated with each device when the device is transferred from the main inventory to the ambient temperature subinventory. The first timestamp is compared to a second timestamp prior to use of the device to determine whether the device'"'"'s ambient temperature shelf life is exceeded. The current quantity of devices in the subinventory is updated in response to an event that causes a change in the current quantity of devices in the subinventory.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an inventory of a plurality of point-of-care diagnostic devices, wherein the inventory includes a main inventory and at least one subinventory, wherein each subinventory is associated with a point-of-care location, and wherein each device has an ambient temperature shelf life, the method comprising the steps of:

a.) entering data associated with the devices,

wherein the data includes a current quantity of the devices in the main inventory and a predetermined minimum quantity of the devices in the main inventory, and

wherein the data further includes a current quantity of the devices in the at least one subinventory and a predetermined minimum quantity of the devices in the at least one subinventory;

b.) associating a first timestamp with each device when the device is transferred from the main inventory to an ambient temperature subinventory,

wherein the main inventory comprises a controlled inventory;

c.) comparing the first timestamp to a second timestamp prior to use of the device to determine whether the ambient temperature shelf life of the device is exceeded; and

d.) updating the current quantity of the devices in the at least one subinventory in response to an occurrence of an event that causes a change in the current quantity of the devices in the at least one subinventory.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the event includes at least one of (i.) the device from the at least one subinventory is used to perform at least one sample analysis, (ii.) the device from the at least one subinventory is transferred to a second subinventory, and (iii.) the ambient temperature shelf life of the device from the at least one subinventory is exceeded.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising the step of:

e.) reporting a deficiency in the at least one subinventory when the current quantity of the device in the at least one subinventory is one of less than and equal to the predetermined minimum quantity of the devices in the at least one subinventory.

4. The method of claim 3, comprising the step of:

f.) initiating a transfer of additional devices to the at least one subinventory from the main inventory, in response to the reported deficiency.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein devices with a shorter remaining shelf life are transferred from the main inventory to the at least one subinventory.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein more than one device is used to perform at least one sample analysis, and

wherein results from each of the at least one sample analysis are stored before the current quantity of devices in the at least one subinventory is updated.

7. The method of claim 3, comprising the step of:

f.) communicating an order for additional devices that are deficient in the at least one subinventory, in response to the reported deficiency.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein each device includes a tag having a code.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the code includes at least one of a menu of tests performed by the device, a unique identification code for the device, calibration coefficients for the tests performed by the device, a refrigerated shelf life of the device, the ambient temperature shelf life of the device, and an age of the device.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the code comprises a bar code, and

wherein step (a) comprises the step of:

e.) entering the bar code.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the code comprises a radio-frequency identification code, and

wherein step (a) comprises the step of:

e.) entering the radio-frequency identification code.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein a plurality of devices are contained within a box of devices, and

wherein the box of devices includes a tag having a second code.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second code includes a quantity of devices within the box of devices, and

wherein the second code further includes at least one of a menu of tests performed by the devices in the box of devices, a unique identification code for each of the devices in the box of devices, calibration coefficients for tests performed by the devices in the box of devices, a refrigerated shelf life of the devices in the box of devices, the ambient temperature shelf life of the devices in the box of devices, and an age of the devices in the box of devices.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the second code comprises a bar code, and

wherein step (a) comprises the step of:

e.) entering the bar code.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the second code comprises a radio-frequency identification code, and

wherein step (a) comprises the step of:

e.) entering the radio-frequency identification code.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein for each of the at least one subinventory, the data includes data associated with supplies of consumable items that are used in conjunction with the devices.

17. The method claim 1, comprising the steps of:

e.) compiling a profile;

f.) determining whether additional devices are required for one of the at least one subinventory in accordance with the compiled profile; and

g.) communicating an order for additional devices when a determination is made that additional devices are required.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the profile comprises at least one of a refrigerated shelf life profile and an ambient temperature shelf life profile for the one of the at least one subinventory.

19. The method of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

e.) comparing data associated with a first subinventory and a second subinventory;

f.) determining, in accordance with the comparison, whether to transfer a quantity of devices from the first subinventory to the second subinventory; and

g.) initiating a transfer of the quantity of devices when a determination to transfer is made.

20. The method claim 19, comprising the step of:

h.) reporting the transfer of the quantity of devices.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein step (e) comprises the step of:

h.) determining a rate of waste of devices in the first subinventory.

22. The method of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

e.) determining a rate of waste of devices in the at least one subinventory; and

f.) modifying the predetermined minimum quantity of the devices for the at least one subinventory to reduce the rate of waste.

23. The method of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

e.) distinguishing between the devices in the main inventory and in the ambient temperature subinventory; and

f.) preventing a device from being used that has been at ambient temperature beyond the ambient temperature shelf life of the device.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein each device is associated with a time-temperature indicator, and

wherein the method comprises the steps of:

e.) distinguishing between the devices in the main inventory and in the ambient temperature subinventory; and

f.) preventing a device with an expired time-temperature indicator from being used.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the ambient temperature shelf life is in the range of about three days to about three months.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlled inventory comprises a refrigerated inventory.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein each device has a refrigerated shelf life.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the refrigerated shelf life is in the range of about three months to about three years.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the point-of-care location comprises at least one of a PICU, NICU, ICU, CVOR, ER, GW, RDU, CCU, a MASH unit, a ship medical center, and a nursing home.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein each point-of-care diagnostic device comprises at least one of a blood analysis device, a urine analysis device, a serum analysis device, a plasma analysis device, a saliva analysis device, and a cheek swab analysis device.

31. A method of distributing devices having a finite shelf life, the devices being contained within an inventory of devices, comprising the steps of:

a.) determining an inventory level of devices in the inventory at a first location, in response to an occurrence of an event that causes a change in a current number of devices in the inventory at the first location;

b.) generating a device usage rate for the first location;

c.) determining an excess device differential in accordance with the device usage rate and the inventory level,

wherein the excess device differential represents the devices that will remain in the inventory at the expiration of the shelf life; and

d.) transferring the excess device differential to a second location.

32. The method of claim 31, comprising the step of:

e.) adjusting the inventory level by the excess device differential.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein a predetermined inventory level comprises a minimum number of devices contained in the inventory, and

wherein the method comprises the step of:

f.) adjusting the predetermined inventory level in accordance with the device usage rate.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein a predetermined inventory level represents a minimum number of devices contained in the inventory, and

wherein the method comprises the step of:

e.) adjusting the predetermined inventory level in accordance with the excess device differential.

35. A method of controlling the use of a plurality of point-of-care diagnostic devices in an inventory, wherein the inventory includes a refrigerated inventory and an ambient temperature subinventory, wherein the devices are stored in the refrigerated inventory and transferred to the ambient temperature subinventory prior to use, wherein each device is configured to perform at least one sample analysis, and wherein each device has an ambient temperature shelf life, the method comprising the steps of:

a.) receiving an indication from an indicator associated with each device, prior to performing sample analysis using the device,

wherein a first timestamp is associated with the device when the device is transferred from the refrigerated inventory to the ambient temperature subinventory, and

wherein the indication comprises a second timestamp;

b.) determining, using the indication, whether the ambient temperature shelf life of the device has been exceeded by comparing the first timestamp to the second timestamp; and

c.) preventing the device from being used to perform a sample analysis when a determination is made that the ambient temperature shelf life of the device has been exceeded.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein step (c) comprises the step of:

d.) generating a warning indication that the ambient temperature shelf life of the device has been exceeded.

37. A method of controlling an inventory of a plurality of point-of-care diagnostic devices, wherein the inventory includes a main inventory and at least one subinventory, the method comprising the steps of:

a.) entering data associated with the devices,

wherein the data includes a current number of the devices in the main inventory and a predetermined minimum number of the devices in the main inventory, and

wherein the data further includes a current number of the devices in the at least one subinventory and a predetermined minimum number of the devices in the at least one subinventory;

b.) associating a time-temperature indicator with each device,

wherein each device has an ambient temperature shelf life determined by the associated time-temperature indicator;

c.) determining whether the ambient temperature shelf life of the device is exceeded in accordance with the associated time-temperature indicator; and

d.) updating the current number of the devices in the at least one subinventory in response to an occurrence of an event that causes a change in the current number of the devices in the at least one subinventory.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the event includes at least one of (i.) the device from the at least one subinventory is used to perform at least one sample analysis, (ii.) the device from the at least one subinventory is transferred to a second subinventory, and (iii.) the ambient temperature shelf life of the device from the at least one subinventory is exceeded.