SYSTEM AND PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR SECURELY DISPENSING AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE INVENTORY OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES IN A HOSPITAL SETTING
First Claim
1. A system for securely dispensing and maintaining accurate inventory of controlled substances in a hospital or similar setting, comprising:
- a central depository station for storing and monitoring inventory and dispensing of a plurality of medications comprising;
a computer for controlling operator access to a plurality of medications contained within the central depository station;
a data port interface for connecting a portable hand-held medication carrier device to the central depository station; and
one or more portable hand-held medication carrier devices connectable to the data port interface of the central depository station.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for use in a hospital or other medical facility that protects medications (e.g., injected or orally administered) against diversion by facility personnel when transported from a central pharmacy to the patient. The system includes a portable hand-held carrier to encapsulate the medication, which may be contained within a vial, cartridge, or other container. The hand-held carrier protects and prevents removal or administration of the medication until after it has been transported to the patient. Wireless RFID or similar technology unlocks the hand-held carrier and enables injection, dispensing or other administration at the patient'"'"'s bedside. Electronics in a bedside portion of the system communicate through a network to log the injection or other administration event in a central database.
55 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for securely dispensing and maintaining accurate inventory of controlled substances in a hospital or similar setting, comprising:
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a central depository station for storing and monitoring inventory and dispensing of a plurality of medications comprising; a computer for controlling operator access to a plurality of medications contained within the central depository station; a data port interface for connecting a portable hand-held medication carrier device to the central depository station; and one or more portable hand-held medication carrier devices connectable to the data port interface of the central depository station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for securely dispensing and maintaining accurate inventory of controlled substances in a hospital or similar setting, comprising:
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a central depository station for storing and monitoring inventory and dispensing a plurality of medications comprising; a central depository computer for providing access to a central depository management database, the computer controlling operator access to a plurality of medications stored within the central depository station; a data port interface for connecting a portable hand-held medication carrier device such that the hand-held medication carrier device can communicate with the computer of the central depository station when the carrier device is connected to the data port interface; one or more portable hand-held medication carrier devices connectable to the data port interface of the central depository station, each carrier device being configured to securely hold medication loaded therein at the central depository station for secure transport from the central depository station to a patient room; and one or more patient room network terminals, each terminal being located within a patient room so as to allow a user to connect a portable hand-held medication carrier device to the central depository management database in a patient room where medication within the carrier device is to be administered. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for securely dispensing and maintaining accurate inventory of injectable controlled substances in a hospital or similar setting, comprising:
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a central depository station for storing a plurality of injectable medications comprising; a central depository computer for providing access to a central depository management database, the computer controlling operator access to a plurality of injectable controlled substance medications stored within the central depository station; a data port interface for connecting a portable hand-held medication carrier device such that the hand-held medication carrier device can communicate with the computer of the central depository station when the carrier device is connected to the data port interface; one or more portable hand-held medication carrier devices connectable to the data port interface of the central depository station, each carrier device being configured to securely receive a container of injectable controlled substance medication that is locked within carrier device at the central depository station for secure transport from the central depository station to a patient room; and one or more patient room network terminals, each terminal being located within a patient room so as to allow a user to connect a portable hand-held medication carrier device to the central depository management database in a patient room where injectable controlled substance medication within the carrier device is to be administered.
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17. A method of securely dispensing and maintaining accurate inventory of controlled substances in a hospital or similar setting, comprising:
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connecting an empty portable hand-held medication carrier device to a data port interface of a central depository station; accessing a computer at the central depository station so as to select a medication order to apply to the carrier device, the central depository station allowing access to a plurality of medications stored within the central depository station so that the user may remove a selected medication for secure insertion within the hand-held medication carrier device; loading and locking the selected medication into the hand-held medication carrier device; and programming the carrier device with patient, medication, and dosage information relative to the selected medication order. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification