METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
First Claim
1. A system for inventory management and billing to be associated with a practice management system or an electronic health record system comprising:
- an input device for entering data operably linked to a processor;
a memory and a computer-executable program stored in said memory;
at least one server for storing inventory data, scheduling data and multiple vendor catalog data;
a processor for receiving, processing and, transforming incoming data;
a processor for querying the scheduling data, inventory data, the vendor catalog data or patient data stored in a practice management system or electronic health record system;
an output device for displaying the scheduling data, inventory data, the vendor catalog data or patient data; and
at least a computer is connected to a communications network; and
wherein the computer, upon executing the program, tracks inventory levels as patient encounters are scheduled and conducted through a calendar module;
wherein the computer accesses and modifies inventory data through an inventory module and bills the patient according to inventory used during the patient encounter through a point of sale transaction generated by the inventory module;
wherein the computer generates and processes inventory and cost reports;
wherein the computer generates and processes a requisition or purchase order at predetermined levels;
wherein the computer alerts authorized users upon said requisition or purchase order being generated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for managing inventory for an ancillary medical facility that can be integrated into existing electronic healthcare records systems or practice management systems. The invention enables clinician users to order medical supplies electronically and to track the entire supply chain of the inventory item from the vendor/manufacturer to the patient. In one embodiment, requisitions are automatically generated when an inventory supply falls to a critical volume or reorder point. The system of the invention provides reporting modules that allow clinician users to analyze cost, inventory usage and adjustment, and supply conflict.
84 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for inventory management and billing to be associated with a practice management system or an electronic health record system comprising:
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an input device for entering data operably linked to a processor; a memory and a computer-executable program stored in said memory; at least one server for storing inventory data, scheduling data and multiple vendor catalog data; a processor for receiving, processing and, transforming incoming data; a processor for querying the scheduling data, inventory data, the vendor catalog data or patient data stored in a practice management system or electronic health record system; an output device for displaying the scheduling data, inventory data, the vendor catalog data or patient data; and at least a computer is connected to a communications network; and
wherein the computer, upon executing the program, tracks inventory levels as patient encounters are scheduled and conducted through a calendar module;
wherein the computer accesses and modifies inventory data through an inventory module and bills the patient according to inventory used during the patient encounter through a point of sale transaction generated by the inventory module;
wherein the computer generates and processes inventory and cost reports;
wherein the computer generates and processes a requisition or purchase order at predetermined levels;
wherein the computer alerts authorized users upon said requisition or purchase order being generated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer program product, executed by a computer processor, for inventory management and billing to be associated with a practice management system or an electronic health record system comprising:
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a computer readable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code configured to access and modify inventory data in an inventory module; computer readable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code configured to access and modify scheduling data in a calendar module; computer readable program code configured to access and to modify patient data in a practice management system or an electronic health record system; computer readable program code configured to generate point of sale billing transactions associated with clinical services and supplies provided to patients; computer readable program code configured to access multiple vendor data from a server; and computer readable program code configured to automatically generate requisitions or purchase orders at pre-determined reorder point of inventory data.
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12. A method of inventory management implemented by a program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform steps comprising:
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generating an electronic requisition by executing an inventory module and accessing inventory information using the machine; processing the requisition by executing the program using a processor; generating, by executing the program using a processor, a purchase order electronically using information provided by the requisition; submitting the purchase order to a vendor via electronic means; receiving a tracking number from the vendor via electronic means; inputting the tracking number into the inventory module using an input device operably linked to the processor; receiving shipment containing items in the purchase order; receiving a serial or lot number for each serialized item in the purchase order via electronic means; inputting the serial or lot number for each serialized item in the purchase order into the inventory module using an input device; checking-in the items using a purchase order receiving component of the inventory module; and updating the items'"'"' inventory information. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27)
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21. A computer-based method for managing inventory and billing, comprising the steps of:
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setting up at least one electronic Physician Preference Card to prepare for patient encounters, said preference cards containing information about at least one inventory department, at least one storage location, at least one physician, at least one chief complaint, at least one inventory item and at least one reason code; entering a patient encounter appointment for a patient in the calendar module using an input device operably linked to the machine; accessing all suitable preference cards according to the physician, the chief complaint, and the reason code via a processor configured to query an inventory module; checking for inventory supply conflict; allocating at least one inventory item by selecting it electronically for the patient encounter; after conducting the patient encounter, correcting the allocation by returning unused inventory items; saving the allocation record in the patient'"'"'s electronic chart; conducting a point of sale transaction using the inventory module by selecting the allocation, the diagnosis and procedure codes; billing the patient or an insurance carrier. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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25. A method of inventory management, comprising the steps of:
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storing multiple vendors'"'"' electronic catalog information in a central EDI server; providing a processor to query the EDI server for electronic catalog information to identify items of interest; querying the EDI server for alternate inventory if the items of interest are unavailable; generating a purchase order by electronic means to order the items of interest; saving a record of the purchase order into an inventory module; submitting the purchase order to a vendor via electronic means; receiving a tracking number from the vendor via electronic means; inputting the tracking number into the inventory module; receiving a serial or lot number for each item of interest via electronic means; inputting the serial or lot number for each item of interest into the inventory module; receiving shipment containing items in the purchase order; checking-in the items using a purchase order receiving component of the inventory module; and updating the items'"'"' inventory information in the inventory module.
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28. A method for responding to a medical product recall comprising the steps of:
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receiving notice of the recall; searching inventory by serial or lot number; confirming that the recalled product is in the inventory; searching inventory allocation records for the products; locating patients to whom the recalled product has been dispensed; and notifying the patients of the recall.
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Specification