NETWORKABLE MEDICAL LABELING APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20130092727A1
• Filed: 10/14/2011
• Published: 04/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Codonics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Codonics Incorporated
• Inventors: Edwards, Richard, Keefe, Gary, Kolberg, Michael, Jablonski, Timothy, Gilbert, Alan, Grabel, Michael
• Application Number:
  US13/274,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20130092727A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/4075 Tape printers; Label printers
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 11/0289 using electrical or electro-mechanical means B65C11/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2210/0008 Optical scanners
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2210/001 Electromagnetical scanners
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2210/0018 permanent
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2210/0029 via cable
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2210/0032 via RF
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/024 for printing on segmented surfaces, e.g. sticker sheets, label rolls
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/4095 Secure printing computer driven secure printing G06F3/1238

Abstract

Provided is a labeling apparatus that generates a label for labeling a drug container at a healthcare facility. The labeling apparatus includes a code reader that interrogates a computer-readable code, and a non-transitory, local computer-readable memory that stores a drug formulary including a plurality of drug entries. A processing component identifies, from the formulary, a specific drug that corresponds to the computer-readable code read by the code reader. A printer prints label content identifying the specific drug onto a label that is to be applied to the drug container. A network component receives a drug formulary package over a communication network from a remotely-located computer terminal. The drug formulary package received replaces an existing drug formulary stored in the non-transitory, local computer-readable memory.

Claims

1. A labeling apparatus that generates a label for labeling a drug container at a healthcare facility, the labeling apparatus comprising:

a code reader that interrogates a computer-readable code;

a non-transitory, local computer-readable memory that stores a drug formulary comprising a plurality of drug entries;

a processing component that identifies, from the formulary, a specific drug that corresponds to the computer-readable code read by the code reader;

a printer for printing label content identifying the specific drug onto a label that is to be applied to the drug container; and

a network component that receives a drug formulary package over a communication network from a remotely-located computer terminal, wherein the drug formulary package received replaces an existing drug formulary stored in the non-transitory, local computer-readable memory.

2. The labeling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-transitory, local computer-readable memory stores a configuration package, the network component receives a superseding configuration package over the communication network, and subsequent to receiving the superseding configuration package, the processing component replaces the existing configuration package with the superseding configuration package.

3. The labeling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the printer is integrally formed as part of a chassis that supports the code reader and prints label content in a manner that is compliant with a medical labeling standard.

4. The labeling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drug formulary comprises a subset of drugs selected from a master drug database, and the subset of drugs includes a plurality of different drugs commonly encountered at a particular point of care where the labeling apparatus is located.

5. The labeling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network component transmits an alert signal over the communication network in response to detecting a predetermined condition, which causes a notification to be delivered to a delivery destination associated with a user who is to receive notification that the predetermined condition exists.

6. The labeling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network component transmits a status signal indicative of a status a portion of the labeling apparatus.

7. The labeling apparatus of claim 6, wherein the status signal is transmitted automatically, without request from an outside source.

8. The labeling apparatus of claim 6, wherein the status signal is transmitted in response to receiving a request for a status update transmitted over the communication network.