CENTRALLY CONTROLLED HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FOR RECORDING AND MONITORING TRANSACTIONS OF SYSTEM PARTICIPANTS

• US 20140088997A1
• Filed: 09/25/2013
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thuban Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Thuban Incorporated
• Inventors: Arefieg, Rana J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,318,915 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• 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: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A centrally controlled healthcare environment interconnects manufacturers of medical products, healthcare providers, and patients in a manner that provides a variety of functionalities. A particularly advantageous application of the system provides a mechanism for regulating and recording the flow of free drug samples from manufacturers to healthcare providers and thence to patients. This involves a method by which a unique record is created each time it changes hands on the way from the manufacturer to the patient. A machine-readable unique code assigned to the sample is scanned automatically when the sample it is withdrawn from inventory at the manufacturer. The code and a unique identity of the individual withdrawing the sample are stored as a first record. This process is repeated at each location and for each individual handling the sample, including when it reaches the healthcare provider. Thus, a series of unique records is created that track the sample.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring the supply of drug samples to healthcare providers from a drug manufacturer to a healthcare provider through at least one intermediate party, the method comprising:

assigning a machine-readable unique code to the sample;

withdrawing the drug sample from an inventory location at the manufacturer;

scanning the unique code at the manufacturer at the time the sample is withdrawn from the inventory location;

storing the unique code and a unique identity of the individual withdrawing the sample to create a first record relating to the sample;

thereafter shipping the sample to the intermediate party;

scanning the unique code when the sample is received by the intermediate party;

storing the unique code and a unique identity of the individual receiving the sample at the intermediate party to create a second record relating to the sample;

thereafter shipping the sample to the healthcare provider;

scanning the unique code when the sample is received by the healthcare provider; and

storing the unique code and a unique identity of the individual receiving the sample at the healthcare provider to create a third record relating to the sample.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the sample is maintained in a repository at the healthcare provider and the unique code is scanned automatically when the sample is removed from the repository, the method further comprising the step of storing the unique code and a unique identity of the individual removing the sample from the repository.