METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING EFFICIENCY OF PHARMACY PRACTICE AND REDUCING THE INCIDENCE OF MEDICATION ERRORS

• US 20140114470A1
• Filed: 10/24/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rashid Pharmacy, P.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Rashid Pharmacy, P.L.C.
• Inventors: Rashid, Joseph G.
• Application Number:
  US14/062,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20140114470A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/235
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

The inventions disclosed herein generally relate to methods and systems for dispensing ordered medication as well as methods and systems for conveniently and rapidly providing patients with information regarding their prescribed medications. The present inventions improve the productivity and efficiency of pharmacy department personnel and reduce the incidence of medication errors.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing a medication, such method comprising the steps of:

receiving an order for the medication;

accessing a database, wherein the database comprises identifying information;

retrieving the identifying information from the database, wherein the retrieved identifying information corresponds to the ordered medication;

providing a label, wherein the label comprises the retrieved identifying information;

providing a container, wherein the container is suitable to receive the ordered medication;

providing the ordered medication, wherein the ordered medication is disposed in the container;

affixing the label to the container; and

comparing the retrieved identifying information on the label to the medication in the container, wherein if the retrieved identifying information on the label corresponds to the ordered medication disposed in the container, the ordered medication may be dispensed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the label further comprises a code for retrieving a monograph corresponding to the ordered medication.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the monograph is retrieved from a website.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the code for retrieving the monograph comprises one or more of a bar code, a QRCode, a phone number and an internet address.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the retrieved identifying information comprises an image.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the retrieved identifying information comprises a National Drug Code (NDC) number.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the retrieved identifying information further comprises one or more identifiers of the ordered medication, wherein the identifiers are selected from the group consisting of size, shape, color, markings, dosage form and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the label further comprises information selected from the group consisting of a patient'"'"'s name, a patient'"'"'s address, a prescriber'"'"'s name, a name of the ordered medication, an expiration date of the ordered medication, number of refills remaining, a phone number and combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method reduces the incidence of medication dispensing errors.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method improves medication dispensing efficiency.

11. A system for verifying that a medication order has been correctly filled, the system comprising the steps of:

receiving an order for the medication;

accessing a database, wherein the database comprises identifying information;

retrieving the identifying information from the database, wherein the retrieved identifying information corresponds to the ordered medication;

providing a label, wherein the label comprises the retrieved identifying information, and wherein the label further comprises a code for retrieving a monograph corresponding to the ordered medication;

providing a container, wherein the container is suitable to receive the ordered medication;

providing the ordered medication, wherein the ordered medication is disposed in the container;

affixing the label to the container; and

verifying the contents of the container, wherein the verifying step comprises comparing the retrieved identifying information on the label to the ordered medication disposed in the container, and wherein if the retrieved identifying information on the label corresponds to the ordered medication disposed in the container, the medication order has been correctly filled.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the retrieved identifying information further comprises one or more identifiers of the ordered medication, wherein the identifiers are selected from the group consisting of size, shape, color, markings, dosage form and combinations thereof.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the monograph is retrieved from a website.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the code for retrieving the monograph is selected from the group consisting of a bar code, a QRCode, a phone number and an internet address.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the retrieved identifying information comprises an image.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the retrieved identifying information comprises a National Drug Code (NDC) number.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the retrieved identifying information further comprises one or more identifiers of the ordered medication, wherein the identifiers are selected from the group consisting of size, shape, color, markings, dosage form and combinations thereof.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the label further comprises information selected from the group consisting of a patient'"'"'s name, a patient'"'"'s address, a prescriber'"'"'s name, a name of the ordered medication, an expiration date of the ordered medication, number of refills remaining, a phone number and combinations thereof.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the system reduces the incidence of medication dispensing errors.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the system improves medication dispensing efficiency.