Medication dispensing identifier system

• US 4,732,411 A
• Filed: 02/05/1987
• Issued: 03/22/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medical Technology Systems Inc (Omnicell Inc)
• Original Assignee: Siegel Family Revocable Trust
• Inventors: Siegel, Harold B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kazenske, E. R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HEYRANA, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US07/011,017
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 283/18, 283/19, 283/21, 283/70, 283/81, 283/112, 283/75, 40/306, 40/312, 40/492, 364/400, 364/412, 364/413, 364/415, 358/413, 358/903, 273/1 GC, 273/1 E, 273/DIG. 28, 209/547, 340/785
• US Class Current: 283/75
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/04 Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/005 Identification bracelets, e.g. secured to the arm of a person
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/10 by an adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

A surveillance system for monitoring the dispensing of prescribed medication to insure that the proper patient is, in fact, being administered the prescribed medication and dosage, and that the patient for whom the medication is prescribed is so identified, before the medication is administered. To assure that the proper patient is receiving the prescribed medication, both a photograph and a description of the medication and dosage is imprinted on a label affixed to any means used to transport the medication to the patient. The label may also contain other vital patient information such as patient allergies and anticipated adverse reactions to the medication and other instructions for the well being of the patient.

Claims

1. A medication dispensing system for maintaining a close surveillance over a patient for whom the medication is solely intended and prescribed medication to be dispensed to the patient, comprising:

means initially recording and storing a photograph of the patient for whom the medication is solely intended;

means initially recording and storing vital patient information concerning the prescribed patient medication and the dosage thereof;

label means;

means creating and imprinting on the label;

(a) a visual record of the stored photograph, for comparison with the patient to whom the medication is to be dispensed, before any medication is dispensed; and

(b) a visibly readable printout of the stored vital patient information;

a container for transporting to the patient, the prescribed medication as described in the printout;

the imprinted label affixed to the container;

the means for recording and storing the photograph and vital patient information comprises a computer system having both the patient photograph and the patient vital information recorded and stored therein for subsequent retrieval;

the computer system generating a uniquely distinctive, machine readable code number, which code number corresponds to the previously stored patient photograph and vital information;

means for printing either the machine readable code number or the patient photograph and visibly readable vital patient information on the label;

an identifier band fixable around a limb of the patient;

the band having the uniquely distinctive, machine readable code number and a photograph of the patient imprinted thereon;

the code number corresponding to the stored computer photograph and vital patient information; and

means for reading the code number on the identifier band, to recreate the photograph and information stored in the computer system.

2. The dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the label is affixed to a container selected from the group consisting of a vial, a patient medication card, a medication storage segment, or any combination thereof, to assure the patient and the person administering the medication that the medication indicated in the vital patient information is being given to the patient appearing in the photograph on the label.

3. A system for maintaining a close surveillance over both a patient for whom a specific medication is solely intended and the medication and dosage thereof, comprising:

a label having imprinted thereon;

(a) a photograph of the patient, to identify the patient, before the specific medication is dispensed; and

(b) a printout of the medication to be dispensed and the dosage thereof;

a container for transporting to the patient, the medication described in the printout;

the label affixed to the container;

a computer system for initially recording and storing both the photograph of the patient and the medication and dosage information, for later printout on the label;

the computer system generating a uniquely distinctive, machine readable code number, which code number corresponds to the previously stored patient photograph and medication and dosage information;

a identifier band fixable around a limb of the patient;

the band having the uniquely distinctive, machine readable code number and a photograph of the patient imprinted thereon for patient identification; and

means for reading the code number on the identifier band, to recreate the patient photograph and medication and dosage information stored in the computer system.

4. The dispensing system of claim 3, wherein the label is affixed to a container selected from the group consisting of a vial, a patient medication card, a medication storage segment, or any combination thereof, to assure the patient and the person administering the medication that the medication indicated in the vital patient information is being given to the patient appearing in the photograph on the label.