System and apparatus for accurate drug inventory control
First Claim
1. A method of dispensing and maintaining inventory control for a plurality of different medications in individual dosage forms, said method comprising the steps of:
- maintaining said plurality of different medications in said individual dosage forms in separate, individual, selectively openable bags each presenting a transparent viewing panel, the single dosage forms of each medication being supported within a corresponding bag on at least one multiple-dosage card presenting a plurality of frangible, substantially transparent, single dosage form-holding compartments;
as each of said different medications is required, opening the corresponding bag and removing the needed number of individual dosage forms thereof from a multiple-dosage card within the bag;
noting the type of medication and number of individual dosage forms thereof removed from each corresponding bag on an inventory control record;
periodically counting the individual dosage forms of each different medication by viewing, through each corresponding bag and the transparent single dosage compartments of the at least one multiple-dosage card therein, the number of individual dosage forms remaining in each bag; and
correlating the counted number of each of said individual dosage forms of each different medication with the inventory control record, in order to account for the usage of each individual dosage form of each medication.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved method and apparatus designed to facilitate the dispensing and inventory control of medications is provided, preferably in the form of a book (16) containing a plurality of transparent bags (10-14). Each of the bags (10-14) holds one or more multiple-dosage cards (32-36) including a plurality of transparent, frangible, single dosage form-holding compartments (38). Each bag is moreover provided with medication and dosage form information (25), preferably along a side marginal edge thereof. A record sheet (52) is also provided which includes reference markings (54) for each of the medications and dosage forms contained within a respective bag (10-14), along with spaces (56) for noting periodic usage of each dosage form of each different medication. Periodic inventory control is accomplished by counting the individual dosage forms of each medication through the outer transparent bags (10-14) and the compartments (38), and correlating the counted number of each dosage form of each medication with the inventory control record 52.
20 Citations
3 Claims
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1. A method of dispensing and maintaining inventory control for a plurality of different medications in individual dosage forms, said method comprising the steps of:
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maintaining said plurality of different medications in said individual dosage forms in separate, individual, selectively openable bags each presenting a transparent viewing panel, the single dosage forms of each medication being supported within a corresponding bag on at least one multiple-dosage card presenting a plurality of frangible, substantially transparent, single dosage form-holding compartments; as each of said different medications is required, opening the corresponding bag and removing the needed number of individual dosage forms thereof from a multiple-dosage card within the bag; noting the type of medication and number of individual dosage forms thereof removed from each corresponding bag on an inventory control record; periodically counting the individual dosage forms of each different medication by viewing, through each corresponding bag and the transparent single dosage compartments of the at least one multiple-dosage card therein, the number of individual dosage forms remaining in each bag; and correlating the counted number of each of said individual dosage forms of each different medication with the inventory control record, in order to account for the usage of each individual dosage form of each medication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeVIA Christi Research, Inc.
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Original AssigneeSt. Francis Research Institute
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InventorsBoettger, Conrad H.
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Primary Examiner(s)Foster, Jimmy G.
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Application NumberUS08/103,405Time in Patent Office326 DaysField of Search206/528-540, 206/459.5, 53/492US Class Current206/532CPC Class CodesA61J 7/04 Arrangements for time indic...
