System and method for drug management

• US 6,021,392 A
• Filed: 12/08/1997
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Pyxis Corp. (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Swenson, David D., Colella, Salvatore, Daft, H. Thomas, Lester, Douglas D., Broadfield, Laird
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel Todd
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dixon, Thomas A.
• Application Number:
  US08/986,384
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 705/2, 705/3, 705/22, 705/28, 235/375, 235/381, 235/385, 364/479.01, 364/479.11, 364/479.07, 364/479.06, 364/479.02, 364/479.14, 364/479.12, 221/2
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• 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 70/40 relating to drugs, e.g. their side effects or intended usage

Abstract

A system is described in which a drug distribution center operates a computer software drug inventory management program in electronic communication with a health care provider computer software program for drug and health care supply distribution to patients. The system incorporates low unit dose measure drug and supply packaging including bar codes for automatically tracking drug information. The system further includes hand held drug information collection units for collecting the drug and supply information from the bar coded packages. The system provides complete drug and supply tracking from the drug supplier to a nursing station automated drug/supply dispensing machine.

Claims

1. A system for drug distribution comprising:

a package containing at least one drug, said package further including information thereon relative to said drug;

a computer at a health care provider, said computer adapted for storing said drug information and maintaining drug counts;

an automated drug dispensing machine at a location at the health care provider, said automated drug dispensing machine in electronic communication with said computer;

one or more drug information collection units adapted to obtain drug information from said package, said drug information collection units adapted to communicate the drug information to said computer;

whereas said system, including said computer, said automated drug dispensing machine, and said drug information collection units, records drugs received by said health care provider, records drugs dispensed to patients at said health care provider, and records an ongoing inventory of drugs stored at said health care provider;

wherein said automated drug dispensing machine comprises a cabinet including a plurality of drawers with pockets wherein each pocket holds a particular type of drug and wherein said cabinet electronically controls access to each of said drawers.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first computer maintains a master database, monitors times of system activities and transactions, generates reports of system activities and transactions, and manages the system activities and transactions, including the drugs loaded in, stored in, and dispensed by said drug dispensing machines.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said drug package includes a bar code containing drug information relative to said drug in said package.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said bar code includes information pertaining to the drug manufacturer'"'"'s lot number from which the drug within said package was obtained, the NDC of the drug within said package, the expiration date of the drug within said package, and the type of drugs within said package.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of said drug information collection units is a hand held unit.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein one or more of said drug information collection units is in electronic communication with one or more of said drug dispensing machines, said drug information collection unit being in electronic communication with said computer and said drug information collection unit being adapted to scan said bar codes on said packages and communicate the information obtained from said bar codes to said computer and to said drug dispensing machines.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said automated drug dispensing machine comprises a cabinet including a plurality of drawers with pockets wherein each pocket holds a particular type of drug and wherein said cabinet electronically controls access to each of said drawers, and when said drug dispensing machine needs to be loaded with a drug, a user scans the bar code of a package to be loaded with said drug collection unit and the proper drawer opens and the proper pocket within the drawer to be filled with the drug is indicated to the user.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein when a drug is to be dispensed from said drug dispensing machine, a user scans the bar code of a package to be dispensed with said drug collection unit and information about the user, the dispensed drug, and the patient to receive the dispensed drug is communicated to said computer.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said system also records information about drugs loaded in each drug dispensing machine, records information about drugs dispensed from each drug dispensing machine, and records the inventory of drugs stored in each drug dispensing machine.

10. The system of claim 1, further including a second package to hold one or more of said first packages therein, said second package being one of the group consisting of a plastic bag, a box, a carton, a card of said first packages, and a bundle of said first packages fastened together.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said drug package includes a bar code containing drug information relative to said drug in said package and said bar code includes information pertaining to one or more of the group consisting of the drug manufacturer'"'"'s lot number from which the drug within said package was obtained, the NDC of the drug within said package, the expiration date of the drug within said package, the type of drugs within said package, the dose of the drugs within said package, the size of said package, the number of drugs within said package, and FDA related information regarding the drug within said package.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second computer located at a drug supplier facility, said second computer in electronic communication with said first computer, said second computer being adapted to receive an electronic purchase order from said first computer.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said second computer is adapted to receive an electronic purchase order from said first computer automatically when said first computer indicates that a quantity of a certain drug in the inventory of said health care provider has fallen below a predetermined threshold amount.

14. The system of claim 12 further including an electronic interface between said first computer and said second computer to enable said first computer and said second computer to electronically communicate and share data with each other.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein said electronic interface is one or more of the group consisting of a modem, an interface computer, a gateway, and interface software running on said first computer and said second computer.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said interface computer electronically communicates and shares data with said drug information collection units.

17. The system of claim 16 further including a cradle for holding one or more of said drug information collection units, said cradle recharges said drug information collection units and facilitates communication and data sharing between said interface computer and said drug information collection units.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein said interface computer includes a database of system inventory, said database being the source of information for picking/checking reports related to system activity, including order and delivery information of the drugs.

19. The system of claim 12 further including one or more second drug information collection units at the drug supplier facility that are adapted to obtain drug information from said packages, said second drug information collection units being in electronic communication with said second computer being adapted to download collected drug information received by said second drug information collection units and to enter the drug information into said second computer.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said drug packages include a bar code containing drug information relative to said drug in said packages and said bar code includes information pertaining to one or more of the group consisting of the drug manufacturer'"'"'s lot number from which the drug within said package was obtained, the NDC of the drug within said package, the expiration date of the drug within said package, the type of drugs within said package, the dose of the drugs within said package, the size of said package, the number of drugs within said package, and FDA related information regarding the drug within said package.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second computer located at a drug supplier facility, said second computer in electronic communication with said drug dispensing machines, said second computer being adapted to receive an electronic purchase order from said drug dispensing machines.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein said second computer tracks the total quantities of drugs shipped to said health care provider and the balance of the quantity of any unshipped drugs purchased by the health care provider.

23. The system of claim 12, wherein said second computer is adapted to produce an invoice to said health care provider for a purchase of said drugs.

24. The system of claim 12, wherein a drug supplier uses said second computer to maintain an inventory of drugs purchased by said health care provider and warehouses said purchased drugs while periodically delivering purchased drugs to said health care provider in accordance with levels of need of said health care provider as indicated by drug inventory management software on said second computer.

25. A system for drug inventory management, said system comprising:

a first data processor in connection with a drug distribution center;

a first drug inventory management software program in connection with said first data processor;

a second data processor in connection with a health care provider;

a second drug inventory management software program in connection with said second data processor;

a low unit measure dose package including contents of a particular variety of drug, said package including at least one bar code including information pertaining to one or more of the group consisting of the drug manufacturer'"'"'s lot number from which the drug within said package was obtained, the NDC of the drug within said package, the expiration date of the drug within said package, the type of drugs within said package, the dose of the drugs within said package, the size of said package, and the number of drugs within said package, whereby the information the size of said package, and the number of drugs within said package, whereby the information gathered from scanning said bar code is entered into said first and said second software programs;

an interface between said first data processor and said second data processor to facilitate electronic communication and data sharing therebetween;

a drug information collection unit adapted to obtain drug information from the bar code on said package, said drug information collection unit adapted to electronically communicate the drug information to said first and said second software programs;

wherein said drug distribution center maintains an inventory of drug purchased by said health care provider and warehouse said purchased drugs at said drug distribution center while periodically delivering purchased drug to said health care provider in accordance with levels of need of said health care provider as indicated by said second drug inventory management software program.

26. The system of claim 25, further comprising:

a drug dispensing machine at said health care provider, adapted to receive said low unit measure package.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein said drug distribution center software tracks the total low unit measure quantities of drugs shipped to said health care provider and the balance of the quantity of unshipped drugs purchased by the health care provider.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein said distribution center software is adapted to produce an invoice to said health care provider for the purchase of said drugs.

29. The system of claim 25, wherein said first drug management software program in connection with a drug distribution center tracks drugs delivered to said health care provider, in low unit dose measurements.

30. A method for drug distribution to health care providers, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an automated drug dispensing machine comprising a plurality of drawers wherein access to each of said drawers is controlled;

providing a first drug inventory management software program in connection with a drug distribution center;

providing a second drug inventory management software program in connection with a health care provider;

providing a low unit measure dose packaging including contents of a particular variety of drug;

applying a bar code onto said packaging, wherein said bar code includes information pertaining to one or more of the group consisting of the drug manufacturer'"'"'s lot number from which the drug within said package was obtained, the NDC of the drug within said package, the expiration date of the drug within said package, the type of drugs within said package, the dose of the drugs within said package, the size of said package, and the number of drugs within said package;

scanning said bar code with a drug information collection unit to thereby cause data from said bar code to enter at least one of said first program of said second program; and

providing a computer interface between said first software program and said second software program to facilitate electronic communication and data sharing there between.

31. A method for drug inventory management, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a package containing at least one drug;

applying a bar code on said package, said bar code including information relative to said drug;

providing a computer at a health care provider, said computer being adapted for storing said drug information and maintaining drug counts;

providing one or more automated drug dispensing machines at a location at the health care provider, said automated drug dispensing machines being in electronic communication with said computer;

scanning said bar code with a drug information collection unit adapted to obtain drug information from said bar code;

communication the drug information from said drug information collection unit to said computer;

whereas said system, including said computer, said automated drug dispensing machines, and said drug information collection unit, records drug received by said health care provider, records drugs dispensed to patients at said health care provider, and records an ongoing inventory of drugs stored at said health care provider; and

wherein said automated drug dispensing machine comprises a cabinet including a plurality of drawers with pockets wherein each pocket holds a particular type of drug and wherein said cabinet electronically controls access to each of said drawers.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein said bar code includes information pertaining to one or more of the group consisting of the drug manufacturer'"'"'s lot number from which the drug within said package was obtained, the NDC of the drug within said package, the expiration date of the drug within said package, the type of drugs within said package, the dose of the drugs within said package, the size of said package, the number of drugs within said package, and FDA related information regarding the drug within said package.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein when said drug dispensing machine needs to be loaded with a drug, a user scans the bar code of a package to be loaded with said drug collection unit and the proper drawer opens and the proper pocket within the drawer to be filled with the drug is indicated to the user.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein when a drug is to be dispensed from said drug dispensing machine, a user scans the bar code of a package to be dispensed with said drug collection unit and information about the user, the dispensed drug, and the patient to receive the dispensed drug is communicated to said computer.

35. The method of claim 31 further including the steps of recording information about drugs loaded in each drug dispensing machine, recording information about drugs dispensed from each drug dispensing machine, and recording the inventory of drugs stored in each drug dispensing machine.

36. The method of claim 31 further including the step of providing a second package to hold one or more of said first packages therein, said second package being one of the group consisting of a plastic bag, a box, a carton, a card of said first packages, and a bundle of said first packages fastened together.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein said second package includes a bar code containing drug information relative to said drug in said package and said bar code includes information pertaining to one or more of the group consisting of the drug manufacturer'"'"'s lot number from which the drug within said package was obtained, the NDC of the drug within said package, the expiration date of the drug within said package, the type of drugs within said package, the dose of the drugs within said package, the size of said package, the number of drugs within said package, and FDA related information regarding the drug within said package.

38. The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of providing a second computer located at a drug supplier facility, said second computer in electronic communication with said first computer, said second computer being adapted to receive an electronic purchase order from said first computer automatically when said first computer indicates that a quantity of a certain drug in the inventory of said health care provider has fallen below a predetermined threshold amount.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising the steps of:

picking drugs at the drug supplier facility to fill the purchase order;

sending the ordered drugs to the health care provider; and

loading the drugs into the appropriate drug dispensing machines at the health care provider.

40. The method of claim 39 further comprising the step of providing totes in which to send the ordered drugs to the health care provider, said totes having a bar code thereon that has drug information relative to said drugs in said totes and said bar code including information pertaining to one or more of the group consisting of the drug manufacturer'"'"'s lot number from which the drug within said package was obtained, the NDC of the drug within said package, the expiration date of the drug within said package, the type of drugs within said package, the dose of the drugs within said package, the size of said package, the number of drugs within said package, and the destination of the totes.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein said bar code on said totes includes identification of the specific drug dispensing machine in which the drugs in the tote are to be loaded.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of loading the drugs into the appropriate drug dispensing machines at the health care provider includes a user scanning the bar code of a package containing a drug to be loaded to obtain the drug information relative to the drug, the drug information is sent to a processor in the drug dispensing machine which makes the proper drawer open and the proper pocket within the drawer to be filled with the drug is indicated to the user.

43. The method of claim 42 further including the step applying a bar code in the pockets of the drug dispensing unit, said bar code containing information about the type of drugs that is to be stored in the pocket, and further including the step of scanning the bar code in the pocket of said drug dispensing machine with said drug information collection unit to confirm that the pocket is the correct one to store the type of drug being loaded.

44. The method of claim 39 further including the step of dispensing drugs from said drug dispensing machine that includes a user scanning the bar code of a package to be dispensed with said drug collection unit and information about the user, the dispensed drug, and the patient to receive the dispensed drug is communicated to said computer.

45. The method of claim 38 further including the step of providing an interface computer between said first computer and said second computer to enable said first computer and said second computer to electronically communicate and share data with each other.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein said interface computer electronically communicates and shares data with said drug information collection units.

47. The method of claim 38 further including the step of providing one or more second drug information collection units at the drug supplier facility that are adapted to obtain drug information from said packages, said second drug information collection units being in electronic communication with said second computer being adapted to download collected drug information received by said second drug information collection units and to enter the drug information into said second computer.

48. The method of claim 38 further including the step of using said second computer to track the quantities and types of drugs shipped to the health care provider and the balance of the quantities of any unshipped drugs purchased by the health care provider.

49. A system for health care supply distribution comprising:

a package containing at least one health care supply, said package further including information thereon relative to said supply;

a computer at a health care provider, said computer adapted for storing said supply information and maintaining supply counts;

one or more automated supply dispensing machines at a location at the health care provider, said automated supply dispensing machines comprising a cabinet including a plurality of drawers wherein said cabinet electronically controls access to each of said drawers and wherein said automated supply dispensing machines are in electronic communication with said computer;

one or more supply information collection units adapted to obtain supply information from said package, said supply information collection units adapted to communicate the supply information to said computer;

whereas said system, including said computer, said automated supply dispensing machines, and said supply information collection units, records supplies received by said health care provider, records supplies dispensed to patients at said health care provider, and records an ongoing inventory of supplies stored at said health care provider.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein said bar code includes information pertaining to one or more of the group consisting of the supply manufacturer'"'"'s lot number from which the supply within said package was obtained, the NDC of the supply within said package, the expiration date of the supply within said package, the type of supplies within said package, the dose of the supplies within said package, the size of said package, and the number of supplies within said package.

51. The system of claim 49, further comprising a second computer located at a supplier facility, said second computer in electronic communication with said first computer, said second computer being adapted to receive an electronic purchase order from said first computer.