Status designation for dispensing device systems and methods

• US 8,155,786 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2008
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Inventors: Vahlberg, John, Cohen, Dan, Cartright, Jennifer, Caldwell, Richard, Blank, Jeff
• Primary Examiner(s): WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US12/140,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20080319576A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,393 Days
• Field of Search: 700/241, 700/244, 700/237, 700/242
• US Class Current: 700/244
• 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 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign current and future patient-specific use of the bins for the dispensing device. The assignment and management of patient-specific bins may be performed by devices distributed through the system.

Claims

1. A system of dispensing devices, the system comprising:

a plurality of dispensing devices for medications, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of dispensing devices include one or more patient-specific bins; and

a central server computer system, communicatively coupled to the at least a subset of the plurality of dispensing devices, and configured to;

identify a first dispensing device of the plurality of dispensing devices, the first dispensing device serving a first location associated with a patient;

assign a first patient-specific bin in the first dispensing device to the patient, the first patient-specific bin storing medical supplies exclusively for the patient;

designate a first status to the first patient-specific bin, the first status identifying a first set of services which are allowed for the patient'"'"'s medical supplies stored in the first patient-specific bin;

identify a second dispensing device of the plurality of dispensing devices, the second dispensing device serving a second location associated with the patient;

assign a second patient-specific bin in the second dispensing device to the patient, the second patient-specific bin storing medical supplies exclusively for the patient; and

designate a second status to the second patient-specific bin, the second status identifying a second set of services which are allowed for the patient'"'"'s medical supplies stored in the second patient-specific bin, wherein the second set of services are a subset of the first set of services.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first status designation and the second status designation are concurrently in effect.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein,

the central server computer system is further configured to:

change the first status designation upon receiving information confirming the patient has physically arrived at the second location.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein,

the central server computer system is further configured to:

change the first status designation upon receiving information confirming the patient has physically departed from the first location.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein,

the changed status designation triggers removal of items stored in a patient-specific bin for the patient at the first dispensing device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein,

the central server computer system is further configured to:

change the first status designation and the second status designation upon receiving information confirming the patient'"'"'s physical location has changed.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein,

the first status is an active status associated with the first location, the first location comprising a current room assigned for the patient;

and

the second status is an interim status associated with the second location, the second location comprising a former room assigned for the patient.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the patient is physically located in the second location while the first location has the first status and the second location has the second status.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein,

the first status designation restricts behavior of a user servicing the patient at the first dispensing device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein,

wherein the restrictions comprises restrictions on item removal and return.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein,

the first status designation indicates that the first dispensing device is a mobile dispensing device, thereby limiting restocking actions at the first dispensing device.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein,

the first dispensing device comprises a stationary cabinet;

the second dispensing device comprises a cabinet for temporary use during a medical procedure at a healthcare facility; and

the plurality of bins include a container, mechanism, location, zone, or any combination thereof.

13. A method of dispensing medications, the method comprising:

identifying a first dispensing device serving a first location associated with a patient;

assigning a first patient-specific bin in the first dispensing device to the patient, the first patient-specific bin comprising medical supplies exclusively for the patient;

designating a first status to the first patient-specific bin, the first status identifying a first set of services which are allowed for the patient'"'"'s medical supplies in the first patient-specific bin;

identifying a second dispensing device serving a second location associated with the patient;

assign a second patient-specific bin in the second dispensing device to the patient, the second patient-specific bin comprising medical supplies exclusively for the patient; and

designating a second status to the second patient-specific bin, the second status identifying a second set of services which are allowed for the patient'"'"'s medical supplies in the second patient-specific bin, wherein the second set of services are a subset of the first set of services.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first status designation and the second status designation are concurrently in effect.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

changing the first status designation upon receiving information confirming the patient has physically arrived at the second location.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

changing the first status designation upon receiving information confirming the patient has physically departed from the first location.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the changed first status designation triggers removal of items stored in a patient-specific bin for the patient at the first dispensing device.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

changing the first status designation and the second status designation upon receiving information confirming the patient'"'"'s physical location has changed.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

determining where a restocking list for the patient should be sent based at least in part on the first status designation.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

restricting actions allowed for a user servicing the patient at the first dispensing device based at least in part on the first status designation.

21. A system for dispensing medications, the system comprising:

a dispensing device for medications including one or more patient-specific bins; and

a central server computer system, communicatively coupled to the dispensing devices, and configured to;

identify the dispensing device as a dispensing device serving a first location associated with a patient;

assign a patient-specific bin in the dispensing device to the patient, the patient-specific bin comprising medical supplies exclusively for the patient; and

designate a first status for the patient-specific bin, the first status defining a first set of services which are allowed for the patient at the dispensing device; and

changing the designated status for the patient-specific bin from the first status to a second status based at least in part on receiving information confirming a physical change of location by the patient, the second status defining a second set of services which are allowed for the patient at the dispensing device,

wherein the information confirming the physical change of location comprises receiving information confirming the patient has physically departed from the first location or has physically arrived at a second location, and

wherein the second set of services comprises a subset of the first set of services.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the status may comprise a selection from the group consisting of:

an active status comprising status for a dispensing device for a location where the patient is estimated to be;

an interim status comprising status for a dispensing device for a location where the patient was previously located, the interim status remaining until confirmation is received that the patient has physically moved;

an inactive status comprising status for a dispensing device for a previously location for a patient;

a temporary status comprising status for temporary use during a medical procedure at a healthcare facility; and

a mobile status comprising status for a mobile dispensing device.