Integrated suite of medical tools

• US 8,170,714 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2010
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Original Assignee: McKesson Automation Incorporated (Omnicell Inc)
• Inventors: Spano, Philip H. Jr., Switalski, Eric J.
• Primary Examiner(s): COLLINS, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US12/958,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20110071667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 700/233, 700/232, 700/237, 700/241
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/04 Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a tool that can be used to order, dispense, locate, request and administer medications as well as locate, issue and administer medical items and supplies for patients from a plurality of entry points into the system, e.g. handheld devices, mobile cart, etc. New workflows and functionality for various devices such as dispensing devices (automated dispensing cabinets) and issuing devices (e.g. open shelving) are also disclosed. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving logon information into a system via a remote computer;

receiving via the remote computer a list of medications to dispense, the list created by a user and containing different medications;

confirming that the user is located proximate to a dispensing device; and

transmitting the list of medications to the dispensing device upon confirming that the user is located proximate to the dispensing device.

2. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising administering medications using the remote computer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the list is organized per user and per patient.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device receives the logon information as logon information for the dispensing device.

5. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising identifying a location of medications to be dispensed within a medication dispensing system.

6. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising requesting from a pharmacy a medication which is missing from the dispensing system.

7. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising issuing supplies using the remote computer.

8. A method comprising:

receiving logon information into a system via a remote computer;

maintaining in a database an inventory of items located within a dispensing device;

communicating with the database via the remote computer;

receiving a list of medications to be dispensed, the list created by a user and comprising different medications;

confirming that the user is located proximate to the dispensing device; and

transmitting the list of medications to the dispensing device upon confirming that the user is located proximate to the dispensing device.

9. The method of claim 8, additionally comprising administering medications using the remote computer.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the list is organized per user and per patient.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the dispensing device receives the logon information as logon information for the dispensing device.

12. The method of claim 8, additionally comprising identifying a location of medications to be dispensed within a medication dispensing system.

13. The method of claim 12, additionally comprising requesting from a pharmacy a medication which is missing from the dispensing system.

14. The method of claim 8, additionally comprising issuing supplies using the remote computer.

15. The method of claim 8, additionally comprising updating the inventory of items located within the dispensing device.

16. A method, comprising:

receiving logon information into a system via a remote computer;

maintaining in a database an inventory of items located within a dispensing system;

communicating with the database via the remote computer to identify a location within the medication dispensing system where a medication to be dispensed is located;

receiving a list of medications to dispense, the list created by a user and comprising different medications;

confirming that the user is located proximate to a dispensing device; and

transmitting the list of medications to the dispensing device upon confirming that the user is located proximate to the dispensing device.

17. The method of claim 16, additionally comprising administering medications using the remote computer.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the list is organized per user and per patient.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the dispensing device accepts the logon information input to the system as logon information for the dispensing device.

20. The method of claim 16, additionally comprising requesting from a pharmacy a medication which is missing from the dispensing system.