Cabinet with remote integration

• US 8,280,550 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2009
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Inventors: Levy, Cynthia, Caldwell, Richard, Cartright, Jennifer, Vrabel, Ray, Blackwell, Brad, Vahlberg, John
• Primary Examiner(s): WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US12/502,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20100042437A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 700/236, 700/237, 700/240, 700/241, 700/244
• US Class Current: 700/241
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• 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 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods are described for remotely managing items that are configured to be stored in at least one dispensing device. This includes receiving user identification information at a host computer system from an electronic device that is remotely located from the dispensing device. This also includes transmitting from the host computer system to the electronic device a disposition of at least one item, wherein the at least one item is associated with a patient. Further, this includes receiving, at the host computer system from the remote electronic device, information about the item originating from the dispensing device, wherein the information includes a further disposition of the item.

Claims

1. A method for remotely managing items that are configured to be stored in at least one dispensing device, the method comprising:

receiving user identification information at a host computer system from an electronic device that is remotely located from the dispensing device;

transmitting from the host computer system to the electronic device a disposition of an item, wherein the item is associated with a patient; and

receiving, at the host computer system from the remote electronic device, information about the item originating from the dispensing device, wherein;

the information includes a further disposition of the item; and

the further disposition of the item involves wasting at least a portion of the item or the item being returned to the dispensing device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving at the host computer system from the electronic device patient identification information of the patient.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting, to the remote electronic device from the host computer system, a listing of items the user has removed from the dispensing device that have not yet been administered to a patient, wasted, or returned to the dispensing device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the listing of items includes at least a portion of an item to be wasted or at least a portion of an item to be returned to the dispensing device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the items are controlled medical substances or medical supplies.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising transmitting, from the host device to the dispensing device, at least a portion of the information received at the host device from the remote electronic device on at least the portion of the controlled medical substance or medical supply.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving a confirmation at the host computer system from the dispensing device that at least a portion of the controlled medical substance or medical supply has been returned.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device is secured with a lock, and further comprising unlocking the lock prior to returning the item.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote electronic device comprises a graphical user interface, wherein at least a portion of user input is received through the graphical user interface.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a web browser.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the further disposition of the controlled medical substance or medical supply involves wasting at least a portion of the item.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising transmitting to the remote electronic device from the host computer system, information regarding wasting of at least a portion of a controlled medical substance or medical supply.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving at the host computer system from the remote electronic device information regarding wasting at least a portion of the controlled medical substance or medical supply.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving at the host computer system from the remote electronic device a reason for the wasting of at least a portion of the controlled medical substance or medical supply.

15. The method of claim 11, receiving at the host computer system, from the remote electronic device, information about a witness present for wasting of at least a portion of the item.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the witness identifying information comprising logon information of the witness.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

comparing the information about the witness to information about the user; and

determining the witness is not the user.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the host computer system and the dispensing device are the same device.

19. A system for dispensing items, the system comprising:

a first and second dispensing device configured to hold a plurality of items, each dispensing device including a processor that is configured to receive user input;

a host system that is configured to communicate with a processor on each dispensing device, the host computer system configured to;

receive from an electronic device that is remotely located from the first and second dispensing devices user identification information;

receive from the electronic device a user request for a disposition of an item originating from the first dispensing device, wherein the item is associated with a patient;

transmit to the remote electronic device information regarding the further disposition of the item, wherein;

the further disposition of the item involves wasting at least a portion of the item or the item being returned to the second dispensing device; and

receive information from the user of the further disposition of the item.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the host system is further configured to:

receive from the electronic device patient identification information of a patient.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the first dispensing device and the second dispensing device are secured.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the plurality of items is a plurality of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the first dispensing device and the second dispensing device are the same dispensing device.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the host system and the first dispensing device are integrated.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the remote user system comprises a web browser, wherein at least a portion of user input is received in the web browser.

26. A method of monitoring a distribution of items, the method comprising:

receiving, at a host computer system, at least a subset of data contained in a first patient record from an administration records system;

creating, at the host computer system, a second patient record, wherein the second patient record contains fields for information regarding medication of a patient;

incorporating, at the host computer system, at least a portion of the subset of data contained in the first patient record into the second patient record;

transmitting, from the host computer system, at least a portion of the second patient record to an electronic device remotely located from the dispensing device;

receiving, at the host computer system, a modification of the second patient record or an addition to the second patient record, wherein;

the modification or addition include a disposition of a controlled medical substance or supply stored in the dispensing device; and

the disposition of the controlled medical substance or supply involves wasting at least a portion of the controlled medical substance or supply or the controlled medical substance or supply being returned to the dispensing device.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the host computer system and the electronic administration records system are the same system.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the host computer system and the dispensing device are integrated.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the modification or addition to the second patient record includes information regarding returning at least a portion of a controlled medical substance or supply to the dispensing device.

30. A system for dispensing items, the system comprising:

at least one dispensing device configured to hold a plurality of items, the dispensing device including a processor that is configured to receive user input;

a cart, the cart including a cart-based electronic device and a plurality of drawers configured to store items associated with a plurality of patients; and

a host system, the host system configured to communicate with a processor on the dispensing device and to communicate with the cart-based electronic device, the host computer system configured to;

transmit, to the cart-based electronic device, a first set of configuration data for the plurality of patients;

transmit, to the cart-based electronic device, a second set of configuration data that determines an assignment of at least one drawer of the plurality of drawers to at least one patient of the plurality of patients; and

receive, from the cart-based electronic device, disposition information that indicates disposition of an item stored in a drawer of the plurality of drawers, the disposition information involving wasting at least a portion of the item or the item being returned to the dispensing device.