Secure medicament dispensing cabinet, method and system
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- reading a first identifier that identifies a dispensing device to be replenished with medicament;
reading a second identifier that identifies an operator;
electronically comparing the first and second identifiers to confirm that the operator is authorized to replenish medicament in the dispensing device;
in response to confirming that the operator is authorized to replenish medicament in the dispensing device, identifying the medicament to be replenished in the dispensing device;
electronically confirming that the correct medicament to be replenished in the dispensing device is available in a bulk stock container; and
electronically unlocking a drawer in which the dispensing device is located to allow the operator access to the dispensing device for replenishment in response to confirming that the operator is authorized to replenish medicament in the dispensing device and in response to confirming that the correct medicament to be replenished in the dispensing device is available in the bulk stock container.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A medicament dispensing cabinet is comprised of a frame, at least one controller, and a plurality of drawers each movably carried by the frame and each defining a plurality of dispensing cells. A plurality of removable dispensing devices is provided with each one carried by one of the dispensing cells. Each of the dispensing cells further comprises a motor for providing rotary motion to one of the removable dispensing devices in response to the controller, a sensor operating in conjunction with the controller for counting medicament dispensed from one of the removable dispensing devices, a chute for receiving medicament dispensed from one of the removable dispensing devices and a chute gate for controlling access to the chute. The cabinet may additionally comprise a chute gate release responsive to the controller for controlling the chute gate and a chute gate sensor connected to the controller and responsive to the position of the chute gate. The cabinet may be used in conjunction with a number of processes including dispensing, secure-pickup (insuring the person picking up the dispensed medicament is authorized to do so), back-end verification (verifying the identity of the person picking up the dispensed medicament), a process for removing a dispensing device from a drawer, and a process for inserting a dispensing device into a drawer.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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reading a first identifier that identifies a dispensing device to be replenished with medicament; reading a second identifier that identifies an operator; electronically comparing the first and second identifiers to confirm that the operator is authorized to replenish medicament in the dispensing device; in response to confirming that the operator is authorized to replenish medicament in the dispensing device, identifying the medicament to be replenished in the dispensing device; electronically confirming that the correct medicament to be replenished in the dispensing device is available in a bulk stock container; and electronically unlocking a drawer in which the dispensing device is located to allow the operator access to the dispensing device for replenishment in response to confirming that the operator is authorized to replenish medicament in the dispensing device and in response to confirming that the correct medicament to be replenished in the dispensing device is available in the bulk stock container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising:
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electronically confirming that the correct medicament to be replenished in a dispensing device is available in a bulk stock container; directing the operator to the dispensing device in response to confirming that the correct medicament to be replenished in the dispensing device is available in the bulk stock container; reading a first identifier that identifies the dispensing device; reading a second identifier that identifies the operator; comparing the first and second identifiers to confirm that the operator is authorized to replenish medicament in the dispensing device; and unlocking a drawer in which the dispensing device is located to allow the operator access to the dispensing device for replenishment in response to confirming that the operator is authorized to replenish medicament in the dispensing device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification