Method and system for electronic assistance in dispensing pharmaceuticals

• US 20050004700A1
• Filed: 07/02/2003
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnicare Incorporated (CVS Health Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Omnicare Incorporated (CVS Health Corporation)
• Inventors: DiMaggio, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,831,775 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/213
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

A system and method for electronic assistance in dispensing pharmaceuticals, utilizing software, hardware and barcode technology to yield error free, clinically correct, adjudicated prescriptions. The system is adaptive to the preferences of an authorized user, by being configurable on the basis of when and what type of warnings are given in particular circumstances, based on entries in a field, and whether the order can proceed. Additionally, the invention allows for automated and electronically assisted refilling of orders. The invention allows for tracking and monitoring of prescription orders through barcode labeling and scanning

Claims

1. A method for electronically assisting in dispensing pharmaceuticals, said method comprising the steps of:

configuring a system;

entering data, pertaining to a prescription order, into fields of said system;

using said system to perform checks on said data entered into said fields;

verifying said prescription order is correct; and

monitoring said prescription order being processed through said system.

2. A method for electronically assisting in dispensing pharmaceuticals as defined in claim 1 and further comprising the step of:

implementing said system in phases.

3. A method for electronically assisting in dispensing prescriptions as defined in claim 1, and further comprising the step of:

using barcode technology to monitor an order being processed through said system.

4. A system for electronically assisting in dispensing pharmaceuticals comprising the steps of:

configuring a computer system with an authorized user;

entering data, relating to a prescription order, into fields of said computer system;

determining whether a check is to be performed on said data entered in to said fields;

generating a warning to said user if said system determines a check is to be performed and said data entered into said field requires said warning;

verifying a prescription order by a pharmacist;

determining if a payor is available for said prescription order;

adjudicating said prescription order by sending said prescription order to a billing queue;

generating a prescription label associated with said item and said prescription order;

pulling said item from a stock location;

labeling said item with said prescription label;

verifying that said item matches said prescription order;

verifying that said prescription order matches a delivery tote;

generating a packing list of all items in said delivery tote;

delivering said item.

5. A system for electronically assisting in dispensing pharmaceuticals as defined in claim 4, and further comprising the steps of:

generating a barcode corresponding to said prescription order;

generating said prescription label with said barcode;

scanning said prescription label with a barcode scanning apparatus to verify that said item matches said prescription order;

scanning said prescription label with a barcode scanning apparatus to verify that said prescription order is in correct delivery tote.

6. A method for electronically assisting in dispensing prescriptions comprising the steps of:

entering a prescription number of a prescription order to be refilled into a system;

performing checks on said prescription order and determining if any warnings or an interventions are required;

determining a course of action to be taken with assistance of said system if said warnings or said interventions are required; and

refilling said prescription order to be refilled, and storing information pertaining to said prescription order to be refilled into said system, and adjusting number of fills field in said system if no said warnings or interventions are required.

7. A method for electronically assisting in dispensing prescriptions as defined in claim 6, and further comprising the steps of:

assigning a new prescription number to said prescription order to be refilled if said system determines that said prescription order to be refilled has reached the end of default refills, default number of days that said prescription order to be refilled can be active, or the maximum quantity; and

retaining information from said prescription order to be refilled for said new prescription number.

8. A method for electronically assisting in dispensing prescriptions as defined in claim 6, and further comprising the steps of:

determining if said prescription order to be refilled has a stop date that is beyond its refill date if said system determines that said prescription order to be refilled has been discontinued;

allowing to be refilled said prescription order to be refilled if said system determines that said prescription order to be refilled has a said stop date that is beyond its said refill date, but defaulting the days supply to the number of days remaining until said prescription order to be refilled is due to stop; and

stopping the said prescription order to be refilled if said system determines that said prescription order to be refilled does not have a said stop date that is beyond its said refill date.

9. A method for electronically assisting in dispensing prescriptions as defined in claim 6, and further comprising the step of:

entering said prescription number into said system by a user manually typing in said prescription number.

10. A system for electronically assisting in dispensing prescriptions as defined in claim 6, and further comprising the step of:

entering said prescription number into said system using a barcode scanning apparatus.

11. A system for electronically assisting in dispensing prescriptions as defined in claim 6, and further comprising the step of:

entering said prescription number into said system by selecting said prescription order to be refilled from a profile list.

12. A method for electronic assistance in dispensing prescriptions comprising the steps of:

entering a prescription number of a prescription order to be refilled into a system;

performing checks on said prescription order and determining if any warnings or interventions are required;

putting said prescription order to be refilled on hold if said warnings or said interventions are required; and

automatically refilling said prescription order to be refilled, and storing information pertaining to said prescription order to be refilled, and adjusting number of fills field in said system if no said warnings or interventions are required.

13. A method for electronically assisting in dispensing prescriptions as defined in claim 12, wherein:

entering said prescription number into said system by a user manually typing in said prescription number.

14. A method for electronically assisting in dispensing prescriptions as defined in claim 12, wherein:

entering said prescription number into said system using a barcode scanning apparatus.

15. A method for electronically assisting in dispensing prescriptions as defined in claim 12, wherein:

entering said prescription number into said system by selecting said prescription order to be refilled from a profile list.

16. A method for electronically assisting in dispensing prescriptions comprising the steps of:

establishing an automatic refill date for a prescription order;

automatically entering data for said prescription order on said automatic refill date by said system;

automatically performing checks on said data entered for said prescription order and determining if any warnings or an interventions are required on said automatic refill date by said system;

automatically generating a report listing all prescription orders said system selects to fill;

automatically generating a report listing all prescription orders that did not pass all checks;

allowing a user to reprocess and edit said reports so that the list of prescription orders contained therein are selected to be filled by said system;

indicating to said system, by said user, that said list of prescription orders is ready to be refilled; and

automatically refilling said prescription orders on said list, and storing information pertaining to said prescription orders, and displaying next time said prescription orders are due to be refilled.