SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING MEDICATION PRESCRIPTIONS USING BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION
First Claim
1. A system for managing controlled substance prescriptions comprising:
- a central server having a processor, said central server having tables comprising a database for receiving, processing, and storing prescription information;
a computer network, said network providing electronic communications between said central server and one or more computer terminals located in one or more pharmacies;
at least one pharmacy, said pharmacy having a biometric reader connected to a computer, said computer being connected to said network;
said system comprising the steps of causing said biometric reader to read identifying biometric data from an individual presenting a prescription;
recording prescription information into said computer and cross-referencing said prescription information with said biometric data;
communicating said prescription information and said biometric data to said central server across said network;
processing said prescription information and said biometric data with other information at said central server to determine whether said prescription should be filled;
communicating the result of said determination across said network to said computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention is a system and method for a matching system that cross-references patients anonymously with doctors and pharmacies. The invention uses patient-unique biometrics, such as fingerprinting, retinal scanning, or another such unique identifier, for patient identification and verification without revealing a patient'"'"'s name or other personal information. The system tracks patient prescriptions and produces alerts to indicate potential problems, such as drug interactions or possible fraudulent behavior. The system can produce a traceable paper trail, for investigation or prosecution, and protects the medical industry, patients, and the public from the consequences of doctor shopping.
66 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for managing controlled substance prescriptions comprising:
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a central server having a processor, said central server having tables comprising a database for receiving, processing, and storing prescription information; a computer network, said network providing electronic communications between said central server and one or more computer terminals located in one or more pharmacies; at least one pharmacy, said pharmacy having a biometric reader connected to a computer, said computer being connected to said network; said system comprising the steps of causing said biometric reader to read identifying biometric data from an individual presenting a prescription; recording prescription information into said computer and cross-referencing said prescription information with said biometric data; communicating said prescription information and said biometric data to said central server across said network; processing said prescription information and said biometric data with other information at said central server to determine whether said prescription should be filled; communicating the result of said determination across said network to said computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for managing medication prescriptions comprising the steps ofmaintaining data on a central server, said data comprising:
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a) one or more tables of data identifying pharmacists and physicians authorized to access said central server, and b) one or more tables of data identifying patients through biometric data, and information relating to said patients; 2) entering information regarding a prescription issued by a physician for a patient into the central server comprising the steps of; a) reading said patient'"'"'s biometric data using a biometric reader located at said physician'"'"'s office, and b) transmitting said prescription information and said patient'"'"'s biometric data to said central server; 3) evaluating said data in said central server, said prescription, and said patient'"'"'s biometric data to determine whether any alerts should be generated; and
if so;a) evaluating whether any alerts that should be generated are critical alerts; b) generating and transmitting said critical alerts to said physician issuing said prescription and to any other physicians referenced to said patient in said central server; c) requiring an acknowledgment to said critical alerts from said physician issuing said prescription; 4) obtaining verification from said central server that an individual seeking to fill said prescription at a pharmacy is authorized to fill said prescription through the steps of; a) reading said individual'"'"'s biometric data using a biometric reader at said pharmacy; b) transmitting prescription information and said person'"'"'s biometric data to said central server; 5) evaluating said prescription information, said biometric data, and said data tables at said central server to determine whether any alerts should be generated, and if so; a) evaluating whether any of said alerts that should be generated are critical alerts; b) generating and transmitting said alerts to said pharmacist verifying said prescription and to other physicians cross references to said patient in said central server, c) requiring an acknowledgment from said pharmacist verifying said prescription when any of said alerts are critical alerts.
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Specification