Medical cart for dispensing medication
Inventors
Miller, David R. • Yang, Kou • Ruppenthal, Kurt
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9367061-B2
Publication Date
2016-06-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
Technology for dispensing medication from a wheeled medical cart is disclosed. A method comprises placing the medication in a medication storage compartment of a storage container of the wheeled medical cart. A method can further comprise entering medication data into a computing device operating on the wheeled medical cart. A method can further comprise electronically securing the medication stored in the medication storage compartment. A method further comprises repositioning the wheeled medical cart a patient location The method can further comprise electronically identifying at least one predetermined user of the wheeled medical cart at the patient location to enable the predetermined user to gain access to the medication in the medication storage compartment for a patient to enable the predetermined user to provide medication from the wheeled medical cart to the patient.
Core Innovation
The invention is directed to dispensing medication from a wheeled medical cart that includes a storage container having at least one medication storage compartment. Medication data identifying each type or amount of medication stored in the compartment is entered into a computing device operating on the cart, and the medication is electronically secured so access is restricted to at least one predetermined user or at least one operator.
After the cart is repositioned to a patient location, the predetermined user or operator is electronically identified at the patient location to enable providing medication to the patient or an individual. The cart electronics electronically verify a medication status when access occurs, where the status comprises a receipt of the medication provided to the patient, a consumption of the medication provided to the patient, or a refusal of the patient to receive the medication provided to the patient.
In another aspect, a wheeled portable medical cart is configured with an electronic locking device and an electronic identification device, with access to selected medication storage compartments restricted to require electronic identification of at least two operators. The cart determines a time period that the wheeled medical cart is located at a selected location for dispensing medication and includes a structure connecting a storage container to a wheeled pedestal.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three inventive features: a method for secure medication dispensing, a portable or wheeled medical cart apparatus with electronic access control, and a cart structure with a connected storage container.
Medication dispensing with restricted electronic access and status verification
A method for dispensing medication from a wheeled medical cart that includes placing medication in a medication storage compartment, entering medication data into a computing device, electronically securing the medication to restrict access to at least one predetermined user, repositioning the cart to a patient location, electronically identifying the predetermined user at the patient location to enable providing medication to the patient, electronically verifying a medication status comprising receipt, consumption, or refusal, and disabling control of the wheeled medical cart until the status is electronically verified.
Portable medical cart with secure electronic identification and time period determination
A portable medical cart with computing circuitry that receives medication data identifying each type of medication stored in a medication storage compartment, electronically secures the medication to restrict access to at least one operator, electronically identifies the at least one operator at a medication distribution location to gain access to the medication for an individual, electronically restricts access to selected medication storage compartments to require electronic identification of at least two operators, and determines a time period that the wheeled medical cart is located at a selected location for dispensing medication.
Wheeled medication cart with electronic locking, multi-operator compartment access, and location/time definition
A wheeled medical cart for dispensing medication that includes a storage container with at least one medication storage compartment, a computing device configured to receive medication data identifying each type or amount of medication stored, an electronic locking device that electronically secures the medication to restrict access to at least one operator, an electronic identification device configured to electronically identify the at least one operator at a patient location, electronically restrict access to selected medication storage compartments to require electronic identification of at least two operators, determine a time period that the wheeled medical cart is located at a selected location for dispensing medication, and a structure connecting the storage container to a wheeled pedestal.
The claims center on secure medication dispensing from a wheeled or portable medical cart using electronically secured medication, electronic identification of operators at patient or medication distribution locations, access restriction including requiring electronic identification of at least two operators for selected compartments, and location or time-related determination, with medication status verification in the method claim.
Stated Advantages
Restricts access to medication to at least one predetermined user or operator via electronic securing.
Enables providing medication from the wheeled or portable medical cart to a patient or individual by electronically identifying authorized users at the patient location or medication distribution location.
Verifies a status of the medication as receipt, consumption, or patient refusal when the predetermined user gains access.
Disables control of the wheeled medical cart until the status of the medication is electronically verified.
Electronically restricts access to selected medication storage compartments to require electronic identification of at least two operators.
Determines a time period that the wheeled medical cart is located at a selected location for dispensing medication.
Documented Applications
Dispensing medication from a wheeled medical cart to a patient at a patient location.
Dispensing medication from a portable medical cart to an individual at a medication distribution location.
Dispensing medication using a wheeled medical cart including selected medication storage compartments requiring electronic identification of at least two operators.
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