Method and system for electronic assistance in dispensing pharmaceuticals
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.
1. A method for electronically assisting in dispensing pharmaceuticals in one or more pharmacies, said method comprising the steps of:
configuring an electronic system to process a prescription order by:
defining how the system respectively operates for different users;
defining a check to be performed on the prescription order;
categorizing the check, and defining a number of times that the check is to be performed by the system as a function of the categorizing;
setting a severity level for the check and triggering a respective warning as a function of the severity level;
defining whether the check is to be performed on a pharmacy by pharmacy basis;
receiving, by the system, data from a user pertaining to the prescription order;
processing the prescription order and verifying that the prescription order is correct;
further comprising:
generating a prescription label having a first barcode associated with the prescription order, said prescription label identifying the required prescription medication, patient and a healthcare facility at which the patient is located;
retrieving prescription medication in accordance with the prescription label;
determining if the prescription medication has a second barcode associated therewith identifying the prescription medication and if so, scanning the second barcode to determine if the prescription medication corresponds to the prescription order; and
if the prescription medication does not have a second barcode,
having a qualified individual determine if the retrieved prescription medication is correct, and if so,
generating a third barcode that is approved by the qualified individual and affixing the third barcode to the medication; said third barcode identifying the qualified individual who inspected the medication to determine that it is correct, the date of the inspection and a unique sequence number, said unique sequence number allowing the third barcode to be scanned only once on the date of the inspection.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising implementing said system in phases.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of configuring further comprises defining how the system respectively operates for a plurality of different user groups.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising repeating the warning when the check is caused to be performed more than once.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising enabling the user to override the warning.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of configuring further comprises defining security and privilege levels for different users.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of configuring further comprises defining an amount of interaction with the system that different users have.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of configuring further comprises triggering a plurality of warnings as a function of the severity level.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of configuring further comprises determining respective data entry fields that are available for data entry by a user.