Drug Delivery Management System
The present invention relates to assisting patients in the taking of medication, and to assisting third parties in accumulating information regarding patient medication intake. The invention may be embodied a system including a portable medication monitor used in association with an instrumented medication package to provide intake data acquisition and patient support functions. The system may further be connected to a computer or computer network allowing information distribution between the medication monitor and third parties, such as physicians or pharmacists.
1 . A method for patient and drug management in a healthcare facility, comprising:
providing a plurality of monitors in the healthcare facility;
providing a plurality of drug containment devices, each having an integrated access sensor and a condition sensor;
associating the patient with a device having an integrated access sensor and a condition sensor;
transmitting drug information and the patient information upon the occurrence of at least one event;
storing the drug information and the patient information collected from the monitors in a database; and
generating alerts in response to the drug information and the patient information.
2 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim 1 wherein the step of generating further includes the step of comparing the patient information against stored information to determine access and condition status and generating the alert appropriate for the status.
3 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim 1 , wherein the step of generating further includes the step of comparing the drug information against stored information to determine access and condition status and generating the alert appropriate for the status.
4 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one event is in accordance with a schedule intake, further including the steps of:
comparing drug information against stored information;
comparing patient information against stored information;
verifying drug information against patient information and
generating a positive alert if match occurs between patient information, drug information, and stored information.
5 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim 1 , wherein access to one of the drug containment devices is the at least one event, further including the steps of:
comparing drug information against stored information;
comparing patient information against stored information;
verifying patient information against drug information; and
generating a positive alert if match occurs between patient information, drug information, and stored information.
6 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim, wherein the alert is transmitted to at least one of doctor, nurse, doctor's offices, nurse stations, pharmacies, insurers, manufacturers, suppliers, patient residences, patients, caregivers, shippers, security, hospitals, clinics, and healthcare entities.
7 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim 3 , wherein the alert is transmitted to at least one of doctor, nurse, doctor's offices, nurse stations, pharmacies, insurers, manufacturers suppliers, patient residences, patients caregivers, shippers, security, hospitals, clinics, and healthcare entities.
8 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim 4 , wherein the positive alert is transmitted to at least one of doctor, nurse, doctor's offices, nurse stations, pharmacies, insurers, manufacturers, suppliers, patient residences, patients, caregivers, shippers, security, hospitals, clinics, and healthcare entities.
9 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim 4 , wherein the positive alert results in ordering another item in an accessed drug containment device.
10 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim 4 , wherein the positive alert results in updating an inventory for item contained in an accessed drug containment device.
11 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim 4 , wherein the positive alert results in updating time of access for later analysis.
12 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim 5 , wherein the positive alert is transmitted to at least one of doctor, nurse, doctor's offices, nurse stations, pharmacies, insurers, manufacturers, suppliers, patient residences, patients, caregivers, shippers, security, hospitals, clinics, and healthcare entities.
13 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim 5 , wherein the positive alert results in ordering another item in an accessed drug containment device.
14 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim 5 , wherein the positive alert results in updating an inventory for item contained in an accessed drug containment device.
15 . The method for patient and drug management according to claim 5 , wherein the positive alert results in updating time of access for later analysis.