Medication storage and dispensing apparatus having linear drawer assembly including discrete storage modules
View Patent ↗A medication storage and dispensing workstation for use in a medication management system administering the inventory and distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in a healthcare environment is disclosed. The workstation incorporates a linear drawer assembly having a plurality of discrete, removable, storage modules for containing medications and/or other medical supplies. The storage modules are arranged in a linear array extending longitudinally along the travel path of the linear drawer assembly. Each storage module, in turn, comprises a drawer that is extensible laterally relative to the linear arrangement of the storage modules. As such, the drawer assemblies comprise a compartmentalized “drawer-in-drawer” arrangement that provides an efficient use of storage space and enables a user to utilize the workstation in a workspace having a smaller footprint that traditional storage cabinet apparatus.
1. A medication storage and dispensing workstation for use in a medication management system administering the inventory and distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in a healthcare environment comprising:
a linear drawer assembly having a plurality of discrete, removable, storage modules for containing medications and/or other medical supplies;
wherein the storage modules are arranged in a linear array extending longitudinally along the travel path of the linear drawer assembly; and
wherein each storage module comprises a drawer that is extensible laterally relative to the linear arrangement of the storage modules.
2. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 1 , wherein the storage modules are individually removable from the linear drawer assembly.
3. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 1 further comprising:
a control computer; and
a workstation network system comprising a workstation controller, at least one tier controller, at least one in-drawer controller, and a plurality of storage module controllers;
wherein the workstation controller is in communication with the tier controller;
wherein the tier controller is in communication with the in-drawer controller and a linear drawer latch mechanism associated with the linear drawer assembly; and
wherein the in-drawer controller is in communication with a plurality of storage module controllers.
4. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 1 , wherein said linear drawer assembly is removably connected to said workstation via a two-stage lock.
5. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of storage modules are removably secured to said linear drawer assembly via a two-stage lock.
6. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 3 , wherein each said storage module has a unique identifier.
7. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 6 , wherein each said storage module is identified by a said unique identifier to determine a particular storage module.
8. The medication storage and dispensing workstation of claim 7 , wherein said linear assembly opens to allow access to said particular storage module.