Medication dispensing cart
A medication dispensing cart having a computer and monitor, a work surface with pull out keyboard, and plural drawers arranged as a vertical series of cassettes that can be added as needed. The battery powered device uses software and pass codes for controlling access to each drawer, and requires a second pass code for any drawer designated to contain narcotics. Records can be kept of who dispenses what medication and when for each cart in a system of carts. The cart in the system is in wireless communication with a system administrator. Emails alerting the system administrator of low battery power, of a cart switching to off, of an attempted break-in, and of inventory and usage data are sent automatically by email.
1. A dispensing cart, comprising:
a base supported by a plurality of wheels such that the base is suspended above a support surface, wherein the base includes at least one battery;
a central mast extending vertically up from the base, wherein the central mast is vertically extendible and retractable;
a work surface operably coupled to the mast such that the work surface is movable up and down by extending or retracting the central mast;
a monitor having a display screen operably coupled to the work surface so as to be positioned above the work surface;
a computer that receives power from the battery;
a drawer system comprising a plurality of drawers positioned between the work surface and the base;
wherein the cart has a front side in front of the central mast and a rear side rearward of the central mast, wherein the battery is positioned in the base so as to be on the rear side, wherein the display screen is positioned at the rear side, and wherein the drawers are positioned on the front side; and
a battery bracket to which the battery is removably fixed, wherein the battery comprises a first battery, and further comprising a second battery, wherein the cart is configured such that the second battery is hot swappable with the first battery without loss of power as the first battery is removed from the bracket and the second battery is placed into the bracket,
wherein both the first battery and the second battery are removably electrically coupled to the computer by a connector such that the second battery is configured to provide power to the computer while the first battery is removed from the bracket.
2. A dispensing cart as in claim 1 , further comprising a housing to which the monitor is coupled, and wherein the computer is disposed in the housing behind the monitor.
3. A dispensing cart as in claim 1 , wherein the drawer system comprises a drawer housing, and wherein the drawers are vertically stacked and slidable within the drawer housing.
4. A dispensing cart as in claim 3 , further comprising a mechanism to couple the drawer housing to the work surface.
5. A dispensing cart as in claim 1 , wherein the mast comprises an inner mast member and an outer mast member.
6. A dispensing cart as in claim 1 , wherein the battery has a handle.
7. A dispensing cart as in claim 1 , further comprising a power cord that extends from the battery to the monitor.
8. A dispensing cart as in claim 1 , wherein the base circumscribes the mast.
9. A dispensing cart as in claim 1 , wherein the cart includes four wheels, with two of the wheels being at the front side and the other two wheels being at the rear side.
10. A dispensing cart as in claim 1 , wherein the support surface has a front and a rear, and further comprising a bracket mounted to the rear of the support surface that extends vertically upward from the support surface, and wherein the monitor is coupled to the bracket.
11. A dispensing cart as in claim 1 , further comprising a pull out keyboard disposed beneath the support surface and above the drawer system.