Patent Application
20190214123
The invention relates to a method and a system for storing drugs in distribution packages, and a storage for drug distribution packages.
In many countries, it is common drug distribution practice in hospitals, health clinics and nursing homes that the drugs to be administered to patients are unpacked from the drug packages into distribution packages to be stored in a storage for drug distribution packages, from which they are administered to patients according to their treatment regimen. This is done because it is often thought that it is easier to take loose drugs from a distribution package than from the original drug package of the pharmaceutical manufacturer where e.g. pills are often in bubble packs, whereby the drugs have to be detached one by one before they are administered to patients.
A disadvantage in such a method is that after the unpacking and transfer of the drugs into distribution packages, the expiry date of the drugs is normally no longer known, because this same drug may have been added to the same distribution package from several different drug packages, each of which may have a different expiry date for the drugs. Yet another disadvantage in such a method for storing and distributing drugs is that it is possible to abuse the drugs, because the taking of drugs placed in the distribution packages is not prevented in any way, and the taking of drugs from the distribution packages is often not monitored in any way either.
It is an aim of the invention to provide a novel system for storing drugs in distribution packages, whereby information about the expiry date of the drugs stored in the distribution packages is maintained even though the drugs are transferred from the original drug package of the manufacturer to a distribution package, and whereby the abuse of drugs placed in the distribution packages can be prevented better than before. Furthermore, it is an aim of the invention to introduce a method for storing drugs in distribution packages, and a storage for drug distribution packages, which can be implemented in the system according to the invention.
The aim of the invention is attained by a system in which the adding of drugs into a distribution package requires user identification (that is, logging in the data system of the storage for drug distribution packages), and by which the date information and/or the production batch number of the drugs in the drug package is entered in real time and automatically or manually so that the data of the drugs, the expiry date and/or the production batch number are entered in the storage data system of the storage of drug distribution packages when drugs are added into distribution packages. Furthermore, the drug distribution package belonging to the system is structurally implemented in such a way that the addition or removal of drugs to or from distribution packages requires that those distribution packages which are involved in removing or adding drugs, are removed from the drug distribution storage or are at least moved, so that this will induce a stock change entry in the stock data system of the storage of drug packages, by a detecting sensor in the storage of drug packages. Thus, the stock data system of the storage for drug distribution packages always has up-to-date information on the expiry date and/or the production batch number of the drugs in the distribution packages, as well as on the location of the different drugs in the storage for drug distribution packages. Thus, it is not possible to add or to remove drugs to or from the distribution packages without entering a stock change in the stock data system of the storage for drug distribution packages. To put it more precisely, the system according to the invention is characterized in what will be presented in the independent claim 1. To put it more precisely, the method according to the invention is characterized in what will be presented in the independent claim 8, and the system according to the invention is characterized in what will be presented in the independent claim 12. Dependent claims 2 to 6 present advantageous embodiments of the system according to the invention, dependent claims 9 to 11 present advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, and dependent claims 12 to 15 present advantageous embodiments of the storage for drug distribution packages according to the invention.
The system, the method, and the storage for drug distribution packages according to the invention have the advantage that they make sure that the drugs stored in the storage for drug distribution packages are never out-of-date, and on the other hand, the drugs do not need to be disposed of too early because of older drugs (having an earlier expiry date or old production batch number) mixed with newer drugs in the same distribution package. Furthermore, the system, the method, and the storage for drug distribution packages according to the invention improve drug safety by preventing abuse of drugs in the distribution packages in the storage for drug distribution packages, without leaving an entry in the stock data system of the storage for drug distribution packages, about the time when and by whom drugs have been taken from the storage of drug distribution packages.
In the following, some advantageous embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which
The frame 11 is made of e.g. sheet metal, plastic, chipboard, composite, plywood, solid wood, or another suitable material, or a suitable combination of these. In an embodiment of a large size, the frame 11 may also comprise a skeleton formed of beams, to which its outer walls are fastened, or separate connecting or fastening elements, by which the outer walls are joined to each other. As a mechanical structure, the skeleton 11 is implemented in such a way that the walls belonging to it surround the chest 12 of drawers and the cabinet 14 so that the distribution packages 17a and/or 17b stored in the chest 12 of drawers can only be accessed by pulling out the drawers 15 out of the chest 12 of drawers, and the distribution packages of the cabinet 14 can only be accessed by opening the doors of the cabinet. Furthermore, the drawers of the chest 12 of drawers and the cabinet doors 19a of the cabinet 14 are equipped with electric locks, by which the drawers 15 of the chest 12 of drawers and the cabinet doors 19a of the cabinet 14 can be locked by programming the data processing device 20, to allow access to the distribution packages 17a and 17b placed in them by authorization only.
The storage locations 16 in the drawers 15 of the chest 12 of drawers are determined according to the size of the distribution packages 17a and 17b used, as well as the length and the width of the rectangular lids 18a and 18b belonging to them. The length and the width of the box-like space formed inside the drawers 15 is dimensioned so that a determined equal number of distribution packages 17a and/or 17b can be placed adjacent to each other in the width and the length direction in each drawer 15. In the drawer 15, the lids 18a and/or 18b of the distribution packages 17a and 17b abut each other in the length and the width directions so that the lids 18a and/or 18b cannot be rotated or the distribution packages 17a and/or 17b cannot be moved in the length or width direction of the drawer 15 when all the distribution packages 17a and/or 17b fitting in a single drawer 15 are placed in the drawer 15. Also, the diameter of the receptacle parts of the distribution packages 17a and 17b and the width of the drawers 15 are selected in such a way that one drawer 15 accommodates a given number of distribution packages (in this case, 4 smaller distribution packages 17a or 3 larger distribution packages 17b) next to each other in so that no empty space is left between the side walls of the drawer but the distribution packages 17a and 17b can be easily fitted in their own storage locations in the drawer, to be manually movable in the vertical direction of the drawer 15. Also, the length of the drawer 15 is determined by a corresponding principle. As shown in
In this embodiment, the distribution packages 17a and 17b to be stored in the chest 12 of drawers are receptacles with a cylindrical cross section, having a lid with a square shape as shown in
The cabinet 14 comprises a rack having a rear wall and side walls, as well as vertical intermediate walls and horizontal shelves between these, storage locations being formed between them for distribution packages to be placed in the horizontal direction. The cabinet doors 19a closing the storage locations of the cabinet 14 at the front are equipped with electric locks for controlling access to the distribution packages stored on the shelves of the cabinet. The distances between the side walls and the intermediate walls of the cabinet 14 are selected so that a given number of distribution packages, to be placed next to each other in the horizontal position, fit between each two adjacent vertical surfaces so that hardly any empty space is left between the distribution packages and these surfaces, but the distribution packages can still be fitted in the storage locations formed between the walls and the shelves, to be easily movable manually. In a corresponding way, the horizontal lower wall, the upper wall and the other horizontal shelves between these in the cabinet 14 are placed in such a way that a given number of distribution packages fit between two opposite horizontal surfaces so that hardly any empty space is left between the distribution packages and these surfaces but the distribution packages can still be fitted in the storage locations formed between the walls and the shelves, to be easily movable manually. The cabinet 14 may also comprise one or more non-lockable or lockable cabinet doors 19b for shelves for possibly storing various auxiliary devices and supplies which are needed for the distribution of drugs but whose use does not need to be controlled as such. The depth of the cabinet 14 is normally dimensioned so that the distribution packages, possibly of different sizes, to be placed in it are well accommodated in the cabinet 14 when the cabinet doors are closed.
In the embodiment of
As shown in
The stock data system installed in the data processing device 20 may be programmed to operate, for example, in such a way that it always assumes that drugs have been removed from the distribution package 17a or 17b removed, unless the user makes an entry in the stock data system on adding, including the data of the drug package from which drugs were added into the drug distribution package 17a or 17b, as well as the quantity of drugs (e.g. number of pills or tablets). If the added drug quantity and the drug quantity in said drug package do not match, it is concluded that the whole content of said drug package was not added into said drug package 17a or 17b from the other drug package, the system reports a loss (use of drugs off the record), and sends a notice to e.g. a given person responsible for said storage 10 of drug distribution packages, according to the settings. Thus, in this embodiment, the content of a whole package always has to be added to the distribution package 17a or 17b. In this way, the stock data system always contains information on the quantity of drugs in stock, because also when drugs are taken out of the distribution package 17a or 17b, the user has to enter the quantity of drugs taken, which data can be e.g. compared by the system with the dosage according to the regimen of said patients, if the stock data system of the storage 10 for drug distribution packages is connected to a patient data system. Based on this, the stock data system could also determine a time when said drug should be added into said distribution package 17a or 17b, and see that older drugs are used first or removed from said drug distribution package 17a or 17b so that the drugs in this distribution package 17a or 17b will not be mixed with drugs possibly expiring soon, but these drugs will be either used first or disposed of from said distribution package 17a or 17b before newer drugs with a later expiry date are added into it.
The drugs to be stored in the distribution packages 17a or 17b may be pills, tablets, ampoules, or vials for syringes. They may also be small drug packages or also small instruments to be used in medical treatment, for example needles for drug syringes, or other medical equipment fitting in distribution packages. In principle, the only restrictions are the size of the drugs, drug packages or medical equipment to be stored, and the shelf life in the case of pharmaceutical products (e.g. if cold storage or sterile space is required).
For using the storage 10 for drug distributing packages shown in
After the login, the touch screen 22 enters a mode in which selection keys are displayed for the user to select which drug or which medical equipment is to be taken from or added into the storage 10 for drug distribution packages. For adding or removing, the menu may include separate keys for first selecting whether drugs are to be removed or added.
If drugs are to be removed, the above mentioned selections are followed by entering the quantity of drugs to be removed from the storage 10 of drug distribution packages. This is followed by unlocking of the drawer 15 or cabinet door 19a where said distribution package 17a or 17b is placed. The location of the unlocked drawer 15 or cabinet door 19a may be displayed on the touch screen. Alternatively or in addition, the unlocked drawer 15 or cabinet door 19a may be equipped with an indicator (e.g. LED) to indicate the drawer 15 where said distribution package 17a or 17b is stored, or the cabinet door 19a behind which said distribution package is stored on a shelf. The touch screen may also display an image of the drawer 15 or rack 19a and point out the storage location 16a of said distribution package 17a or 17b therein. In addition, the stock data system may be programmed to operate in such a way that if the user, in spite of these instructions, picks up a distribution package 17a or 17b from an incorrect location, the stock data system gives a sound alarm (e.g. a beep) and displays the location of the distribution package 17a or 17b which the user tried to pick up, with a red colour on the touch screen 22, and also displays more clearly (e.g. with green colour) the location where the distribution package 17a or 17b should have been picked up. After taking out the desired quantity of drugs, the stock data system requests that the distribution package 17a or 17b be returned to its original location. If, however, the user wishes to place the distribution package 17a or 17b in another vacant storage location 16a, the user may request the stock data system to display a map of vacant storage locations 16a and then select a desired vacant storage location 16, or simply just place the distribution package 17a or 17b in a vacant storage location 16a, wherein the stock data system will update the entry automatically.
For adding drugs, in turn, the stock data system requests for entering data of the drug (or other product) to be added. This can be done manually by entering the data by means of the touch screen, by reading a bar code or a remote readable identifier (e.g. RFID or NFC identifier) in the drug package. The data of the drug to be added into the distribution package 17a or 17b also includes the expiry date of the drug. The stock data system may thus be programmed to operate in such a way that it informs the user of the expiry date of the corresponding drugs in the distribution package 17a or 17b. If the expiry date of these drugs is coming soon (within a predetermined time), the stock data system may ask the user first to take out said drugs from this distribution package so that the soon expiring drugs are not mixed with newer drugs whose expiry date and/or production batch number may be considerably later than that for the drugs present in the distribution package 17a or 17b at the time. The stock data system may thus, for example, suggest that these drugs be placed in another vacant distribution package 17a or 17b, from which it will guide the next taker of these drugs to pick up these drugs first, if they would be used before the expiry date of said drugs. If, on the other hand, the person logged in the system is going to take some of these drugs out of said distribution package 17a or 17b, the stock data system may be programmed to indicate that these drugs have to be removed from said distribution package 17a or 17b first, before newer drugs of the same kind, having a later expiry date and/or production batch number, are added into it. In this way, the stock data system makes sure that the drugs to be stored in the storage 10 for drug distribution packages would be used in such a way that newer drugs to be added in the distribution packages 17a and 17b are not mixed with older drugs, whereby their last expiry date will be determined according to the oldest drug in said distribution package 17a or 17b. However, mixing can be allowed if there is no significant difference (greater than a predetermined interval) between the expiry dates of the drugs to be added and the drugs present in the distribution package 17a or 17b at the time.
After the addition or removal of drugs (or other products as mentioned), the lid of the distribution package 17a or 17b is closed and the distribution package 17a or 17b is returned to the storage location 16a intended for it. After this, the drawer 15 or cabinet door 19a is closed and the user logs out of the stock data system. At this stage, the stock data system controls the electric lock of the drawer 15 or cabinet door 19a to be locked, whereby the distribution packages 17a or 17b will remain in a locked space until the same or another user logs in the stock data system and performs a desired function either to remove drugs (or other products) or to add them in the storage 10 for drug distribution packages.
The system, the method, and the storage for drug distribution packages according to the invention can be implemented, in many respects, in a way different from the example embodiment presented above. For example, the way of implementing the storage locations in the storage for drug distribution packages may vary. In an embodiment, the storage for drug distribution packages may comprise a frame comprising only drawers similar to those in the chest of drawers in the storage for drug distribution packages shown in
Different ways of opening the lid may require different stop devices for preventing the opening of the lid when the distribution package is placed in the storage location. Also, the method of identifying the distribution packages may be implemented in a way different from the NFC identifiers and NFC readers. In a simpler embodiment, e.g. mechanical micro switches or inductive or optical sensors could be used for picking out distribution packages. However, this would increase the risk of mixing the data of the distribution package if the distribution package is not returned to the same storage location where it was before adding or removing the drugs (or other products) to be stored in it, because such detecting sensors are not capable of identifying if said distribution package is exact the one that was taken out of another storage location earlier. However, if distribution packages are handled one by one, even this kind of an arrangement is relatively reliable, even more so if taking other distribution packages out of the storage for distribution packages is prevented, e.g. by locking devices between the distribution packages and the storage locations.
In an embodiment of the storage for drug distribution packages according to the invention, the distribution packages are open on one side or on top. In this case, the removal of drugs from or adding into the distribution package may be prevented by a stop device which makes it impossible to use a hand, fingers, or instruments suitable for picking up or adding drugs, for adding or removing drugs.
In a fifth embodiment of the storage 10 for drug dispensing packages according to the invention, shown in
In the embodiment of
In another similar embodiment, the removal and addition of distribution packages 17e may also be prevented by locking so that the distribution packages 17e cannot move from their storage locations 16e unless an authorized user has logged in the stock data system of the storage 10 for drug distribution packages, and entered personal data and other data possibly required. The locking could be provided, for example, by a door 19a that covers the front wall of the rack unit 42 completely and is lockable by e.g. an electric lock, or by a distribution package specific locking. The distribution package specific locking could comprise an electronic locking mechanism for inserting a pin for locking the distribution package 17e in place, for example in a hole at the bottom of the distribution package 17e, or in another stopper placed on a side (e.g. a sleeve, hole, or the like, in a wall).
In the system based on the storage 10 for drug distribution packages of
In another embodiment similar to this embodiment, side walls may also be provided between each storage location 16e. Thus, the detecting sensor for detecting the movement may also be placed on either or both of the side walls. In an embodiment, on the other hand, a detecting sensor on the side wall could be used for detecting the movement of two adjacent distribution packages by means of one detecting sensor.
Also, the principle of operation of the stock data system may be in many respects different from that described above. For example, the functions could include e.g. automatic detection of a distribution package and opening of a drawer or cabinet door when a bar code reader is used to read a bar code in the prescription of a patient, telling the stock data system which drug the person has come to pick up. The stock data system may either be specific to the storage for drug distribution packages, to the pharmacy, or, for example in a hospital, be integrated in a system relating to the patients or their medication, whereby the patients' medication data may be automatically linked to the stock data system of the storage for distribution packages so that when drugs are taken from the storage for drug distribution packages, the data about the drugs to be taken is automatically linked to the system controlling the storage for drug distribution packages. Thus, the system, method, and the storage for drug distribution packages according to the invention are not limited to the above presented example embodiments but they can be implemented in various ways within the scope of the appended claims.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/FI2016/050614 | 9/5/2016 | WO | 00 |
