Patent Application
20060060645
The present invention relates to a technique for prescribing medicines at a hospital, passing a medicine bag to a patient, and setting a usage to a patient.
In a hospital, medicines are organized and managed using bar codes. More specifically, a bar code is affixed to a box containing (a) medicine(s) purchased from a particular pharmaceutical company. The same bar code which is affixed to a medicine box is given to a storage shelf in medicine storage. As such, medical personnel at a hospital or a clinic can verify a bar code using a reader and the medicine(s) taken out from a medicine box are/is placed on a storage shelf that has a corresponding bar code. At a time of taking medicine from a storage shelf, the medical personnel verify the name of the prescribed medicine against the medicine on the medicine storage shelf on the basis of an affixed bar code.
In this method, however, when placing several types of medicines simultaneously, the medicines may accidentally be placed, through human error, in incorrect storage places, because a plurality of medicine boxes are opened for a single prescription containing several medicines.
Patent document 1 discloses a medicine cabinet for sticking IC tags on each medicine container for such as ampoule or transfusion and organizing the containers through the IC tags. Necessary information including: medicine type, the date of manufacture, an expiry date, a lot number, the date when medicine is stored in a medicine container, and patient information are written on the IC tag. Each time a medicine is moved, all related information is added to the IC tag of the medicine. In patent document 1, an inventory management of information such as, “who, when; what; numbers; and for whom the medicine is moved” is managed by reading information from the IC tag.
Furthermore, patent document 2, in order to avoid medical errors such as dispensing the wrong medicine to a patient at a hospital, discloses a management system of handling medicine using an IC tag. In patent document 2, when an order for a medicine is made after issuing a prescription, a system management unit issues an order card including an order recording paper and an IC tag. A medical handling place such as a sickroom reads out medical-related information and sends the information to a server. In patent document 2, in response to determination information sent back from a server, a notification is made to an order card and a related medicine is taken to the sickroom of an unintended patient.
Patent document 1, however, relates to a technique for restocking medicines purchased from a pharmaceutical company on a storage shelf in a hospital so that the medicine is never out of stock; therefore, no description is made as to prescribing medicines for a patient. Although a prescription of a medicine to a patient is described in patent document 2, the configuration is complicated because medicine management is performed by a single server. Thus, a server is not suitable for managing medicines at small private hospitals, or clinics run by a single individual.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication 2003-93476
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication 2002-269234
The present invention has been made in view of the above drawbacks of the prior art, and provides a medicine management system in which an error in selecting and delivering medication is substantially decreased through a simpler and a more efficient configuration.
To address the stated problems, the present invention provides a medicine management system comprising: a first IC tag given to any one of a patient's medicine record, a prescription, a medicine bag, or a consulting ticket; the first IC tag containing the prescription information including data corresponding to a medicine name, a second IC tag given to a holding unit holding a medicine, the second IC tag contains the medicine information including data for identifying a medicine, a reading part for reading prescription information from the second IC tag; a determination part for determining on the basis of the read respective information whether the medicines are in agreement.
The configuration described above preferably comprises, a searching part that a storage unit that pre-stores the locations of a holding unit corresponding to a medicine, and searches the location of the holding unit on the basis of prescription information read from the first IC.
The configuration described above preferably comprises a measuring part that measures the specified medicine on the basis of the dosage of the prescription information, when the medicine names are in agreement.
Another invention provides a medicine management system comprising: an IC tag given to any one of a patient's medicine record, a prescription, a medicine bag, or a consultation card; the first IC tag contains the information including data corresponding to at least a medicine name and a dosage, a reading part that reads prescription information from the IC tag, a determination part that refers to the reference value of each medicine stored in a database connected to a network, thereby determining whether the amount of medicine read from the prescription information by the reading part is unsuitable.
Another invention provides a medicine management system comprising: an IC tag given to any one of a patient's medicine record, a prescription, a medicine bag, or a consultation ticket; the first IC tag contains the information including data corresponding to at least a medicine name and a dosage; a reading part that reads prescription information from the IC tag; a determination part that refers to the reference value of each medicine stored in a database connected to a network, thereby determining whether the amount of medicine read from the prescription information by the reading part is unsuitable.
Another invention provides a medicine management system comprising:
a first IC tag given to a medicine bag and the patient information including at least data for identifying a patient; a second IC tag given to a consultation ticket and the patient information including at least data for identifying a patient; a reading part that reads both patient information from the first IC tag and information from the second IC tag; and a determination part that determines whether each of the read patient information is in agreement.
Another invention provides a medicine management system comprising: an IC tag given to either one of a medicine bag or a prescription; the first IC tag contains the information including data corresponding to at least a usage and a dosage; a reading part that reads prescription information written on the IC tag; and a notification part that notifies usage and dosage read from prescription information.
In the configuration described above, the data corresponding to the usage and the dosage preferably indicates at least the type of medicine, the time of taking the medicine, and the dosage; and the notification part may notifies at least any one of or all among: a type of medicine, an image of the medicine, the time of taking the medicine, and the dosage.
In the configuration described above, the IC tag may preferably be a non contact IC tag.
The medicine management system uses a reading device comprising the reading part and the determination part.
The medicine management system uses a reading device comprising the reading part, the determination part, and the searching part.
The reading device used in medicine management system may preferably comprise communication part connected to management part that manages patient information, prescription information, and medicine information.
According to a medicine management system of the present invention, an IC tag containing prescription information including data corresponding to a name of a medicine, a usage, and dosage are entered in a patient's medicine record, a medicine bag, and a consultation ticket. By verifying information read from IC tags, a determination is made as to whether proper medicine and dosage are chosen, and delivered to the concerned patient. This system decreases the frequency of human error in choosing a medicine; thereby improving medical care significantly.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
Referring next to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be explained.
Referring to
A. Overall Configuration
A terminal 1 and a printer having tag writer function 10 are connected to the LAN (Local Area Network) in a hospital; the LAN is connected to Internet via a provider (not shown). Also, database D of pharmaceutical companies are connected to Internet (
It should be noted that terminal 1 is a typical personal computer equipped with a main body, a monitor, and an operating unit. The memory in the main body stores medical information and a management program by which a doctor manages patients. Specifically, personal information input in first medical examination (identification ID, name, gender, age, date of birth, allergy information etc.), prescription information input after the medical examination (identification ID, name of diagnosed disease, name of medicine prescribed, usage, dosage) are stored as medical information. A management program includes program for defining a writing operation to IC tag and a reading operation from IC tag.
B. Configuration of Printer
Printer 10 receives printing operation instruction from terminal 1 and prints patient's name or identification ID on objects such as a patient's medicine record (diagnosis recording card), a medicine bag, and a consultation ticket. Printer 10 also has a function of affixing an IC tag on a printing object, and has a function of writing information on the IC tag. Printer 10 is also able to write information on an IC tag when an IC tag is already affixed to paper.
An image printing mechanism 11 is equipped with a printer engine for printing character data or image data sent from terminal 1.
A sheet carrier mechanism 12 is a mechanism for carrying a single sheet at a time and printing objects (patient's files medicine bags consultation ticket) contained in a sheet cassette, to image printing mechanism 11.
Network communication mechanism 13 is used for connecting printer 10 to LAN or public network (Internet); the mechanism has an external interface or a modem (not shown).
A control unit 14 is a microcomputer comprising a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 16, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 17. ROM 16 stores programs for performing various controls of printer 10 and programs for managing medicine, later described. CPU 11 reads out programs from ROM 16 and controls operations of each mechanism by running the programs. RAM 17 is used as a work area for CPU 11 to run a program.
A tag attachment mechanism 18 attaches an IC tag to a printing object printed an image by image printing mechanism 11. The size of a printing object is detected, and the sticking location of IC tag is changed accordingly. Glue is spread on an IC tag to make it adhere to a printing object.
The IC tag is a so-called wireless tag for exchanging data between external devices in a non-contacting state. As shown in
A plurality of tag reader/writer 19 are set at a predetermined interval on a path for carrying printing objects. The set interval of tag reader/writer 19 is determined on the basis of the minimum length of a printing object (such as consultation ticket) used for image creation.
Tag Reader (Reader)
The tag reader used in the present embodiment will next be explained.
Reception unit 21 allows a reception antenna 22 to perform data communication with an IC tag at a non contact state through microwaves and an induction field, and to read out data described in the IC tag.
Display unit 23 is made by a liquid panel and displays a processing result or a window for prompting to instruct a process. Communication unit 24 sends and receives signals between terminal 1 via a send/receive antenna 25. Send/receive antenna 25 and terminal 1 perform wireless communication using systems such as infrared data communication or Bluetooth.
A control unit 27 is a microcomputer comprising a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 28, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 29, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 30. ROM 29 stores programs for performing various controls of tag reader 20. CPU 28 reads out programs from ROM 29 and controls operations of each mechanism by running the programs. Operating unit 26 is a unit for operating tag reader 20 and is comprised of plural switches. The operating unit enables CPU 28 perform various operations through switching operations.
The various operations include a reading operation for reading data written on IC tags, a determination operation for comparing two items of read data, and a searching operation for searching an object on the basis of the table stored in ROM 29.
By referring to specific examples described below, an operation of medicine management system will next be explained.
To operate the system, a compound process is performed.
When a patient visits a hospital for a first medical examination, a doctor acquires personal information (identification ID, name, gender, age, date of birth, allergy information) of the patient. The personal information is input in terminal 1 to be stored in a storage area (
Then, a consultation ticket to be passed to a patient is issued by printer 10. On the surface of a consultation ticket, a patient's name and an identification ID allocated from terminal 1 are printed; and data corresponding to personal information is written on the IC tag which is glued at the time of printing a consultation ticket.
When examining the patient, the doctor writes in a patient's medicine record and prepares a prescription of medicine. Information of the prescription is input in terminal 1 and is correlated with pre-stored personal information to be stored in a storage area. The prescription used for compounding a medicine is printed by printer 10. On the surface of the prescription, a patient's name, an identification ID and prescription contents are printed; and data corresponding to prescription information (identification ID, name of diagnosed disease, name of medicine to be given, usage, dosage) are written on the IC tag which is glued to the prescription at the time of printing.
A medicine bag to be passed to a patient is printed by printer 10. On the surface of the medicine bag, a patient's name, an identification ID and prescription contents are printed; and data corresponding to prescription information (identification ID, disease name, medicine name to be given, usage, dosage) are written on the IC tag which is glued to the medicine bag at the time of printing.
Referring next to
The process following a medical examination by a doctor is as follows.
A doctor who completes a medical examination orders a pharmaceutical chemist to compound a medicine. To compound a medicine, a pharmaceutical chemist chooses the medicine described in the prescription from a medicine shelf and performs verification of the medicine (a. medicine verification process). The pharmaceutical chemist then compounds a medicine (b. medicine compound process). Putting the compounded medicine in a medicine bag and passing the bag to a patient (c. medicine bag verification process). Instructing a patient who received the medicine bag to take the medicine by following a usage (d. usage display process).
a. Medicine Verification Process
ROM 29 stores a data table correlating the location of holding storage 51 on medicine shelf 50 illustrated in
A pharmaceutical chemist performs an operation of selecting a medicine from holding storage 51 of medicine shelf 50.
Firstly, tag reader 20 reads prescription information from an IC tag of a prescription (
Furthermore, by performing a searching process of holding storage 51, a pharmaceutical chemist is free from task of identifying holding storage 51, thereby improving operating efficiency (
It is to be noted that a sound system SS for outputting the agreement or disagreement through a voice message may also be provided
b. Medicine Compound Process
Meter 60 shown in
ROM 29 of tag reader 20 compares the dosage given in the prescription information with the weight sent from meter 60. When the weight reaches the dosage of a predetermined error range, the ROM displays “OK”.
First of all, a pharmaceutical chemist performs an operation for compounding (measuring) the medicine obtained in the verification process.
The pharmaceutical chemist uses tag reader 20 to read prescription information from the IC tag of a prescription (
According to the process, an error in measuring a dose of medicine is avoided.
c. Medicine Bag Verification Process
The pharmaceutical chemist puts a compounded medicine in a medicine bag glued with a patient's name and an IC tag and then passes the bag to a patient.
The pharmaceutical chemist uses tag reader 20 to read personal information from the IC tag of a consultation ticket owned by the patient, and also reads out prescription information from the IC tag of the medicine bag (
In summary, even in a case that patients of the same gender and name are waiting to receive medicine, the error in passing a medicine is avoided.
d. Usage Display Process
ROM 29 of tag reader 20 stores a program for displaying usage and dosage (time of taking the medicines, type, amount) according to prescription information read from the IC tag of the medicine bag.
When the patient reads prescription information from the IC tag of the medicine bag using tag reader 20 (
The usage display process informs a patient of a dose of medicine, thereby decreasing the frequency of human errors when instructing a usage to a patient.
The reading function of tag reader 20 may also be added to a mobile phone or PDA typically used by a patient. Furthermore, a timer function may be added to tag reader 20 for sounding an alarm to prompt a patient to take the requisite dose of a medicine within the specified period of time corresponding to the lifestyle of the patient (hour of rising, mealtime, bedtime hour).
e. Prescription Determination Process
The process is a process for determining whether the medicine prescribed by a doctor is suitable.
Tag reader 20 and a medicine database D are connected. The medicine database D is managed by a pharmaceutical company and stores names of medicines and the standard given dose.
Tag reader 20 reads out prescription information from an IC tag of a prescription (
As explained, according to a medicine management system of the present embodiment, a decrease in the frequency of human error and medical error is achieved by: choosing from a medicine shelf medicine written in a prescription or a patient's medicine record and verifying the medicines for compounding the medicine (a. medicine verification process); compounding a medicine (b. medicine compound process); passing a medicine bag to a patient (c. medicine bag verification process); displaying the usage for a patient (d. usage display process). It is to be noted that the medicine management system is realizable by printer 10 having tag writer function, tag reader 20, and a simple computer system; therefore, the system is ideal for smaller hospitals or clinics run by individual practitioners.
In the embodiment described above, compound of medicine is performed by an IC tag attached to a prescription; however, a medicine bag may be used in place of a prescription.
Tag reader 20 and terminal 1 may arbitrarily be connected through wireless communication, so that the processing status is monitored by terminal 1.
The present invention provides a medicine management system provided with: a first IC tag given to any one of a patient's medicine record, a prescription, a medicine bag, or a patient registration card; the first IC tag containing the prescription information including data corresponding to a medicine name, a second IC tag given to a holding unit holding a medicine, the second IC tag contains the medicine information including data for identifying a medicine, a reading part for reading prescription information from the second IC tag; a determination part for determining on the basis of the read respective information whether the medicines are in agreement.
The configuration described above preferably comprises, a searching part that a storage unit that pre-stores the locations of a holding unit corresponding to a medicine, and searches the location of the holding unit on the basis of prescription information read from the first IC.
The configuration described above preferably comprises a measuring part that measures the specified medicine on the basis of the dosage of the prescription information, when the medicine names are in agreement.
Another invention provides a medicine management system provided with: an IC tag given to any one of a patient's medicine record, a prescription, a medicine bag, or a consultation ticket; the first IC tag contains the information including data corresponding to at least a medicine name and a dosage, a reading part that reads prescription information from the IC tag, a determination part that refers to the reference value of each medicine stored in a database connected to a network, thereby determining whether the amount of medicine read from the prescription information by the reading part is unsuitable.
Another invention provides a medicine management system provided with: an IC tag given to any one of a patient's medicine record, a prescription, a medicine bag, or a consultation ticket; the first IC tag contains the information including data corresponding to at least a medicine name and a dosage; a reading part that reads prescription information from the IC tag; a determination part that refers to the reference value of each medicine stored in a database connected to a network, thereby determining whether the amount of medicine read from the prescription information by the reading part is unsuitable.
Another invention provides a medicine management system provided with:
a first IC tag given to a medicine bag and the patient information including at least data for identifying a patient; a second IC tag given to a consultation ticket and the patient information including at least data for identifying a patient; a reading part that reads both patient information from the first IC tag and information from the second IC tag; and a determination part that determines whether each of the read patient information is in agreement.
Another invention provides a medicine management system provided with: an IC tag given to either one of a medicine bag or a prescription; the first IC tag contains the information including data corresponding to at least a usage and a dosage; a reading part that reads prescription information written on the IC tag; and a notification part that notifies usage and dosage read from prescription information.
In the configuration described above, the data corresponding to the usage and the dosage preferably indicates at least the type of medicine, the time of taking the medicine, and the dosage; and the notification part may notifies at least any one of or all among: a type of medicine, an image of the medicine, the time of taking the medicine, and the dosage.
In the configuration described above, the IC tag may preferably be a non contact IC tag.
The medicine management system uses a reading device provided with the reading part and the determination part.
The medicine management system uses a reading device provided with the reading part, the determination part, and the searching part.
The reading device used in medicine management system may preferably comprise communication part connected to management part that manages patient information, prescription information, and medicine information.
The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments, and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-275974 filed on Sep. 22, 2004 including specification, claims, drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-275974 | Sep 2004 | JP | national |
