Drug prescribing system

A drug prescribing system that can prevent a wrong drug from being taken during picking is provided. A drug prescribing system includes a host computer including an input device through which prescription data based on a prescription is input, a drug dispensing apparatus in which drugs are housed in advance, and that dispenses a drug in accordance with the prescription data, and a picking inspection apparatus that conducts a picking inspection for a drug picked in accordance with the prescription data. The drug dispensing apparatus outputs supplementary information on a drug that is not dispensed with the drug dispensing apparatus and needs to be supplemented. The picking inspection apparatus receives an input of the supplementary information, and conducts the picking inspection for a supplementary drug supplemented based on the supplementary information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a drug prescribing system, and particularly to a drug prescribing system including a drug dispensing apparatus and a picking inspection apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Drugs are prescribed in accordance with a doctor's prescription at a pharmacy in a hospital, for example. In prescribing drugs, a pharmacist collects appropriate quantities of predetermined types of drugs in accordance with the prescription. This work is referred to as “picking”.

A system related to picking has previously been proposed, in which a marking on work instructions formed by encoding the articles to be picked, the quantities of the articles, the order of picking, and the like is read with a mobile terminal, and the articles written on the work instructions are accurately collected (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-276551 (PTD 1)). Another system has been proposed in which drug prescription data based on a prescription is transferred to a mobile terminal from a computer, and a bar code of drugs read with the mobile terminal is compared with a bar code in the drug prescription data (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-236748 (PTD 2)). A yet another system has been proposed in which an appropriate inspection is conducted by comparing prescription data for picking inspection that has undergone a picking inspection, which is transmitted from a mobile terminal, with prescription data for picking inspection created based on the prescription data (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-81837 (PTD 3)).

Meanwhile, an apparatus for automatically collecting predetermined quantities of predetermined drugs based on a preset program has been proposed. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2008-93177 (PTD 4), for example, discloses a drug prescribing apparatus including a sheet-heading mechanism for improving the efficiency of taking out PTP (Press Through Package) sheets packed with tablets.

Since there are several hundreds of types of drugs used at a pharmacy, it is difficult to automatically collect all these drugs stored in an apparatus. At present, therefore, drugs that are used with relatively high frequency are automatically collected, while other drugs are picked from a drug shelf, and a required set of drugs are collected by combining both these drugs. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 9-192201 (PTD 5) proposes an ampoule collecting method related to such work. In this method, an ampoule dispensing apparatus for automatically collecting ampoules outputs a list of ampoules based on a prescription. The list shows in emphasis drugs that could not be dispensed with the ampoule dispensing apparatus. The ampoules are then manually collected from the shelf in accordance with the list.

CITATION LIST

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

With the technique according to Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 9-192201 (PTD 5), a worker needs to pick those ampoules that could not be dispensed with the ampoule dispensing apparatus after the ampoules are dispensed with the ampoule dispensing apparatus. Collecting all the ampoules thus takes time. Moreover, the worker may take a wrong drug during picking of ampoules.

The present invention was made in view of the above-described problems, and a main object is to provide a drug prescribing system that can reduce the time required to collect drugs, and prevent a worker from taking a wrong drug during picking of drugs.

Solution to Problem

A drug prescribing system according to the present invention includes a prescription data input device through which prescription data based on a prescription is input, a drug dispensing apparatus in which drugs are housed in advance, and that dispenses a drug in accordance with the prescription data, and a picking inspection apparatus that conducts a picking inspection for a drug picked in accordance with the prescription data. The drug dispensing apparatus outputs supplementary information on a drug that is not dispensed with the drug dispensing apparatus and needs to be supplemented. The picking inspection apparatus receives an input of the supplementary information, and conducts the picking inspection for a supplementary drug supplemented based on the supplementary information.

Preferably, in the drug prescribing system, the drug dispensing apparatus prints a dispensation result slip; the picking inspection apparatus has a bar code reader capable of reading a bar code, and conducts the picking inspection by reading a bar code provided for a drug through the bar code reader; the supplementary information is barcoded and printed on the dispensation result slip; and the bar code reader reads a bar code printed on the dispensation result slip, which causes the supplementary information to be transmitted from the drug dispensing apparatus to the picking inspection apparatus.

Preferably, the drug prescribing system further includes a storage device that stores a dispensation record on dispensation of the drug with the drug dispensing apparatus, and a picking record on the picking inspection by the picking inspection apparatus, wherein the supplementary drug is included in the picking record, and not included in the dispensation record.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The drug prescribing system of the present invention can reduce the time required to collect drugs, and prevent a worker from taking a wrong drug during picking of drugs.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of this invention will be described hereinafter, with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, identical or corresponding parts are indicated with identical reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a drug prescribing system1according to a first embodiment. As shown inFIG. 1, drug prescribing system1includes a host computer4, a drug dispensing apparatus10, and a picking inspection apparatus20.

Host computer4includes an input device8. Prescription data based on a prescription prepared by a doctor is input to host computer4with input device8. The prescription data includes prescription identification information, patient information, and prescription information. The prescription identification information corresponds to a reception number of the prescription. The patient information includes a patient ID and the patient's name. The prescription information includes the names, uses, and doses of drugs. Host computer4transmits the prescription data to drug dispensing apparatus10and picking inspection apparatus20simultaneously.

Drug dispensing apparatus10serves to automate picking, and prevent a wrong drug from being prescribed. Drug dispensing apparatus10dispenses a prescribed dose of a predetermined type of a drug, in accordance with the prescription data transmitted from host computer4. Drug dispensing apparatus10includes a dispensing apparatus main body12, a control device14, and a printer18. Various drugs are housed in advance in dispensing apparatus main body12.

Control device14controls dispensing apparatus main body12to dispense a required number of drugs to be dispensed, based on the prescription data transmitted from host computer4. Control device14also controls printer18to print a dispensation result slip40. Control device14includes a storage unit16. Storage unit16stores drug master data. The drug master data includes pieces of information such as information on whether the drugs included in the prescription data are drugs to be dispensed with drug dispensing apparatus10or not, information on the number of drugs per box, and the like. Storage unit16also stores a dispensation record on the dispensation of drugs with drug dispensing apparatus10.

Printer18prints dispensation result slip40based on a result of the dispensation of drugs from dispensing apparatus main body12. A bar code42is printed on dispensation result slip40. Supplementary information on a drug that has not been dispensed from drug dispensing apparatus10and needs to be supplemented is barcoded and output as bar code42. The supplementary information includes a drug code of the supplementary drug. The supplementary information may also include a quantity of the supplementary drug to be supplemented.

Picking inspection apparatus20serves to check whether a worker has not picked a wrong drug. Picking inspection apparatus20conducts a picking inspection for the drug picked in accordance with the prescription data transmitted from host computer4. As referred to herein, the teiin “picking inspection” means checking whether any wrong drug has not been taken by a worker during picking of drugs, and the types and the quantities of drugs as prescribed in the prescription have been collected. Picking inspection apparatus20includes a mobile terminal22and a control device24.

Mobile terminal22has a bar code reader28for reading a bar code. Mobile terminal22reads the bar code provided for a drug, through bar code reader28. The bar code is provided on a drug shelf in which drugs are housed. The bar code may be provided on a pharmaceutical package (a PTP sheet, for example), or may be provided on a sales package (a box housing a plurality of PTP sheets, for example). A check to find whether any wrong drug has not been taken, i.e., a picking inspection, is conducted by comparing the drug indicated with the bar code that has been read through bar code reader28during picking, with the drug indicated in the prescription data transmitted from host computer4.

Mobile terminal22also reads bar code42printed on dispensation result slip40, and receives an input of the supplementary information on the drug that needs to be supplemented. Bar code reader28reads bar code42, causing the supplementary information on the drug that needs to be supplemented to be transmitted to picking inspection apparatus20from drug dispensing apparatus10. When the worker conducted additional picking based on the supplementary information input through reading of bar code42, picking inspection apparatus20conducts an additional picking inspection for the supplementary drug supplemented based on the supplementary information. That is, the additional picking inspection is conducted by comparing the drug indicated with the bar code read with mobile terminal22during the additional picking, with the drug recognized as the supplementary drug through reading of bar code42.

Control device24transmits, via wireless LAN, picking instruction data based on the prescription data to mobile terminal22, and receives picking result data from mobile terminal22. Control device24has a storage unit26. Storage unit26stores the drug master data. The drug master data includes pieces of information such as information on whether the drugs included in the prescription data are drugs to be picked by the worker or not, and the like. Storage unit26also stores a picking record on the picking inspection conducted by picking inspection apparatus20.

FIG. 2is a flowchart illustrating the operation of control device14of drug dispensing apparatus10. Control device14of drug dispensing apparatus10controls drug dispensing apparatus10in accordance with the steps shown inFIG. 2. With reference toFIG. 2, the operation of control device14of drug dispensing apparatus10will be described in detail.

As shown inFIG. 2, control device14receives the prescription data from host computer4in step (S11), and analyzes the received prescription data in step (S12). Control device14compares the drugs included in the prescription data with the drug master data stored in storage unit16, and analyzes whether the drugs included in the prescription data are drugs to be dispensed with drug dispensing apparatus10or not, based on the compared result. On the basis of the analyzed result, control device14recognizes drugs to be dispensed with drug dispensing apparatus10among the drugs included in the prescription data.

Then in step (S13), control device14transmits dispensation instruction data to dispensing apparatus main body12for instructing it to dispense a prescribed dose of a drug to be dispensed. Dispensing apparatus main body12that has received the dispensation instruction data dispenses the drug to be dispensed, and transmits dispensation result data indicating the dispensation result.

Control device14receives the dispensation result data from dispensing apparatus main body12in step (S14). As used herein, the dispensation result data transmitted from dispensing apparatus main body12to control device14indicates the types and the quantities of drugs actually dispensed from dispensing apparatus main body12. That is, the dispensation result data excludes information on a drug that was included as a drug to be dispensed but was not actually dispensed from dispensing apparatus main body12.

Control device14then causes a dispensation record based on the dispensation result data to be stored in storage unit16in step (S15). The dispensation record does not include the information on a drug that was included as a drug to be dispensed but was not actually dispensed from dispensing apparatus main body12. Control device14also prints dispensation result slip40with printer18in step (S16). Dispensation result slip40will be described in detail below.

FIG. 3is a flowchart illustrating the operation of control device24of picking inspection apparatus20. Control device24of picking inspection apparatus20operates in accordance with the steps shown inFIG. 3.FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating the operation of mobile terminal22of picking inspection apparatus20. Mobile terminal22of picking inspection apparatus20operates in accordance with the steps shown inFIG. 4. With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, the operation of control device24and mobile terminal22of picking inspection apparatus20will be described in detail.

As shown inFIG. 3, control device24receives the prescription data from host computer4in step (S21), and analyzes the received prescription data in step (S22). Control device24compares the drugs included in the prescription data with the drug master data stored in storage unit26, and analyzes whether the drugs included in the prescription data are drugs to be picked by the worker or not, based on the compared result. Control device24recognizes, as drugs to be picked, drugs not included as drugs to be dispensed with drug dispensing apparatus10among the drugs included in the prescription data. On the basis of the analyzed result, control device24recognizes drugs to be picked by the worker among the drugs included in the prescription data. Then in step (S23), control device24transmits, via wireless LAN, the picking instruction data indicating the prescription information of the drugs to be picked, to mobile terminal22.

In step (S31) shown inFIG. 4, mobile terminal22receives the picking instruction data transmitted from control device24of picking inspection apparatus20in step (S23). Mobile terminal22that has received the picking instruction data displays the drugs to be picked on the screen. The worker conducts picking while checking the drugs to be picked with reference to the screen on mobile terminal22, and conducts a picking inspection through reading of the bar code indicating the drugs to be picked (step (S32)). After the completion of the picking inspection, mobile terminal22transmits the picking result data indicating the result of picking inspection to control device24(step (S33)).

Returning toFIG. 3, control device24of picking inspection apparatus20receives the picking result data from mobile terminal22in step (S24). Control device24then causes the picking record based on the picking result data to be stored in storage unit26in step (S25).

The worker checks dispensation result slip40output from drug dispensing apparatus10when he/she collects the drugs dispensed with drug dispensing apparatus10and the drugs picked from the pharmaceutical shelf The prescription of drugs is completed if all the drugs to be dispensed have been dispensed with drug dispensing apparatus10as a result of the dispensation. If any drug to be dispensed has not been dispensed with drug dispensing apparatus10, additional picking will be required, as will be described below. The worker collects the drug that could not be dispensed from drug dispensing apparatus10by picking it again, based on the supplementary information indicated in dispensation result slip40.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram illustrating a first example of dispensation result slip40output by drug dispensing apparatus10. Detailed contents of the dispensation of the drugs dispensed with drug dispensing apparatus10are printed on dispensation result slip40. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 5, the date and the time of the dispensation of the drugs from drug dispensing apparatus10, the reception number of the prescription, the prescribed date, the patient ID, and the patient name are printed on dispensation result slip40. The reception number of the prescription is barcoded and printed on dispensation result slip40as bar code46. The names of the drugs dispensed with drug dispensing apparatus10, and the total amount and the single dose for each prescribed drug are also printed on dispensation result slip40.

The print on dispensation result slip40shown inFIG. 5indicates that a total of 21 tablets A, which are taken one tablet at a time, were dispensed. The required amount of tablets A were all dispensed from drug dispensing apparatus10, and thus, the worker need not pick any additional tablet A. The print on dispensation result slip40, on the other hand, indicates that there is a shortage of one tablet for tablets B, which are taken one tablet at a time. That is, although it was necessary to dispense a total of 21 tablets B according to the prescription, the number of tablets B housed in drug dispensing apparatus10was insufficient. The print on dispensation result slip40thus indicates that 20 tablets B were dispensed from drug dispensing apparatus10, with a shortage of one tablet B as a result of the dispensation.

The drug code and the number of insufficient tablet B that was not dispensed are barcoded and printed on dispensation result slip40as bar code42. The supplementary information indicated with bar code42is read with mobile terminal22of picking inspection apparatus20, and the worker collects the insufficient drug by picking it from the pharmaceutical shelf based on the supplementary information. Bar code42corresponding to the drug that needs to be supplemented by the worker is printed on dispensation result slip40. The bar code, however, does not include information on drugs that need not be supplemented by the worker.

FIG. 6is a schematic diagram illustrating a second example of dispensation result slip40output by drug dispensing apparatus10. The print on dispensation result slip40shown inFIG. 6indicates that a total of 63 tablets A, which are taken one tablet at a time, were dispensed. The required amount of tablets A were all dispensed from drug dispensing apparatus10, and thus, the worker need not pick any additional tablet A.

The print on dispensation result slip40, on the other hand, indicates that one box (100 tablets) of tablets B, which are taken three tablets at a time, were not dispensed. That is, when the amount of required tablets B in accordance with the prescription is equal to or more than the number of tablets B per box, the worker can prepare tablets B more quickly by picking them in a box. The print on dispensation result slip40thus indicates that drug dispensing apparatus10dispensed 89 tablets B, which is the remainder of the result of dividing the required number by the number of tablets per box, but did not dispense the number of tablets B corresponding to one box as a result of the dispensation.

The drug code and the insufficient number of tablets B that need to be picked in a box are barcoded and printed on dispensation result slip40as bar code42. The supplementary information indicated with bar code42is read with mobile terminal22of picking inspection apparatus20, and the worker collects the insufficient drug by picking it from the pharmaceutical shelf based on the supplementary information.

FIG. 7is a schematic diagram illustrating a third example of dispensation result slip40output by drug dispensing apparatus10. The print on dispensation result slip40shown inFIG. 7indicates that there is a shortage of one tablet for tablets A, which are taken one tablet at a time. That is, although it was necessary to dispense a total of 21 tablets A according to the prescription, the number of tablets A housed in drug dispensing apparatus10was insufficient. Thus, dispensation result slip40indicates that 20 tablets A were dispensed from drug dispensing apparatus10, with a shortage of one tablet A as a result of the dispensation.

The print on dispensation result slip40also indicates that there is a shortage of one tablet for tablets B, which are taken one tablet at a time. That is, although it was necessary to dispense a total of 21 tablets B according to the prescription, the number of tablets B housed in drug dispensing apparatus10was insufficient. Thus, the print on dispensation result slip40indicates that 20 tablets B were dispensed from drug dispensing apparatus10, with a shortage of one tablet B as a result of the dispensation.

The drug code and the insufficient number of tablet A that were not dispensed are barcoded and printed on dispensation result slip40as bar code42A. The drug code and the insufficient number of tablet B that were not dispensed are barcoded and printed on dispensation result slip40as bar code42B. The supplementary information indicated with bar code42is read with mobile terminal22of picking inspection apparatus20, and the worker collects the insufficient drugs by picking them from the pharmaceutical shelf based on the supplementary information.

FIG. 8is a schematic diagram illustrating a fourth example of dispensation result slip40output by drug dispensing apparatus10. The print on dispensation result slip40shown inFIG. 8indicates that a total of 63 tablets A, which are taken one tablet at a time, were dispensed. The required amount of tablets A were all dispensed from drug dispensing apparatus10, and thus, the worker need not pick any additional tablet A.

The print on dispensation result slip40, on the other hand, indicates that one box (100 tablets) of tablets B, which are taken three tablets at a time, were not dispensed, with a shortage of nine tablets for tablets B. That is, the amount of required tablets B in accordance with the prescription is equal to or more than the number of tablets B per box, and although drug dispensing apparatus10needed to dispense 89 tablets B, which is the remainder of the result of dividing the required number by the number of tablets per box, the number of tablets B housed in drug dispensing apparatus10was insufficient. Thus, the print on dispensation result slip40indicates that 80 tablets B were dispensed from drug dispensing apparatus10, with a shortage of nine tablets B as a result of the dispensation.

The drug code and the insufficient number of tablets B that were not dispensed and need to be picked in box are barcoded and printed on dispensation result slip40as bar code42. The supplementary information indicated with bar code42is read with mobile terminal22of picking inspection apparatus20, and the worker collects the insufficient drugs by picking it from the pharmaceutical shelf based on the supplementary information.

FIG. 9is a flowchart illustrating the operation of mobile terminal22of picking inspection apparatus20when supplementary work by a worker is required.FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating the operation of control device24of picking inspection apparatus20when supplementary work by a worker is required. When the worker needs to supplement a drug by conducting additional picking, as a result of the dispensation from drug dispensing apparatus10, mobile terminal22and control device24of picking inspection apparatus20operate in accordance with the steps shown inFIGS. 9 and 10. With reference toFIGS. 9 and 10, the operation of control device24and mobile terminal22of picking inspection apparatus20when the supplementary work by the worker is required will be described in detail.

In step (S131) shown inFIG. 9, the worker who conducts additional picking reads bar code42printed on dispensation result slip40with mobile terminal22. The worker checks the name and the quantity of the drug that needs to be supplemented, with reference to dispensation result slip40and the screen of mobile terminal22. Then in step (S132), while conducting the additional picking, the worker conducts an additional picking inspection by reading the bar code provided for the drug that needs to be supplemented, with mobile terminal22. After the completion of the additional picking inspection, mobile terminal22transmits the picking result data indicating the result of the additional picking inspection to control device24in step (S133).

In step (S224) shown inFIG. 10, control device24of picking inspection apparatus20receives the additional picking result data from mobile terminal22. Control device24then in step (S225), updates the picking record stored in storage unit26in step (S25) based on the additional picking result data. The additional picking result data includes information on the supplementary drug additionally picked by the worker, which was included as a drug to be dispensed but was not actually dispensed from dispensing apparatus main body12, and is stored in storage unit26of picking inspection apparatus20.

As described above, in drug prescribing system1of this embodiment, the prescription data is transmitted from host computer4to drug dispensing apparatus10and picking inspection apparatus20simultaneously. This allows drug dispensing apparatus10to dispense drugs, and picking inspection apparatus20to conduct a picking inspection concurrently. Consequently, the time required to collect all the drugs can be reduced.

Picking inspection apparatus20receives an input of the supplementary information output by drug dispensing apparatus10, and conducts a picking inspection for a drug that needs to be supplemented, based on the supplementary information. Thus, picking inspection apparatus20can conduct a picking inspection not only for a drug to be picked, but also for the drug that needs to be supplemented, which could not be dispensed with drug dispensing apparatus10or was not dispensed with drug dispensing apparatus10intentionally. Since picking inspection apparatus20can conduct picking inspections for all the drugs collected by picking twice in total, picking of a wrong drug by the worker can be reliably prevented.

The supplementary information is barcoded and printed on dispensation result slip40output by drug dispensing apparatus10, and the bar code on dispensation result slip40is read through bar code reader28of mobile terminal22. This allows the supplementary information to be transmitted from drug dispensing apparatus10to picking inspection apparatus20. To transmit the supplementary information from drug dispensing apparatus10to picking inspection apparatus20, bar code reader28originally provided for picking inspection apparatus20is used, and the supplementary information is transmitted via bar code42. This eliminates the need to provide a separate communication means for transmitting the supplementary information, leading to a simplified configuration of drug prescribing system1.

The result of dispensation from drug dispensing apparatus10is recorded in storage unit16of control device14of drug dispensing apparatus10. The picking result data indicating the result of the picking inspection for the drug picked by the worker is recorded in storage unit26of control device24of picking inspection apparatus20. Furthermore, when the supplementary work by the worker is required after the dispensation with drug dispensing apparatus10, the additional picking result data is transmitted to control device24from mobile terminal22and recorded in storage unit26. Control device24updates the picking record stored in storage unit26based on the additional picking inspection result. In this way, the dispensation record on the dispensation of drugs with drug dispensing apparatus10and the picking record on the picking inspections with picking inspection apparatus20can be accurately stored. By comparing the prescription data with the total of the dispensation record and the picking record, it is possible to more easily and reliably inspect whether the drugs prescribed in the prescription have been collected in predetermined quantities.

FIG. 11is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of drug prescribing system1according to a second embodiment. Drug prescribing system1according to the second embodiment shown inFIG. 11differs from that according to the first embodiment in that it includes wiring50directly connecting control device14of drug dispensing apparatus10and control device24of picking inspection apparatus20.

When the supplementary work by the worker is required after the dispensation with drug dispensing apparatus10, information on the name and the quantity of a drug that needs to be supplemented is transmitted via wiring50from control device14of drug dispensing apparatus10to control device24of picking inspection apparatus20. Control device24transmits data on the drug that needs to be supplemented to mobile terminal22via wireless LAN. The worker checks the name and the quantity of the drug that needs to be supplemented, with reference to the screen of mobile terminal22, and conducts additional picking, and also conducts an additional picking inspection.

The means for transmitting the information on a drug that was not dispensed from drug dispensing apparatus10and needs to be supplemented from drug dispensing apparatus10to picking inspection apparatus20is not limited to reading of bar code42printed on dispensation result slip40, as described in the first embodiment. Drug prescribing system1may alternatively be configured such that via wiring50directly connecting control device14of drug dispensing apparatus10and control device24of picking inspection apparatus20, the data on a drug that needs to be supplemented is automatically transmitted from control device14to control device24.

In this case, it is unnecessary for the worker to read bar code42printed on dispensation result slip40with bar code reader28. Consequently, the work that needs to be performed by the worker for collecting drugs in accordance with the prescription data can be reduced, allowing the work to become easier.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST