Entry, storage and retrieval of medical information from a pharmacy

A system and method includes: a pharmacy server receiving a customer ID code to allow a customer wireless access to his medical data file stored on the server; the server receiving adherence confirmation data from the customer and storing the adherence confirmation data into the medical data file to confirm that the customer is taking a prescribed medicine according to directions; and the server receiving additional data from the customer and storing the additional data into the medical data file, whereby the customer is provided with wireless access to enter, edit and retrieve data to and from his medical data file.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A method and system herein relates generally to entering, storing and retrieving information of a pharmaceutical customer into a database stored at a pharmacy. More specifically the customer may access, update and retrieve his or her own medical data file from a computer system of a pharmacy.

BACKGROUND

A pharmacy may provide a web site that allows a customer to take certain actions such as to refill his or her prescriptions, view his orders, view a current order status and the customer's prescription history, set up automatic refills, and provide a medical expense report of his prescriptions. However, there are many limitations to what is available to the customer via the existing pharmacy web sites. For example, the customer does not have visibility into his medical information pertaining to his prescriptions and other information associated directly with his prescriptions as the web sites are primarily used for tracking orders. Additionally, a mobile app (i.e. a software application installed onto the customer's mobile device such as a smart phone or other wireless device) is limited to ordering refills and/or viewing the customer's order history.

Improvements are desired for the entry, storage and retrieval of medical information for a customer having a prescription at a pharmacy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

A method for medical information entry, storage and retrieval includes the steps of: (1) receiving and filling a prescription of a medicine for a customer at a pharmacy by placing the medicine into a container and supplying to the customer the prescription container along with an ID code plus directions for taking the medicine, wherein the ID code is linked to a medical data file created and stored for the customer on a server for the pharmacy; (2) receiving, via wireless communications to the server, the ID code for authentication and access to the customer's medical data file; (3) receiving, via wireless communications to the server, adherence confirmation data including a time and date that the medicine is taken to confirm adherence of the customer taking the prescribed medicine according to the directions, and storing the adherence confirmation data into the customer's medical data file; and (4) receiving, via wireless communications to the server, additional data pertaining to the customer that is unavailable from the customer's medical data file, and storing the additional data into the medical data file.

A system for the entry, storage and retrieval of medical data for a customer of a pharmacy includes: (1) a server for providing computer services to the pharmacy for creating and storing a medical data file for the customer in a database on the server when a prescription for the customer is filled for a medicine into a container and supplying to the customer the prescription container along with and an ID code linked to the customer's medical data file and directions for taking the medicine; (2) a receiving unit to receive data via wireless communications over the Internet from a wireless device of the customer, the received data including the ID code to authenticate and establish communications between the customer's wireless device and the server, wherein the received data includes data to edit or update the customer's medical data file stored in the database of the server; (3) and a transmitting unit to transmit data via wireless communications over the Internet from the server to the customer's wireless device, the transmitted data including portions of the customer's medical data file.

The above and other aspects of various embodiments disclosed herein will become apparent in view of the following description, claims and drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, specific details are set forth although it should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the systems and methods can be practiced without at least some of the details.

In the flow chart diagram ofFIG. 1a method is shown for filling a medical prescription for a customer and creating and storing a medical data file. When filling a prescription for a medicine a pharmacist places the prescribed medicine into a bottle or container as indicated in block60. Of course the medicine could be in pill form, liquid form, in a syringe, or in any other form as prescribed by a doctor. The prescription could also be directed towards any sort of medical device prescribed by a doctor and available from a pharmacy. When filling the prescription the pharmacist assigns a customer ID code to a new customer. If the customer is an existing customer, then the same customer ID code can be used for all prescription data for the customer at the pharmacy. Alternately, a separate ID code could be assigned to each prescription.

In block62the customer ID code is printed or otherwise marked or added to the container, to a label on the container, or onto an attached document such as instructions for taking the medicine. The primary purpose of the ID code is to link and uniquely identify the filled prescription of a customer to the customer's medical data file stored on a server for a pharmacy.

The customer's medical data file is originally set up by the pharmacist and includes information such as: the customer's name, telephone number, email and postal address; the name and dosage of the prescribed medicine; instructions for taking the medicine including one or more predetermined tolerances for taking the medicine; and, a name and contact information of a doctor who prescribed the medicine. Eventually, the customer's medical data file will be appended to include other information such as: the customer's compliance determination data which is a recordation of whether the customer is taking the medicine properly according to the instructions; and, the customer's prescription medicine history including compliance determination data for taking previously prescribed medicines.

Turning back toFIG. 1, block62, the ID code and the label for the container are printed at the same time to ensure that the correct code is attached to, or otherwise accompanying, the container for each individual prescription. Any type of ID code can be used that can be accessed by way of any known method, such as but not limited to, a scannable barcode, a QR code, a magnetic strip code, an OCR (optical character recognition code), an encrypted code, standard alpha-numerical characters, a code identifiable by digital imaging, or any other code. A label marking device, such as a printer or dedicated label marking machine, can be used to mark the ID code and directions onto the container, onto a label to be affixed to the container, or onto a separate piece of paper accompanying the container of medicine.

The ID code can be a set of alpha-numerical characters that can be read by the customer, or preferably it is an encrypted machine readable code. For example, an ID code can be a QR code which is a type of matrix barcode or two dimensional barcode consisting of an array of black and white squares, typically used for storing URLs or other information to be read by a camera on a smartphone.

One example of a machine code-reading device is a barcode reader or scanner which is an electronic device for reading printed barcodes such as a barcode or QR code from the label of the container. The barcode reader consists of a light source, a lens and a light sensor for translating optical impulses into electrical pulses.

If the prescription being filled is for a new customer, then a new medical data file is created and stored in a database on the pharmacy computer/server as shown inFIG. 1, block64. If a medical data file for the customer already exists in the database, then the new prescription data is added to the customer's existing medical data file. The pharmacist can also set up login information for a new customer such as an user name and password to allow the customer, after the prescription is filled, to be able to login at a pharmacy website which is available on the Internet. Alternately, the customer could use his assigned ID code along with his name and/or other identifying data on the pharmacy website to create a new account and select an user name and password. The ID code thereafter allows the customer access to his or her medical data file anytime by wireless communications over the Internet.

The medical data files of prescription records for pharmacy customers can be stored (as shown for example inFIG. 5) in a database126located on a server120located at the pharmacy, or they can be accessed and stored on a remote server by wireless communications over the Internet140. The remote server can be located, for example, in a separate room of the pharmacy, at a separate location servicing the pharmacy, at a store headquarters, or any other location.

When the pharmacist receives a prescription from a new customer, the pharmacist will enter the customer's personal information such as (but not limited to) his or her name, address and phone number which is input from a pharmacist's workstation132into the pharmacy's computer system120(FIG. 5). A software application resident on the pharmacy's server will present an user interface (not shown) on the pharmacist's workstation132so that the pharmacist can enter and retrieve data from the pharmacy server120. The software application will assign an unique customer ID code to the customer and will create an unique medical data file130in the database126for the customer which is accessible via the customer's ID code. Other security codes and measures can be implemented to further secure the customer's medical data file and if the customer loses the ID code, then the pharmacist can access the customer's medical data file using the customer's personal information such as his name, telephone number, or social security number. In addition to the customer's personal information, the pharmacist can enter other information in predetermined entry fields mapped to the customer's medical data file130such as information identifying the customer's prescribed medicine, dosage, and the name of the doctor who is prescribing the medication. The medicine is typically prescribed for a specific time period and a specific number of refills, such as 30 pills to be refilled once a month for a period of one year.

For each medicine prescribed to a customer, the customer receives instructions for taking the medicine which includes guidelines and tolerances, set by the customer's doctor, for proper care, usage and administration of the medicine. The tolerance levels are preset margins of error that are acceptable for proper administration of the medicine such as setting a window of time for when to take the medication for maximum effectiveness. Other guidelines can include the dosage of the medicine which can be adjusted by the number of pills or spoonfuls of liquid medicine taken at one time, whether to take the medicine with food or water, etc. The guidelines and tolerances are all predetermined by the doctor according to the specific needs of the customer for whom the medicine is prescribed.

For example, a prescription may be filled for a customer who is required to take one pill twice a day, once in the morning after breakfast and the second time in the early evening after a meal. Let us assume that the effectiveness of the medicine is maximized if the pills are taken at 12 hour intervals and the pills are still relatively effective if taken within 8 to 14 hours of one another. Also, let's assume that damage to the customer's stomach lining could occur if the medicine is not taken immediately after or during a meal. In this case, the tolerances could be set to taking one pill in the morning during or immediately after breakfast between 7-10 am, and one pill in the evening during or immediately after dinner between 7-10 pm.

When the customer is taking the medicine either he, or a caregiver responsible for overseeing that the customer takes the medicine, can access the customer's medical data file on the pharmacy server using wireless communications. Of course only the customer can have access to the pharmacy server and his medical data file which is secured by the customer's ID code as well as standard security measures including an user name and password. When the customer logs on to the pharmacy server the first time, he can be asked to register his wireless device as an additional security measure by allowing the pharmacy server to receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the wireless device. Thereafter, only communications received from the customer's registered wireless device will be allowed access to the server or the customer's medical data file.

If the customer is unable to communicate via a wireless device, then an authorized caregiver (such as a nurse or a spouse) can be granted permission to access the customer's medical data file in order to submit adherence confirmation data to taking the medicine. The adherence confirmation data can also be referred to as compliance confirmation data or compliance determination data. Any type of known wireless communications device can be used to communicate over the Internet, such as but not limited to a smart phone, a tablet, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, etc. After taking his/her medicine, the customer or his authorized caregiver can log onto the pharmacy server and access the customer's medical data file using the customer's ID code.

FIG. 2is a flow chart diagram of a method of receiving adherence confirmation data to verify that the customer is taking the prescribed medicine according to the instructions. When the customer is taking the medicine either he, or a caregiver responsible for overseeing that the customer takes the medicine, can access the customer's medical data file on the pharmacy server using wireless communications. Of course only the customer can have access to the pharmacy server and his medical data file which is secured by the customer's ID code as well as standard security measures including an user name and password. However if the customer is unable to communicate via a wireless device, then an authorized caregiver (such as a nurse or a spouse) could be granted permission to access the customer's medical data file in order to submit adherence confirmation data to taking the medicine. Any type of known wireless communications device can be used to communicate over the Internet, such as but not limited to a smart phone, a tablet, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, etc.

After taking his/her medicine, the customer or his authorized caregiver can log onto the pharmacy server and access the customer's medical data file using the customer's ID code. A single ID code could be provided to the customer for all of his prescriptions, or a separate ID code could be provided to the customer for each separate prescription. In either alternative, the customer's ID code(s) allow online access to the customer's medical data file.

The ID code and adherence confirmation data to be added to the customer's medical data file is received by the pharmacy server as shown inFIG. 2block70. A determination is made in decision block72whether the ID code received online by the customer is valid. In other words, a determination is made whether the received ID code corresponds with other received authentication information such as the customer's name, address or social security number. If the ID code is determined to be invalid or incorrect in decision block72, then the process ends in block76. If the ID code is verified in block72, then access is allowed to the customer's medical data file. The adherence confirmation data can either accompany the ID code, or preferably be entered and received from the customer's wireless device and thereafter submitted after permission is granted to access the customer's data file. The customer can then send the adherence confirmation data by filling in required data entry fields of an adherence confirmation interface to include information such as the time and date that the medicine was taken, the dosage taken, the name of the medicine taken, and/or any other required adherence confirmation data as required for the specific prescription.

The adherence confirmation interface can run as an app (i.e. a software application) from a shell program on the customer's wireless device. The application can request or even require a second confirmation such as by e-signature from a second party such as a caregiver, spouse, or other person who witnesses that the customer took his medication as reported to the pharmacy.

The pharmacy server checks, as shown in decision block72ofFIG. 2, whether the ID code has been received from the customer's wireless device. If NO, then the process ends in block76. If YES, then the customer's medical data file is opened and the process continues to decision block80where it is determined whether the adherence confirmation data has been received from the customer's wireless device. If the answer is NO, then the process will end in block82. If the answer is YES, then the adherence confirmation data is stored in the customer's medical data file as shown in block84.

In the above example, the time and date entered by the customer or caregiver to indicate when the medicine was taken is considered as the adherence confirmation data. However, the adherence confirmation data can be set and defined by the customer's doctor for confirming that the medicine is properly taken by the customer according to the instructions accompanying the prescription, and could include information such as, but not limited to, (1) the time at which the medicine is taken, (2) the dosage of the medicine taken, (3) the number of pills taken, (4) whether the medicine was taken with food or drink, (5) a dual confirmation by both the customer and another person such as the caregiver of the information reported to the pharmacy server, and (6) whether the prescribed medicine was taken simultaneously with other medicine, etc.

FIG. 5illustrates a typical wireless network whereby computers42,44,48,50and52and a smart phone46or any other wireless device can communicate wirelessly with one another over the Internet network40. In this example, the customer could use the smart phone46to communicate with the pharmacy server48via the Internet40to access the customer's medical data file resident on the pharmacy server.

An alternative structural diagram of the architecture of a wireless communications system that can be utilized is shown inFIG. 6. Here a wireless device142such as a customer's smart phone communicates with the pharmacy's system144via the Internet depicted here as cloud140. The pharmacy system144includes a server120connected to one or more pharmacist work stations132whereby each station typically includes a computer monitor, keyboard and mouse (not shown) which are further connected to a printer134. The printer134can include the capabilities of printing a label which can thereafter be affixed to the prescription container, whereby the label could include information such as, but not limited to, directions for taking the medicine, the name of the medicine, the date of filling the prescription, an expiration date, dosages, the number of pills in the container, the name, address and phone number of the customer and the pharmacy, and the ID code. The printer could also print out a separate sheet of directions for taking the medicine, along with the ID code.

The pharmacy server120includes a receiving unit122, a transmitting unit124and a database126. The customer's medical data file130is stored in the server's database126which in turn is accessible by both the receiving unit122and the transmitting unit124. The receiving unit122is equipped to receive data via wireless communications over the Internet from a wireless device142such as the customer's smart phone, whereby the received data includes the ID code to authenticate and establish communications between the wireless device142and the server120. The received data can also include data to edit or add to the customer's medical data file130. The transmitting unit124is equipped to send data via wireless communications over the Internet from the server to the wireless device142, whereby the transmitted data can include portions of the customer's medical data file130.

InFIG. 6, the customer or caregiver uses his smart phone142or another wireless device to connect over the Internet140to the pharmacy server120by providing authentication data to the server120by way of a security code, password or other known verification method. Once authenticated and connected to the pharmacy server, the customer or caregiver must either scan and send the ID code from the container, or manually or otherwise enter the ID code to be sent from the smart phone142to the pharmacy server120to allow access to the customer's medical data file130.

The pharmacy customer can input information into his medical data file that is not otherwise available from his healthcare provider, doctor, insurance company or any other source. The customer can build and have access to a more complete medical data file by adding historical data that is personal to him on topics such as, but not limited to, medical and mental health, the medical and mental health history of his blood relatives, prescribed medications and treatments, non-prescription drugs, vitamins, holistic medicines, chiropractic treatment, acupuncture treatment, homeopathic treatment, alternative medical treatments, allergies, hospitalization, stress related events (e.g. deaths in the family, job changes, etc.), sleep habits, weight variations, rehabilitation visits, heart rates, blood pressures, travel information, exercise information, blood sugar measurements, toothaches and other dental issues, vision issues, consumption of alcohol and tobacco, etc.

If the customer wishes to update his or her existing pharmacy medical data file, he or she may do so in accordance with the steps outlined inFIG. 3. The ID code is received in block90at the pharmacy server from the customer's wireless device and the ID code is either verified or denied in decision block92. If the ID code is denied in decision block92, then the process ends in block96. If the ID code is confirmed in decision block92, then the pharmacy server allows access to the customer's medical data file located in a database on the pharmacy server. Decision block100determines whether additional data has been submitted and received from the customer's wireless device. If NO, then the process ends in block104. If YES, then the additional data is added to the customer's medical data file in block106.

FIG. 4is a flow chart diagram of an embodiment of a method for a pharmacy computer system to enter, store, modify and send data relating to a customer's medical data file. In block12the prescription is received and filled by the pharmacist into a container which is marked with an ID code that is unique for the customer. A medical data file linked to the ID code is created and stored into a database of the pharmacy server. The customer is also provided with an user name and password to access the pharmacy server by the pharmacist. Alternately, the customer can go to the pharmacy URL on the Internet and enter his ID code in order to set up his pharmacy on-line account which allows him to set his own user name and password.

After the customer receives his/her medicine, he/she has the option of accessing the pharmacy server and his medical data file via wireless communications over the Internet. Upon accessing the pharmacy URL, the customer will enter his user name and password in order to logon to the pharmacy website. After login on to the pharmacy website, the pharmacy online interface prompts the customer for his unique ID code. Decision block14determines whether a valid ID code is received by the pharmacy server which corresponds with the customer's logon information (e.g. user name and password). If the ID code is not valid, then access to any of the pharmacy data files is denied and the process ends in block30. If the ID code is valid, then the customer is allowed access to his medical data file and the process continues to block16.

Once the customer has been allowed access to his medical data file, he has options to take several different actions. An entry field on the user interface queries whether the customer wishes to submit adherence confirmation data, as in decision block16, to confirm that he is taking the medicine according to the directions as prescribed. If he answers the query in the negative, then the process moves to block18. If he answers the query in the affirmative, then he will be prompted to enter adherence confirmation data into the proper entry fields and the customer's medical data file will be updated as shown in block22with the adherence confirmation data received from the customer and saved into the pharmacy database. Thereafter, the method will continue in decision block18.

Decision block18determines if the customer wishes to submit additional data to his medical data file, or if he wishes to edit existing information in his medical data file. This additional data includes, but is not limited to, the customer's medical and mental health, his past medical and mental health history, the medical and mental health history of his blood relatives, his past list of prescribed medications and treatments, his non-prescription drug history including vitamins and holistic medicines, any chiropractic treatment history, any acupuncture treatment history, his homeopathic treatments, his alternative medical treatments and practices, his allergies, his hospitalization history, etc.

If the customer completes an entry field to indicate that he wishes to submit additional information to his medical data file at the pharmacy, or he wishes to make changes to the information in the data file, then decision block18is answered in the affirmative and the customer's medical data file is appended, edited or otherwise updated in block24. After the update, the process moves on to block20. If the decision block18is answered in the negative, then the process goes immediately to block20.

The user interface which allows the customer to add data into the customer's medical data file at the pharmacy can also include entry fields whereby the customer can create new entries into the medical data file which did not previously exist. For instance, let us assume that the default medical data file setup does not include an entry for insomnia. The customer may wish to add an insomnia field where he can indicate that he occasionally suffers from insomnia. He could also add a possible insomnia causation field where he can include information such as his observation that, over a 6 month period of time, the insomnia only occurs when he drinks an alcoholic beverage within 4 hours of going to bed.

Returning toFIG. 4, in decision block20the customer is queried whether he wishes to receive a copy of his medical data file. If the answer is NO, then the process ends in block30. If the answer is YES, then the customer's medical data file is sent wirelessly via the Internet from the pharmacy server to the customer's wireless device as shown in block32. Block32can also include an option for the customer to select to have a hard copy of his medical data file mailed to him via U.S. postal mail. The customer could also choose to have only a selected portion of his medical data file sent to him. Furthermore, the customer could choose to have a portion or the full medical data file sent via wireless communications, or regular postal mail, to his doctor, clinic or other destination.

A report application can also be made available on the pharmacy server to allow access by the customer to receive or send a report which could include information such as the history of the customer's compliance in taking his medicine. The report could be presented in any convenient format, such as in a graphical or tabular form, and could include historical customer information including the customer's compliance determination data, dates of reported compliance or non-compliance, etc. The report could also be used to provide an analysis of the customer's medical data file that could be sent via wireless communications (or as written reports via postal mail) to one or more of the customer, a pharmacist, a doctor, a nurse, a caregiver, an insurance company, a hospital or others involved in the prescribing, distributing, maintaining, monitoring and administering of the prescription medicines of the customer. The above report(s) could be automatically scheduled to run at predetermined time intervals such as once a month via a software program on the server, or the report program could be manually selected and run by the customer.

Notifications regarding the prescribed medicine can be sent at any time as emails via wireless communications from the server (or by postal mail) to one or more of the customer, a pharmacist, a doctor, a nurse, a caregiver, an insurance company, a hospital or others involved in the prescribing, distributing, maintaining, monitoring and administering of the medicine to the customer. The notifications can be automatic alerts occurring at predetermined intervals such as once a month and the notifications can include, but are not limited to, reminders for the customer to take his medicine, that the prescription medicine is about to expire, or to contact the pharmacy for a refill. The notifications can also be sent manually by a pharmacist from the pharmacy.

While specific embodiments have been shown and described, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein.