Patent ID: 8412375

Claim:
A method for dispensing medical items, wherein medical items comprise medications and supplies, the method comprising: providing a dispensing unit that includes a plurality of stackable modules arranged in a vertical stack, each of the plurality of stackable modules having a top, a bottom, a rear wall, side walls, and a lockable door with a transparent window disposed therein, wherein a first one of the plurality of stackable modules is aligned to a second one of the plurality of stackable modules by a series of locating pins extending from the top of the first module and being received within the bottom of the second module, and wherein each of the plurality of stackable modules comprises an environment in which medical items can be stored; and further wherein each of the plurality of stackable modules comprises at least one drawer having a signal light attached to a front side of the drawer so that the signal light is visible through the transparent window when the door is in a closed position, and at least one compartment defined within each drawer; receiving a user selection of a medical item, the user selection comprising an item identifier corresponding to the selected medical item; determining a location identifier associated with the item identifier, wherein the location identifier corresponds to a compartment in which the selected medical item is located; illuminating the signal light associated with the drawer containing the compartment in which the selected medical item is located; and providing access to the compartment in which the selected medical item is located, wherein providing access comprises unlocking the module door.