초록 ▼

The invention provides an exemplary method for dispensing medical supply or pharmaceutical items from a dispensing unit which comprises a processor and a cabinet having a plurality of drawers which are lockable within the cabinet by a locking mechanism. The drawers include a plurality of bins for ho

The invention provides an exemplary method for dispensing medical supply or pharmaceutical items from a dispensing unit which comprises a processor and a cabinet having a plurality of drawers which are lockable within the cabinet by a locking mechanism. The drawers include a plurality of bins for holding the pharmaceutical or medical supply items, with at least some of the bins having lids equipped with a sensor that communicates with the processor to indicate when the lid is lifted. Further, the processor includes a record of the items held within each drawer and which items may be accessed by specific users or user types. According to the method, user identification information is entered into the processor to identify a user that is requesting access to one of the pharmaceutical or medical supply items held in the dispensing unit. The processor then determines which drawer or drawers may be unlocked for access by the user by comparing the user identification information with the record of which items may be accessed by specific users. A signal is then sent from the processor to unlock at least one of the drawers to which the user may have access. The user then looks in the bins of the unlocked drawer to locate a desired pharmaceutical or medical supply item. The lid of bin having the desired pharmaceutical or medical supply item is lifted and the item is removed. Further, lifting of the lid sends a signal to the processor to confirm removal of the desired pharmaceutical or medical supply item.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for dispensing medical supply or pharmaceutical items, the method comprising:providing a dispensing unit comprising a processor and a cabinet having at least one lockable door and a plurality of shelves or drawers behind the door having storage locations for hold

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for dispensing medical supply or pharmaceutical items, the method comprising:providing a dispensing unit comprising a processor and a cabinet having at least one lockable door and a plurality of shelves or drawers behind the door having storage locations for holding pharmaceutical or medical supply items, the cabinet further including a visual indicator and a touch button located adjacent each of the storage locations and being in communication with the processor;entering user identification information into the processor to identify a user that is requesting access to one of the pharmaceutical or medical supply items held in the dispensing unit;entering pharmaceutical or medical supply item identification information into the processor to identify at least one pharmaceutical or medical supply item that the user requests to remove from the dispensing unit;sending a signal from the processor to unlock the door if the processor determines from the user identification information that the user may have access to the requested pharmaceutical or medical supply item;actuating the visual indicator adjacent the storage location on the shelf or in the drawer having the requested item;removing the requested item from the storage location; andtouching the touch button adjacent the storage location having the requested item to send a signal to the processor confirming the removal of the item.