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The system for controlling and tracking medical items (830) includes one or more computers and associated data stores including information concerning authorized users, patients, medical items that have been prescribed for patients, medical items available, storage locations for medical items and ev

The system for controlling and tracking medical items (830) includes one or more computers and associated data stores including information concerning authorized users, patients, medical items that have been prescribed for patients, medical items available, storage locations for medical items and events associated with receiving, dispensing, taking and returning medical items for patients. Authorized users taking medical items from storage locations are enabled to provide inputs through a display terminal (880) to indicate the taking of medical items for patients. Medical items are enabled to be taken from a plurality of storage cabinets (878). Storage cabinets are operative so that users may be guided to find a selected medical item for which corresponding information is input at an associated display terminal. Alternatively, users are enabled to gain access to the interior of the cabinet and indicate through appropriate inputs, the types and quantities of items that are being taken.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method comprising:a) labeling with self-adhesive labels of a first external color, each of a first push button and a corresponding first item storage location each in supporting connection with a first storage shelf supported in a cabinet, wherein the first storage shelf includes a plurality of

1. A method comprising:a) labeling with self-adhesive labels of a first external color, each of a first push button and a corresponding first item storage location each in supporting connection with a first storage shelf supported in a cabinet, wherein the first storage shelf includes a plurality of push buttons in supporting connection therewith;b) labeling with self-adhesive labels of a second external color different from the first external color, each of a second push button and a second item storage location each in supporting connection with the first storage shelf;c) storing at least one of a first type medical item in the first item storage location;d) storing at least one of a second type medical item in the second item storage location;e) providing a first manual input corresponding to the first type medical item through a first input device, wherein the first input device includes the first push button;f) removing at least one of the first type medical item from the first item storage location.2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the cabinet is in operative connection with at least two first input devices each available to receive the first manual input, and wherein in (e) the first manual input is received through the first push button.3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the cabinet is in operative connection with at least two first input devices each available to receive the first manual input, a terminal accessible externally of the cabinet including at least one first input device, and wherein in (e) the first manual input is received through the terminal.4. The method according to claim 3 and further comprising:(g) providing a second manual input corresponding to the second type medical item through a second input device, wherein the second input device includes the second button;(h) removing at least one of the second type item from the second item storage location.5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the cabinet is in operative connection with at least two second input devices each available to receive the second manual input, the terminal including at least one second input device, and wherein in (g) the second manual input is received through the second push button.6. The method according to claim 4 wherein the cabinet is in operative connection with at least two second input devices each available to receive the second manual input, the terminal including at least one second input device, and wherein in (g) the second manual input is received through the terminal.7. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising:(g) providing at least one quantity input corresponding to a first quantity of the first type medical item through at least one quantity input device.8. The method according to claim 7 wherein (g) includes providing the at least one first quantity input through a key pad in supporting connection with the first storage shelf.9. The method according to claim 7 wherein (g) includes providing the at least one first quantity input through a terminal accessible externally of the cabinet.10. The method according to claim 9 wherein (g) further includes subsequent to providing the at least one first quantity input through the terminal, providing at least one further first quantity input through a key pad in supporting connection with the first storage shelf.11. The method according to claim 10 and further comprising:(h) storing data representative of the at least one first quantity input in at least one data store responsive to the at least one first quantity input in (g) and then storing the data representative of at least one further first quantity input in at least one data store responsive to the further first quantity input in (g).12. The method according to claim 11 and wherein (h) further includes:storing the data representative of further first quantity input in (g) in associated relation with data corresponding to the first type medical item in the at least one data store.13. The method according to claim 11 wherein access to the first storage shelf within the cabinet is controlled by a first door in operative connection with a lock, and further comprising:unlocking the lock to enable the door to be opened to access the first storage shelf responsive to at least one input to the terminal.14. The method according to claim 6 and further comprising:(i) labeling with self-adhesive labels of a third external color, different from each of the first and second external colors, each of a third push button and a third item storage location each in supporting connection with the first storage shelf;(j) storing at least one of a third type medical item in the third item storage location.15. The method according to claim 14 and further comprising:(k) providing a third manual input corresponding to the third type medical item through at least one third input device, wherein the third input device includes the third push button;(l) removing the at least one of the third type medical item from the third item storage location.16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the cabinet is in operative connection with at least two third input devices each available to receive the third manual input, the terminal including at least one third input device, and wherein in (k) the third manual input is received through the terminal.17. The method according to claim 9 and further comprising:(h) providing at least one second quantity input corresponding to a second quantity of the second type medical item through the terminal.18. The method according to claim 9 and further comprising:(h) providing an output indicative to the first quantity through a display in supporting connection with the first storage shelf.19. The method according to claim 17 and further comprising:(i) subsequent to (h), touching the first push button;(j) responsive to (i) providing an output indicative of the first quantity through a display in supporting connection with the first storage shelf.20. The method according to claim 19 and further comprising:(k) subsequent to (h), touching the second push button;(l) responsive to (k) providing an output indicative of the second quantity through the display.21. The method according to claim 20 wherein each of the first push button and second push button have visual indicators adjacent thereto, and subsequent to (h):(m) activating the visual indicators adjacent to each of the first and second push buttons.22. The method according to claim 21 and wherein in (m) the visual indicators flash periodically.23. The method according to claim 21 wherein in (m) the visual indicator adjacent the first push button changes character responsive to (i).24. The method according to claim 23 wherein in (m) the change in character includes a change in flashing property.25. The method according to claim 13 and prior to (f) further comprising:providing at least one identifying input associated with an authorized user through the terminal, wherein the lock is unlocked responsive to the at least one identifying input.26. Apparatus comprising:a cabinet;at least one first storage shelf supported in the cabinet, wherein the first storage shelf includes in supporting connection therewith, at least one first storage location and at least one second storage location;more than two push buttons in supporting connection with the first storage shelf;a pair of first self-adhesive labels having a first external color, one of the first self-adhesive labels being applied on a first push button and one of the first self-adhesive labels being applied in connection with the at least one first storage location;a pair of second self-adhesive labels having a second external color different from the first external color, one of the second self-adhesive labels being applied on a second push button and one of the second self-adhesive labels being applied in connection with the at least one second storage location;at least one processor in operative connection with the first and second push buttons and at least one data store, wherein the data store includes data representative of a first type medical item stored in the at least one first storage location and a second type medical item stored in the at least one second storage location, and wherein responsive to pressing of the first push button the at least one processor is operative to cause data representative of at least one first type medical item being taken from the first storage location to be stored in the at least one data store, and wherein responsive to pressing of the second push button the at least one processor is operative to cause data representative of at least one second type medical item being taken from the at least one second storage location to be stored in the at least one data store.27. The apparatus according to claim 26 and further comprising a terminal external of the cabinet, wherein the terminal is in operative connection with the at least one processor and wherein the terminal is operative to receive the at least one first input and at least one second input, and wherein responsive to the at least one first input the at least one processor is operative to cause data representative of at least one first type medical item being taken from the at least one first storage location to be stored in the at least one data store, and wherein responsive to the at least one second input the at least one processor is operative to cause data representative of at least a second type medical item being taken from the at least one second location to be stored in the at least one data store.28. The apparatus according to claim 27 and further comprising a key pad in supporting connection with the at least one first storage shelf, wherein responsive to at least one numerical input to the key pad corresponding to a quantity subsequent to pressing of the first push button, the at least one processor is operative to cause to be stored in the at least one data store data representative of the quantity of the first type medical item being taken from the at least one first storage location.29. The apparatus according to claim 28 and further comprising a display in supporting connection with the at least one first storage shelf, wherein indicia corresponding to the quantity is output through the display.30. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the terminal is operative to receive a further quantity input corresponding to a further quantity of the first type medical item, and wherein the at least one processor is operative responsive to the first quantity input to cause the at least one processor to cause to be stored in the at least one data store data representative of the further quantity of the first type medical item being taken from the at least one first storage location.31. The apparatus according to claim 30 and further comprising a display in supporting connection with the at least one first storage shelf, wherein indicia corresponding to the further quantity is output through the display.32. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein after receipt of the further quantity input, when the first push button is pressed and a subsequent quantity input is input through the key pad, the at least one processor is operative to cause to be stored in the at least one data store data representative of the subsequent quantity of the first type medical item instead of the further quantity being taken from the at least one first storage location.33. The apparatus according to claim 32 wherein responsive to the subsequent quantity input, the display changes form outputting indicia corresponding to the further quantity to outputting indicia corresponding to the subsequent quantity.34. The apparatus according to claim 33 and further comprising a first visual indicator in supporting connection with the shelf adjacent the first push button and a second visual indicator in supporting connection with the shelf adjacent the second push button, wherein the first visual indicator and the second visual indicator are in operative connection with the at least one processor, and wherein the first visual indicator is activated responsive to the at least one first input and the second visual indicator is activated responsive to the at least one second input.