Abstract The present invention includes a cassette-type dispenser for use in the dispensing of drugs contained in strip packages. The cassette-type dispenser is filled periodically by a pharmacy to contain a particular type medication for a patient. The medication is sufficient for a pre-determined period of time such as a 1-month supply. Additional cassette-type dispensers may be used for other types of medication for the same patient. The cassette dispenser is color coded to indicate the time intervals at which the medication is given to the patient. All of the medications for the cassette-type dispensers are located in a portable cart, along with various medications similarly dispensed for other patients. The portable cart is designed for use in facilities such as hospitals or nursing homes with all of the prescription-type drugs being contained under lock and key, and all of the control drugs being contained under double lock and key. Other shelves on the portable cart contain liquid medication, ointments, injectable type of drugs or other typical items needed while dispensing medication. By using the cassette-type dispensers in conjunction with the portable cart, an attendant may easily dispense all of the required drugs for each patient in a facility such as a nursing home.
A system for dispensing medication to a large number of patients located in a health care facility, said system comprising: a portable cart having a totally enclosed cabinet mounted on wheels; first lockable doors on sides of said portable cart for locking said cabinet closed, said first lockable doors maintaining prescription drugs under a single lock; lockable compartment within cabinet having a second lockable door thereon for maintaining controlled drugs therein under double lock; refillable cassette-type dispensers located on dispenser shelves in said cabinet, said dispensers being used for dispensing strip packaged medication therefrom, a separate refillable dispenser being used for each strip packaged medication of each patient; p1 a first storage area in said cabinet for ointments and injectable drugs to be dispensed to said patients; a second storage area in said cabinet for liquid medication to be dispensed to said patients; and means for maintaining a record on said portable cart of medications to be given to said patients; each of said refillable cassette-type dispensers being color coded on the front thereof to indicate times for giving medication to a patient, all of each patient's strip packaged medication being maintained in a fixed position by divider means in said shelves; said refillable cassette-type dispenser having an opening in the lower front thereof large enough for a finger to be inserted therethrough and move said strip packaged medication through a dispensing tab on the bottom front of said cassette-type dispenser, said cassette-type dispenser having a slidable cover maintained at the top thereof for refilling.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
255 words
A system for dispensing medication to a large number of patients located in a health care facility, said system comprising: a portable cart having a totally enclosed cabinet mounted on wheels; first lockable doors on sides of said portable cart for locking said cabinet closed, said first lockable doors maintaining prescription drugs under a single lock; lockable compartment within cabinet having a second lockable door thereon for maintaining controlled drugs therein under double lock; refillable cassette-type dispensers located on dispenser shelves in said cabinet, said dispensers being used for dispensing strip packaged medication therefrom, a separate refillable dispenser being used for each strip packaged medication of each patient; p1 a first storage area in said cabinet for ointments and injectable drugs to be dispensed to said patients; a second storage area in said cabinet for liquid medication to be dispensed to said patients; and means for maintaining a record on said portable cart of medications to be given to said patients; each of said refillable cassette-type dispensers being color coded on the front thereof to indicate times for giving medication to a patient, all of each patient's strip packaged medication being maintained in a fixed position by divider means in said shelves; said refillable cassette-type dispenser having an opening in the lower front thereof large enough for a finger to be inserted therethrough and move said strip packaged medication through a dispensing tab on the bottom front of said cassette-type dispenser, said cassette-type dispenser having a slidable cover maintained at the top thereof for refilling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said maintaining means includes a swivel base for holding said record, said first lockable doors being located on both sides of said portable cart for dispensing medication from either side thereof.