Abstract: Mechanisms for dispensing items such as medications and medical supplies. Different mechanisms may be tailored to dispensing different kinds of items, for example medications in single dose packages, vials, syringes, or other similarly-shaped items. The dispensers may be placed in a dispensing unit that includes a lockable restock drawer and a dispense drawer into which items are dispensed by the dispensing mechanisms. The various kinds of dispensing mechanisms may be installed in the restock drawer in any workable proportion and arrangement. The dispensing mechanisms include multiple sensing technologies for tracking and inventory of items and for accurate sensing of items as they are dispensed.

Abstract: A medication dispensing cabinet provides controlled access to medications and supplies stored in it. The cabinet may include at least one lockable storage compartment, and a controller that controls access to the at least one lockable storage compartment. The cabinet may include multiple printers integrated into the cabinet. The cabinet may include a camera operably coupled to the controller. The cabinet may include a set of cabinet electronics, and a power distribution and communications circuit board. The cabinet may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, wherein the controller conditions access to the at least one lockable storage compartment on receipt of information from the RFID reader. Data may be stored in the controller according to an implementation of RAID technology. The controller may include multiple electronic communications network interfaces, and may include an out of band network communication channel. A dispensing cabinet may facilitate printing of labels for medications.

Abstract: Mechanisms for dispensing items such as medications and medical supplies. Different mechanisms may be tailored to dispensing different kinds of items, for example medications in single dose packages, vials, syringes, or other similarly-shaped items. The dispensers may be placed in a dispensing unit that includes a lockable restock drawer and a dispense drawer into which items are dispensed by the dispensing mechanisms. The various kinds of dispensing mechanisms may be installed in the restock drawer in any workable proportion and arrangement. The dispensing mechanisms include multiple sensing technologies for tracking and inventory of items and for accurate sensing of items as they are dispensed.

Abstract: Mechanisms for dispensing items such as medications and medical supplies. Different mechanisms may be tailored to dispensing different kinds of items, for example medications in single dose packages, vials, syringes, or other similarly-shaped items. The dispensers may be placed in a dispensing unit that includes a lockable restock drawer and a dispense drawer into which items are dispensed by the dispensing mechanisms. The various kinds of dispensing mechanisms may be installed in the restock drawer in any workable proportion and arrangement. The dispensing mechanisms include multiple sensing technologies for tracking and inventory of items and for accurate sensing of items as they are dispensed.

Abstract: A system for securely transporting medications or other items. The system includes a central computer system and a number of lockable relay boxes. Each relay box further includes a software controlled lid unlockable upon authorization from the central computer system, a memory storing a globally unique electronically readable identifier, a sensor that can detect unauthorized forced entry to the relay box, and a display. The system also includes an electronic network over which the central computer system authorizes accesses to the interiors of the relay boxes.

Abstract: Mechanisms for dispensing items such as medications and medical supplies. Different mechanisms may be tailored to dispensing different kinds of items, for example medications in single dose packages, vials, syringes, or other similarly-shaped items. The dispensers may be placed in a dispensing unit that includes a lockable restock drawer and a dispense drawer into which items are dispensed by the dispensing mechanisms. The various kinds of dispensing mechanisms may be installed in the restock drawer in any workable proportion and arrangement. The dispensing mechanisms include multiple sensing technologies for tracking and inventory of items and for accurate sensing of items as they are dispensed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign current and future patient-specific use of the bins for the dispensing device. The assignment and management of patient-specific bins may be performed by devices distributed through the system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling a refrigerated medical storage unit. The system may include a control station. The control station may receive temperature information from the refrigerated medical storage unit and may cause at least a portion of the temperature information to be stored. The control station may determine whether the temperature is outside a predefined range and may causes an alarm to be generated when the temperature is outside the predefined range. The control station may receive user authentication information from a user, and upon verification of the user authentication information, send unlock instructions to the refrigerated medical storage unit.

Abstract: An RFID cabinet system is provided for monitoring items having an RFID tag. System includes cabinet having open interior where items are stored and at least one door providing access to items. Static RFID system is provided for reading and identifying data embedded on RFID tag located on at least some of the items placed within cabinet. Static RFID system is configured to monitor substantially all items located within the interior of cabinet when door is closed. Transaction RFID system is provided for reading one of the RFID tags upon removal or return of the associated item from cabinet. Transaction RFID system is operable when door is open. Computer system is configured to sense opening and closing of door. Computer system is configured to receive input that identifies user, and computer system is configured to periodically record data read from RFID tags by static RFID system and transaction RFID system.

Abstract: Mechanisms for dispensing items such as medications and medical supplies. Different mechanisms may be tailored to dispensing different kinds of items, for example medications in single dose packages, vials, syringes, or other similarly-shaped items. The dispensers may be placed in a dispensing unit that includes a lockable restock drawer and a dispense drawer into which items are dispensed by the dispensing mechanisms. The various kinds of dispensing mechanisms may be installed in the restock drawer in any workable proportion and arrangement. The dispensing mechanisms include multiple sensing technologies for tracking and inventory of items and for accurate sensing of items as they are dispensed.

Abstract: A system for securely transporting medications or other items. The system includes a central computer system and a number of lockable relay boxes. Each relay box further includes a software controlled lid unlockable upon authorization from the central computer system, a memory storing a globally unique electronically readable identifier, a sensor that can detect unauthorized forced entry to the relay box, and a display. The system also includes an electronic network over which the central computer system authorizes accesses to the interiors of the relay boxes.

Abstract: A system for managing medications facilitates documentation of medication returned from remote dispensing units to a central storage location such as a pharmacy vault. The system may be especially useful in facilitating the tracking of controlled substances. The system receives an indication that a medication previously removed from the remote dispensing units has been designated for return to the medication management system. The system computes an estimated return amount of the medication, and causes a queued return list to be displayed at the central storage location. The system can accommodate multiple remote dispensing devices and multiple medications.

Abstract: A method for identifying medical diverters includes identifying users having similar job functions. Use data indicative of user access to a medication dispensing system is retrieved and is analyzed to identify periods of use of the system for users. Boundaries of work shifts are determined and users are organized into work shifts based on periods of use. A comparison period is determined. Diversion data indicative of behavior associated with diversion for each user is identified. A diversion score indicative of a likelihood that a user is diverting medication is generated by averaging the data by shifts worked for each user and statistically comparing the averaged data. Diversion scores are combined for a medication type to generate a group score. A consistency factor is determined and an overall score is generated. A determination whether any overall scores exceed an overall threshold is made. Users whose score exceeds the threshold are flagged.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide medication dispensing carts and methods. The medication dispensing carts may include a base having wheels that allow the carts to be transported within a facility, a computing device configured to receive input from a user, a display device communicatively coupled with the computing device for displaying information to the user, a post that couples the display device with the base, and a plurality of cassettes that have one or more bins within which medical supplies are stored. The plurality of cassettes may be coupled with the post and the post may include a plurality of communication ports that communicatively couple one or more of the cassettes with the computing device to perform or provide various functions.

Abstract: An RFID cabinet system is provided for monitoring items having an RFID tag. System includes cabinet having open interior where items are stored and at least one door providing access to items. Static RFID system is provided for reading and identifying data embedded on RFID tag located on at least some of the items placed within cabinet. Static RFID system is configured to monitor substantially all items located within the interior of cabinet when door is closed. Transaction RFID system is provided for reading one of the RFID tags upon removal or return of the associated item from cabinet. Transaction RFID system is operable when door is open. Computer system is configured to sense opening and closing of door. Computer system is configured to receive input that identifies user, and computer system is configured to periodically record data read from RFID tags by static RFID system and transaction RFID system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling a refrigerated medical storage unit. The system may include a control station. The control station may receive temperature information from the refrigerated medical storage unit and may cause at least a portion of the temperature information to be stored. The control station may determine whether the temperature is outside a predefined range and may causes an alarm to be generated when the temperature is outside the predefined range. The control station may receive user authentication information from a user, and upon verification of the user authentication information, send unlock instructions to the refrigerated medical storage unit.

Abstract: A medication dispensing cabinet provides controlled access to medications and supplies stored in it. The cabinet may include at least one lockable storage compartment, and a controller that controls access to the at least one lockable storage compartment. The cabinet may include multiple printers integrated into the cabinet. The cabinet may include a camera operably coupled to the controller. The cabinet may include a set of cabinet electronics, and a power distribution and communications circuit board. The cabinet may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, wherein the controller conditions access to the at least one lockable storage compartment on receipt of information from the RFID reader. Data may be stored in the controller according to an implementation of RAID technology. The controller may include multiple electronic communications network interfaces, and may include an out of band network communication channel. A dispensing cabinet may facilitate printing of labels for medications.

Abstract: In one implementation, a device for dispensing items includes a plurality of compartments for storing medicines or medical supplies, a respective light source associated with each of the plurality of compartments, and a computerized controller coupled to the light sources. The computerized controller maintains an inventory of the contents of the plurality of compartments and receives requests to dispense medicines or medical supplies from the plurality of compartments. In response to a request to dispense a particular medicine or medical supply item, the computerized controller illuminates the light source associated with the compartment holding the particular medicine or medical supply item, the light source being illuminated with a brightness controlled by the computerized controller. The brightness of the light source may be controlled in accordance with a detected brightness of the ambient environment. The light source may be a multi-colored light source.

Abstract: A medication dispensing cabinet provides controlled access to medications and supplies stored in it. The cabinet may include at least one lockable storage compartment, and a controller that controls access to the at least one lockable storage compartment. The cabinet may include multiple printers integrated into the cabinet. The cabinet may include a camera operably coupled to the controller. The cabinet may include a set of cabinet electronics, and a power distribution and communications circuit board. The cabinet may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, wherein the controller conditions access to the at least one lockable storage compartment on receipt of information from the RFID reader. Data may be stored in the controller according to an implementation of RAID technology. The controller may include multiple electronic communications network interfaces, and may include an out of band network communication channel. A dispensing cabinet may facilitate printing of labels for medications.

Abstract: It may be advantageous to equip a medication dispensing cart with an adjustable user interface. An exemplary dispensing device may include a cabinet having one or more compartments for dispensing health care supplies to one or more patients. The dispensing device may also include a control system that provides various operational functions related to dispensing the health care supplies. A user interface may be communicatively coupled with the control system and may be configured to receive input from a user and provide output to the user. An articulating arm assembly may couple the user interface with the cabinet to provide the user interface with one or more translational degrees of freedom and one or more rotational degrees of freedom relative to the cabinet.