Abstract: An inventory management system manages information regarding medical items dispensed to a patient in a medical facility. Inventory sensors sense removal of medical items from an inventory space to be dispensed to the patient. Software instructions associate item information with patient information that identifies the patient, determine billing codes associated with the dispensed items, generate billing information including the patient information and the billing codes, and generate an invoice directed to the patient's medical insurance provider. The instructions also verify that the billing codes are associated with medical items appropriate for treatment of the patient's condition indicated by diagnostic codes included in the billing information, and generate an alert message if the billing codes are associated with medical items that are not reimbursable or are inappropriate for treatment of the diagnosed condition.

Abstract: An apparatus tracks medical items through various transition points in a medical facility and maintains a chain of custody for each item through each transition point, indicating who is responsible for each item at any particular time. The apparatus also generates messages directed to various medical facility personnel who are responsible for the medical items at the various transition points, which messages prompt the personnel to take appropriate action with regard to the medical items depending on the particular transition point.

Abstract: An apparatus senses and records consumption of medical items during performance of a medical procedure. The medical items are enclosed in wrappers having RFID tags in which medical item information is encoded. The apparatus includes a shielded enclosure that attenuates radio frequency signals emanated from RFID tags disposed outside the shielded enclosure to levels that are substantially undetectable within the internal space. RFID antennas inside the shielded enclosure receive radio frequency signals emanated from RFID tags on wrappers that are removed from used items and placed inside the enclosure. An RFID reader decodes the medical item information encoded in the RFID tags. A computer processor executes a medical item inventory module including instructions for generating a post-op list of medical items consumed during the medical procedure. Item billing information and usage trend information may be derived from the post-op list.

Abstract: An inventory management system manages information regarding medical items dispensed to a patient in a medical facility. Inventory sensors sense removal of medical items from an inventory space to be dispensed to the patient. Software instructions associate item information with patient information that identifies the patient, determine billing codes associated with the dispensed items, generate billing information including the patient information and the billing codes, and generate an invoice directed to the patient's medical insurance provider. The instructions also verify that the billing codes are associated with medical items appropriate for treatment of the patient's condition indicated by diagnostic codes included in the billing information, and generate an alert message if the billing codes are associated with medical items that are not reimbursable or are inappropriate for treatment of the diagnosed condition.

Abstract: An apparatus tracks medical items through various transition points in a medical facility and maintains a chain of custody for each item through each transition point, indicating who is responsible for each item at any particular time. The apparatus also generates messages directed to various medical facility personnel who are responsible for the medical items at the various transition points, which messages prompt the personnel to take appropriate action with regard to the medical items depending on the particular transition point.

Abstract: An apparatus senses and records consumption of medical items during performance of a medical procedure. The medical items are enclosed in wrappers having RFID tags in which medical item information is encoded. The apparatus includes a shielded enclosure that attenuates radio frequency signals emanated from RFID tags disposed outside the shielded enclosure to levels that are substantially undetectable within the internal space. RFID antennas inside the shielded enclosure receive radio frequency signals emanated from RFID tags on wrappers that are removed from used items and placed inside the enclosure. An RFID reader decodes the medical item information encoded in the RFID tags. A computer processor executes a medical item inventory module including instructions for generating a post-op list of medical items consumed during the medical procedure. Item billing information and usage trend information may be derived from the post-op list.

Abstract: An inventory management system provided by an inventory management service provider senses removal of medical items from inventory to be dispensed to a patient. The system processes billing information to identify the patient's medical insurance provider, to identify a medical item supplier that is the preferred biller for the patient's medical insurance provider, and to determine whether the inventory management service provider is the identified preferred biller. If the inventory management service provider is the preferred biller, the system generates an invoice from the inventory management service provider to bill the patient's medical insurance provider.

Abstract: An inventory management system manages information regarding medical items that are stored in storage containers in a storage structure before being dispensed in conjunction with patient medical treatment. The inventory management system includes inventory sensors associated with the storage containers. Each inventory sensor senses removal or addition of medical items to or from the storage containers, and generates corresponding item inventory signals. Inventory indicia devices are disposed on the storage structure, each associated with a corresponding storage container, and each providing a visual indication that a medical item is to be added or removed.

Abstract: An inventory management system manages information regarding medical items dispensed in conjunction with medical treatment of a patient at a medical facility. The system includes a first computer, an inventory access control system, inventory sensors, and inventory applications in communication with the first computer. The inventory access control system receives credential information from a user seeking access to a physical inventory space in the medical facility and controls access to the space. The inventory sensors sense the removal of medical items to be dispensed to the patient, and generate item usage information indicating the identity and quantity of the items removed. The inventory applications associate the item usage information with patient information that identifies the patient to which the medical items are dispensed, thereby generating a record indicating that the items removed from the storage structure have been dispensed to the patient identified by the patient information.

Abstract: A computer system uses requests from a customer to configure custom medical procedural kits (PACKs) ordered by the customer from a service provider. A service provider computer executes a PACK management application which allows a customer to access a list of components of PACKs associated with a customer account. Preferably, the list of components is accessible for display on the customer computer with no need for personnel of the customer to interact with personnel of the service provider. A PACK database stores configuration and pricing information for each PACK associated with the customer account. The system allows a customer to view bills of materials for PACKs and request changes thereto, request vendor price exceptions for various kit components, submit forecast reports reflecting future need for the kits, submit changes to work orders, view current inventory on hand and in manufacturing of kits.

Abstract: An inventory management system manages information regarding medical items dispensed in conjunction with medical treatment of a patient at a medical facility. The system includes a first computer, an inventory access control system, inventory sensors, and inventory applications in communication with the first computer. The inventory access control system receives credential information from a user seeking access to a physical inventory space in the medical facility and controls access to the space. The inventory sensors sense the removal of medical items to be dispensed to the patient, and generate item usage information indicating the identity and quantity of the items removed. The inventory applications associate the item usage information with patient information that identifies the patient to which the medical items are dispensed, thereby generating a record indicating that the items removed from the storage structure have been dispensed to the patient identified by the patient information.

Abstract: An inventory management system manages information related to items, such as implants, used during a medical surgical procedure. The inventory management system includes an inventory management computer and an item inventory database. The inventory management computer executes an inventory management application to process item usage information. The item usage information includes item identification information and quantity information for each item used during performance of the medical surgical procedure. The inventory management application associates the item usage information with a particular surgical case at a particular customer surgical facility. The inventory management computer receives the item usage information from a customer computer at the customer surgical facility via a wide area network, such as the Internet.