Abstract: Provided herein are various apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving the efficiency of medication distribution within a healthcare facility. In particular, embodiments may provide for dispensing medications needed and medications anticipated to be needed to an authorized medical person for administration to a patient in a healthcare facility. A system for transporting medication in a healthcare facility may include: a carrier; a plurality of clips disposed on the carrier; a shuttle configured to receive the carrier; and a track on which the shuttle is configured to advance. The shuttle may be configured to transport the carrier along the track from a first location to a second location proximate a patient. The system may include a loading device disposed at the first location configured to receive the carrier and load the carrier onto the shuttle. The carrier may include a plurality of receivers, each configured to receive a clip.

Abstract: Provided herein are various apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving the efficiency of medication distribution within a healthcare facility. In particular, embodiments may provide for dispensing medications needed and medications anticipated to be needed to an authorized medical person for administration to a patient in a healthcare facility. Medications that are anticipated to be needed may be predicted based on a number of factors. The medications may be gathered, transported, stored, staged, and dispensed using one or more of the components described herein. Combinations of the components may be implemented for a system to automate or partially automate the dispensing of medications from a central pharmacy of a healthcare facility to a patient.

Abstract: Provided herein are various apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving the efficiency of medication distribution within a healthcare facility. In particular, embodiments may provide for dispensing medications needed and medications anticipated to be needed to an authorized medical person for administration to a patient in a healthcare facility. Methods may include receiving an indication of one or more unit dose medications anticipated to be needed by a patient; retrieving the one or more unit dose medications from a unit storage device; loading the one or more unit dose medications onto a transport device; transporting the one or more unit dose medications from the unit storage device to a location proximate the patient; and transferring the one or more unit dose medications from the transport device to a staging area at the location proximate the patient.

Abstract: A method, system and corresponding apparatus are provided for determining a perforation location on a blister card comprising at least one unit dose blister of medication. In particular, a data extraction operation with respect to a surface of the blister card may be performed and perforation location information defining a location of at least one perforation adjoining two unit dose blisters on the blister card may be determined based on the data extracted.