Abstract: A computerized medication dispensing station that addresses anesthesia medication management and tracking problems is disclosed. Medications, including narcotic and non-narcotic, and supplies for use in anesthesia, are stored in secured, semi-secured, and unsecured containers of a mobile station. A computer housed in the station is used to track the anesthesiology items that have been removed from the station. For each item removed, the time of removal, who removed it, and to whom it was administered is tracked. Items that are not administered to a patient are returned to the pharmacy or wasted (i.e., disposed in accordance with regulations). Each type of event (administration to a patient, return, or waste) is documented so that a health care institution can track usage of items, including narcotic medications, for use in anesthesia.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for preventing medication errors by providing warnings at the time of medication administration. A user/administrator of medication and a patient are identified to the system. Once the patient is identified, a graphical user interface (GUI) listing available medications for that patient is displayed. The user selects a medication for administration from the GUI. One or more compliance rules are associated with one or more medications. Each compliance rule provides the text for a comment or warning to be displayed upon the occurrence of a specified condition. The condition may be based on an attribute of the medication or patient such as the name of the medication, allergies of the patient, etc. If a condition is satisfied, the comment/warning in the compliance rule associated with the medication is displayed to the user.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture for ensuring that the content and appearance of medication information is consistent, accurate, and reliable across multiple hospitals, sites, and users. Publicly available databases provide medication information. Relevant data is extracted from such databases and placed into a drug reference table. The drug reference table is combined with a hospital formulary such that the medication information in the formulary is modified, completed, reformatted, etc. Such modifications, completions, and reformatting are conducted by enforcing one or more rules that are applied to elements and attributes of a medication. The resulting medication information content is stored in a hospital formulary file that is accessed and utilized for maintaining, displaying, administering, etc. medication.

Abstract: A small punch test apparatus is used to determine true stress and true strain in a ductile polymeric material as it undergoes deformation by the punch head. The information gathered can be used comparatively to assess the acceptability of a body implant subjected to sterilization against similar information obtained on another implant of the same polymer already known to be acceptable.

Abstract: An emergency lighting fixture with backup battery power for illuminating aimable lamps or a plurality of lamps mounted in a single housing in response to loss of power. In the preferred embodiment, the lighting fixture has three independently adjustable lamps mounted within a single housing. The lamps are adjustable about vertical and horizontal axes for maximum aiming capabilities. The housing is preferably an explosion proof housing with a glass globe for mounting in hazardous locations or areas. The glass globe allows the lamps to be aimed through 360.degree. so that light transmitted by the lamps can be aimed to a specific area adjacent the lighting fixture. The lighting fixture also preferably has its backup batteries mounted within the housing along with a charger for maintaining the batteries at full charge.

Abstract: An electrical switch for hazardous environments includes a non-metallic terminal base supporting a plurality of stationary contacts. A non-metallic operator body has a radial wall and tubular outer wall extending from the radial wall. The outer wall has a free end coupled to the terminal base and defines a contact chamber inside of the operator body. The radial wall has a central passageway and a tubular inner wall extending from the radial wall toward the terminal base substantially concentrically to the outer wall and the passageway. A non-metallic operator member has an annular portion slidably received in the passageway between first and second positions, and has a radial portion extending from the axial portion with a tubular flange extending from it substantially concentrically to the axial portion. The operator member tubular flange is slidably received between and overlaps the inner and outer walls of the operator body in both of the first and second positions of the operator body.