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 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: 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 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.