Abstract: Grouping, categorizing, and profiling pharmaceutical claims data to assist health care managers is described. In aspects, a method is described including receiving pharmacy claims data records, validating each of the claims data records for a valid drug code, establishing a number of validated pharmacy claims data records received for each drug identified, grouping the validated pharmacy claims data records to one or more pharmacy episodes, categorizing each pharmacy episode, and storing the validated pharmacy claims data records and associated pharmacy episodes for monitoring usage of prescription drugs. In various embodiments, a pharmacy episode group is a pharmacologically homogenous grouping of drugs with the same therapeutic ingredients used by a patient once or over an extended period of time, and pharmacy episodes are categorized based on algorithms linking the pattern of a physician's recommended use and the patient's pattern of compliance.

Abstract: Grouping, categorizing, and profiling pharmaceutical claims data to assist health care managers is described. In aspects, a method is described including receiving pharmacy claims data records, validating each of the claims data records for a valid drug code, establishing a number of validated pharmacy claims data records received for each drug identified, grouping the validated pharmacy claims data records to one or more pharmacy episodes, categorizing each pharmacy episode, and storing the validated pharmacy claims data records and associated pharmacy episodes for monitoring usage of prescription drugs. In various embodiments, a pharmacy episode group is a pharmacologically homogenous grouping of drugs with the same therapeutic ingredients used by a patient once or over an extended period of time, and pharmacy episodes are categorized based on algorithms linking the pattern of a physician's recommended use and the patient's pattern of compliance.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for grouping, categorizing, and profiling pharmaceutical claims data to assist health care managers in determining (a) medication treatment experience, outcomes, and medication compliance behaviors of patients and (b) appropriate drug prescribing, medication coordination, and cost-efficiency of health care providers. An objective means is provided for categorizing and quantifying patterns of prescription drug utilization as a health care service within a clinically relevant time frame. A pharmacy episode group (PEG) is a pharmacologically homogenous grouping of drugs with the same therapeutic ingredients used by a patient once or over an extended period of time. The PEG is a patient-centered pharmacy classification unit, which uses script-level pharmacy claim data as input data and assigns each script to the appropriate episode.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for grouping, categorizing, and profiling pharmaceutical claims data to assist health care managers in determining (a) medication treatment experience, outcomes, and medication compliance behaviors of patients and (b) appropriate drug prescribing, medication coordination, and cost-efficiency of health care providers. An objective means is provided for categorizing and quantifying patterns of prescription drug utilization as a health care service within a clinically relevant time frame. A pharmacy episode group (PEG) is a pharmacologically homogenous grouping of drugs with the same therapeutic ingredients used by a patient once or over an extended period of time. The PEG is a patient-centered pharmacy classification unit, which uses script-level pharmacy claim data as input data and assigns each script to the appropriate episode.

Abstract: A backpack having an integral garment includes a container portion having front, central and rear panels. Straps are attached to the front panel for support of the backpack from the wearer's shoulders. The front panel is releasably connected to the central panel for access to an internal compartment formed continuously along the central panel on the inside of the container portion for storage therein of an integral garment. The integral garment may be withdrawn from the storage compartment and donned by the wearer of the backpack without removal thereof from the wearer's shoulders, the garment at all times remaining in integrated relationship with the backpack.