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 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 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: 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 disposal system including a container having a door movable between a first position and a second position for introducing material to be disposed into the container, and a sensing system operatively associated with the container to sense the position of the door and to generate an alarm signal in response to a predetermined position of the door.

Abstract: A disposable light handle is designed for removable attachment to manually adjustable light fixtures employed in sterile medical settings. The light handle includes an elongated handle body, having one end closed, and an opposite end provided with a threaded portion. At the junction of handle body and threaded portion is an integrally formed circular shield that projects therefrom to provide a guard against contact between the hand of a user and the light fixture. The shield is sufficiently resilient and flexible to permit opposite sides of an outer periphery to bend into an overlying relationship to the handle body for minimizing width in storage. The shield is provided with loops located diametrically opposed to one another on the periphery of the shield. Connector projections are diametrically opposed to one another along the length of the handle body, and positioned to releasably receive thereon the loops when the shield is bent into an overlying relationship.

Abstract: A receptacle for liquid medical wastes including an open top vessel having a bottom, an integral upstanding wall (or multiple side walls in one embodiment) defining an upper flanged rim, a lid adapted to cover the open top of the vessel in sealing engagement with the flanged rim, a recess defined preferably centrally of the lid and including an opening through the lid which is disposed centrally of the recess, a closure flap anchored at one of its ends to the top surface of the lid at a spaced apart location relative to the recess and being adhesively attachable to the top surface of the lid and in covering relationship to the recess, and means for releasably anchoring the receptacle during its use in a theater of medical operation. The receptacle is formed from incineratable material, such as recycled plastic materials. In one embodiment, the vessel contains liquid absorptive material(s).