Systems and methods for managing medical information

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing medical information for medical service providers are provided. Personnel are able to manage and track workflow operations, evaluate profitability, and maintain records in an integrated and streamlined manner by executing various modules of a software application. A Dashboard module provides a unitary display of information regarding employee efficiency and operational profitability; a Virtual Will Call module allows for the virtual placement of items in storage areas reflecting the corresponding physical will call storage locations; an Rx Tracker module provides information regarding the status of prescriptions as they go through the process from ordered to dispensed; the Maintenance module allows personnel to define customized delivery methods; and the Archive Viewer module provides a way for personnel to archive images in any accessible drive or memory device, including portable storage media, and to view such images independently of the module using an archive viewer executable.

1 . A method of managing activities for a medical service provider comprising:
 displaying a plurality of queues and a count of prescriptions in each queue;   displaying productivity data including at least one user name and a number of prescriptions handled over a predetermined period of time by each user;   interfacing with at least one automated system and displaying a list of each interfacing automated system; and   displaying profitability information including amounts paid for prescriptions and amounts approved for payment.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the queues comprises providing a histogram including a representation of at least one queue selected from the group consisting of a Pharmacy Management queue, an Imaging queue, a Filling queue, a Checking queue, and a Will Call queue. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein providing the histogram comprises differently depicting different subsections of each queue within each representation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the queues comprises providing an indication of at least one event associated with at least one of the queues. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein providing the indication includes permitting a selection of the indication such that the selection provides for a display of additional information regarding the respective indication. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the productivity data comprises providing a log in status of each user and providing a list of log in and log out times upon selection of a respective user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the productivity data comprises providing the productivity data in at least one form selected from the group consisting of a graphical representation and a tabular representation. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein interfacing with the at least one automated system comprises providing at least one characteristic of each interfaced automated system selected from the group consisting of a number of cells that need replenishment and a number of cells that need cleaning. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the profitability information comprises receiving a designation of a time period over which the profitability information is calculated and displayed. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising displaying a graphical representation of at least one workflow characteristic selected from the group consisting of a prescription volume and an average cycle time for processing prescriptions. 
     
     
         11 . A method of tracking inventory of medical supplies for a medical service provider comprising:
 receiving a prescription identifier for a prescription to be stored or removed from will call, wherein the identifier is selected from the group consisting of a scanned barcode and a keyed user input;   receiving a designation of a location in which the prescription will be stored; and   displaying a visual representation of the location amongst a plurality of locations in a respective storage area.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising receiving input and changing at least one aspect of the visual representation selected from the group consisting of the configuration of the storage area and the designation of the location based on the input. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising receiving input regarding the transfer of the prescription from the location to a different location and modifying the visual representation accordingly. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein receiving the prescription identifier comprises validating a prescription number associated with the prescription. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising displaying the number of prescriptions stored in the location. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising suggesting a location for storage of the prescription based on information associated with the prescription identifier. 
     
     
         17 . A method of maintaining and updating records for a medical services provider comprising:
 receiving at least one search criterion regarding a prescription;   displaying information associated with the search criterion received; and   presenting an indication of whether proactive counseling of a patient associated with the prescription is required upon the patient's subsequent visit.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein presenting the indication comprises displaying at least one indicator selected from the group consisting of a flag and notes regarding the proactive counseling required. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising receiving input indicating that the proactive counseling has been accomplished and modifying the indication based on the input. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein displaying the information comprises presenting at least one item of information selected from the group consisting of prescription details, process history of the prescription, patient details, profitability information, and images associated with the prescription. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising receiving input regarding the prescription and modifying the information associated with the prescription based on the input. 
     
     
         22 . A method of customizing delivery of medical supplies for a medical services provider comprising:
 receiving a designation of a delivery method for a prescription;   associating the delivery method to a delivery time of the prescription; and   prioritizing a list of prescriptions according to the delivery method and associated delivery time.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising displaying the prioritized list of prescriptions. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising receiving input regarding the delivery method and modifying the delivery method according to the input received. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising verifying that the modified delivery method is unique as compared to existing delivery methods. 
     
     
         26 . A method of archiving images for a medical services provider comprising:
 receiving a selection of at least one image to be archived via an archiving application;   receiving a designation of a source of the at least one image;   receiving a designation of a location in which the at least one image is to be archived;   storing the at least one image in the location; and   creating an archive viewer executable at the location such that the at least one image may be viewed from the location independently of the archiving application.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising deleting the at least one image from the source. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising displaying information regarding past archiving activities including at least one item selected from the group consisting of a start date and an end date of archived data, the respective source, the respective location, a date of an archive activity, a designation of a user who performed the archive activity, and a password associated with the archived data. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein receiving the designation of the source comprises receiving a designation of a source selected from the group consisting of a prescription database and a patient database. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising creating an archive log at the designated source to record an archive activity. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein receiving the selection of the at least one image to be archived comprises pre-selecting a start date for data to be archived based on an end date of the last archive activity performed. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising determining whether space at the location is adequate for storing the at least one image and prompting a designation of an alternate location if the space is inadequate.