Combination disposal and dispensing apparatus and method

Abstract

In a method of dispensing and disposing medical items a first medical item is dispensed from a dispensing portion of a medical item dispensing and disposal system. An identifier is received via a scanner. The identifier is associated with a second medical item to be disposed within a disposal portion of the medical item dispensing and disposal system. Based on the identifier, a control system: allows access to one waste container of a plurality of waste containers of the medical item dispensing and disposal system; and prevents access to other waste containers of the medical item dispensing and disposal system to ensure proper disposal of the second medical item within the medical item dispensing and disposal system.

1 . A method of dispensing and disposing medical items, said method comprising:
 dispensing a first medical item from a dispensing portion of a medical item dispensing and disposal system;   receiving, via a scanner, an identifier associated with a second medical item to be disposed within a disposal portion of said medical item dispensing and disposal system; and   based on said identifier, a control system:
 allowing access to one waste container of a plurality of waste containers of said medical item dispensing and disposal system; and 
 preventing access to other waste containers of said medical item dispensing and disposal system to ensure proper disposal of said second medical item within said medical item dispensing and disposal system. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 retrieving, based on said identifier, information from a database, wherein said information is derived from applicable rules regarding disposal;   assigning said second medical item to a disposal category based on said information retrieved from said database; and   wherein said disposal category is associated with said one waste container of said medical item dispensing and disposal system.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 tracking information regarding a user that requested said first medical item.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 tracking information regarding a user that disposed said second medical item.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 tracking information regarding a patient that used said second medical item.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 tracking the date on which said first medical item was dispensed; and   tracking the date on which said second medical item was disposed.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving an identifier comprises:
 receiving said identifier from a barcode scanner.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving an identifier comprises:
 receiving said identifier via, a handheld device.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving an identifier comprises:
 receiving information regarding a trade name, generic name, or chemical name of said second medical item.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving an identifier comprises:
 receiving information regarding a National Drug Code (NDC) of said second medical item.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving an identifier comprises:
 receiving information regarding an abbreviated name or mnemonic of said second medical item.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second medical item comprises said first medical item after it has been at least partially used or emptied. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second medical item comprises said first medical item after it has expired. 
     
     
         14 . A method of dispensing and disposing medical items in a combined system, comprising:
 allowing access to a selected medical item being dispensed from said combined system; and   providing a plurality of waste containers in said combined system, wherein each of said waste containers is associated with at least one of a plurality of waste categories, and   in response to positioning a waste item near a scanner associated with said combined system, receiving identification data for said waste item from said scanner, and   allowing access to one waste container of a plurality of waste containers of said combined system based on a waste category determined from said identification data, while preventing access to others of said plurality of waste containers to ensure proper disposal of said waste item.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising automatically locking a lid of said one waste container in a closed position after said waste item is deposited into said one waste container. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising automatically locking a lid of said one waste container in response to a determination that said one waste container is full. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said receiving identification data for said waste item from said scanner comprises:
 receiving said identification data for said waste item from a barcode scanner.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said receiving identification data for said waste item from said scanner comprises:
 receiving said identification data for said waste item from a handheld device.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said receiving identification data for said waste item from said scanner comprises:
 receiving said identification data for said waste item from a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) scanner.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said receiving identification data for said waste item from said scanner comprises:
 receiving information regarding a trade name, generic name, or chemical name of said waste item.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said receiving identification data for said waste item from said scanner comprises:
 receiving information regarding an abbreviated name or mnemonic of said waste item.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said allowing access said one waste container comprises:
 automatically opening a lid on said one waste container.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said waste item comprises said selected medical item at a time after said selected medical item has been dispensed. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said waste item comprises said selected medical item after said selected medical item is at least partially used. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said waste item comprises said selected medical item after said selected medical item is expired.