Automated medication management system and method for use

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for tracking the status and use of packaged goods are provided. The systems of the invention coordinate various stakeholders, hardware devices, computer software systems, standards, methods, procedures, practices and their interconnection in ways that lead to greater efficiency, safety, and efficacy, along with potentially lower cost, and less waste in the delivery of packaged goods and their use. In one aspect a Medication Management System (“MMS”) that tracks the status of packaged medications and patient compliance is also provided.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A system for monitoring patient medication compliance for a patient, comprising: a medication management system (MMS) for said patient and additional patient care stakeholders, said medication management system including at least a medication management database, and a medication dispensing device (MDD) configured to combine disparate medications into one or more pills and dispense said one or more pills to a patient; and a patient state sensor interface configured to obtain patient state data relay said patient state data to said MMS. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising at least one medication management device (MMD) in electronic communication with said MMS. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising means for recording medications dispensed in accordance with an electronic prescription using said MDD. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising means for tracking and recording a custom dosage of a medication. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising means for managing medication on a dose-by-dose basis. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising means for receiving patient state sensor data using said MMD. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising means for tracking and recording a custom dosage of a medication. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising means for managing medication on a dose-by-dose basis. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising means for transmitting electronically said patient state sensor data to said MMS. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising means for transmitting electronically from said MMD a patient request for a dose of a prescribed medication to said MDD. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , further comprising means for dispensing said medication at said MDD. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising means for:
 electronically entering prescription information into said medication management database;   electronically determining whether said prescription information presents a risk of drug or allergy conflict;   electronically sending said prescription information to said MMD; and   electronically informing at least one MDD about said prescription information.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising means for electronically using said MMD to locate an MDD configured to provide medication in accordance with said prescription information. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising means for authenticating said patient using said MDD. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising dispensing said medication and electronically updating said MMD. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising means for sending an alert from said MMD to said patient that a medication dose is due. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , further comprising means for:
 receiving at said MMD a response from said patient; and   notifying a caregiver or a monitoring service if no response is received.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising means for:
 electronically checking the status of said patient using said MMD;   electronically sending status data to said MMS and contacting electronically a physician responsible for said patient; and   receiving electronically an updated prescription at said MMS and said MMD.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising means for:
 electronically changing the location of said patient's home MDD;   electronically recording said change with said MMS;   electronically updating all MDDs associated with said patient to reflect said change; and   electronically determining the supply status of said MDDs associated with said patient.