Method for ensuring correct dispensing of prescription orders

Abstract

A method of distributing a filled prescription order from a worker of a to a customer includes providing a computer-readable memory device having saved thereon a first identifier of the customer and a second identifier of the customer. The method also includes requesting the first identifier from the customer and requesting the second identifier from the customer. Also, the method includes inputting the first and second identifiers into an input device by at least one of the worker and the customer. Moreover, the method includes confirming an identity of the customer by confirming that the first and second identifiers input correspond satisfactorily with the first and second identifiers saved on the memory device. Still further, the method includes limiting transfer of the filled prescription order from the worker to the customer until confirming the identity of the customer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for preventing incorrect dispensing of a filled prescription order from an authorized worker to a customer comprising:
 providing a computer-readable memory device having saved thereon a first identifier of the customer and a second identifier of the customer;   requesting the first identifier from the customer;   requesting the second identifier from the customer;   inputting the first identifier and the second identifier into an input device by at least one of the authorized worker and the customer;   confirming an identity of the customer by confirming that the first and second identifiers input correspond satisfactorily with the first and second identifiers saved on the memory device; and   limiting transfer of the filled prescription order from the worker to the customer until confirming the identity of the customer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the memory device also has saved thereon the identity of a storage area where the filled prescription order is stored, and wherein limiting transfer of the filled prescription order includes revealing the identity of the storage area where the filled prescription order is stored to the worker only after confirming the identity of the customer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising tracking a prescription order that results in the filled prescription order with a tracking system, the tracking system including a tag that is secured for movement with the prescription order, the tracking system also including a tag reader that tracks the location of the tag to thereby track the location of the prescription order. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the tag and tag reader communicate via radio waves. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein revealing the storage area includes emitting at least one of a light and a sound from a transducer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein emitting at least one of a light and a sound includes changing a color of the light by the transducer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein revealing the storage area includes unlocking the storage area. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein revealing the storage area includes displaying the location on a display. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the authorized worker includes a lower-authority worker and a higher-authority worker, wherein requesting of the first and second identifiers is performed by at least one of the lower-authority worker and the higher-authority worker, and wherein transferring the filled prescription includes transferring of the filled prescription order by the higher-authority worker instead of the lower-authority worker. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising confirming that the filled prescription order has a special status, and wherein transferring of the filled prescription or by the higher-authority worker instead of the lower-authority worker occurs only when the filled prescription order has been confirmed as having the special status. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first identifier and the second identifier are chosen from a group consisting of a name of the customer, an address, a date of birth, a phone number, a doctor's name, a name of the filled prescription order, a military rank, a military serial number, a password, a pin, and a code that has been chosen by the customer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inputting the first identifier and the second identifier includes manually inputting at least one of the first identifier and the second identifier using the input device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said storage area is located within a pharmacy. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said pharmacy is a retail pharmacy. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said pharmacy is located within a healthcare facility. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said customer is a customer at a retail pharmacy. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said customer is a patient at a healthcare facility. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said storage area is located within a movable cart. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said authorized worker is a healthcare worker and said customer is a patient in a healthcare facility. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said authorized worker is a retail pharmacy worker.