First time confirmation of database entry

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus that stores a formulary. The apparatus includes a memory device that stores the formulary, the formulary comprising a plurality of drug entries. A user input device allows a user to verify a drug of the plurality of drug entries of the formulary. A code reader interprets computer-readable codes. After a computer-readable code that is associated with the drug is read by the code reader, the drug is verified using the user input device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus that stores a formulary, the apparatus comprising:
 a memory device that stores the formulary, the formulary comprising a plurality of drug entries;   a user input device that allows a user to verify a drug of the plurality of drug entries of the formulary; and   a code reader that interprets computer-readable codes;   wherein, after a computer-readable code that is associated with the drug is read by the code reader, the drug is verified using the user input device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drug is verified before being entered into the formulary. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface device that prompts the user to verify a drug entry in the formulary, subsequent to the drug being entered into the formulary. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein after verification of the drug entry in the formulary by the user, the interface device omits further prompting of the user to verify the drug entry in the formulary. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface device that prompts the user to verify the drug after the computer-readable code that is associated with the drug is read by the code reader. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the interface device automatically prompts the user to verify a drug entry in the formulary based on a first read of the computer-readable code by the code reader subsequent to the drug entry being entered into the formulary. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein after verification of the drug entry in the formulary by the user, the interface device omits further prompting of the user to verify the drug entry in the formulary upon further reads of the computer-readable code by the code reader. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein after verification of the drug entry in the formulary by the user, the apparatus transmits a notification of the verification to a remote apparatus over a communication network. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the code reader comprises a barcode scanner, and the computer-readable code comprises a barcode, the apparatus further comprising a printer for printing a label, wherein the label is compliant with a medical labeling standard. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a network adaptor that transmits a notification indicating that verification of the drug has occurred using the user input device provided to the apparatus storing the formulary over a communication network addressed to a recipient with authorization to access and edit the formulary. 
     
     
         11 . A method of confirming drug information, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a plurality of drug entries, each associated with a computer-readable code;   storing the plurality of drug entries on a non-transitory computer memory device;   reading, with a code reader, the computer-readable code associated with a drug included in the plurality of drug entries;   automatically prompting a user to verify an identity of the drug returned as a result of said reading the computer-readable code associated with the drug with the code reader; and   receiving an input from the user verifying an identity of the drug.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said receiving the plurality of drug entries comprises receiving, over a communication network, a formulary including the plurality of drug entries selected from a master drug database at a remotely-located computer terminal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said reading, said automatically prompting, and said receiving the input are performed after the formulary is created. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said automatically prompting is performed only in response to a first reading of the computer-readable code associated with the drug with the code reader, and is not performed in response to a subsequent reading of the computer-readable code. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising transmitting a notification that the drug has been verified to a remote apparatus over a communication network to notify an administrator authorized to access and edit a formulary comprising the plurality of drug entries that verification of the drug has been received. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the code reader comprises a barcode scanner, and the computer-readable code comprises a barcode, the method further comprising printing a label that is compliant with a medical labeling standard. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said receiving the plurality of drug entries comprises receiving a formulary including the plurality of drug entries over a communication network, and replacing an existing formulary, in its entirety, with the formulary received over the communication network.