Pharmacy workstation and method of operation

[0002] This application incorporates by reference and claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/166,982 for “Pharmacy Work Center” having filing date Nov. 23, 1999 and commonly owned with the instant application.

[0003] The present invention relates to commercial and retail sales and service centers, and in particular to a pharmacy work center.

[0004] One would expect any business person to agree that there is always a need to reduce costs and increase productivity. For a retail pharmacy, this cry is especially true. Based on recent statistics from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, it is expected that prescription requests will increase by upwards of 50% within the next five years, while pharmacists will only increase by approximately 6% during this same time frame. There will be an increase of approximately 40% in the number of prescriptions per day, with a pharmacist having to fill a third more prescription than now required. To meet such anticipated demand, there is certainly a need to improve productivity in pharmacy operations through improvements in equipment and in the efficiency of working methods. There is further a need to ensure that a customer sees the store as professional, responsive to customer needs, and convenient to use.

[0005] In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to reduce cost while increasing productivity in pharmacy operations. It is further an object to provide efficient handling of prescription filling and related processing.

[0006] These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention are provided by a method of filling a prescription, which method comprises entering prescription and customer information data into a computer using a keyboard, and printing material responsive to the information data input into the computer, wherein the printed material includes prescription preparation instructions and customer information, as well as labels. The written prescription and printed material are placed the filling area, the printed material is compared to the written prescription by a filling technician, who places the printed material and the written prescription into the basket if matching information is identified. An appropriate drug is then retrieved from a storage area. A vial is retrieved from a gravity fed dispensing bin, and filled with the drug. A cap is also retrieved from the gravity fed bin and secured to the vial. A label is then placed on the vial, which label was printed and provided with the printed material. The filled vial, an original container from which the drug was stored, and related paperwork are then placed back in the basket and moved downstream along the counter for checking. A pharmacist then compares the paper prescription to the original container from which the drugs came, compares the prescription to the drug in the vial, and checks the label on the vial. The vial is placed in a bag which is then secured shut. The bag, now a finished prescription package bag, is optionally placed in a mobile cart, and remaining paper prescription material is stored in a file area located on the counter. The now empty basket is then moved downstream for reuse.

[0007] Embodiments of the workstation include a staging area which uses a basket to contain a written prescription provided by a customer, and printed material provided by a computer printer in response to data input by a drop-off technician through keyboard data entry while viewing a recessed monitor and having access to a telephone for confirmation of data as desired. A filling area is located on a counter downstream the staging area, which filling area includes gravity fed bins holding vials and lids. Once the vials are filled with an appropriate drug, in pill form by way of example, the basket containing the filled vial, written prescription and printed material are moved further downstream to a checking area on the counter. The flow from the staging area through the filling area to the checking area may include a conveyor. Once the prescription is checked and found acceptable by a pharmacist, a sealed bag including the labeled vial is moved to a holding area, while prescription information is stored within the workstation on shelving and storage compartments. A refrigerator is provided for drug store as needed. In addition, additional shelving is provided for frequently used drugs which are pre-packaged prior to filling a prescription.

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the invention, as well as alternate embodiments are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front left perspective view of one embodiment of a pharmacy workstation of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 4 is right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a front left perspective view of a second embodiment of a pharmacy workstation of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, including an optional checking station;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a front left perspective view of a third embodiment of a pharmacy workstation of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 9;

[0019] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 9;

[0020] FIG. 12 is a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9;

[0021] FIG. 13 is a partial rear perspective view of the workstation of FIG. 9;

[0022] FIG. 14 is a partial left front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 9; and

[0023] FIG. 15 is a partial medial front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 9.

[0024] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0025] With reference initially to FIGS. 1-4, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a pharmacy work station 10. Elements of the pharmacy workstation 10 include a staging area 12 located at one end of the workstation, which staging area is preferably a starting point of the workstation process. By way of example, baskets 14 each containing a written prescription in them are staged for processing the prescription. A monitor 16 is ergonomically positioned just to the left of the staging area 12. As illustrated with reference again to FIGS. 1-3, the monitor 16, as herein described by way of example, is carried within a recessed shelf. With the workstation 10, if it is optionally desired not to have the monitor recessed, a pre-bottled prescription shelf 20 shown by way of example, may be removed. An adjustable shelf for a keyboard 22 extends from the area of the recessed shelf 18. A storage slot 24 is located within easy reach of the computer/keyboard for storage of reference manuals, by way of example. As illustrated, the pre-bottled prescription shelf is located above the recessed monitor 18.

[0026] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, when a prescription is delivered to the staging area 12, the person working the computer identifies the prescription, and if it is a pre-bottled drug, would then pull the appropriate pre-bottle drug from the shelf 20 and places it in the basket 14. By way example, a pre-bottled drug is typically one that is a very common drug and requires a dosage that may be filled during a slow time and used at a busy time to speed up productivity by eliminating the counting and filling of the vials at the time of need. A telephone 26 is positioned within easy reach of the computer 28 and keyboard 22 to take orders over the phone and input into the computer. The computer 28 will also be used to look up information while talking with insurance companies and doctors, by way of example. A printer slot 30 is located down stream of the computer monitor 16. It is expected that a printer 32 operable with the computer will be used to print labels and customer information pertinent to the drug after relevant information is keyed into the computer 28.

[0027] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, gravity fed bins 34 are provided for housing different sized vials and caps, into which vials pills are poured for storage and ultimate sale. The bins 34 are located downstream of the printer slot 30. A fast mover shelf 36 is provided proximate the bins 34, and is used for the most commonly used drugs at the particular pharmacy using the workstation 10. This shelf 36 allows the pills to be picked from in front of the person filling the prescription, which saves that person from having to walk around in the pharmacy to retrieve them from a typically remote storage shelf and to return them back to a storage shelf when finished. A refrigerator 38 is located beneath a counter 40 which is used as a prescription filling area. This allows the person filling the prescription to retrieve a refrigerated drug without having to walk or turn to another area to locate a refrigerator. As illustrated with reference to FIG. 4, the height of the counter 40 is provided at an ergonomically desirable height for the person filling the prescriptions. As illustrated, the appropriate basket 14 continues downstream as the prescription is filled.

[0028] Additional storage 44 for such items as bags, is located at the end of a filling process area 46 and the beginning of a checking process area 48. By way of example, after a prescription is checked, a pharmacist will retrieve the proper sized bag, place the vial containing the pills in to the bag, and staple the bag closed with the prescription attached to the bag. Located downstream and generally across the checking process area 48 is a conveyor chute 50. By way of example, after the prescription has been packaged it is slid down the chute 50 breaking an electronic eye beam operable with a sensor 52 for communication with a conveyor 54. The conveyor 54 is shown in FIG. 3 in both dotted and solid lines. The conveyor 54 is located opposite the workstation counter 40 and runs from the conveyor chute 50 to a finished prescription holding area 56, which keeps someone from having to walk from one end of the workstation 10 to the other.

[0029] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, a drug return shelf 58 is located at an end of the workstation 10 opposite the staging area 12. After a prescription has been checked and packaged, the original bottle which may need to be stored at a remote location to the workstation 10 from which the drugs were taken is usually taken back to its remote storage shelf from whence it came. By way of example, during busy times, it is suggested that a temporary place for these bottles will be on the drug return shelf 58 until there is a lull in customer servicing or prescription filling activity and then multiple bottles are taken back at one time to reduce the amount of walking.

[0030] With reference again to FIG. 1, a trash chute 60 is provided for discarding, by way of example, a bottle that is empty after the prescription is checked. The bottle is A discarded into the trash chute 60, instead of being returned to the storage shelf or drug return shelf. Also, miscellaneous printed material may also be discarded that was not used in the process. A trash receptacle area 62 will house an appropriate trash can for disposal or emptying on a regular, as needed, basis. A doctor prescription bin 64 is located near the drug return shelf 58. The bin 64 includes four compartments for storing paper prescriptions after having been filled and checked. The prescriptions are divided into 4 different drug classifications, by way of example. These are stored in the bin 64 until approximately 100 prescriptions (or whichever fills the bin) and then wrapped with rubber bands and for storing in drawers 66 provided below. On occasion, prescriptions must be kept for up to five years.

[0031] A basket storage shelf 68 is provided above the conveyor chute 50. After the prescription has been checked, packaged and paper prescription filed away, the empty basket 14 is placed on the basket storage shelf 68. After a certain number of baskets have been accumulated, they are then placed down the chute to the conveyor 54, earlier described, which will convey them to the finished packaged prescription area 56 where a service person will pick them up the next time the person goes to get a finished prescription. A pill counter storage area 70 is located next to the basket storage area 68. There are usually several different methods and devices used to count pills. It is convenient to have a designated storage area for such devices. By way of further example, it may also be convenient to store a staple machine used to seal the finished package prescription in the storage area 70.

[0032] As above described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the finished prescription holding area 56 is the area at the end of the conveyor 54. The finished packaged prescription is ready for customer pick up and here deposited for pick-up by a service person or to be filed into a will-call cabinet or the like.

[0033] In operation, the basket styled system illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1-4 may include a “Drop Off Tech” taking the prescription from the customer, inputting the information into a computer, placing the prescription in the basket 14, turning around and placing the basket in the staging area 12 of the workstation 10. From the staging area 12 the “Pharmacist” or Filling Tech” may need to input information into the computer 28 if the “Drop Off Tech” has not done so or he may need to check information in the computer in reference to the particular customer or insurance carrier of the customer. The basket 14 is then slid down the counter 40 to the printer slot 30 in the counter. The printer 32 will print labels and other information for the customer, which is deposited through the printer slot 30 in the counter 40 to the left of the computer monitor 16. The “Filling Tech” will take the printed material and place it in the basket 14 along with the written prescription. All information associated with the order, as well as the order itself, will stay in the basket throughout the entire process to help reduce accidental mix-ups from order to order. The “Filling Tech” will then retrieve the appropriate drug from storage shelving unless it is one of the “Fast Movers” which is located on the fast mover shelf 36 formed into the gravity dispensing vial and cap bins 34. The “Filling Tech” then picks an appropriate size vial from the gravity fed bins 34, fills the prescription, picks the appropriate size cap from the gravity fed bins, and closes the vial. The “Filling Tech” then places the labels on the vial and places the finished prescription, the printed customer information, and the original bottle the drugs came from into the basket 14 and slides the basket down the counter 40 towards the checking process area 48. The “Pharmacist”, seeing that there is a basket 14 in the checking process area 48 now knows that there is a prescription to be checked, then checks the prescription against the original bottle from which the drugs came, then the pills in the vial, and then the labels on the vial. The “Pharmacist” then places the original bottle from which the drugs came on the temporary drug return shelf 58, picks an appropriate size bag from the additional storage 44, places the vial into the bag, staples the printed information to the bag, sealing it shut, slides the finished packaged prescription 72 down the chute 50 triggering the sensor 52 which starts the conveyor 54. The conveyor 54 then transports the package to a holding bin at the opposite end of the counter 40 which places it in close proximity to a customer “Pick Up” area, and the finished “will call” area so that when the customer returns to pick up the prescription, the “Pick Up Tech” has the finished packaged prescription in close proximity.

[0034] Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 5-8 for a workstation 100, having elements defined as described earlier with reference to FIGS. 1-4. Alternatively, and with reference to FIGS. 5-7, gravity fed vial and cap dispensing bins 102 are constructed for storage and dispensing of caps in one portion 104 and separated by one partition 106 for providing another portion 108 for vials. Another provision includes a second partition 110 for creating storage for varying caps, with one side for child proof caps and the other side for non child proof caps for a particular size vial, by way of example. Alternatively, one area may be useful for a combination cap that could operate either way depending on which end was used. Where the additional storage 44 for bags was located under the gravity fed bins 34 as described earlier with reference to FIG. 1, bag storage 112 is provided at a downstream end 114 of the bins 102, which is closer to the checking process area 48.

[0035] With continued reference to FIGS. 5-7, a drawer styled refrigerator 116 provides access to upper portions of the refrigerator without having to lean and bend. Further, separated compartments each having a drawer 118 allow for a physical separation of drugs as desired. As illustrated by way of example with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the workstation 100 is adapted for an optional checking station 120 that includes multiple compartments 122 carried on top of the conveyor and trash chutes 50, 60, basket shelf 68 and additional storage 44, as earlier described with reference to FIGS. 1-4. The optional checking station 120 may include a separate counter 124 perpendicular to the workstation counter 40 coming off the backside 126 behind the trash storage area 60 of the workstation 100. Such an arrangement allows access to the conveyor 54 from the backside 126 as well as through the chute 50 accessible from the front side as earlier described, which is particularly useful for a high volume pharmacy that may have a Pharmacist designated to check prescriptions, package and place package on the conveyor 54. A monitor as earlier described with reference to FIGS. 1-4, is not shown in FIGS. 5-8, and is not shown as being recessed in the drawing but could be recessed or sit on the counter, as desired.

[0036] It is to be understood that various operational functions may be located at alternate positions of a workstation depending on need. Consider yet another embodiment of the present invention, the workstation 200, as illustrated with reference to FIGS. 9-12 where earlier described functions are performed at alternate locations yet within a serial processing manner consistent with the teachings of the present invention. As earlier described with reference to the workstation 100, the workstation 200 provides alternatives depending on specific needs of a pharmacy due to its available floor space, sales volume, staff size, and the like. By way of example, and with reference now to FIGS. 9-11, a second monitor 202 is provided in a prescription drop off area 204 proximate the finished prescription holding area 56, earlier described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6, with the staging area 12 now positioned at an opposite end of the counter as will herein be described in further detail. As desired, the second monitor 202 may be recessed for ergonomic reasons based on a compromise of a 5th percentile female 205 and a 95th percentile male in a seated position. The height and placement of the keyboard 206 uses similar criteria. Yet further, additional monitors 203 and keyboards 207 may be provided, depending on need, privacy wall 208 provide for confidentiality when dealing with customers positioned at the customer shelf 210.

[0037] With continued reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a basket chute 210 is positioned to the left of a “Drop Off Tech” position so that she or he does not have to adjust her position to deposit the basket into the chute 210. The conveyor 54 illustrated with reference again to FIG. 11, and to FIG. 13, eliminates the need for walking to the other end of the workstation 200, as earlier described. The basket storage shelf 68 is located as earlier described, and is within easy reach of a “Filling Tech” for use on refills which would not have a basket filled with a paper prescription from the “Drop-Off Tech”. The process would start at the printed material slot 30, which as herein described for the workstation 200 is just in front and to the right of the basket shelf 68, as illustrated with reference again to FIGS. 9 and 11, and with reference to FIG. 14. The gravity fed bins 102 are as earlier described with reference to the workstation 100 and house the different size vials and caps into which the pills will be poured for sale. The bins 102 are located downstream of the printer slot 30 and are next in the filling process area 46.

[0038] As earlier described, the fast mover shelf 36 allows the pills to be picked from in front of the person filling the prescription, which saves that person from having to walk around in the pharmacy to retrieve them from a storage shelf and to return them back to a storage shelf when finished. The refrigerator 116 is located beneath the filling process area 46 of the counter 40. This allows the person filling the prescription to retrieve a refrigerated drug without having to walk or turn to another area to a refrigerator. The top drawers 118 allow access to product without having to bend down to retrieve product as occurs in a conventional refrigerator.

[0039] By way of example, and with reference to FIG. 15, a pre-bottled area 212 located downstream and next to the gravity fed bins 102. By way of example, a pre- bottled drug is one that is a very common drug and dosage that may be filled during a slow time and used at a busy time to speed up productivity by eliminating the counting and filling of the vials at the time of need. The “Filling Tech” would identify the prescription and if it were determined to be a pre-bottled drug, would by-pass the gravity fed bins and go straight to this shelf to retrieve the pre-filled prescription. He or she would then put the appropriate labels on it and pass it downstream for checking.

[0040] With reference again to FIGS. 10 and 15, the drug return shelf 58 is located next to the pre-bottled area 212. A doctor prescription storage bin 214 this is located under the drug return shelf 58. This is a 4- compartment bin for storing paper prescriptions 215 after a prescription has been filled and checked. The prescriptions are divided into 4 different drug classifications. As earlier described for the workstation 100, these are stored here until there are a preselected number of prescriptions per classification and then wrapped with rubber bands and then store into the drawers below this area.

[0041] With reference again to FIGS. 9-11 and 15, the bag storage in the additional storage area 44 as earlier described, is located at the end of the checking process. After the prescription is checked, the “Pharmacist” retrieves the proper size bag 216, by way of example, places the vial 218 containing the pills in to the bag and staples the bag together to provide the finished package prescription bag 72 as earlier described with reference to FIG. 1. The reference manuals 220 are located in the storage shelf 24 within easy reach of the keyboard 22 as earlier described. The telephone 26 is within easy reach of the keyboard 22 to take orders over the telephone and input data into the computer.

[0042] With reference again to FIGS. 9, 10, and 15, a mobile cart 222 is located near the checking process area 48 so that when prescription checking is completed, the an order 224 carried within the basket 14 can be placed onto the cart 222 keeping the counter 40 free and uncluttered for continued filling and checking. Trash containers 226 are located next to the printer 32 and under the filling process area 46. Sometimes there are mistakes made that show up after inspection of the printed material. The incorrect printed material would then be thrown away and reprinted. Also, after the labels are placed on the vials, the remnants that are left are thrown away. There are also trash containers at the end of the checking station. After the prescription is checked if the original container is empty, it is then thrown away. For convenience, additional trash containers 227 are located under the counter 40 and near the checking process area 48.

[0043] In operation, and with continued reference to FIGS. 9-15, a customer approaches the drop-off area 204, and hands a paper prescription 228 to the “Drop-Off Tech”. The “Tech” enters the information into the computer using the keyboard 206. The “Tech” then places the paper prescription 228 into the basket 14, and places the basket into the chute 210, which basket slides down the chute, triggers a sensor starting the conveyor 54 as the basket slides onto the conveyor. The conveyor 54 conveys the basket 14 containing the paper prescription 228 to the opposite end of the workstation 200. As herein described by way of example, the conveyor 54 includes an inclined conveyor portion 55. The basket 14 is then diverted from the conveyor 55 via a diverter 230, where it then slides down a ramp 232 onto the counter 40 next to the printer slot 30. Printed material 234 and information on the paper prescription 228 are matched and placed in the basket 14 together. The “Filling Tech” retrieves the correct drug from a storage shelf and returns to the workstation 200 where the “Tech” then counts the correct number of pills using a pill counter 236, by way of example. The “Filling Tech” then retrieves the appropriate vial 218 from the gravity fed dispensing bins 102 in front of “him” and fills the vial with the counted pills. The “Tech” then retrieves a cap 219 from the gravity fed bin in front of him and secures the cap to the vial. The “Tech” then places labels on the vial, which label were printed and provided with the printer material 234. The “Filling Tech” places the finished vial, the original container the drugs came from and related paperwork back into the basket 14 and slides the basket down the counter 40 towards the checking process area 48.

[0044] Alternatively, the “Filling Tech” may, instead of retrieving the drugs from a storage shelf, may have retrieved it from the fast mover shelf 36 or alternative located on a front fast mover shelf 37 on the gravity fed bins 102, eliminating the need to walk elsewhere. Yet alternatively, fast movers may be stored and retrieved from the refrigerator 116 located below the counter 40.

[0045] The “Pharmacist” then takes the basket 14, compares the paper prescription 228 to the original container from which the drugs came, then compares it to the pills in the vial 218, and checks all labels. The “Pharmacist” then places the original drug container on the temporary drug return shelf 58 located in front of him or her. The “Pharmacist” then retrieves a bag 216 from in front of him to the right and places the vial 218 inside, retrieves a stapler 240, by way of example, from the shelf 58 and staples pertinent customer printed material 234 to the bag, sealing it shut, then places the bag, now the finished prescription package bag 72, earlier described, in the mobile cart 222, and places the remaining paper prescription into the written prescription file or doctor bin 214 located in front of him. He then slides the empty basket 14 downstream toward the keyboard 22 so that the person working the keyboard can periodically hand the baskets to the “Drop-Off Tech”.

[0046] As earlier described, the “Pharmacist” working the computer is able to take prescriptions over the telephone located in front and to the left of the monitor. He also has access to reference manuals also in front and to the left of the monitor. The finished packaged prescriptions in the mobile cart are then taken to a will-call cabinet or lazy-susan by a “Tech,” by way of example. Alternatively, after the “Pharmacist” checks the prescription, instead of packaging the order, he places the basket containing the entire order in a special designed mobile cart that a “Tech” would file and package.

[0047] By way of further example, consider what may constitute an efficient workstation as including the following partial list: a minimum movement required to complete tasks; minimized reach distances; little or no bending required; specific positions for all equipment and supplies; work has directional flow; work is intuitively organized; operations are automated where practical; and anthropometric factors are optimized. Further, consider a pharmacy and an operation required, as illustrated with reference to Table 1 describing steps from the time a customer drops off a prescription to the time a clerk tenders the transaction. To appreciate more fully the benefits resulting from the present invention, compare the clerk pick-up workflow typical in the art as illustrated with reference to Table 2, with that of the present invention as illustrated with reference to Table 3. It has been estimated that over 400 hours per year are saved by use of the apparatus and methods of the present invention herein described. For yet a further appreciation of the present invention, compare the workflow of a clerk filing. The typical clerk filing workflow is illustrated with reference to Table 4, and that of the present invention is described with reference to Table 5. It has been estimated that more than 300 hours per year are saved by use of the present invention. In addition to the improved efficiency, the cost savings can well be appreciated.

[0048] It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.