Detection of non-compliance patterns in prescribed medication doses

摘要

Apparatus for detecting non-compliance patterns on a series of used blister sheets previously returned by the same patient, reads a code (2) on each blister sheet (1) providing, inter alia, information relating to the position of each blister on the blister sheet. This information is passed by the code reader (4) through a key (15) to an image (5) of the blister sheet appearing on one-half (14) of a split screen (6). The screen (14) displays a picture of a blister sheet with its blister positions marked by dots or rings (8). By means of the key (15), which may take the form of a joystick, an image of a disc (9) can be placed over each of the blister positions where an unopened blisters occurs. The image of the blister sheet together with the discs is then transferred by operation of a key (10) to the second half (11) of the split screen (6) screen where it is superimposed on a slightly offset stack (13) of used blister sheets previously returned by the same patient. The positions of the discs (9) are compared by the apparatus with corresponding positions on previously returned blister sheets and, if a coincidence is detected, the apparatus produces a change in the appearance of the corresponding disc on the blister sheet on the top of the stack. A change in a disc appearance suggests that there may be a pattern of non-compliance that can then be investigated further.

主权项

1. Apparatus for detecting a recurring pattern of non-compliance in used blister packages returned by a particular patient at the end of their respective periods of use, comprising a screen for recording the positions of unopened blisters on a newly-returned blister package, the screen being split to allow the positions of unopened blisters to be marked on a blister package image on one part of the screen, and the screen having means for moving that image across the split to a position at which it is superimposed on the image of a previously returned blister package originating from the same patient, and the screen having associated circuitry for supplying a store with data significant of the positions of unopened blisters and for displaying on the screen superimposed images of a sequence of returned packages with the positions of coinciding unopened blisters uniquely marked to indicate that a recurring pattern of non-compliance exists which may be worthy of further investigation.