JP7738415B2 - Prescription processing device, prescription processing system, and prescription processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a prescription processing device for providing prescriptions related to medical treatment, a prescription processing system, and a prescription processing method.

When a patient receives medical treatment at a medical institution, a prescription for medication is issued as appropriate based on the treatment. Traditionally, prescriptions are issued at the medical institution's counter. For example, when the medical fee is paid at a payment terminal, a voucher for receiving the prescription is output from the payment terminal. The patient receives the prescription by presenting this voucher at the counter. The patient then takes the issued prescription to a dispensing pharmacy and receives the medication.

Recently, the practice of digitizing prescriptions has been adopted. For example, Patent Document 1 below describes recording electronic prescription information on the patient's My Number card. In this case, the patient can receive medication by presenting their My Number card to a dispensing pharmacy.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has issued guidelines for the operation of electronic prescriptions using electronic prescription servers. In this system, computerized prescriptions (electronic prescriptions) are registered on the server from the medical institution's medical record system via an external network. During this registration, the server issues management information (access code and confirmation number) to the medical record system prior to registering the electronic prescription. The medical record system then sends the received management information along with an electronic prescription corresponding to the medical treatment details to the server. In response, the server registers the received electronic prescription, linking it to the received management information. This completes the registration of the electronic prescription on the server.

The medical institution provides the patient with the management information received from the server at a counter or other location. The patient then presents the provided management information to the dispensing pharmacy. The pharmacy staff accesses the server via a terminal within the pharmacy and obtains an electronic prescription using the presented management information. The staff provides the patient with medication based on the obtained electronic prescription.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-144682

In systems like the one described above, electronic prescriptions may not be registered on the server due to unexpected communication problems, etc. In such cases, users are unable to immediately obtain management information and must wait at the medical institution until the communication problem is resolved.

In light of these issues, the present invention aims to provide a prescription processing device, prescription processing system, and prescription processing method that can smoothly provide prescriptions to patients while centrally managing electronic prescriptions on a server.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a prescription processing device. The prescription processing device according to this aspect includes a first issuing unit that performs processing to issue an electronic prescription corresponding to medical treatment to a user, a second issuing unit that performs processing to issue a prescription corresponding to medical treatment in a form other than the electronic prescription to the user , and a selection execution unit that determines whether the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit will be used to issue the prescription based on predetermined selection conditions . The selection execution unit executes processing to receive from the user whether the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit will be used to issue the prescription, and the selection conditions include a condition that the prescription will be issued by the issuing unit selected by the user from the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit.

According to the prescription processing device of this aspect, in addition to the first issuing unit, the prescription processing device also includes a second issuing unit. Therefore, if an electronic prescription cannot be registered on the server due to an unexpected communication failure or the like, the second issuing unit can issue a prescription corresponding to the medical treatment to the user instead of the electronic prescription. Therefore, electronic prescriptions can be centrally managed on the server, and prescriptions can be smoothly provided to patients. Furthermore, since the user can select whether they would like the prescription issued by the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit, the user can receive the prescription in the format they prefer. For example, if a user is unfamiliar with receiving medication via an electronic prescription, they can select delivery via the second issuing unit to receive their prescription in a format other than an electronic prescription. This allows the user to smoothly proceed with subsequent medication delivery.

Note that "forms other than electronic prescriptions" can broadly include forms other than issuing electronic prescriptions via a server, such as issuing paper prescriptions, issuing prescriptions via email, or storing prescription information in the memory section of an Individual Number card.

In the prescription processing device according to this aspect , the selection condition may include a condition that first executes delivery by the first delivery unit, and then switches to delivery by the second delivery unit if delivery by the first delivery unit fails.

With this configuration, priority is given to issuing prescriptions electronically, which will help to spread the use of electronic prescriptions and promote a paperless society. Furthermore, if an unexpected communication failure or other issue prevents the issuance of an electronic prescription, the prescription will be issued in a form other than electronic. This allows users to receive their prescriptions quickly and reliably, facilitating the smooth dispensing of medications thereafter.

Alternatively, the selection execution unit may be configured to execute a process of accepting the selection condition settings from an administrator, and to select either the first delivery unit or the second delivery unit based on the accepted selection condition.

With this configuration, the administrator of the facility where the prescription management device is installed can arbitrarily set the selection conditions for using either the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit, depending on the user's situation, the facility's operational status, etc. For example, if the administrator determines that elderly users are more likely to have problems with the delivery of medication via electronic prescription, the administrator can set the selection conditions so that prescriptions are delivered by the second issuing unit to users over a certain age. This allows for smoother delivery of prescriptions at the facility.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a prescription processing device. The prescription processing device according to this aspect includes a first issuing unit that performs processing to issue an electronic prescription corresponding to medical treatment to a user, a second issuing unit that performs processing to issue a prescription corresponding to medical treatment in a form other than the electronic prescription to the user, a selection execution unit that selectively executes either the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit to issue a prescription, and an information registration unit that performs processing to transmit electronic prescription information related to the prescription issued by the second issuing unit to a server that manages electronic prescriptions based on the selection execution unit's issuance of the prescription by the second issuing unit. The information registration unit may be configured to perform processing to transmit additional information to the server to prevent the server from issuing an electronic prescription corresponding to the prescription issued by the second issuing unit.

According to this configuration, even if the second issuing unit issues a prescription in a form other than an electronic prescription because the electronic prescription cannot be registered in the server due to a communication failure or the like, the electronic prescription information corresponding to the prescription is registered in the server after the prescription is issued. Therefore, electronic prescriptions can be more reliably managed centrally by the server. Furthermore, because the additional information is transmitted to the server, it is possible to prevent the server from reissuing an electronic prescription for the same medical treatment after the prescription has been issued by the second issuing unit.

The electronic prescription information for the prescription issued by the second issuing unit may be sent to the server, for example, when communication with the server is restored. Alternatively, this sending may be performed at a predetermined timing after communication with the server is restored, for example, when the prescription processing device is shut down.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a prescription processing system capable of communicating with a server that manages electronic prescription information via an external communication network. The prescription processing system according to this aspect includes a first issuing unit, a second issuing unit, and a selection execution unit similar to those of the first aspect.
A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a prescription processing system capable of communicating with a server that manages electronic prescription information via an external communication network. The prescription processing system according to this aspect includes a first issuing unit, a second issuing unit, a selection execution unit, and an information registration unit similar to those of the second aspect.

According to the prescription processing systems of the third and fourth aspects, the same effects as those of the first and second aspects can be achieved.

A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a prescription processing method for automatically issuing a prescription to a user. The prescription processing method according to this aspect includes a first issuing step of issuing an electronic prescription corresponding to medical treatment to the user, a second issuing step of issuing a prescription corresponding to medical treatment in a form other than the electronic prescription to the user, and a selection execution step of determining whether the first issuing step or the second issuing step will be used to issue the prescription based on predetermined selection conditions. The selection execution step executes a process of receiving from the user whether the prescription will be issued through the first issuing step or the second issuing step , and the selection condition includes a condition that the prescription will be issued through the issuing step selected by the user from the first issuing step or the second issuing step .
A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to a prescription processing method for automatically issuing a prescription to a user. The prescription processing method according to this aspect includes: a first issuing step of issuing an electronic prescription corresponding to medical treatment to the user; a second issuing step of issuing a prescription corresponding to medical treatment in a form other than the electronic prescription to the user; a selection execution step of selectively executing either the first issuing step or the second issuing step to issue a prescription; and an information registration step of executing a process to transmit electronic prescription information related to the prescription issued by the second issuing step to a server that manages electronic prescriptions, based on the issuance of the prescription by the second issuing step in the selection execution step. The information registration step also executes a process to transmit additional information to the server to prevent the server from issuing an electronic prescription corresponding to the prescription issued by the second issuing step.

According to the prescription processing methods of the fifth and sixth aspects, the same effects as those of the first and second aspects can be achieved.

As described above, the present invention provides a prescription processing device, prescription processing system, and prescription processing method that enable electronic prescriptions to be centrally managed on a server while smoothly providing prescriptions to patients.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the embodiment shown below is merely an example of how the present invention may be put into practice, and the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an electronic prescription management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the settlement terminal and the medical system according to the first embodiment. 3(a) is a diagram showing the configuration of an electronic prescription database constructed in a server according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing the configuration of prescription management information stored in a medical system according to embodiment 1. 4(a) is a flowchart showing a process executed by a control unit of the medical system when registering electronic prescription information in a server according to embodiment 1. FIG. 4(b) is a flowchart showing a process executed by a server when registering electronic prescription information in a server according to embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a prescription delivery process executed by the control unit of the payment terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process performed when the server receives dispensed information according to the first embodiment. 7(a) and 7(b) are flowcharts showing the processing performed by the control unit and server of the medical system when a paper prescription is issued at the payment terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a payment terminal and a medical system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the control unit of the payment terminal when the payment terminal issues a paper prescription according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a prescription issuing process executed by the control unit of the payment terminal according to the third embodiment. 11(a) is a diagram showing a reception screen for receiving from a user whether the prescription is to be issued by the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit according to embodiment 3. FIG. 11(b) is a diagram showing a notification screen for notifying a user that issuance of a prescription by electronic prescription has failed according to embodiment 3. Figures 12(a) and 12(b) are flowcharts showing the processing performed in the payment terminal and medical system when a user selects delivery by the second delivery unit and a paper prescription is delivered, respectively, according to embodiment 3. Fig. 13(a) is a flowchart showing a process for setting selection condition 3 according to embodiment 4. Fig. 13(b) is a flowchart showing a prescription delivery process executed by a control unit of a payment terminal according to embodiment 4. Fig. 14(a) is a flowchart showing a prescription issuing process executed by a control unit of a payment terminal according to embodiment 1. Fig. 14(b) is a flowchart showing a prescription copy issuing process according to another modified example.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the following embodiments, a payment terminal 10 is shown as an example of a prescription processing device. However, the prescription processing device is not limited to the payment terminal 10, and may be, for example, a dedicated machine specialized for issuing prescriptions that does not have a payment function.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an electronic prescription management system 1 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic prescription management system 1 comprises a payment terminal 10, a medical system 20, a server 30, and a pharmacy terminal 40. The payment terminal 10 and the medical system 20 are installed in a medical institution such as a hospital, and are communicatively connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) installed within the medical institution. Multiple payment terminals 10 are installed in the medical institution. While two payment terminals 10 are shown in FIG. 1, the number of payment terminals 10 installed is not limited to this.

The settlement terminal 10 is used by patients and other users to settle medical fees and other expenses incurred from using a medical institution. The medical record system 20 is used to manage patient information, each patient's medical record information, prescription information for medications according to treatment, and settlement information such as medical fees. The medical record system 20 does not necessarily have to be composed of a single device, but may also be composed of a combination of multiple personal computers and servers. The settlement terminal 10 and medical record system 20 make up a prescription processing system 2 for processing prescriptions.

The payment terminal 10 and the medical system 20 are each connected to an external communication network 50 via a router 60. The external communication network 50 may consist of the Internet, a dedicated line, a public line, or the like. A server 30 and a pharmacy terminal 40 are connected to the external communication network 50.

Server 30 manages information related to electronic prescriptions (hereinafter referred to as "electronic prescription information"). Server 30 has a database for storing electronic prescription information received from medical system 20. Medical systems other than medical system 20 shown in Figure 1 are also connected to external communication network 50. Server 30 similarly manages electronic prescription information received from these other medical systems. A program for managing electronic prescriptions is installed in the memory unit of server 30.

The pharmacy terminal 40 is installed in a facility, such as a dispensing pharmacy, that provides medications to patients based on prescriptions. The pharmacy terminal 40 is an information processing terminal such as a personal computer or tablet. In this case, a program for issuing prescriptions using the electronic prescription management system 1 is installed in the memory of the information processing terminal. The pharmacy terminal 40 may also be a dedicated terminal for managing medication dispensing. The pharmacy terminal 40 accesses the server 30 to obtain the patient's electronic prescription information and displays the obtained electronic prescription information. A pharmacist or other staff member dispenses medication based on the displayed electronic prescription information and provides the dispensed medication to the patient.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the settlement terminal 10 and the medical system 20.

The settlement terminal 10 comprises a control unit 101, a memory unit 102, a banknote processing unit 103, a coin processing unit 104, a card processing unit 105, an operation and display unit 106, an audio output unit 107, a printing unit 108, a barcode reader 109, and a communication unit 110. Note that the banknote processing unit 103 and the coin processing unit 104 may be separate from the settlement terminal 10.

The control unit 101 includes a processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls each unit according to programs stored in the memory unit 102. The memory unit 102 includes storage media such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores programs executed by the control unit 101 and various data. The memory unit 102 is also used as a work area when the control unit 101 performs control.

The banknote processing unit 103 has a banknote storage unit for storing banknotes of each denomination and a transport unit for transporting banknotes, and transports banknotes between the banknote storage unit and the banknote deposit/withdrawal unit under the control of the control unit 101. The coin processing unit 104 has a coin storage unit for storing coins of each denomination and a transport unit for transporting coins, and transports coins between the coin storage unit and the coin deposit/withdrawal unit under the control of the control unit 101.

The card processing unit 105 reads card information such as the card number from a card (patient card, credit card, etc.) inserted through the card insertion slot. The operation display unit 106 displays predetermined information and accepts operations from the user. The operation display unit 106 is configured, for example, by a touch panel equipped with an LCD display. The audio output unit 107 has audio output means such as a speaker, and outputs predetermined audio in response to control from the control unit 101.

The printing unit 108 sends a copy of the user's receipt when payment is made by credit card or other means. The printing unit 108 also sends a receipt when medical fees are paid, and sends a medical statement when an operation to issue a medical statement is performed on the operation display unit 106. In addition, the printing unit 108 prints and outputs various information, such as information related to prescriptions.

The barcode reader 109 reads the barcode printed on the form used to settle medical expenses. For example, a barcode for settlement is printed on the numbered ticket issued by the reception machine used to check in for medical treatment. Patients can use this barcode to settle their medical expenses.

The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for communicating with the medical system 20 and the external communication network 50. The communication unit 110 is connected to the communication unit 205 of the medical system 20 via a LAN. The communication unit 110 is also connected to the external communication network 50 via a router 60. When a user such as a patient settles a bill using a credit card, the control unit 101 communicates with a card information processing center (not shown) via the external communication network 50 and processes the card payment.

The medical system 20 includes a control unit 201, a memory unit 202, an operation and display unit 203, a printing unit 204, and a communication unit 205.

The control unit 201 includes an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls each unit in accordance with the programs stored in the memory unit 202. The memory unit 202 includes storage media such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores the programs executed by the control unit 201 and various data. The memory unit 202 is also used as a work area when the control unit 201 performs control. The memory unit 202 stores medical data including patient information, patient medical history and dispensing history, and other information, as well as patient medical fee billing information. The memory unit 202 also stores prescription management information for managing the issuance of prescriptions.

The operation display unit 203 displays predetermined information and accepts operations from the user. The operation display unit 203 is configured, for example, as a touch panel equipped with a liquid crystal display. The printing unit 204 outputs printed materials such as prescriptions under the control of the control unit 201.

The communication unit 205 is a communication interface for communicating with the payment terminal 10 and the external communication network 50. The communication unit 205 is connected to the communication unit 110 of the payment terminal 10 via a LAN. The communication unit 205 is also connected to the external communication network 50 via a router 60. The control unit 201 performs processing to register electronic prescription information generated in response to medical treatment with the server 30 via the external communication network 50.

Figure 3(a) shows the configuration of the electronic prescription database built on server 30.

The electronic prescription database is structured to associate access codes and confirmation numbers with prescription information, prescription IDs, dispensed flags, dispensed flags, and dispensing results.

The access code and confirmation number are management information used to manage electronic prescription information. The access code and confirmation number are issued by the server 30 in response to a request from the medical system 20.

Prescription information is electronic prescription information received from the medical system 20. Electronic prescription information is, for example, an electronic version of a printed image of a prescription. For example, electronic prescription information is text data of the contents of a prescription, such as the type of medication, amount, and timing of administration. Electronic prescription information may also be data indicating the contents of a prescription.

The prescription ID is identification information for the prescription received from the medical system 20. When a prescription corresponding to medical treatment is generated, the medical system 20 issues a unique prescription ID and manages the prescription using that prescription ID. When registering electronic prescription information with the server 30, the medical system 20 transmits the prescription ID linked to the electronic prescription information to the server 30.

The issued flag indicates that a prescription has been issued in a form other than an electronic prescription. When a new row of information is added to the electronic prescription database, the issued flag is set to 0, and when a notification that a prescription has been issued in a form other than an electronic prescription is sent from the medical system 20 to the server 30, the issued flag is set to 1.

The dispensed flag is a flag that indicates that the medication corresponding to the electronic prescription information has been dispensed to the patient. If the medication has been dispensed, the dispensed flag is set to 1; if the medication has not yet been dispensed, the dispensed flag is set to 0. The dispensed flag is changed from 0 to 1 in response to receiving dispensing results from the pharmacy terminal 40. The dispensing results are information that indicate the dispensing results of the medication based on the prescription. The dispensing results are sent from the pharmacy terminal 40 to the server 30 when the medication has been provided to the patient.

Note that, although the information regarding electronic prescriptions managed by server 30 is in a database structure here, this information does not necessarily have to be in a database structure; it is sufficient if each piece of information is managed in a linked manner.

Figure 3(b) is a diagram showing the configuration of prescription management information stored in the memory unit 202 of the medical system 20.

As described above, prescription management information is information for managing the issuance of prescriptions. Prescription management information associates a prescription ID, prescription information, access code, confirmation number, registered flag, and issued flag.

As described above, the prescription ID is identification information used to manage the issuance of prescriptions. Prescription information is information that indicates the contents of a prescription corresponding to medical treatment. This prescription is digitized into electronic prescription information, which is transmitted from the medical system 20 to the server 30 and managed by the server 30 as the prescription information shown in Figure 3(a). As described above, the access code and confirmation number are management information used to manage the electronic prescription information. The medical system 20 receives the access code and confirmation number from the server 30, associates them with the corresponding prescription ID, and stores them in the memory unit 202.

The registered flag is a flag indicating that electronic prescription information has been registered on the server 30. When electronic prescription information is registered on the server 30, the registered flag is changed from 0 to 1. The issued flag is a flag indicating that a prescription corresponding to a prescription ID has been issued to a patient. When a prescription corresponding to a prescription ID has been issued to a patient, the issued flag is changed from 0 to 1.

When a doctor creates a prescription for a medical examination, the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 issues a new, unique prescription ID and adds one line of information to the prescription management information in Figure 3(b). As a result, the created prescription is managed using the newly issued prescription ID. At this time, the access code and confirmation number associated with the prescription ID are left blank, and the registered flag and issued flag are each set to 0.

After that, when the prescription information corresponding to that prescription ID is registered on server 30, the access code and confirmation number received from server 30 are stored in association with that prescription ID, and the registered flag is changed to 1. Furthermore, when the prescription for the prescription information corresponding to that prescription ID is issued to the patient as an electronic prescription or in a form other than an electronic prescription (for example, paper), the issued flag is changed to 1.

In this way, the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 manages the issuance status of each prescription using prescription management information.

In addition, the medical system 20 stores medical treatment management information that manages medical treatment in the storage unit 202. The medical treatment management information is composed of medical treatment information indicating the content of the medical treatment, identification information for the medical treatment, identification information for the patient who received the medical treatment, and prescription IDs corresponding to the medical treatment, etc., all of which are associated with one another.

Returning to Figure 2, in this embodiment, the program stored in the memory unit 102 of the settlement terminal 10 provides the control unit 101 with the functions of the first issuing unit 101a, the second issuing unit 101b, and the selection execution unit 101c.

The control unit 101 executes processing to issue an electronic prescription corresponding to the medical treatment to the user using the function of the first issuing unit 101a. Furthermore, the control unit 101 executes processing to issue a prescription corresponding to the medical treatment to the user in a form other than an electronic prescription using the function of the second issuing unit 101b. Here, the prescription corresponding to the medical treatment is issued to the user on paper using the function of the second issuing unit 101b. Furthermore, the control unit 101 executes processing to issue a prescription by selectively executing either the first issuing unit 101a or the second issuing unit 101b using the function of the selection execution unit 101c.

The control unit 201 of the medical system 20 is also provided with the functionality of an information registration unit 201a by a program stored in the memory unit 202. When a prescription is issued by the second issuing unit 101b, the control unit 201 executes processing to send electronic prescription information related to the prescription to the server 30 using the function of the information registration unit 201a. In other words, when a prescription that has not been registered on the server 30 is issued by the second issuing unit 101b on the payment terminal 10 side, the control unit 201 sends electronic prescription information related to the prescription to the server 30 using the function of the information registration unit 201a. As a result, the electronic prescription information related to the prescription is registered in the electronic prescription database of the server 30, and electronic prescription information is managed centrally and without omissions by the server 30.

However, with the electronic prescription management system 1 configured as described above, there are cases where electronic prescription information is not registered on the server 30 due to unexpected communication failures, etc. In such cases, if a prescription is issued solely by electronic prescription, the patient or other user will not be able to immediately obtain the management information (access code and confirmation number) and will have to wait at the medical institution, etc. until the communication failure, etc. is resolved.

To prevent such problems, in this embodiment, in addition to the first issuing unit 101a, which performs processing to issue an electronic prescription corresponding to the medical treatment to the user, a second issuing unit 101b is provided, which performs processing to issue a prescription corresponding to the medical treatment to the user in a form other than an electronic prescription (for example, paper medium), and if the first issuing unit 101a cannot issue a prescription, the second issuing unit 101b will issue the prescription.

Figure 4(a) is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 when registering electronic prescription information in the server 30. Figure 4(b) is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the server 30 when registering electronic prescription information in the server 30.

Referring to Figure 4(a), when the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 adds prescription information created by a doctor or other person along with a prescription ID to the prescription management information, it starts a process of registering the prescription information in the server 30 at a predetermined timing (S101: YES).

First, the control unit 201 sends a request to issue management information (access code, confirmation number) for registering electronic prescription information, along with the prescription ID of the prescription, to the server 30 via the communication unit 205 (S102). The control unit 201 then waits to receive a response from the server 30 that includes the management information (access code, confirmation number) (S103).

Referring to Figure 4(b), when the server 30 receives an issuance request from the medical system 20 (S201: YES), it sends a response including the newly issued management information and the received prescription ID to the sending medical system 20 (S202).

Referring to FIG. 4(a), if the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 receives a response to the management information issuance request within a predetermined time (S103: YES), it transmits electronic prescription information, which is the digitized version of the prescription to be registered, to the server 30 along with the prescription ID of the prescription (S104). On the other hand, if the control unit 201 does not receive a response to the management information issuance request within the predetermined time, or if the response was received within the predetermined time but was not properly received due to an abnormality in the received data, for example (S103: NO), the control unit 201 terminates the registration process of the electronic prescription information.

Referring to FIG. 4(b), when the server 30 receives the electronic prescription information and prescription ID from the medical system 20 (S203), it associates the electronic prescription information and prescription ID with the management information (access code, confirmation number) sent in step S202 and registers them in the electronic prescription database (S204). The server 30 then sends a response indicating that the electronic prescription information has been registered to the medical system 20 that sent the electronic prescription information, along with the prescription ID received with the electronic prescription information (S205), and ends the registration process of the electronic prescription information.

Referring to FIG. 4(a), if the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 receives a response to the transmission of electronic prescription information within a predetermined time (S105: YES), it registers the management information (access code, confirmation number) received in step S102 in the prescription management information, linking it to the prescription ID received along with the response, and further changes the registered flag associated with the prescription ID to 1 (S106), and terminates processing. On the other hand, if the response to the transmission of electronic prescription information is not received within the predetermined time, or if the response is received within the predetermined time but is not properly received because there is an abnormality in the received data, for example (S105: NO), the control unit 201 terminates the prescription information registration process.

If the determination in either step S103 or S105 in Figure 4(a) is NO, the management information (access code, confirmation number) is not registered in the prescription management information in Figure 3(b), and the registered flag remains at 0. The third line in Figure 3(b) shows this state. If the determination in both steps S103 and S105 in Figure 4(a) is YES, the management information (access code, confirmation number) is registered in the prescription management information, and the registered flag is changed to 1, as shown in the first and second lines in Figure 3(b).

Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the prescription delivery process executed by the control unit 101 of the payment terminal 10.

Of the processing steps in Figure 5, steps S302 and S303 are performed by the functions of the selection execution unit 101c shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, steps S304 and S305 are performed by the functions of the first issuing unit 101a and second issuing unit 101b shown in Figure 2, respectively.

Steps S302 and S303 constitute selection condition 1, which determines whether the first issuing unit 101a or the second issuing unit 101b will be used to issue the prescription.

When the medical expenses have been settled (S301: YES), the control unit 101 first executes prescription issuance by the first issuing unit 101a (S302). If the issuance by the first issuing unit 101a does not fail (S303: NO), the control unit 101 executes issuance by the first issuing unit 101a and issues the prescription (S304). On the other hand, if the issuance by the first issuing unit 101a fails (S303: YES), the control unit 101 executes prescription issuance by the second issuing unit 101b (S305).

In step S301, the control unit 101 executes the following process.

First, it determines whether transaction processing for medical fee settlement has begun. For example, the control unit 101 determines that transaction processing for medical fee settlement has begun when, after accepting a settlement operation via the operation and display unit 106, the card processing unit 105 reads the patient card, or the barcode reader 109 reads the barcode printed on the form for medical fee settlement.

When the settlement transaction is initiated in this way, the control unit 101 sends a settlement start notification containing identification information for specifying the medical fees (identification information on the patient registration card or billing information obtained from barcode information) to the medical system 20 via the communication unit 110. The control unit 201 of the medical system 20 then references the identification information contained in the notification and sends the medical information corresponding to the identification information to the settlement terminal 10 that sent the notification. This medical information includes information regarding the medical fees and medical details.

The control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 displays the received medical information on the operation and display unit 106 and accepts the settlement of medical expenses. In response, when the patient pays the medical expenses by cash or credit card, the control unit 101 causes the printing unit 108 to output a receipt, medical details, and patient copy, and ends the settlement process. As a result, the control unit 101 determines YES in step S301.

In steps S302 and S303, the control unit 101 executes the following processing.

First, in step S302, the control unit 101 sends a request to send management information (access code, confirmation number) to the medical system 20 along with identification information for specifying medical fees (patient card identification information or barcode information).

As a result, the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 identifies the prescription ID corresponding to the identification information in the prescription management information and determines whether management information (access code, confirmation number) associated with the identified prescription ID exists in the prescription management information. If management information associated with the prescription ID exists in the prescription management information, the control unit 201 sends a first response including the management information, the identification information, and the prescription ID to the payment terminal 10 that sent the response. On the other hand, if management information associated with the prescription ID does not exist in the prescription management information, the control unit 201 sends a second response including information indicating that management information does not exist and the identification information and prescription ID to the payment terminal 10 that sent the response.

In step S302, instead of a request to send management information, a notification of settlement completion may be sent to the medical system 20 together with the identification information. In this case, this triggers the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 to execute the above-mentioned process and send the first or second response to the settlement terminal 10 that sent the response.

If the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 receives a first response from the control unit 201 of the medical system 20, the control unit 101 determines NO in step S303. On the other hand, if the control unit 201 receives a second response from the control unit 201 of the medical system 20, the control unit 201 determines YES in step S303.

In step S304, the control unit 101 causes the printing unit 108 to output a sheet on which the management information (access code, confirmation number) and prescription ID contained in the first response received from the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 are printed. This process is an example of a prescription issuance process by the first issuing unit 101a. This completes the process of step S304. The patient can receive their medication by bringing the output sheet to a dispensing pharmacy and presenting it.

In step S305, the control unit 101 sends a request to the medical system 20 to send exchange voucher information for receiving the prescription at the medical institution's counter, along with the prescription ID. As a result, the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 issues exchange voucher information for issuing the prescription associated with the received prescription ID. The control unit 201 then sends the issued exchange voucher information, along with the above-mentioned identification information and prescription ID, to the payment terminal 10 that sent the request.

The control unit 101 of the payment terminal 10 causes the printing unit 108 to output a voucher on which the received voucher information and prescription ID are printed. This process is an example of a prescription issuance process by the second issuing unit 101b. This completes the process of step S305. The patient presents the output voucher at the counter to receive the prescription. This prescription has the prescription information shown in Figure 3(b) and the prescription ID printed on it. The patient can then bring the received prescription to a dispensing pharmacy and present it to receive their medication.

The voucher information may be included in the second response. In this case, in step S305, the control unit 101 causes the printing unit 108 to output a voucher on which the voucher information included in the second response is printed.

In addition, in the above process, a prescription voucher was issued in step S305, but instead, a paper prescription may be issued directly from the settlement terminal 10. In this case, prescription information and a prescription ID, instead of voucher information, are sent from the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 to the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10. The control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 causes the printing unit 108 to output a paper prescription on which the received prescription information and prescription ID are printed.

In steps S304 and S305, the control unit 101 further sends a notification that the prescription has been issued to the medical system 20, along with the prescription ID of the prescription. As a result, the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 changes the issued flag associated with the received prescription ID to 1 in the prescription management information.

Next, we will explain the processing performed by the electronic prescription management system 1 after a prescription is issued to a patient.

The patient hands the sheet issued in step S304 of Figure 5 or the paper prescription issued based on the processing of step S305 to a staff member at the dispensing pharmacy. When the staff member receives the sheet from the patient, they access the server 30 via the pharmacy terminal 40 and send a request to the server 30 to send electronic prescription information along with the management information (access code, confirmation number) printed on the sheet.

The server 30 confirms that the issued flag corresponding to the received management information is not 1 (the prescription has not yet been issued). If the issued flag is not 1, the server 30 extracts the electronic prescription information corresponding to the received management information from the electronic prescription database and sends the extracted electronic prescription information to the pharmacy terminal 40. This causes a prescription based on the electronic prescription information to be displayed on the pharmacy terminal 40. The pharmacy staff dispenses the medication according to the displayed prescription and issues it to the patient.

On the other hand, if a patient provides a paper prescription, the pharmacy staff will dispense the medication according to the paper prescription and issue it to the patient.

Furthermore, after dispensing the medication to the patient, the staff member sends dispensing information (dispensing results) indicating the contents of the dispensed medication to the server 30 via the pharmacy terminal 40. When dispensing medication based on electronic prescription information, the staff member performs an operation to send the prescription ID printed on the sheet along with the dispensing information to the server 30. On the other hand, when dispensing medication based on a paper prescription, the staff member performs an operation to send the prescription ID printed on the paper prescription along with the dispensing information to the server 30. Through these operations, the dispensing information and prescription ID are sent from the pharmacy terminal 40 to the server 30.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the server 30 when dispensed information is received.

When the server 30 receives the dispensed information from the pharmacy terminal 40 (S211: YES), it determines whether the prescription ID received together with the dispensed information has already been registered in the electronic prescription database (S212). If the determination in step S212 is YES, the server 30 stores the received dispensed information in the dispensing results associated with the received prescription ID (S213), and further changes the dispensed flag associated with the prescription ID to 1 (S214). This causes the server 30 to terminate the processing of Figure 6.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S212 is NO, the server 30 adds a new row of information to the electronic prescription database based on the received prescription ID (S215). The server 30 then stores the received dispensed information in the dispensing results for the added row (S216), and further changes the dispensed flag associated with the prescription ID to 1 (S217). This causes the server 30 to terminate the processing shown in Figure 6.

When steps S215 to S217 in Figure 6 are processed, the access code, confirmation number, and prescription information shown in Figure 3(a) are not registered in the row newly added to the electronic prescription database; only the prescription ID, dispensed flag, and dispensing result are registered. In this case, the delivered flag in Figure 3(a) is set to 1. The third row in Figure 3(a) shows this state. The access code, confirmation number, and prescription information are then registered in this row when the medical system 20 sends prescription information and prescription ID for the unregistered prescription to the server 30.

Figures 7(a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the processing performed by the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 and the server 30 when a paper prescription is issued at the payment terminal 10. The processing in Figure 7(a) is performed by the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 using the function of the information registration unit 201a.

Referring to FIG. 7(a), the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 determines whether the timing has arrived to transmit unregistered electronic prescription information to the server 30 (S111). Here, the transmission timing can be set, for example, to the timing when communication with the server 30 is restored after the paper prescription is issued, or to a predetermined timing after communication with the server 30 is restored (for example, the timing when the medical system 20 is shut down).

When the transmission timing arrives (S111: YES), the control unit 201 transmits to the server 30 unregistered information including electronic prescription information, a prescription ID, and additional information indicating that the prescription has been issued (S112). In step S112, the control unit 201 references the prescription management information in FIG. 3(b) and identifies prescription information for which the registered flag is 0 and the issued flag is 1. The control unit 201 then transmits to the server 30 electronic prescription information obtained by digitizing the identified prescription information, the prescription ID associated with the prescription information, and unregistered information including the above additional information.

Referring to Figure 7 (b), when the server 30 receives unregistered information from the medical system 20 (S221: YES), it determines whether the prescription ID included in the unregistered information already exists in the electronic prescription database (S222).

For example, if steps S215 to S217 in Figure 6 are performed, the determination in step S222 will be YES.

Alternatively, if the prescription ID and electronic prescription information are registered in the electronic prescription database of the server 30 through the processing in Figure 4 (b), but a response indicating this does not reach the medical system 20 due to a communication failure or the like, the determination in step S222 will be YES.

Specifically, even if electronic prescription information is registered in the electronic prescription database in step S204 of FIG. 4(b), if the response sent in step S205 is not received by the medical system 20 due to a communication failure or the like, the determination in step S105 of FIG. 4(a) will be NO. In this case, the prescription management information in FIG. 3(b) will maintain the registered flag as 0, as shown in the third line, and the access code and confirmation number will be blank. In this case, even though information corresponding to the prescription ID exists in the electronic prescription database on the server 30 side, the registered flag corresponding to the prescription ID in the prescription management information on the medical system 20 side will be maintained as 0. Therefore, in step S112 of FIG. 7(a), unregistered information related to the prescription ID will be sent to the server 30. In such a case, the determination in step S222 of FIG. 7(b) will also be YES.

Furthermore, if the transmission in step S102 in FIG. 4(a) does not reach the server 30 due to a communication failure or the like, resulting in a NO determination in step S103, and if the server 30 has not yet received the dispensed information corresponding to the prescription ID from the pharmacy terminal 40 in step S211 in FIG. 6, the NO determination is made in step S222 in FIG. 7(b).

If the determination in step S222 is YES, the server 30 determines whether the electronic prescription information corresponding to the prescription ID included in the received unregistered information has already been registered in the electronic prescription database (S223). If the electronic prescription information has not yet been registered (S223: NO), the server 30 registers the received electronic prescription information in association with the prescription ID (S224). Furthermore, based on the additional information included in the received unregistered information, the server 30 sets the issued flag associated with the prescription ID to 1 (S225), and sends a response including management information (access code, confirmation number) corresponding to the prescription ID to the medical system 20 that sent the response (S226).

On the other hand, if the electronic prescription information corresponding to the prescription ID included in the received unregistered information is already registered in the electronic prescription database (S223: YES), the server 30 skips step S224 and sets the issued flag associated with the prescription ID to 1 based on the additional information included in the received unregistered information (S225). The server 30 then sends a response including management information (access code, confirmation number) corresponding to the prescription ID, along with the prescription ID, to the medical system 20 that sent the response (S226).

In step S226, the server 30 first determines whether management information associated with the prescription ID exists in the electronic prescription database. For example, if a row is added to the electronic prescription database by the processing of steps S215 to S217 in Figure 6, no management information exists for this row in the electronic prescription database. On the other hand, as described above, if the prescription ID and electronic prescription information are registered in the electronic prescription database of the server 30 by the processing of Figure 4(b), but a response indicating this does not reach the medical system 20 due to a communication failure or the like, management information associated with the prescription ID exists in the electronic prescription database.

In step S226, if the server 30 does not have management information corresponding to the prescription ID included in the received unregistered information, it issues new management information and sends a response including the issued management information along with the prescription ID to the medical system 20. In this case, the server 30 also registers the newly issued management information (access code, confirmation number) in its own electronic prescription database, associating it with the prescription ID.

Furthermore, in step S226, if management information corresponding to the prescription ID included in the received unregistered information exists, the server 30 sends a response including the management information along with the prescription ID to the medical system 20.

If the determination in step S222 is NO, the server 30 adds a new row to the electronic prescription database based on the received prescription ID (S227). The server 30 then registers the electronic prescription information included in the unregistered information for the added row (S224) and sets a issued flag (S225). The server 30 then issues new management information (access code, confirmation number) for this row and sends a response including the issued management information along with the prescription ID to the medical system 20 (S226). In this case, too, the server 30 registers the newly issued management information (access code, confirmation number) for this row.

Referring to FIG. 7(a), when the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 receives a response from the server 30 (S113: YES), it associates the management information (access code, confirmation number) included in the response with the prescription ID received with the response and registers it in the prescription management information (S114). Furthermore, the control unit 201 sets the registered flag associated with the prescription ID to 1 (S115) and terminates the process.

On the other hand, if a response is not properly received from the server 30 (S113: NO), the control unit 201 ends the process without registering the management information (S114) or setting the registered flag (S115). In this case, the management information will be registered (S114) and the registered flag will be set (S115) at the next transmission timing.

<Effects of First Embodiment>
According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 101 of the payment terminal 10 (prescription processing device) has the functions of a first issuing unit 101a for issuing a prescription by electronic prescription, a second issuing unit 101b for issuing a prescription in a form other than an electronic prescription, and a selection execution unit 101c for selectively executing either the first issuing unit 101a or the second issuing unit 101b to issue a prescription. Therefore, if an electronic prescription cannot be registered on the server 30 due to an unexpected communication failure or the like, a prescription corresponding to the medical treatment can be issued to the user, such as a patient, by the second issuing unit 101b instead of the electronic prescription. Therefore, prescriptions can be smoothly provided to patients while electronic prescriptions are centrally managed on the server 30.

As shown in Figure 5, the control unit 101, through the function of the selection execution unit 101c, determines whether to use the first delivery unit 101a or the second delivery unit 101b to deliver the prescription based on predefined selection condition 1.

Specifically, selection condition 1 is set so that issuance is first performed by the first issuing unit 101a (S302), and if issuance by the first issuing unit 101a fails (S303: YES), issuance is switched to issuance by the second issuing unit 101b.

With this configuration, electronic prescriptions are given priority, which allows for the widespread use of electronic prescriptions and the promotion of a paperless system. Furthermore, if an unexpected communication failure or other issue prevents the issuance of an electronic prescription, the prescription will be issued in a form other than electronic (in this case, paper). This allows patients and other users to receive their prescriptions quickly and reliably, facilitating the smooth dispensing of medications thereafter.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 that constitutes the prescription processing system 2 has the function of an information registration unit 201a for registering unregistered electronic prescription information on the server 30. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the control unit 201, using the function of the information registration unit 201a, executes processing (S112) for transmitting electronic prescription information (unregistered information) related to the prescription issued by the second issuing unit 101b to the server 30 that manages electronic prescriptions, based on the control unit 101 (selection execution unit 101c) of the payment terminal 10 issuing a prescription using the second issuing unit 101b.

With this configuration, even if the second issuing unit 101b issues a prescription in a form other than an electronic prescription (here, paper media) because the electronic prescription cannot be registered on the server 30 due to a communication failure or other reason, the electronic prescription information corresponding to the prescription is registered on the server 30 after the prescription is issued. This allows for more reliable centralized management of electronic prescriptions on the server 30.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the control unit 201 (information registration unit 201a) transmits additional information to the server 30 to prevent the server 30 from issuing an electronic prescription corresponding to the prescription issued by the second issuing unit 101b (S112). This makes it possible to prevent the server 30 from reissuing an electronic prescription for the same medical treatment after the prescription has been issued by the second issuing unit 101b.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the function of the information registration unit 101d is assigned to the control unit 201 of the medical system 20. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the function of the information registration unit 101d is assigned to the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10.

Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the settlement terminal 10 and medical system 20 according to embodiment 2.

As shown in FIG. 8, in embodiment 2, the program stored in the memory unit 102 provides the control unit 101 with the functions of the first issuing unit 101a, the second issuing unit 101b, and the selection execution unit 101c, as well as the function of the information registration unit 101d. The processing of the control unit 101 based on the functions of the first issuing unit 101a, the second issuing unit 101b, and the selection execution unit 101c is the same as in embodiment 1 above.

Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the control unit 101 of the payment terminal 10 when the payment terminal 10 issues a paper prescription. The processing performed in parallel with this processing on the server 30 is the same as that shown in Figure 7(b). The processing in Figure 9 is performed by the control unit 101 of the payment terminal 10 using the function of the information registration unit 101d.

The control unit 101 determines whether the timing has arrived to transmit unregistered electronic prescription information to the server 30 (S311). The transmission timing is set in the same manner as step S111 in FIG. 7(a).

When the transmission timing arrives (S311: YES), the control unit 101 performs processing to acquire unregistered prescription information and the prescription ID linked to that prescription information from the medical-data system 20 (S312). Specifically, the control unit 101 sends a request to send this information to the medical-data system 20. In response, the control unit 201 of the medical-data system 20 identifies a prescription ID in the prescription management information for which the registered flag is 0 and the issued flag is 1, and transmits the identified prescription ID and the prescription information associated with that prescription ID to the payment terminal 10.

The control unit 101 of the payment terminal 10 digitizes the received prescription information to generate electronic prescription information, and transmits unregistered information including the generated electronic prescription information, the prescription ID received from the medical system 20, and additional information similar to that described above to the server 30 via the communication unit 110 (S313). In response, when a response including management information (access code, confirmation number) is received from the server 30 (S314: YES), the control unit 101 transmits the received management information and prescription ID to the medical system 20 (S315) and terminates processing. The control unit 201 of the medical system 20 associates the received management information (access code, confirmation number) with the received prescription ID and registers it in the prescription management information.

On the other hand, if a response including management information (access code, confirmation number) is not properly received from the server 30 (S314: NO), the control unit 101 terminates the process without sending any information to the medical system 20.

<Effects of the Second Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be achieved by the functions of the first issuing unit 101a, the second issuing unit 101b, and the selection executing unit 101c.

Furthermore, in embodiment 2, the function of the information registration unit 101d can achieve the same effect as the information registration unit 201a in embodiment 1 described above.

In other words, even if the second issuing unit 101b issues a prescription in a form other than an electronic prescription because the electronic prescription cannot be registered on the server 30 due to a communication failure or the like, after the prescription is issued, the electronic prescription information corresponding to the prescription is sent from the settlement terminal 10 (prescription processing device) to the server 30 (S313) and registered on the server 30. This allows electronic prescriptions to be more reliably managed centrally on the server 30.

At this time, together with the electronic prescription information, additional information for preventing the server 30 from issuing an electronic prescription corresponding to the prescription issued by the second issuing unit 101b is sent from the settlement terminal 10 (prescription processing device) to the server 30 (S313). This makes it possible to prevent the server 30 from reissuing an electronic prescription for the same medical treatment after the prescription has been issued by the second issuing unit 101b.

<Embodiment 3>
In the above-described first embodiment, which of the first delivering unit 101a and the second delivering unit 101b is to be used for delivering a prescription is specified by the selection condition 1 shown in Fig. 5. In contrast, in the third embodiment, a selection condition 2 is set together with the selection condition 1, and which of the first delivering unit 101a and the second delivering unit 101b is to be used for delivering a prescription is specified.

Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the prescription delivery process executed by the control unit 101 of the payment terminal 10 in embodiment 3.

Of the processing steps in Figure 10, steps S302, S303, S321, and S322 are performed by the functions of the selection execution unit 101c shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, steps S304 and S305 are performed by the functions of the first issuing unit 101a and second issuing unit 101b shown in Figure 2, respectively.

Compared to Figure 5, steps S321 and S322 have been added in Figure 10. The processing in steps other than steps S321 and S322 is the same as the processing in the corresponding steps in Figure 5. Steps S321 and S322 constitute selection condition 2, which determines whether the first issuing unit 101a or the second issuing unit 101b will be used to issue the prescription. As in the first embodiment above, steps S302 and S303 constitute selection condition 1. In Figure 10, selection condition 2 is executed before selection condition 1.

Under selection condition 2, the control unit 101 (selection execution unit 101c) executes a process to receive from the user whether the prescription will be delivered by the first delivery unit 101a or the second delivery unit 101b (S321), and executes delivery by the delivery unit selected by the user from the first delivery unit 101a or the second delivery unit 101b (S322).

Figure 11(a) shows the reception screen 300 displayed on the operation display unit 106 in step S321 of Figure 10.

The reception screen 300 includes a message 301 and buttons 302 and 303. Message 301 typically notifies the user that the prescription will be issued electronically and asks the user whether or not to switch the issuance method to a paper prescription. If the user wishes to switch to a paper prescription, they operate button 302; if they are happy to continue with the electronic prescription, they operate button 303.

Returning to FIG. 10, if button 302 is operated on the reception screen 300 in FIG. 11(a), the determination in step S322 is NO. On the other hand, if button 303 is operated on the reception screen 300, the determination in step S322 is YES. If the determination in step S322 is YES, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S302 and executes the same processing as in embodiment 1 above. On the other hand, if the determination in step S322 is NO, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S305 and executes the issuance processing by the second issuing unit 101b, i.e., the processing for issuing a prescription on paper.

Note that, even if the user operates button 303 on the reception screen 300 in FIG. 11(a) to request issuance of an electronic prescription (step S322: YES in FIG. 10), if the first issuing unit 101a fails to issue the electronic prescription (S303: YES), the second issuing unit 101b will issue a paper prescription (S305). Therefore, in this case, it is preferable to notify the user in step S305 that an electronic prescription could not be issued and that a paper prescription will be issued instead.

In this case, in step S305, the control unit 101 causes the operation display unit 106 to display, for example, a notification screen 310 shown in FIG. 11(b). As shown in FIG. 11(b), the notification screen 310 includes a message 311 and a button 312. The message 311 notifies the user that the medicine cannot be dispensed with the electronic prescription, and urges the user to pick up a paper prescription at the counter as a prescription voucher will be printed. The user refers to the message 311 and then operates button 312. This causes the control unit 101 to print the voucher in the printing unit 108, as in the first embodiment above. Instead of operating button 312, the printing unit 108 may be controlled to print the voucher after a certain period of time has elapsed.

In the process of Figure 10, if the user selects delivery by the second delivery unit 101b and a paper prescription is delivered, further processing is performed to prevent the server 30 from reissuing an electronic prescription corresponding to that prescription.

Figures 12(a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the processing performed in the payment terminal 10 and medical system 20 when a user selects delivery via the second delivery unit 101b and a paper prescription is delivered.

The process in Figure 12(a) is performed by the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 using the function of the selection execution unit 101c. The process in Figure 12(b) is performed by the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 using the function of the information registration unit 201a.

Referring to FIG. 12(a), when the user selects issuance by the second issuing unit 101b in the processing of FIG. 10 and the processing to issue a paper prescription is performed (S331: YES), the control unit 101 of the payment terminal 10 transmits issued information indicating this to the medical system 20 together with the prescription ID of the prescription (S332). If the determination of step S322 in FIG. 10 is NO and the processing of step S305 is performed, the determination of step S311 in FIG. 12(a) becomes YES.

Referring to FIG. 12(b), when the control unit 201 of the medical system 20 receives issued information from the payment terminal 10 (S121: YES), it determines whether the registered flag associated with the prescription ID received together with the issued information is 1 (S122). If the registered flag is 1 (S122: YES), the control unit 201 transmits the additional information together with the prescription ID to the server 30 (S123). In response to this, if the issued flag associated with the received prescription ID in the electronic prescription database is not 1, the server 30 sets the issued flag to 1.

When the server 30 receives a request to send an electronic prescription from the pharmacy terminal 40, even if the electronic prescription information associated with the management information (access code, confirmation number) included in the request exists in the electronic prescription database, if the issued flag is 1, the server 30 will refuse to send the electronic prescription to the pharmacy terminal 40. This prevents the server 30 from reissuing an electronic prescription corresponding to a paper prescription issued by the second issuing unit 101b at the user's request.

In addition, in embodiment 3, the processes shown in Figures 4(a), (b), 6, and 7(a), (b) in embodiment 1 are executed in the same manner. Also, in embodiment 3, as in embodiment 2, the functionality of the information registration unit may be assigned to the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10.

<Effects of the Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be achieved by the functions of the first issuing unit 101a, the second issuing unit 101b, and the selection executing unit 101c.

Furthermore, in embodiment 3, as shown in FIG. 10, in addition to selection condition 1, selection condition 2 is included, so the effect of selection condition 2 can be further achieved. That is, selection condition 2 accepts from the user whether they would like the prescription to be delivered by the first delivering unit 101a or the second delivering unit 101b, allowing the user to receive the prescription in the format they prefer. For example, if a user is unfamiliar with receiving medication via an electronic prescription, they can select delivery via the second delivering unit 101b to receive their prescription in a format other than an electronic prescription (here, a paper prescription). This allows the user to smoothly proceed with subsequent medication delivery.

<Fourth Embodiment>
In the above-described embodiment 3, selection condition 2 is set in addition to selection condition 1, and it is specified whether the first issuing unit 101a or the second issuing unit 101b is to be used to issue the prescription. In contrast, in embodiment 4, selection condition 3 is set in addition to selection condition 1, and it is specified whether the first issuing unit 101a or the second issuing unit 101b is to be used to issue the prescription.

Here, selection condition 3 is a selection condition set by the administrator who manages the prescription processing system 2. Selection condition 3 is set by the administrator, who determines whether it is preferable to issue a prescription using the first issuing unit 101a or the second issuing unit 101b, depending on, for example, the patient's age, the day, time of day, day of the week, etc., when the payment terminal 10 is used, the facility's operational status, and the patient's usage status.

For example, if the administrator determines that elderly users (patients) are more likely to have problems dispensing medications via electronic prescriptions, the administrator sets an age threshold as selection condition 3. The administrator then sets the system so that if the patient's age is above that threshold, the prescription is issued to the patient in a form other than an electronic prescription (here, a paper prescription), and otherwise the prescription is issued to the patient via electronic prescription.

In this case, the control unit 101 of the payment terminal 10, using the function of the selection execution unit 101c, acquires the age of the patient to whom the prescription is to be issued from the medical system 20, and uses either the first issuing unit 101a or the second issuing unit 101b to issue the prescription based on whether the acquired age is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

If the settlement terminal 10 is equipped with a camera, the control unit 101 may use an age estimation engine to estimate the user's age from the facial image of the user acquired by the camera and compare it with the above threshold.

Alternatively, the administrator may set selection condition 3 based on the operational status of the facility so that prescriptions are issued by the second issuing unit 101b on dates, times, and days of the week when prescription processing is infrequent, and by the first issuing unit 101a on other dates, times, and days of the week. For example, selection condition 3 may be set so that prescriptions are issued by the first issuing unit 101a during busy periods such as the New Year holidays, and by the second issuing unit 101b during times when there are fewer patients, such as late at night.

In this case, the control unit 101 of the payment terminal 10 uses the function of the selection execution unit 101c to obtain the date, time, and day of the week at the time of prescription issuance processing from its own calendar function, and uses either the first issuance unit 101a or the second issuance unit 101b to issue the prescription based on whether the obtained date, time, and day of the week match the selection condition 3 for date, time, and day of the week selected by the administrator.

Selection condition 3 may be a condition other than those described above. Alternatively, a default condition may be set in advance as selection condition 3, and the administrator may change this condition as appropriate.

Figure 13 (a) is a flowchart showing the process for setting selection condition 3. This process is performed by the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 using the function of the selection execution unit 101c.

When the administrator performs an operation on the operation display unit 106 to set selection condition 3 (S341: YES), the control unit 101 causes the operation display unit 106 to display a reception screen for accepting the setting of selection condition 3 (S342). The reception screen includes various items for setting selection condition 3, such as the user's age, the date and time of the prescription issuance process, and the day of the week, as described above. The administrator sets selection condition 3 by entering information as desired into these items. Thereafter, when the administrator performs a setting completion operation on the reception screen (S343: YES), the control unit 101 stores the set conditions as selection condition 3 in the memory unit 102 (S344). This causes the control unit 101 to terminate the setting process for selection condition 3.

Figure 13(b) is a flowchart showing the prescription delivery process executed by the control unit 101 of the payment terminal 10 according to embodiment 4.

Of the processing steps in Figure 13(b), steps S302, S303, S351, and S352 are performed by the functions of the selection execution unit 101c shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, steps S304 and S305 are performed by the functions of the first issuing unit 101a and second issuing unit 101b shown in Figure 2, respectively.

Compared to Figure 5, steps S351 and S352 have been added in Figure 10. The processing in steps other than steps S351 and S352 is the same as the processing in the corresponding steps in Figure 5. Steps S351 and S352 constitute the above-mentioned selection condition 3. As in the first embodiment, steps S302 and S303 constitute selection condition 1. In Figure 10, selection condition 3 is executed before selection condition 1.

When the settlement process is completed (S301: YES), the control unit 101 determines the relationship between the current prescription issuance process and selection condition 3 (S351), and based on the determination result, determines whether the first issuance unit 101a or the second issuance unit 101b will be selected for the issuance of the current prescription (S352). If the first issuance unit 101a is selected based on selection condition 3 (S352: YES), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S302 and executes the same process as in embodiment 1 above. On the other hand, if the second issuance unit 101b is selected based on selection condition 3 (S352: NO), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S305 and executes the issuance process using the second issuance unit 101b, i.e., the process for issuing a prescription on paper.

In embodiment 4, the same processing as in Figures 12(a) and (b) is performed. In this case, in step S331 in Figure 12(a), it is determined whether the second issuing unit 101b was selected based on selection condition 3 and a prescription was issued.

In addition, in embodiment 4, the processes shown in Figures 4(a), (b), 6, and 7(a), (b) in embodiment 1 are executed in the same manner. Also, in embodiment 4, as in embodiment 2, the functionality of the information registration unit may be assigned to the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10.

<Effects of the Fourth Embodiment>
In the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be achieved by the functions of the first issuing unit 101a, the second issuing unit 101b, and the selection executing unit 101c.

Furthermore, in embodiment 4, as shown in Figure 13(b), in addition to selection condition 1, selection condition 3 is included, so the effect of selection condition 3 can be further enhanced.

In other words, Selection Condition 3 accepts the setting of the condition for whether a prescription will be issued by the first issuing unit 101a or the second issuing unit 101b. Therefore, the administrator of the facility where the payment terminal 10 (prescription management device) is installed can arbitrarily set Selection Condition 3 to determine whether the first issuing unit 101a or the second issuing unit 101b will be used, depending on the user's situation, the facility's operational status, etc. For example, if the administrator determines that elderly users are more likely to have problems with the issuance of medication via electronic prescription, the administrator can set Selection Condition 3 so that prescriptions for users over a certain age are issued by the second issuing unit 101b. This allows for smoother prescription issuance at the facility.

Note that processing based on selection condition 2 may be added to the processing in Figure 13(b). In this case, selection condition 2 may be set, for example, before selection condition 3, and if step S322 for selection condition 2 returns YES, processing may proceed to selection condition 3. This may further enhance the effect of selection condition 2. Selection conditions other than selection conditions 1 to 3 may also be used.

<Example of change>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications other than those described above are possible for the embodiments of the present invention.

For example, the arrangement of the first issuing unit, second issuing unit, selection execution unit, and information registration unit is not limited to the arrangement shown in embodiments 1 to 4 above, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, if the prescription processing system 2 includes another processing device in addition to the medical system 20 and the settlement terminal 10, any or all of the first issuing unit, second issuing unit, selection execution unit, and information registration unit may be arranged in this processing device.

In the configuration example shown in Figure 1, the medical system 20 and the settlement terminal 10 are connected via a LAN, and the prescription processing system 2 is configured within the medical institution. However, in small hospitals, clinics, etc., where both management of medical information and settlement of medical expenses are handled by a single settlement terminal installed at the counter, this settlement terminal may perform the processing of the first issuing unit, second issuing unit, selection execution unit, and information registration unit. In this case, this settlement terminal has the same configuration as the settlement terminal 10 in Figure 8, and stores the prescription management information of Figure 3(b) in the memory unit 102. This settlement terminal then performs the processing performed by the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10, as well as the processing performed by the control unit 201 of the medical system 20.

In addition, in the above embodiments 1 to 4, the first issuing unit 101a prints the management information (access code, confirmation number) on paper media and issues it to the patient, but the method of issuing the management information is not limited to this. For example, the management information may be stored on a writable medium owned by the patient, such as a My Number card. Alternatively, the necessary information may be obtained from the patient's mobile device using data transmission or a QR code (registered trademark). The prescription issued by the processing of the second issuing unit 101b may also be issued to the patient in a form other than paper media.

Furthermore, the configurations of the reception screen 300 and the notification screen 310 are not necessarily limited to those shown in Figures 11(a) and (b), and other configurations may be used. The content of the message may also be changed as appropriate. An audio message may also be output along with the screen.

In addition, in the above embodiments 1 to 4, the information shown in Figure 3(a) was managed by the server 30, but if the payment terminal 10 is also capable of settling the cost of the medicine, the server 30 may also manage whether or not the payment has been made. This allows the pharmacy terminal 40 to confirm whether or not the patient has already paid the cost of the medicine when accessing the server 30, thereby facilitating the smooth delivery of the medicine at the dispensing pharmacy.

Furthermore, the selection conditions for selecting either the first issuing unit 101a or the second issuing unit 101b are not limited to selection conditions 1 to 3 shown in embodiments 1 to 4 above, and other selection conditions may also be used.

Figure 14(a) is a flowchart showing the prescription delivery process when selection condition 4 is used.

When the settlement process is completed (S301: YES), the control unit 101 (selection execution unit 101c) of the settlement terminal 10 determines whether it is possible to obtain management information (access code, confirmation number) for the medical treatment to be settled (S361). Conditions for this determination to be NO include, for example, an abnormality in the communication unit 110 of the settlement terminal 10, or the medical system 20 having notified the settlement terminal 10 in advance that management information for the medical treatment does not exist in the medical system 20's prescription management information. The latter notification is made, for example, when the medical treatment information is sent from the medical system 20 to the settlement terminal 10 at the time of settlement of the medical treatment.

If the determination in step S361 is YES, the control unit 101 issues the prescription using the first issuing unit 101a (S304). On the other hand, if the determination in step S361 is NO, the control unit 101 issues the prescription using the second issuing unit 101b (S305). This control also allows users such as patients to receive their prescriptions smoothly and quickly. In this case, any one of selection conditions 1 to 3 or a combination thereof may be added as a further selection condition.

In addition, in the above embodiments 1 to 4, when an electronic prescription is issued by the first issuing unit 101a, a prescription copy is not issued from the settlement terminal 10. However, in this case, a prescription copy may also be issued from the settlement terminal. In this case, a condition for whether or not to issue a copy may be set in the settlement terminal 10, and the issuance or non-issuance of a copy may be switched based on this condition.

Figure 14(b) is a flowchart showing the process for issuing a prescription copy in this case.

When the control unit 101 of the payment terminal 10 issues an electronic prescription using the first issuing unit 101a (S371: YES), it acquires the necessary information from the medical system 20 as appropriate and determines whether the issuance conditions for issuing a prescription copy have been met (S372). If the issuance conditions have been met (S373: YES), the control unit 101 acquires prescription information from the medical system 20 and causes the printing unit 108 to output a prescription copy (S374). On the other hand, if the issuance conditions have not been met (S373: NO), the control unit 101 terminates processing without issuing a copy.

The issuance conditions in step S372 of FIG. 14(b) may be, for example, conditions based on the patient's age. For example, the issuance conditions may include a condition that a receipt is issued if the patient's age is equal to or greater than a threshold, and that a receipt is not issued if the patient's age is less than the threshold. This allows elderly people who are unfamiliar with handling electronic prescriptions to be issued a prescription copy, preventing elderly people from forgetting to pick up their prescription.

The conditions for issuing a prescription copy may also be set based on the type of medication being dispensed. For example, the conditions for issuing a prescription copy may include a condition that a prescription copy will be issued if the medication prescribed to the patient has changed from the medication prescribed in the previous medical examination, and that a prescription copy will not be issued in any other cases. This allows the patient to check the changed medication on the copy if the medication being dispensed has changed.

Alternatively, the conditions for issuing a copy may be set by an administrator. For example, the conditions for issuing a copy may be set by the administrator as to whether or not to issue a copy for all prescriptions. This allows, for example, medical institutions that place importance on going paperless to omit issuing copies, while medical institutions that place importance on providing information to patients to issue copies.

When a copy is issued in step S374 in Figure 14 (b), the copy may be issued separately from the sheet on which management information (access code, confirmation number), prescription ID, etc. are printed, or the sheet may be omitted and management information (access code, confirmation number), prescription ID, etc. may be printed on the copy.

Furthermore, the configurations of the settlement terminal 10 and medical system 20 are not limited to those of the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 4, and can be modified as appropriate. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 4, information is input and displayed using the operation and display units 106 and 203, but the display unit, which consists of a display or the like, and the operation unit, which consists of a mouse, keypad, or the like, may be arranged separately.

Furthermore, the prescription processing device for issuing a prescription does not necessarily have to be the settlement terminal 10; for example, it may be a device dedicated to issuing prescriptions without settlement functions. In this case, for example, a user such as a patient can have the device read information from their patient registration card in order to issue a prescription, and the processing downstream of step S301 in Figures 5, 10, and 13(b) can be executed. Furthermore, this device can perform the same processing as that performed by the control unit 101 of the settlement terminal 10 in embodiments 1 to 4 above.

Furthermore, the first issuing unit, second issuing unit, selection execution unit, and information registration unit do not necessarily have to be realized by program functions, but may each be individually configured by hardware such as a logic circuit.

In addition, in the above embodiments 1 to 4, a program for issuing an electronic prescription was installed on the pharmacy terminal 40, but electronic prescriptions may also be issued on the pharmacy terminal 40 using a so-called web app, which does not require installation.

In addition, the embodiments of the present invention may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims.

2 Prescription processing system 10 Payment terminal 20 Medical system 30 Server 50 External communication network 101a First issuing unit 101b Second issuing unit 101c Selection execution unit 101d, 201a Information registration unit

Claims (18)

a first issuing unit that performs processing to issue an electronic prescription corresponding to medical treatment to a user;
a second issuing unit that performs processing to issue a prescription corresponding to medical treatment to a user in a form other than the electronic prescription;
a selection execution unit that determines whether the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit is to be used to issue a prescription based on a predetermined selection condition ;
The selection execution unit executes a process of accepting from a user whether the prescription will be issued by the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit,
The prescription processing device , wherein the selection condition includes a condition that delivery is performed by an delivery unit selected by a user from the first delivery unit and the second delivery unit . The selection condition includes a condition that delivery by the first delivery unit is first performed, and that delivery by the second delivery unit is switched to delivery by the second delivery unit when delivery by the first delivery unit fails.
The prescription processing device of claim 1 . The prescription processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selection execution unit executes a process of receiving settings of the selection conditions from an administrator, and selects either the first delivery unit or the second delivery unit based on the received selection conditions. a first issuing unit that performs processing to issue an electronic prescription corresponding to medical treatment to a user;
a second issuing unit that performs processing to issue a prescription corresponding to medical treatment to a user in a form other than the electronic prescription;
a selection execution unit that selectively executes either the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit to issue a prescription;
and an information registration unit that executes a process to transmit electronic prescription information related to the prescription issued by the second issuing unit to a server that manages electronic prescriptions, based on the selection execution unit issuing the prescription by the second issuing unit.
The information registration unit also performs processing to send additional information to the server to prevent the server from issuing an electronic prescription corresponding to the prescription issued by the second issuing unit. The prescription processing device according to claim 4 , wherein the selection execution unit determines whether the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit is to be used to issue the prescription based on a predetermined selection condition. The selection condition includes a condition that delivery by the first delivery unit is first performed, and that delivery by the second delivery unit is switched to delivery by the second delivery unit when delivery by the first delivery unit fails.
The prescription processing device of claim 5 . The selection execution unit executes a process of accepting from a user whether the prescription will be issued by the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit,
The prescription processing device according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the selection condition includes a condition that delivery is performed by an delivery unit selected by a user from the first delivery unit and the second delivery unit. 8. The prescription processing device according to claim 5, wherein the selection execution unit executes a process of receiving settings of the selection conditions from an administrator, and selects either the first delivery unit or the second delivery unit based on the received selection conditions. A prescription processing system capable of communicating with a server that manages electronic prescription information via an external communication network,
a first issuing unit that performs processing to issue an electronic prescription corresponding to medical treatment to a user;
a second issuing unit that performs processing to issue a prescription corresponding to medical treatment to a user in a form other than the electronic prescription;
a selection execution unit that determines whether the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit is to be used to issue a prescription based on a predetermined selection condition ;
The selection execution unit executes a process of accepting from a user whether the prescription will be issued by the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit,
A prescription processing system , wherein the selection conditions include a condition that delivery is performed by an delivery unit selected by a user from the first delivery unit and the second delivery unit . The selection condition includes a condition that delivery by the first delivery unit is first performed, and that delivery by the second delivery unit is switched to delivery by the second delivery unit when delivery by the first delivery unit fails.
The prescription processing system of claim 9. 11. The prescription processing system according to claim 9, wherein the selection execution unit executes a process of receiving settings of the selection conditions from an administrator, and selects either the first delivery unit or the second delivery unit based on the received selection conditions. A prescription processing system capable of communicating with a server that manages electronic prescription information via an external communication network,
a first issuing unit that performs processing to issue an electronic prescription corresponding to medical treatment to a user;
a second issuing unit that performs processing to issue a prescription corresponding to medical treatment to a user in a form other than the electronic prescription;
a selection execution unit that selectively executes either the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit to issue a prescription;
An information registration unit that transmits electronic prescription information related to the prescription issued by the second issuing unit to a server that manages electronic prescriptions based on the selection execution unit issuing the prescription by the second issuing unit,
A prescription processing system in which, in the process of sending information related to the prescription to the server, the information registration unit also performs a process of sending additional information to the server to prevent the server from issuing an electronic prescription corresponding to the prescription issued by the second issuing unit. The prescription processing system according to claim 12 , wherein the selection execution unit determines whether the first delivery unit or the second delivery unit is to be used to deliver the prescription based on a predetermined selection condition. The selection condition includes a condition that delivery by the first delivery unit is first performed, and that delivery by the second delivery unit is switched to delivery by the second delivery unit when delivery by the first delivery unit fails.
14. The prescription processing system of claim 13 . The selection execution unit executes a process of accepting from a user whether the prescription will be issued by the first issuing unit or the second issuing unit,
The prescription processing system according to claim 13 or 14 , wherein the selection condition includes a condition that delivery is performed by an delivery unit selected by a user from the first delivery unit and the second delivery unit. 16. The prescription processing system according to claim 13, wherein the selection execution unit executes a process of receiving settings of the selection conditions from an administrator, and selects either the first delivery unit or the second delivery unit based on the received selection conditions. A prescription processing method for automatically issuing a prescription to a user, comprising:
a first issuing step of performing processing to issue an electronic prescription corresponding to medical treatment to a user;
a second issuing step of performing processing to issue a prescription corresponding to medical treatment to the user in a form other than the electronic prescription;
a selection execution step of determining whether the first delivering step or the second delivering step will be used to deliver the prescription based on a predetermined selection condition,
In the selection execution step, a process is executed to receive from a user whether the prescription is to be issued through the first issuing step or the second issuing step ,
A prescription processing method, wherein the selection condition includes a condition that delivery is performed by a delivery process selected by a user from the first delivery process and the second delivery process . A prescription processing method for automatically issuing a prescription to a user, comprising:
a first issuing step of performing processing to issue an electronic prescription corresponding to medical treatment to a user;
a second issuing step of performing processing to issue a prescription corresponding to medical treatment to the user in a form other than the electronic prescription;
a selection execution step of selectively executing either the first delivery step or the second delivery step to deliver a prescription;
and an information registration step of executing a process for transmitting electronic prescription information related to the prescription issued by the second issuing step to a server that manages electronic prescriptions, based on the issuance of the prescription by the second issuing step in the selection execution step ,
A prescription processing method in which the information registration process also performs a process to send additional information to the server to prevent the server from issuing an electronic prescription corresponding to the prescription issued by the second issuance process.