Importance

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Abstract

A system for the remote monitoring of in-home self-medication to assure compliance with prescribed dosage schedules. The system comprises at least one subscriber home medication station which interfaces with a communications link and a remote central monitoring station also interfaced with the link and operative to receive and analyze messages transmitted by the home medication station. The preferred home medication station embodiment transmits messages to the central station over the communications link each time the home medication station is accessed for a dosage of medication. Central station computer means verify receipt of such signals within each subscriber's uniquely scheduled dosage time windows, and alert an operator to take appropriate action if a dosage schedule error is detected. Alternative home medication station embodiments utilize a built-in programmable timer module to verify accessing of medication within a subscriber's uniquely scheduled dosage time windows, and to initiate transmission of alarm signals to the central station over the communications link if dosage schedule errors are detected by the timer module. All embodiments provide subscribers with help-button means to initiate transmission of alarm messages to the central station over the communications link in event of adverse reaction to medication, or other emergencies. Since the central station will be alerted if any scheduled dosage is missed, no emergency rendering a subscriber unable to press a help-button or call for help can go undetected longer than the maximum time between consecutively scheduled dosages.

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First Claim