Medical cart, medication module, height adjustment mechanism, and method of medication transport

Abstract

A medical cart is described and includes a work platform having a work surface and at least one compartment, a base, and a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the work platform relative to the base. A medication module is described and includes a plurality of compartments. The medical cart can be joined with a medication module. In addition, a plurality of medication modules can joined to form a train. The medical cart and medication module can be used collectively and individually in a variety of methods for transferring medicine.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cart comprising: 
 a work platform including a work surface and at least one compartment;    a base; and    a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the work platform relative to the base.    
     
     
         2 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the compartment includes a drawer.  
     
     
         3 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the work platform can accommodate drawers of different sizes.  
     
     
         4 . The cart according to  claim 1 , wherein the compartment is configured to be unlocked via a keyless entry system.  
     
     
         5 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the work platform includes a laptop platform that can be moved in at least one of a forward and a rearward direction.  
     
     
         6 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the work platform includes a work surface that can be moved in at least one of a leftward and rightward direction.  
     
     
         7 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the work platform includes a barcode scanner holder.  
     
     
         8 . The cart of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of rolling members connected to the base.  
     
     
         9 . The cart of  claim 8 , wherein the work platform includes sidewalls and the rolling members are disposed on the base outside of the sidewalls.  
     
     
         10 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the height adjustment mechanism is configured to lock the work platform at a plurality of heights between a lowest position and a highest position inclusive.  
     
     
         11 . A cart system comprising: 
 a first cart including: 
 at least one compartment; and  
 a base having rolling members to permit movement of the first cart;  
   a second cart including: 
 a plurality of compartments; and  
 a base having rolling members to permit movement of the second cart,  
   wherein the first and second cart including linking structure that permits the first and second carts to be connected together for movement.    
     
     
         12 . The cart system of  claim 11 , wherein the first cart further includes a work platform having a work surface and that houses the at least one compartment.  
     
     
         13 . The cart system of  claim 11 , wherein the first cart includes a plurality of compartments.  
     
     
         14 . The cart system of  claim 11 , wherein the base of the first cart is configured to nest with the base of the second cart.  
     
     
         15 . The cart system of  claim 11 , wherein the second cart further includes a housing for supporting the plurality of compartments and the rolling members are disposed on the base outside of the sidewalls.  
     
     
         16 . A method of medication transport comprising the steps of: 
 (a) loading, at a first location, medication into first and second carts;    (b) connecting the first and second carts to form a cart train;    (c) moving the cart train to a second location when loaded with medication;    (d) separating the first and second carts after moving the cart train to the second location;    (e) moving the first cart from the second location to a third location;    (f) removing medication from the at least one cart at the third location; and    (g) returning the first and second carts to the first location.    
     
     
         17 . A method of medication transport comprising the steps of: 
 (a) loading, at a first location, medication into a compartment in a medication module;    (b) moving the medication module to a second location;    (c) transferring medication from the medication module to a medical cart; and    (d) administering medicine from the medical cart to a patient.