What is CompuMed?
CompuMed is the premier medication management system available for individual use. It is designed primarily for solid medicine (pills, tablets, etc.), but can be used  as a reminder for non-pill form medication.

How does it work?
At preprogrammed times, a unit dose of medicine automatically drops into an easily accessed drawer. All other medicine is locked out. Audio and visual reminders are  activated that alert the user to take his or her medicine.

Who should use CompuMed?
Many elderly and some with developmental disabilities use CompuMed. CompuMed is ideal for those individuals who, if medication is not taken  properly, must have additional help with their medication - from family members or professionals either at home or institution.

Why should CompuMed be used?
When medication is taken properly, greater physically  well-being results. There is the added benefit of greater self esteem and independence for the user and less cost and concern for the caregiver and payor.

Is it easy to use?
Yes - particularly for the patient. Various reminders  (audio, visual, etc.) let the user know it is time to take medicine. All he or she need do is open the drawer, take the medicine as indicated and close the drawer. There is no need to open medicine vials, to remember  whether it is Monday or Tuesday or whether to take the red pill or the green one, etc.

 How is it programmed?
When CompuMed is first  powered, it is programmed with current information and patient specific information. Typically, this is done by a caregiver (family member or professional). Programming is aided by simple instructions on CompuMed's LCD  screen.
First, the current day and time are set. Next, the time(s) medication is to be dispensed with the appropriate instructions (i.e. "8:00 A.M. - Take with food.")
After programming, CompuMed reviews all  instructions entered and verifies their correctness. If all is correct, the programmer is instructed to push the "Start" key on the keypad. The dispenser then aligns itself to the proper day, time and dispensing  position and continues with the programmed regimen week after week until changed.

 Is it tamper proof?
Yes. When the medication cassette is locked in the device, the keypad is also electronically disabled. The  device cannot be reprogrammed or instructions changed without a key. All other medicine is locked out and only available at the correct time or when accessed with the key.

How does someone know when to take their medicine?
The standard CompuMed system has an audio alarm and LCD screen. The audio alarm can be adjusted for both pitch and volume. These adjustments help users with hearing  loss find a sound and tone they can hear. Additionally, the LCD screen indicates the appropriate instructions when medicine is dispensed.
Other reminder options include a flashing strobe, a voice module and a telephone tie-in.
The flashing strobe is useful for the hearing impaired.
The voice module "personalizes" the system and is often used by  those with memory loss and those for whom the audio alarm alone is confusing. The caregiver records a custom message that is played each time medicine is dispensed. For example, "Dad, it's time to take your medicine. It  is here in the drawer. Please take it with a glass of water. I love you and will see you soon." This message continues to play until the medicine is taken and the drawer replaced.
The telephone tie-in is usually  connected to existing Personal Emergency Response Equipment. If medicine is not taken within a certain time frame of when it should be, a monitoring center is called and the user, caregivers and others are alerted to  the medication error event.

 What if someone forgets to take their medicine? Will it double dose?
No. If a medication time is missed and it is time for the next  one, the message on the screen changes to "CAUTION, 1 MEDICATION TIME PASSED." Only when the drawer is opened and closed again will the next medicine be dispensed. If more than one medication time is missed, the screen  will indicate the number missed. The alarm continues during the entire time.

If someone  knows they will be gone at a certain time and wants to take their medicine with them, can they?
Yes. By unlocking CompuMed and  de-activating the lock-out feature, an individual or caregiver can pre-dispense medication using the ADVANCE key. This feature is useful if an individual is going out for a short time and wants to take the medicine  along. For example, a daughter may stop by at 11:30 a.m. and say, "Mom, let's go to lunch." Rather than wait until noon (if that is when Mom takes medicine) for the medicine to be dispensed, they can push the ADVANCE  key and take the medicine with them. CompuMed keeps track of the medicine taken out and resumes dispensing at the next dose.

How much does it cost?
The suggested retail purchase price is $895.00 US$ and the  rental rate is $100.00 US$ per month. Professional and trade pricing is available for quantities.
Please contact us for other pricing specials!

Who pays for CompuMed?
Often, 3rd Party Payors do. They realize the high costs of  noncompliance - increased levels of care either at home or institution, and know that if an individual can remain compliant with medication overall costs are reduced.
Other organizations purchase it for their members  (i.e. Veteran's Administration, Area Agencies on Aging, etc.) Also, many children of elderly parents purchase or rent CompuMed for their parent(s).