| Frequently Asked Questions |
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What is the MD.2 Personal Medication System?
How does MD.2 work?
Who should use MD.2?
Is MD.2 easy to use?
How does the monitoring service work?
Who installs and maintains MD.2?
Are the medications and the medication schedule secure?
What if the user is away from home during dosing periods?
Will MD.2 continuously tie up a phone line?
How many days of medications will MD.2 hold?
What if the power goes out?
Does MD.2 have special features to help the elderly and disabled?
Q. What is the MD.2 Personal Medication System?
A. The MD.2 Personal Medication System, or MD.2 for short, is an easy-to-use medication management system for individuals who have trouble remembering, organizing, and taking their medications. This fully integrated system simplifies medication organization and delivery, reminds individuals to dispense and take their medications on schedule, and monitors compliance. MD.2 is a home-based system that will help dispense any solid oral medication plus give verbal and text reminders for non-oral medications or specific medication directions (i.e., "take with food").
A. At preprogrammed intervals, MD.2 will "announce" that it is time to take a medication dose. This announcement consists of multiple features: a reassuring voice message, a flashing light, and a text message. To dispense the medication dose, the individual simply presses the large red exterior button, and an easy-to-open, reusable plastic cup containing the medications is dispensed. Medications never touch the dispensing unit, thereby preventing potential contamination. Instructions, such as "Take with water" can be announced when the button is pressed. The remaining time until the next dose will be displayed on the easy-to-read LCD screen. When all medications for the day have been delivered, the screen will read "No More Medication Today."
A. MD.2 is designed for people who are caught in the "gap" between needing little or no medication assistance and full-time medication management. MD.2 works well for individuals who have trouble with forgetfulness, or who are likely to take too much or too little medication, or the wrong medication. It is ideal for people who suffer from mild to moderate dementia (Alzheimer's, psychiatric conditions) or dexterity issues (tremors, severe arthritis), as well as patients with complicated medication schedules, such as those with congestive heart failure.
A. MD.2 is remarkably easy to use. Its intelligent one-button design, multiple reminders (audible, visual, and text), and easy-to-open medicine dispensing cups make MD.2 easy to use and operate for any individual capable of self-medicating.
Q. How does the monitoring service work?
A. Using the individual's phone line, MD.2 will automatically call up to four caregivers in sequence, alerting them that the user has missed a dose. Any caregiver reached must acknowledge they received the call by pressing "1" on the phone keypad (this eliminates answering machines that have been reached). If all caregivers fail to respond to the message, the IMD Support Center is alerted. MD.2 does NOT need a special or separate phone line for this monitoring service, and ONLY utilizes the phone line when an alert or other action is needed.
MD.2 will also notify caregivers if medications run low and need to be refilled. In addition, MD.2 will call the IMD Support Center each night via a toll-free number and perform a series of quality checks. If an MD.2 system does not perform the nightly call-in, the Support Center is alerted.
Q. Who installs and maintains MD.2?
A. MD.2 is designed to be easy to install and maintain. If the user is currently receiving help with daily medications, IMD recommends that the current caregiver install and maintain MD.2. (Once installed, some individuals may be able to manage and maintain their units on their own.)
Q. Are the medications and the medication schedule secure?
A. Yes. MD.2 has numerous features to safeguard medication security. For example, access to medication cups can be blocked via the locking medication compartment, ensuring that individuals only receive medications when appropriately scheduled. The keypad, used for programming, is also located behind this locking compartment, preventing any accidental changes. In addition, any missed doses remain stored in the medication compartment, thus eliminating the possibility of double dosing. Finally, the medication schedule can only be changed by calling the IMD Support Center, or by using the secure section of the IMD web site.
Q. What if the user is away from home during dosing periods?
A. The flexibility of MD.2 allows users to dispense their medications "early" so doses can be taken along. A special button labeled "EARLY DOSE" is located inside the locked cabinet. After the door is unlocked, the EARLY DOSE button is pressed and the next available dose is dispensed. The EARLY DOSE feature can be utilized for as many dosing periods as needed.
Q. Will MD.2 continuously tie up a phone line?
A. No. MD.2 utilizes the individual's existing phone line only to make outbound calls for actions such as alert or refilling reminders. A separate or special phone line is NOT needed.
Q. How many days of medications will MD.2 hold?
A. That depends on how many dosing periods per day the user needs. MD.2 can dispense up to 6 dosing periods per day and hold up to 60 medication cups. Most people take their medications 2 to 3 times per day. In most cases, MD.2 will hold 3 to 4 weeks (20 to 30 days) of medication.
Q. What if the power goes out?
A. MD.2 comes with a battery backup that will provide alternative power for 12 to 18 hours.
Q. Does MD.2 have special features to help the elderly and disabled?
A. Yes. To help the visually impaired, reminders are both audible (spoken words and tones) and visual (a flashing red strobe light). The large red dispensing button is significantly raised and is easy to identify by touch alone. For the hearing impaired, reminders include multiple visual alerts and text messages. Audible volumes can be easily adjusted. The medication cups are large with easy-to-open lids (even for those with arthritis). The dispensing button has a very low push "threshold," making it easy to engage.